I spoke to my grandmother today in Poland. It's heartbreaking to hear her speaking about the second war she's living through, and how different and more peaceful her view on life is from the many from generations that followed, who grew up in or left as soon as they could to countries of prosperity. I think especially in times of this, we should be listening not to warmongers in cushy offices a continent away, but to the survivors who know we're capable of better.
Mar 2, 2022·edited Mar 2, 2022Liked by The Dreadnoughts
Hey, K. Metcalf here, Toronto based antifascist fan. I love your music and came looking for just such a statement. Your Gavrilo song is a real toe-tapper, can you do a Nestor Makhno song some day? There's a legacy people need to know more about. 'Black Sea Gale' and 'Sleep is for the Weak' have been the anthem to my last few weeks of coping as I watch, safe in Canada while the horror unfolds.
Here's some timely info: there's an anarchist football club alliance in Ukraine "The Black Headquarter" who are currently holding it down as part of the territorial defence forces and it appears they need some equipment and other aid. History and theory and politics might not protect those young fans who are now military age, but some plate carriers and helmets will. Consider this "passing the hat". https://linktr.ee/Theblackheadquarter
Hey Kev, thanks for the kind words about the music. We've been sharing help links all over social media and trying to do our best, and we will keep this link in mind (there are so many alternative ways to help and we wouldn't want to make up people's minds for them).
Remember, many of the soldiers are just pawns being used by the upper's. Don't hate the people and their culture, hate the politicians. The Russians are protesting to stop this at the expense of their lives. Many of the Russian soldiers don't know why they were sent there. Just pawns doing the leader's bidding...
I tell ya what. I understand the apprehension of appropriation, but it's the end listener that makes the ultimate judgement.
I view what y'all do as, inspiration and homage to those forms of music, and then align them to punk as well.
Specifically, to that point, Ukraine has weighed heavily in my thoughts. The helplessness of the situation. I'm not a "thoughts and prayers" kind of guy, but having Black Sea Gail come up in my play list makes me hopeful for Ukraine. I find it inspirational in a dark time.
Adam, for sure. It's all done with love. And we're not really regretting taking the inspiration, and no-one over there is going to think we're bad people or anything. It was more just like: wow, we've been taking this music and not thinking at ALL about where it comes from. Kind of humbling I guess.
I spoke to my grandmother today in Poland. It's heartbreaking to hear her speaking about the second war she's living through, and how different and more peaceful her view on life is from the many from generations that followed, who grew up in or left as soon as they could to countries of prosperity. I think especially in times of this, we should be listening not to warmongers in cushy offices a continent away, but to the survivors who know we're capable of better.
Wise words.
There is a long tradition of music bearing witness to the horrors of war - your contribution not least.
And for every Red Army Choir stirring march, there are a hundred "I was only Nineteen".
It's true, many of the really popular songs are mourning lost ones and not military marches. Important to remember this as well.
Hey, K. Metcalf here, Toronto based antifascist fan. I love your music and came looking for just such a statement. Your Gavrilo song is a real toe-tapper, can you do a Nestor Makhno song some day? There's a legacy people need to know more about. 'Black Sea Gale' and 'Sleep is for the Weak' have been the anthem to my last few weeks of coping as I watch, safe in Canada while the horror unfolds.
Here's some timely info: there's an anarchist football club alliance in Ukraine "The Black Headquarter" who are currently holding it down as part of the territorial defence forces and it appears they need some equipment and other aid. History and theory and politics might not protect those young fans who are now military age, but some plate carriers and helmets will. Consider this "passing the hat". https://linktr.ee/Theblackheadquarter
Hey Kev, thanks for the kind words about the music. We've been sharing help links all over social media and trying to do our best, and we will keep this link in mind (there are so many alternative ways to help and we wouldn't want to make up people's minds for them).
Remember, many of the soldiers are just pawns being used by the upper's. Don't hate the people and their culture, hate the politicians. The Russians are protesting to stop this at the expense of their lives. Many of the Russian soldiers don't know why they were sent there. Just pawns doing the leader's bidding...
Absolutely. Very important to remember this.
I tell ya what. I understand the apprehension of appropriation, but it's the end listener that makes the ultimate judgement.
I view what y'all do as, inspiration and homage to those forms of music, and then align them to punk as well.
Specifically, to that point, Ukraine has weighed heavily in my thoughts. The helplessness of the situation. I'm not a "thoughts and prayers" kind of guy, but having Black Sea Gail come up in my play list makes me hopeful for Ukraine. I find it inspirational in a dark time.
But hey, that's me...
Adam, for sure. It's all done with love. And we're not really regretting taking the inspiration, and no-one over there is going to think we're bad people or anything. It was more just like: wow, we've been taking this music and not thinking at ALL about where it comes from. Kind of humbling I guess.