What we’re listening to now… Check out this band, Robot’s Revenge, from Ohio and their band camp page HERE. They describe themselves as sci-fi punk and while that is a new one to me, I dig it. I mean the cover alone is mad cool right?
Well the music ain’t bad either. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting their band camp page and letting the songs roll while I worked, worked, worked away. A couple of really good ones, but I really dug this tune “Insomnia” (last one). I might even pony up the $4 and do a digital download.
Just the right amount of angst with melody and that slightly off kilter punk sound mixed with.. you guessed it, that sci fi sound! Very apt description. Tool meets the Ramones? Well, maybe not exactly but it’s still a very nice job guys.
Have you ever noticed how every now and then you will rediscover a song that you had heard before but hadn’t gone nuts over initially? Then suddenly, weeks, months or sometimes even years later, you stumble across it again and this time it gets embedded in your conscious and you just have to listen to it over and over again… maybe even add it to your top 10, 50 or 100 of all time songs or something?
To me it feels a little like a metaphor for love or a relationship actually, I find these “rediscovered” songs often grab me the most, at least over the long term. Many times with a song that I instantly fell in love with on the 1st or 2nd listen, a few days, weeks or a month or so later, I’ll end up discarding them to the “every now and then” bin and more often than not, skipping the song after it pops up in shuffle on the ipod.
These songs I like initially are sometimes just bubble gum and it was all surface stuff I fell in love with, nothing really long term there and just as quickly, I’ll stop listening. Just like a relationship when you get to that 2nd level and you find the the things you liked the most about that person (song) you thought you dug so much, suddenly annoy the hell out of you and you need to get away before you say something rude or just end up being callous and cruel.
Dorados’ Felipe Ossa with a young Colombian Elvis fan
I’m not a huge rockabilly fanatic personally, I mean I like it, but I don’t love, love, love it like most rockabilly cats. But I DO like it and I DO get a good kick out of it. It’s very listenable music, especially live.
However, when I hear Dorados I tend to LOVE rockabilly suddenly. Something in the music, makes me want to throw away all inhibition and dance a silly dance and not give one iota about who sees me.
Especially, when I hear this “rediscovered gem”, which had been “with me all along”, “Little Baby”. Maybe I didn’t connect so powerfully initially because it takes a little patience to get through the intro.
I mean I like the intro, a lot. It makes the song, but in this day and age of quick, snap judgements and remote controls, and short, tight songs, I guess I may have clicked Fast Forward to “next” before “Little Baby” got completely up and running to it’s finger popping, bootie shaking rhythms, which now, I can’t get out of my head.
I envision even the most hardcore hip hop/R&B/Blues fan digging this song along with Rockabilly fanatics and any of the plethora of other type of music fans. But then again, maybe I’m just obsessed.
I can’t seem to get enough of “Little Baby”. But maybe it’s just me? “Little Baby”, I’m sorry I ignored you early on. You have me now, so please, please, please… don’t break my heart.
ON A RELATED NOTE:
We’re casting a rockabilly vixen for Dorados Rockabilly Trio “Diamond Girl”. Most of the video is shot, but we need the following:
- Vintage Motorbikes and / or Vintage Hot-rods
- Cool Rockabilly gal that wants to dance & star as “Diamond Girl”.
- Some rockabilly guys & gals as extras
- Cool location
If your in the Los Angeles area and know someone interested in participating, please comment or email us at info@punkoutlawrecords.com and we’ll be in touch.
One of my favorite rockabilly bands in the world comes from Colombia. Not exactly a hot bed of Rockabilly activity you say? correct! But its definitely on the rise, in a large part thanks to “Dorados Rockabilly Trio” , a trio of cool cats who play original and unique rockabilly music in Spanish and English.
One of my favorite tunes “Bettie Page… Donde Estas?” has a video coming out soon that will feature an international effort (Shot in Colombia, additional shooting in the U.S. /California and editing in Moscow), now my friends, you won’t even find that kind of international cooperation at my good buddies Russel Simmon’s label (ok I know we don’t have any gold toilets either) and maybe not even the U.N.
For our Colombia fans and there are a bunch, I hope you get to catch the Dorados’ Rockabilly Trio at their next gig on June 13th in Medellin. I’m going to miss this one because I’ll be in Eastern Europe, but never fear my friends, get the arepas con queso on the grill Club Colombia on ice, I’ll be back in my old stomping grounds of Cali, Medellin and Bogota in August.
