Gutterblood
24
Out Now
A digital single from Gutterblood simultaneously shines a light on the plight of civilians in Gaza, raises funds for groups trying to halt the slaughter and challenges the silencing of activists in this country,
Edinburgh alt rockers Gutterblood have rushed out a song in advance of their new album in response to the proscribing of a pro-Palestinian non-violent direct action group whose name we cannot utter for fear of falling foul of the Terrorism Act.
Their aim is to raise funds to “support future (& non proscribed:)) direct action networks that challenge British complicity with Israeli apartheid.”
While we are all distracted by how the likes of Bob Vylan and Kneecap are silenced or the order to proscribe Pa… oops, I nearly said it! … we aren’t talking about the thing the powers that be don’t want discussed.
An eerie intro, sounding like wailing souls, gives way to the main tune which has a post punk vibe with shades of New Model Army in the bass. The most important thing is the words and the cause they are raising money for.
The words are very simple. Sometimes the best way to convey a message is to be direct, and Gutterblood draw on their punk rock roots in this respect. They tell the story of one of tens of thousands of victims. Perhaps speaking about one rather than thousands brings it more into our human focus?
Maymana Jarada she was 24
She was artistic
And she was creative
And she was studying graphic design
And she is dead
Dead
Maymana Jarada she was 24
She was murdered by Israel
Was murdered by Israel
Was murdered by Israel
And she is
Dead
Dead
Look to the sky
ZioNazi! ZioNazi! Zion-murderer!
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Why does this matter? Because an overstretch by the state crushing dissent demands a response from artists and musicians. Because de-platforming any voice for Palestinians is the goal of trying to silence Kneecap and Bob Vylan. Because war crimes are ongoing.
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Words by Nathan Brown. You can read more from Nathan on his Louder Than War archive over here.
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