communist mercy
6th May 2005, 21:55
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Posted on Fri, May. 06, 2005
MUSIC
Rare Cuban sound: U.S. rock
Audioslave will perform tonight in what may be the first outdoor rock concert by a U.S. group in Cuba. Band members promise a long, loud evening.
BY JOHN RICE
Associated Press
HAVANA - It's been a long time -- maybe forever -- since a U.S. band has rocked the Havana waterfront, where crowds are more used to denouncing the United States than dancing with it.
Audioslave is promising to make its concert tonight the longest, loudest and best Cubans will have heard.
''We will play the longest concert we have ever had as Audioslave,'' promised Tom Morello, adding, ``We will endeavor to play the best we have ever played as Audioslave.''
Cubans, too, have an obligation, he told a crowded news conference at a hotel ballroom facing the Caribbean: ``They have to come to the show and go absolutely crazy tomorrow.''
The hastily organized show is being billed as the first outdoor rock concert by a U.S. band in Cuba, though some Cuban artists have disputed that claim.
The concert at the Anti-Imperialist Tribunal -- on the Malecón waterfront facing the U.S. Interests Section here -- easily has the potential to be the largest, far bigger than the few earlier, relatively controlled indoor concerts involving artists such as Billy Joel and Bonnie Raitt.
Crowds of 1 million people have sometimes turned out for government-sponsored demonstrations against the United States that file past the stage for hours.
JUST MUSIC
While Audioslave's members have a social activist bent in the U.S., so far they are shying away from politics here. ''It's all about the music, period,'' said Tim Commerford.
Audioslave broke away from a U.S. tour promoting an upcoming album, Out of Exile, to come to Cuba after what Morello described as a lengthy effort to win approval of both governments.
The concert was called on such short notice that many Cuban rock fans were just getting word of the event on Thursday. Those who can't make it -- from here or abroad -- may be able to see and hear it later on DVD.
The U.S. government's restrictions on Cuba's communist government often have made it tough for artists of all sorts to travel to and from the island.
Cuba's government considered rock subversive in the 1960s, but has since warmed to some forms of it -- even dedicating a park to the late Beatle John Lennon. But it has been slow to celebrate the grungier, more rebellious forms of rock.
Officials closed Havana's most important rock club about two years ago, but allow twice-monthly performances at another venue, said Juan Manuel Montoto, who promotes a thrash group called Agonizer.
He said, however, that officials have authorized several outdoor rock festivals around the country.
This time, both governments have given approval for Audioslave. The biggest threat may be the weather, which has been glum and rainy this week.
STARTING SOMETHING
The Audioslave guys so far have enjoyed being a part of history. ''We all hope it will be the start of something that continues,'' said lead singer Chris Cornell.''
''It is very important to us that this could be a free concert so that everyone in Cuba who wants to come can come and hear the music,'' Morello added. He promised ``the loudest rock concert that Cuba will ever hear.''
Posted on Fri, May. 06, 2005
MUSIC
Rare Cuban sound: U.S. rock
Audioslave will perform tonight in what may be the first outdoor rock concert by a U.S. group in Cuba. Band members promise a long, loud evening.
BY JOHN RICE
Associated Press
HAVANA - It's been a long time -- maybe forever -- since a U.S. band has rocked the Havana waterfront, where crowds are more used to denouncing the United States than dancing with it.
Audioslave is promising to make its concert tonight the longest, loudest and best Cubans will have heard.
''We will play the longest concert we have ever had as Audioslave,'' promised Tom Morello, adding, ``We will endeavor to play the best we have ever played as Audioslave.''
Cubans, too, have an obligation, he told a crowded news conference at a hotel ballroom facing the Caribbean: ``They have to come to the show and go absolutely crazy tomorrow.''
The hastily organized show is being billed as the first outdoor rock concert by a U.S. band in Cuba, though some Cuban artists have disputed that claim.
The concert at the Anti-Imperialist Tribunal -- on the Malecón waterfront facing the U.S. Interests Section here -- easily has the potential to be the largest, far bigger than the few earlier, relatively controlled indoor concerts involving artists such as Billy Joel and Bonnie Raitt.
Crowds of 1 million people have sometimes turned out for government-sponsored demonstrations against the United States that file past the stage for hours.
JUST MUSIC
While Audioslave's members have a social activist bent in the U.S., so far they are shying away from politics here. ''It's all about the music, period,'' said Tim Commerford.
Audioslave broke away from a U.S. tour promoting an upcoming album, Out of Exile, to come to Cuba after what Morello described as a lengthy effort to win approval of both governments.
The concert was called on such short notice that many Cuban rock fans were just getting word of the event on Thursday. Those who can't make it -- from here or abroad -- may be able to see and hear it later on DVD.
The U.S. government's restrictions on Cuba's communist government often have made it tough for artists of all sorts to travel to and from the island.
Cuba's government considered rock subversive in the 1960s, but has since warmed to some forms of it -- even dedicating a park to the late Beatle John Lennon. But it has been slow to celebrate the grungier, more rebellious forms of rock.
Officials closed Havana's most important rock club about two years ago, but allow twice-monthly performances at another venue, said Juan Manuel Montoto, who promotes a thrash group called Agonizer.
He said, however, that officials have authorized several outdoor rock festivals around the country.
This time, both governments have given approval for Audioslave. The biggest threat may be the weather, which has been glum and rainy this week.
STARTING SOMETHING
The Audioslave guys so far have enjoyed being a part of history. ''We all hope it will be the start of something that continues,'' said lead singer Chris Cornell.''
''It is very important to us that this could be a free concert so that everyone in Cuba who wants to come can come and hear the music,'' Morello added. He promised ``the loudest rock concert that Cuba will ever hear.''