If you live in Colombia, get info on the event HERE.
Don’t live in Colombia? Never heard of Dorados Rockabilly Trio? Love rockabilly? Shame on you?! here is a little ditty just for you and you can always here songs off their recently released CD “Conflicto de Espacio Blanco”at Punk Outlaw Records.
It’s Normandie Blue Release week next week so don’t give me any s&*t please about being a self promoter. Music like this doesn’t come easy. First you have to have the talent of Alex Blue which is honed by years living on the road with Calavera, the punk/psychobilly band with a huge underground following.
Then you have to have a producer like John Avila (Oingo Boingo, Reel Big Fish, etc.) who probably doesn’t come cheaply. So above mentioned Alex sells his car to pay for the production of the CD. Guys like Alex don’t really do things half way.
Then you need talented and dedicated band mates like Ito, Roman and Manny Murders.
The result is “It Is What It Is” officially out May 19th on Itunesand Amazon Music (just click the links and you’ll be taken straight to the release page where you can buy a track or the whole CD).
Alex, Ito & Manny - Normandie Blue
Now is this just too much raw, unleashed capitalism for you? Is Normandie Blue not “oi” punk enough for ya? I got you, I hear you and I would maybe, almost agree with you except for 3 things:
1) As I said, putting out music like this is hard.. really hard. Because Alex sold his car to pay for the production, he had do walk part of the 25 miles with guitar and amp in hand to the studio everyday in the hot (yes, it gets hot) California sun. Doesn’t get much more punk than that.
2) The music is good. Every track may not be 100% pure punk but it’s unarguably punk influenced and it is good, aggressive hard and melodic rock and roll. Is Social Distortion punk? Is Bad Religion punk? If you didn’t listen to the right song or know their history and just listened to a random song you might say “nahh… too mainstream”, but we all know they are indeed punk royalty. Well, while Alex’s background is less heralded, it is just as authentic I’ll assure you. He’s punk to the core.
3) And good music, my friends, deserves to be heard. No matter how you define punk, good music is good music and it should be heard, not hoarded.
But what is good music? It varies from person to person of course. So we put together a little video sampler from the CD for you because we know you have a short attention span and your time is valuable and we don’t want to waste it.
And furthermore if you feel we’re appealing to your wallet a bit too much, that maybe we have spent a tad too much time in the belly of “the great satan” (AKA the United States), then we’re offering this. Free downloads of the single “Amazing Disgrace” just for the first 100 listeners.
But be quick about it. Our buddies Remezcla.com featured a kick ass article on Normandie Blue and they too are offering their readers access to the same downloads.
With so much promotional costs (flyers, CD dubs, etc.) we may very well not make a dime, but if we do, we’ve pledged to help one of Alex’s pet causes, an orphanage in Mexico City. We plan to donate 10% of any net profits we may happen to make. But to be candid, we know that living in the U.S. we are pretty damned lucky in so many ways so we’ll probably help out one way or another regardless of whether we make money or not.
So please don’t give me any S&*^.
We’re just trying to get good music heard and maybe do some good in the process. What’s wrong with that? If you don’t have any money you can still listen, but if you do have money, and do like what your hear, then support good music and spend 99 cents for your favorite song… or $9.99 for the whole CD.
It’s not about the money.. it’s about the music.. but the money keeps the music going you see. That’s not capitalism, socialism, communism or any other ism.. that’s just life.
I hope you enjoy!
EDITORS NOTE: Sorry for the late note on this, but we did update our FB Pages,etc. the Launch at the Torino Lounge was postponed. So don’t show up please,or you’ll be the only one there.
There is a band down in Medellin, Colombia called Lokekeda (roughly translated means “Left Overs”). They’ve been playing their unique brand of punk music for years and have, through hard work and commitment, been able to put out a CD called “Medellin Es Punk” (really now, must I translate that for you?). There is a bit of metal in their sound and they site bands like “AC-DC” as one of their influences along with punk mainstays like “The Addicts” and “The Ramones”.
They recorded a little ditty called “Espinas Assesinas” which translated means something like “Killer Thorns” or “Killer Spine” (take your pick) for a compilation CD put out by Colombian punk heavyweights I.R.A.
I found myself listening to “Espinas Assesinas” over and over on the old i-Pod so we ended up producing a music video for the song and putting it out on our “Punktology Vol. 1 – Free Cuba Now”CD late last year.
