Last week, I read an article in our local newspaper that really disturbed me. It seems that music played at excruciating levels has been used as a form of torture against prisoners in the military prison at Guantanamo Bay. A group of artists have filed a Freedom of Information request to find out exactly which songs have been used in this manner.
Apparently this has been going on for quite some time, and the fight against it has been waging for at least a year. This tactic is officially banned by the UN Convention Against Torture, and by several human rights organizations. Some of the songs used include Rage Against the Machine's "Killing In The Name," Metallica's "Enter Sandman" and the Barney TV show theme song.
This is wrong. Music should not be an instrument of torture. The artists put their hearts and souls into their creations, their art. It is meant to stir emotions, not be used to drive people mad. A form of popular culture should not be used as an interrogation technique.
I wholeheartedly support the musicians in this matter and hope it is resolved in their favor.
Showing posts with label Metallica. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Metallica. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Never Was
I think how you view life says a lot about you as a person. Are you a glass half empty or a glass half full kind of person? I like to think of myself as a glass half full person myself. I prefer to think things are going to work out, good things happen to good people and life in general is good. I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt and try and maintain a positive attitude.
That's how I viewed the movie Anvil! The Story of Anvil.
Back in 1985, Anvil were poised for success. But a combination of shoddy production values, nonexistant management and no label support kept them from achieving the level of success they thought they were destined to have. They never made it anywhere close to the type of fame the big four in thrash metal (their genre) did - Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth and Pantera. More than twenty years later, and into their 50s, singer Lips and drummer Robb Reiner were still trying to make it. The movie follows their journey as they tour Europe, record a new CD and try to get signed to a major label.
I watched the movie and kept hoping for the band to get a break. It seemed as if they took one step forward and two steps back the whole way through. They booked a European tour, great. But they had a tough time making it to gigs, getting paid by club owners and playing to mostly empty houses. One heartbreaking scene showed the band playing an arena with a 10,000 person capacity, with the actual head count being 174. They got in touch with a reputable producer who liked the new material, great. But they went into debt to pay for the recording and got turned down by every major label they approached. Finally, they played a festival in Japan to a capacity crowd who really appreciated the music and made them feel like it was worth it.
As that glass half full person, I was inspired by Steve "Lips" Kudlow. Throughout all the years, all the heartache that he has surely endured, he never lost hope. He never wavered in his belief in himself, his music and his band. In his dream. To me, that's admirable.
Obviously there are those out there who no doubt think, enough already. Just give it up. It hasn't happened by now, it's not going to happen. I can't be that kind of cynic. I still believe in dreams.
It's fitting that Anvil are now achieving success for a film about them not achieving success. The film has won many documentary film awards and the band is still recording and touring. As a glass half full person, I wish them all the luck in the world.
That's how I viewed the movie Anvil! The Story of Anvil.
Back in 1985, Anvil were poised for success. But a combination of shoddy production values, nonexistant management and no label support kept them from achieving the level of success they thought they were destined to have. They never made it anywhere close to the type of fame the big four in thrash metal (their genre) did - Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth and Pantera. More than twenty years later, and into their 50s, singer Lips and drummer Robb Reiner were still trying to make it. The movie follows their journey as they tour Europe, record a new CD and try to get signed to a major label.
I watched the movie and kept hoping for the band to get a break. It seemed as if they took one step forward and two steps back the whole way through. They booked a European tour, great. But they had a tough time making it to gigs, getting paid by club owners and playing to mostly empty houses. One heartbreaking scene showed the band playing an arena with a 10,000 person capacity, with the actual head count being 174. They got in touch with a reputable producer who liked the new material, great. But they went into debt to pay for the recording and got turned down by every major label they approached. Finally, they played a festival in Japan to a capacity crowd who really appreciated the music and made them feel like it was worth it.
As that glass half full person, I was inspired by Steve "Lips" Kudlow. Throughout all the years, all the heartache that he has surely endured, he never lost hope. He never wavered in his belief in himself, his music and his band. In his dream. To me, that's admirable.
Obviously there are those out there who no doubt think, enough already. Just give it up. It hasn't happened by now, it's not going to happen. I can't be that kind of cynic. I still believe in dreams.
It's fitting that Anvil are now achieving success for a film about them not achieving success. The film has won many documentary film awards and the band is still recording and touring. As a glass half full person, I wish them all the luck in the world.
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