Sam_b
1st May 2009, 23:59
A very good evening one and all to you by a rather drunken Sam_b.
Now, i'll be the first to say that I am often overtly critical of Antifa and its tactics. Many of these positions I still hold, but today showed to me what Antifa can do, and do very right indeed.
In a response to the rumoured fascist marches in Prague on May Day, Antifa organised an all-day festival which really was a feast of music and politics. Many radical groups were there, from Good Night White Pride to SHARP and even the Animal Liberation Front. I would have taken pictures to show you but understandably there was very tight security being run and absolutely no pictures/video to be taken. Aside from this and other groups there were also the usual stalls by record dealers, badges and even a mobile tattoo studio.
All day there were groups playing, mostly of the hardcore/grindcore/crustpunk genre, I wish I was able to remember band names but sadly I can't due to the plethora of alcohol which was available. :lol: However, the two headline bands I remember vividly and enjoyed them both.
The penultimate group was Japanese post-hardcore/noise noice band Envy. I had heard of this band before, in as much as in Europe they are signed to Mogwai's Rock Action label, and the similarities were here in the quiet/loud noise schtick. The use of the sequencer was a good touch, and when they got going they were brutal. Really good progressive and intelligent noise music which really got the 1000+ crowd going. Sadly though, after talking to their merch man, the band don't plan to play Europe for two or three years, disappointing as I would definitely pay to see them in a venue again. Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/officialenvy .
Now, I was really here to see the fesitval's headline band, Canadian political punks Propagandi. Any band that opens with "Hi we're propagandhi and we FUCKING HATE FASCISTS" will go down well at an Antifa headed event, and got the crowd on their side immediately. Not that they needed to, after a blistering and abrasive hour of music which was a lot heavier than expected. I got my glasses off just in time to avoid any material damage, yet then proceeded to destroy myself (well, slashed up arm, bruises) in the vastly enveloping pit which easily had 60 or more fans in it at one point. I'm assured that they played a wide and diverse range of their discography, from songs about racism, poverty, war and Palestine.
So, i've just got home from this and can safely say this was a very good May Day indeed. There was a great sense of community spirit and dedication to fighting fascism which is spreading in the Czech Republic, and served as a rally call to build the movement onwards and upwards. Let's Fight White Pride!
Now, i'll be the first to say that I am often overtly critical of Antifa and its tactics. Many of these positions I still hold, but today showed to me what Antifa can do, and do very right indeed.
In a response to the rumoured fascist marches in Prague on May Day, Antifa organised an all-day festival which really was a feast of music and politics. Many radical groups were there, from Good Night White Pride to SHARP and even the Animal Liberation Front. I would have taken pictures to show you but understandably there was very tight security being run and absolutely no pictures/video to be taken. Aside from this and other groups there were also the usual stalls by record dealers, badges and even a mobile tattoo studio.
All day there were groups playing, mostly of the hardcore/grindcore/crustpunk genre, I wish I was able to remember band names but sadly I can't due to the plethora of alcohol which was available. :lol: However, the two headline bands I remember vividly and enjoyed them both.
The penultimate group was Japanese post-hardcore/noise noice band Envy. I had heard of this band before, in as much as in Europe they are signed to Mogwai's Rock Action label, and the similarities were here in the quiet/loud noise schtick. The use of the sequencer was a good touch, and when they got going they were brutal. Really good progressive and intelligent noise music which really got the 1000+ crowd going. Sadly though, after talking to their merch man, the band don't plan to play Europe for two or three years, disappointing as I would definitely pay to see them in a venue again. Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/officialenvy .
Now, I was really here to see the fesitval's headline band, Canadian political punks Propagandi. Any band that opens with "Hi we're propagandhi and we FUCKING HATE FASCISTS" will go down well at an Antifa headed event, and got the crowd on their side immediately. Not that they needed to, after a blistering and abrasive hour of music which was a lot heavier than expected. I got my glasses off just in time to avoid any material damage, yet then proceeded to destroy myself (well, slashed up arm, bruises) in the vastly enveloping pit which easily had 60 or more fans in it at one point. I'm assured that they played a wide and diverse range of their discography, from songs about racism, poverty, war and Palestine.
So, i've just got home from this and can safely say this was a very good May Day indeed. There was a great sense of community spirit and dedication to fighting fascism which is spreading in the Czech Republic, and served as a rally call to build the movement onwards and upwards. Let's Fight White Pride!