Well, now, I’m happy to report we are able to put out their debut CD, Medellin Es Punk which also includes “Espinas Assesinas”. It’s over at Punk Outlaw Records where you can read more about the band, see some photos and videos and most importantly listen to some lengthy samples from the CD, gratis, free of charge of course.
PUNK OUTLAW RECORDS LAUNCHES NEW MULTIMEDIA WEBSITE
& SIGNS ROCKABILLY BAND FROM COLOMBIA
- Emerging Label Features Several Newly Signed Bands from Latin America & Announces First Rockabilly Release with Colombia’s “Dorados Rockabilly Trio” -
Los Angeles, CA January 31st, 2012 – Punk Outlaw® Records announced the launch of its newly redesigned website at www.PunkOutlawRecords.com which showcases several newly signed bands from Latin America.
The site also displays greatly enhanced features where fans can preview and listen to the individual artists’ releases and if they choose, purchase and download music. Fans can also view photos and videos from the different bands as well as join the newsletter where they can keep abreast of new releases and receive free music downloads on a periodic basis.
In addition to the label’s recent releases from the label’s original roster, Colombian Punk Rockers “Los Suziox”and Uruguayan Punkabilly stalwarts, “Rudos Wild”, the label recently released its first compilation collection, “Punktology Volume 1 – Free Cuba Now!” which features 16 punk and hardcore tracks from 8 artists from Latin America and the Caribbean.
The label’s site also features the debut release from the label’s first rockabilly band, Colombia’s “Dorados Rockabilly Trio”. The release titled “Conflicto de Espacio Blanco” (White Space Conflict) features six (6) original tracks, in English and Spanish including one dedicated to pin up icon “Bettie Page”.
“The redesigned site will help us more effectively share the musical experience of punk, rockabilly, psychobilly, ska and reggae from our travels all over the world. We plan on signing more bands and releasing more music and we hope that the fans will come to view the site as a valuable resource for discovering new music and artists regardless of their geography” States Robert G. Rose, Founder of the Punk Outlaw Records. “We plan to run the label in a non traditional manner, more like a cooperative, with artists and fans both contributing to and benefiting from the label’s success. We also hope to always keep a higher purpose in mind, experimenting with unique promotional ideas that can also help others” Rose continues.
The fledgling record label hopes to showcase a minimum of at least one new release each month, from a variety of punk genres and subgenres from artists the world over. The label’s current roster of bands include the afore mentioned Los Suziox (Colombia), Rudos Wild (Uruguay), Dorados Rockabilly Trio (Colombia) as well as Punktology Vol. 1 participants, Anti-Everything (Trinidad), Demeter/DMTR (Ecuador), El Terrible Y Los Mongoloides (Peru), Lokekeda (Colombia), Warning (Guatemala) and Fertil Miseria (Colombia). More announcements are expected in the coming weeks.
PUNK OUTLAW RECORDS LANZA UN NUEVO SITIO MULTIMEDIA E INCORPORA UNA BANDA DE ROCKABILLY DE COLOMBIA
El incipiente sello discográfico cuenta con diversas bandas latinoamericanas incorporadas recientemente y anuncia el primer lanzamiento de rockabilly con la banda “Dorados Rockabilly Trio”
Los Ángeles, CA, 31 de enero de 2012 – Punk Outlaw® Records anunció el lanzamiento de su sitio web recientemente rediseñado www.PunkOutlawRecords.com, el cual exhibe diversas bandas latinoamericanas incorporadas recientemente.
El sitio también muestra funciones totalmente mejoradas mediante las cuales los aficionados pueden previsualizar y escuchar los lanzamientos de sus artistas favoritos, y comprar y descargar música si lo desean. Los aficionados también pueden ver fotos y videos de diferentes bandas, así como unirse al boletín informativo con el cual pueden mantenerse al día respecto de los nuevos lanzamientos y recibir descargas de música gratuitas periódicamente.
Además de los lanzamientos recientes de la lista original de artistas del sello discográfico, los artistas colombianos de Punk Rock “Los Suziox” y los gigantes uruguayos del punkabilly, “Rudos Wild”, la discográfica lanzó recientemente su primera colección de compilados, “Punktology Volume 1 – Free Cuba Now!”, la cual cuenta con 16 temas de punk y hardcore de 8 artistas latinoamericanos y caribeños.
El sitio web del sello discográfico también cuenta con el lanzamiento debut de la primera banda de rockabilly de la discográfica, los colombianos “Dorados Rockabilly Trio”. El lanzamiento titulado “Conflicto de Espacio Blanco” cuenta con seis (6) temas originales, en inglés y español, incluido un tema dedicado al ícono del modelaje fotográfico “Bettie Page”.
“El sitio rediseñado nos permitirá compartir de manera más eficiente la experiencia musical del punk, el rockabilly, el psychobilly, el ska y el reggae obtenida en nuestros viajes por todo el mundo. Nuestro plan es incorporar más bandas y lanzar más música, y esperamos que los aficionados vean el sitio como un recurso valioso para descubrir nueva música y nuevos artistas, sin importar el lugar donde se encuentren”, dice Robert G. Rose, fundador de Punk Outlaw Records. “Nuestro plan es administrar la discográfica de una manera no tradicional, más como una cooperativa, con artistas y aficionados que contribuyan al éxito del sello discográfico y se beneficien de él. También esperamos mantener siempre un importante objetivo en mente y experimentar con ideas promocionales exclusivas que también puedan ayudar a otras personas”, continúa Rose.
El novel sello discográfico espera exhibir, al menos, un nuevo lanzamiento por mes de artistas de diferentes géneros y subgéneros del punk de todo el mundo. La lista actual de bandas del sello discográfico incluye a las bandas antes mencionadas: Los Suziox (Colombia), Rudos Wild (Uruguay), Dorados Rockabilly Trio (Colombia), y a los participantes de Punktology Vol. 1: Anti-Everything (Trinidad), Demeter/DMTR (Ecuador), El Terrible Y Los Mongoloides (Perú), Lokekeda (Colombia), Warning (Guatemala) y Fertil Miseria (Colombia). Se esperan más anuncios en las próximas semanas.
16 Songs from 8 Artists from Latin America & the Caribbean
Click HERE to visit “Punktology Vol. 1″ page in Amazon Music
Click HERE to visit “Punktology Vol. 1″ in i-Tunes
CONTACT: info@punkoutlawrecords.com
PUNK OUTLAW RECORDS’ COMPILATION “FREE CUBA NOW!” ON I-TUNES & AMAZON MUSIC
- Punk Musicians from Latin America & Caribbean Join Label’s Protest of Treatment of Cuban Punks –
New York, NY – December 7th, 2011 – Punk Outlaw® Recordsannounced the release of their first compilation collection, Punktology Volume 1 – Free Cuba Now! The compilation features independent punk and hardcore music from Latin America and the Caribbean and is available on a variety of platforms including i-Tunes,Amazon Music, CD Baby and other leading digital music retailers.
The collection strives to showcase a variety of punk music from Latin America and the Caribbean to North American and European audiences. The title “Free Cuba Now” was chosen to help bring attention to the fact that Cuban punks, as well as many other subcultures on the island nation of Cuba, still suffer from suppression of their freedom of expression at the hands of the Cuban government.
The musical compilation is the first from the fledgling music label and features artists covered in the documentary “Punktology”, which is currently in production at Punk Outlaw’s® production banner and hopes to help shed light on the worldwide influence of punk music in unlikely places, like Cuba.
“While working on the documentary, I visited Cuba and witnessed firsthand the incredible lack of basic freedom of expression we take for granted in much of the western world, when one of our interviewees was arrested for simply speaking to us” states Robert G. Rose, Founder of Punk Outlaw Records and Executive Producer of Punktology. “Punk music is at its best when it’s railing against injustice. This music comes from a variety of bands from different countries, each with their own issues such as social inequality, government corruption and crippling poverty. Yet freedom of expression is a basic human right that most enjoy and we think Cubans and all human beings deserve this right as well.” Rose continues.
Punk Outlaw Records has pledged 25% of the record label’s share of net profits to charitable organizations whose missions are to help Cubans, including, Cuba Skate, a U.S. based charity providing skateboarding equipment, clothing and better opportunities for Cuban youth.
The compilation is currently available for purchase at various digital online retailers including I-tunes, Amazon Music, Zune and more. Visit www.PunkOutlawRecords.com and www.Punktologycd.com for more information and to view a promotional video trailer.
# # #
SPANISH TRANSLATION:
COMPILACIÓN “FREE CUBA NOW!” DE PUNK OUTLAW RECORDS EN I-TUNES
- Los músicos de Punk de Latinoamérica y el Caribe se unen a la protesta del sello discográfico con respecto al trato que se les da a los músicos de punk cubanos -
New York, NY – 7 de Deciembre de 2011 – Punk Outlaw® Records anunció el lanzamiento de su primera compilación Punktology Volume 1 – Free Cuba Now! La compilación incluye música punk y hardcore independiente de Latinoamérica y el Caribe, y está disponible en varias plataformas, incluida i-Tunes,Amazon Music, CD Baby y otros revendedores de música digital.
La colección se esfuerza por presentar una variedad de música punk de Latinoamérica y el Caribe a las audiencias Norteamericana y Europea. Se eligió el título “Free Cuba Now” para contribuir a generar conciencia acerca de que los músicos de punk cubanos, al igual que muchas otras subculturas de la isla de Cuba, todavía sufren la represión de su libertad de expresión que ejerce el gobierno cubano.
La compilación musical es la primera compilación del reciente sello discográfico e incluye a los artistas que forman parte del documental “Punktology”, que actualmente está siendo producido por el banner de producción de Punk Outlaw® y espera contribuir a revelar la influencia internacional de la música punk en lugares insólitos, como Cuba.
“Durante mi trabajo en el documental, visité Cuba y pude comprobar por mí mismo la increíble falta de libertad de expresión básica que damos por sentada en la mayor parte del mundo occidental, cuando uno de nuestros entrevistados fue arrestado simplemente por hablarnos”, afirma Robert G. Rose, Fundador de Punk Outlaw Records y Productor Ejecutivo de Punktology. “El mejor momento de la música punk surge cuando recrimina hechos de injusticia. Diversas bandas de distintos países tocan este tipo de música, cada una con sus propios conflictos, como la desigualdad social, la corrupción del gobierno y la pobreza agobiante. Sin embargo, la libertad de expresión es un derecho humano básico del que gozan la mayoría de las personas, y consideramos que los cubanos y todos los seres humanos merecen este derecho,” sostiene Rose.
Punk Outlaw Records aportó el 25% de las ganancias netas del sello discográfico a organizaciones benéficas cuya misión consiste en ayudar a los cubanos, incluida Cuba Skate (www.CubaSkate.com), una organización benéfica con base en los EE. UU. que proporciona equipos de monopatín, indumentaria y mejores oportunidades a los jóvenes cubanos.
Actualmente, la compilación está disponible para su compra en diversos revendedores de música digital en línea, incluidos I-tunes, Amazon Music, Zune y muchos más. Visite www.PunkOutlawRecords.com y www.Punktologycd.com para obtener más información y ver un avance de un video promocional. SPECIAL THANKS:
- Juan Esteban Almanzar Sanchez – Artwork Design
- Renzo Devia – Cuban Punk Photo
- Camilo Mendoza – Punk Outlaw Records Video Promo Edit
- The Punks in Cuba
- Los Suziox, Rudos Wild, Fertil Miseria, DMTR, Warning, El Terrible Y Los Mongoloides, Anti-Everything & Lokekeda
Listen to some punk music from all over the world. Got some good music you want to share? join the group and upload. In the meantime, enjoy these tunes by our good buddies Los Suziox (Colombia) and Rudos Wild (Uruguay). Disfruta!
Special Thanks to Juan Estaban Lopez from Lokekeda for helping with the artwork. Photo Renzo Devia - Creador Pictures
In December of 2009 I visited Havana, Cuba to help a friend who was working on a documentary film. I brought my own camera, which was pro-sumer, meaning it looked like just a regular personal camcorder any tourist might have but it actually shoots professional video and audio. I wanted to grab some interviews for my own documentary “Punktology… The Worldwide Influence of Punk”.
I had researched and concluded there must be some kind of punk scene there, because the band “Porno Para Ricardo” was making headlines. Turns out the lead member, Gorki Augila was in exile after numerous arrests and harassment by the Cuban government for “social dangerousness” which, according to the website PunkNews.org, is behavior that runs contrary to “communist morality” and allows authorities to detain offenders before they commit an actual crime.
I knew if I found any punks willing to speak on camera, I’d have to be careful. I was not a registered journalist and this was my first time in Cuba. If I were to get in any trouble there was no U.S. Embassy there to help me out. Indeed, I had a young filmmaker friend who had died while in Cuba attending the “Havana Film Festival” with his film just a few years before. I had no idea what to expect and I was excited if a bit nervous.
I was with another, more experienced filmmaker, Camilo, a Colombian-American who was bilingual and had agreed to run camera and translate for me while I ran the interviews.
We went to Calle G or G Street, where I had been told the Los Freakies (the freaks) hang out on a nightly basis. Los Freakies were basically the misfits of Havana, a crowd of hundreds of teens and young adults consisting of goth and metal heads, skateboard kids, emos and yes, a handful of hardcore punks, some sporting mohawks and tattoos. It was a surreal scene.
Los Freakies @ Calle G - Havana, Cuba
The police were close by but they didn’t seem to really be doing anything but watching the Los Freakies hang out and frankly, they looked really bored. In the U.S. that might mean the cops would be grabbing some coffee & donuts or busting a jaywalker. In Cuba, I was to find out it was a recipe for trouble.
We started pre-interviewing a couple of punks who were very eager to be on camera and tell the world about the punk scene and about life in general in Cuba. But just before the camera started rolling, the police spotted us and headed straight for us.
I thought for sure my camera was going to be confiscated. I was prepared to claim tourist status but that wouldn’t explain the microphone. I was racking my brain to explain the microphone when I realized that instead of questioning Camilo and I, the police had focused all their attention on the punks.
In the end after some very brief questioning they took one of our potential interviewees away in handcuffs to jail. The charge? We weren’t told and were not sure. But it is illegal for Cubans to speak to tourists. How long would he remain in jail? What would happen to him there? None of his friends were sure, but their enthusiasm had vanished and they were much more reserved afterward. We could feel the gloom that had set in and realized this was probably a far more serious matter than an overnight stay in the pokie.
I stayed in Cuba just 8 days, but during this time, I was personally in contact with no less than 3 Cubans who were arrested while I was there for very different minor offenses, ranging from not having their “papers in order” to “tourist harassment”. In Cuba, it appears the police have free reign to arrest first and make charges later.
Eventually we learned to be more covert in our operations and amazingly, even after the arrest of one of their own, I had no problems finding other punks who, though they had heard about the arrest, were still willing and eager to speak on camera.
In case you have never seen it, below is a video compilation that we put together shortly after.
That night in Havana, Cuba has bugged me ever since. I’ve never forgotten the shock of seeing someone hauled away in handcuffs, simply for having a conversation. I felt somewhat responsible for that poor guy’s arrest. Had I not had my camera and been nosing around Calle G he would have never been taken to jail.
The Cuban people are desperately poor and most (that don’t have government jobs) subsist on a sub par diet of rice, beans and potatoes.
The tourists in Havana are extremely important to the very limited economy there. As a result tourist are usually protected at all cost. The joke around Havana was that if a tourist were to stab a Cuban for no reason, well the police would promptly arrest the Cuban for “running into the knife” of a tourist and let the tourist go free.
Good, nutritious food and justice are not the only things missing in Cuba. It’s obvious that freedom of expression is in short supply as well and this, I gathered from our interviews, was the most frustrating part for Cubans.
They felt their leaders were old, backwards, out of touch and basically crazy and they were paying the price. When I looked out into the Cuban harbor, I noticed none of the boats had motors. Only rowboats are allowed for Cubans I suppose. Cuba is such a paradise that the government feels the need to keep people prisoner.
At night, I noticed many families in Cuba watched the local Univision (the Spanish TV network) station from Miami, whose signal bled into Cuba. Even this simple pleasure incurred a risk.
I heard stories of police, undercover government officials and citizen informants roaming the streets at night listening for homes that might have been “illegally” watching TV signals from the U.S.
Internet access was a non existent and when I think about it, I’m really surprised there was a punk scene at all in Cuba. Thanks to bands like Porno Para Ricardo and the punks who bravely spoke out to our cameras, though, I have faith that the punk scene is still thriving in Cuba. As you can see from the interviews, they find ways to get internet, music, clothes, etc. despite the U.S. embargo and a paranoid and repressive Cuban government.
Are there worst offenders of freedom of expression than Cuba? Possibly in the middle east (Iran, Syria, etc.) or China (where the U.S. doesn’t dare impose an embargo), North Korea or in some African countries. But for a relatively small island country just a few miles off the coast of Florida, it amazes me that this cold war relic of a place can still cause so much misery.
With all that’s going on in the world today, it would be pretty easy for citizens in the U.S. and other parts of the developed world to forget that Cuba even exist.
Cuban Punks who braved arrest to be interviewed
But having visited the island, I can’t get out of my head the image of the guy being arrested and of his friends’ gloomy dispositions afterward. I can’t help but wonder if the people on camera who told us so candidly how they felt about the Cuban government might also have joined their punk amigos in jail… or worse. I certainly hope not but you never know.
Since my Cuba trip, I’ve traveled to most of Latin America and I’ve been wanting to showcase music from the many excellent punk bands I’ve come in contact with while filming “Punktology”. I was finally able to pull enough music together to put together a compilation.
We’ve decided to name this compilation “Punktology: Volume 1 – Free Cuban Now” in honor of our punk “comrades” in Cuba. We hope to have the compilation out digitally at places like I-tunes, Amazon, etc. by December.
I decided a long time ago that commercial projects in and of themselves were not fulfilling. As the late Steve Jobs said “leave a dent in the universe”. I don’t believe that most people think that freedom of expression should depend on an old dictator finally succumbing to death (and a nice warm place in hell afterward). I believe most people feel that freedom of expression is an inherent right of all mankind regardless of geography.
Other than raise some awareness or make a little noise, I’m not sure what we may accomplish by putting out this compilation, but it is something. And if we do end up actually making any money, well, we’ve pledged support to our buddies at Cuba Skate, a small but passionate start up charity that is working hard to supply skate boarding equipment and better opportunities to Cuban youth
The press release announcing our little venture is below. Please read and if possible, help circulate.
Oh and if you get a chance today, go out and say something controversial or unflattering about your government to a group of people (if your in the U.S. maybe at one of the Occupy Wall Street, etc. events) and enjoy the feeling of walking away free without being thrown in jail. ! Sure feels good doesn’t it?!
Los Suziox (Colombia) - One of the bands featured on Punktology Vol. 1
PUNK OUTLAW RECORDS’ COMPILATION SAYS “FREE CUBA NOW!”
- Emerging Label’s Compilation Features Punk Music from Latin America & Beyond -
New York, NY October, 11th, 2011 – Punk Outlaw® Records announced plans to release their first compilation collection, “Punktology Volume 1 – Free Cuba Now!” which will feature independent punk and hardcore music from Latin America and the Caribbean.
The fledgling digital record label’s objective is to showcase a collection of punk music from emerging musicians in Latin America and the Caribbean to North American and European audiences.
The title “Free Cuba Now” was chosen to help bring attention to the fact that Cuban punks, as well as many other subcultures on the island nation of Cuba, still suffer from oppression and suppression in their freedom of expression at the hands of the Cuban police and government.
The musical compilation is the first from the fledgling music label and features artists covered in the documentary “Punktology”, which is currently being produced by Punk Outlaw® Productions to showcase the worldwide influence of punk music.
“While working on the documentary, I visited Cuba and witnessed firsthand the incredible lack of basic freedom of expression we take for granted in much of the western world when one of our interviewees was arrested, apparently for simply speaking with us” states Robert Rose, Founder of Punk Outlaw Records and Executive Producer of Punktology.
“I believe Punk music is at its best when it’s railing against injustice. The music comes from a variety of bands from different countries, each with their own issues such as social inequality, government corruption and crippling poverty, but freedom of expression is a basic human right that most enjoy and we think Cubans, and all human beings deserve this right as well.” Rose continues.
Punk Outlaw Records has pledged 25% of the record label’s share of net profits to a U.S. based charitable organization, Cuba Skate (www.CubaSkate.com) which provides skateboarding equipment, clothing and works to better opportunities to Cuban youth.
The compilation will be released and available for purchase at various digital online retailers including I-tunes, Amazon Music, Zune and more in December 2011. Visit www.PunkOutlawRecords.com and www.PunkOutlaw.com/po09/2011/10/FreeCubaNow for more information.
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Rudos Wild (Uruguay) - Featured on Punktology Vol. 1
SPANISH VERSION
Nueva York, 11 de Octubre 2011 – Punk Outlaw ® Records ha anunciado planes de lanzar su primera compilación de la colección “Punktology Volumen 1 –Liberen a Cuba ya!”, Que contará con el punk y el hardcore independiente de América Latina y el Caribe.
El objetivo de la nueva disquera digital es mostrar una colección de música punk de los músicos emergentes de América Latina y el Caribe a una audiencia norte americana y europea. El título de “Liberen a Cuba ya!” fue elegido para ayudar a llamar la atención al hecho de que los punks de Cuba, así como muchas otras subculturas en la isla sufren la opresión y la represión de la libertad de expresión por parte del gobierno.
Esta compilación musical es la primera de la disquera digital y los artistas han sido parte del documental “Punktology”, que actualmente está siendo producido por Punk Outlaw ® Producciones para mostrar la influencia mundial de la música punk.
“Mientras trabajaba en el documental, visité Cuba y fui testigo de la increíble falta de libertades básicas de expresión que no apreciamos en gran parte del mundo occidental, cuando uno de nuestros entrevistados fue detenido, al parecer, por el simple hecho de hablar con nosotros”, expresó Robert Rose, fundador de Punk Outlaw Records y productor ejecutivo de Punktology. “Creo que la música Punk esta en su mejor momento cuando está protestando contra la injusticia. La música proviene de una variedad de bandas de diferentes países, cada uno con sus propios Problemas como la desigualdad social, la corrupción gubernamental y la pobreza agobiante, pero la libertad de expresión es un derecho humano básico con la cual la gran mayoria cuenta y creemos que los cubanos, y todos los seres humanos merecen este derecho. ” Rose continúa.
Punk Outlaw Records se ha comprometido a donar 25% de sus ganacias a una organización caritativa con sede en EE.UU., Cuba Skate (www.CubaSkate.com), que ofrece equipos de skateboard, ropa y obras para mejorar las oportunidades de la juventud cubana.
La compilación sera lanzada y disponible para comprar en varias tiendas digitales en internet, incluyendo itunes, Amazon, Zune y más en Diciembre del 2011. Visita www.PunkOutlawRecords.com y www.PunkOutlaw.com/po09/2011/10/FreeCubaNow para más información.
We interrupt our regularly scheduled coverage of the worldwide punk scene for a little shameless self promotion (and free music for you!).
When our good friend and event promoter extraordinaire, Amylulita (check her kick ass Nacothequeevents if you live in NYC), suggested to the fine folks at Remezcla.com that they do a profile on Punk Outlaw Records, I was a bit hesitant for two reasons.
1) We’re a very FLEDGELING punk music label – Punk music isn’t supposed to court promotion right?
2) Were a very FLEDGLING punk music label – Fledgeling, meaning we’re just getting started. What’s to write about?
Then they suggested that we put together a compilation of music for free download from our travels while shooting the documentary“Punktology” and things started to click.
We’ve heard some pretty damn cool punk music over the past couple of years. From Russia to Trinidad to Cuba to all over Latin America, we’ve seen bands working hard, sometimes with sub par equipment and usually no recording budget, doing whatever it takes to get their music out there; to get their message across in whatever DIY way they know how.
I felt we could put a compilation together of at least a small sample of some of this music for people in North America, Europe and other spots across the globe to see how it’s done when it’s done for the pure love of music under sometimes really tough circumstances.
Dead or Alive Free Music Download
So that’s what we did and the result is a nice little music download called El Mix, Volume 6 “Dead or Alive” . Its sort of digital mixed tape if you will of all kinds of punk music, from straight up melodic punk to rockabilly and surf.
I think the mix is good of course, but it’s punk too, not just because of the musical genres and certainly not because it’s all encompassing or representative of all types of music we have heard over the years (11 songs can’t possibly do that justice).
But on our mix are some old songs, so old they were recorded with old analog equipment and a new song, so new it hasn’t even been completely mixed down yet and everything in between.
Isn’t that what punk music is about? Not waiting til everything is pitch perfect like in the god awful pop music business. But letting the sound escape when it’s still raw and in the works and recorded under whatever conditions you can muster… while the feeling is fresh, not manufactured? That’s punk!
And as I said, I think it’s all good stuff. But you be the judge.. Oh and did I mention it’s free? That’s pretty punk too, so help yourselves to 11 tunes of the following 9 artists.
Rudos Wild (Uruguay)
1) Rudos Wild – Our punkabilly buddies from Uruguay. They provided two hardcharging little ditties that will make your hair stand on end. You can download more of their music on i-tunes HERE!
Los Suziox (Colombia)
2) Los Suziox – Our really good punk pals from Medellin, Colombia. Probably the most talented punk band you’ve never heard of. They provided two songs from their past archives that I love. You can download more of their music on i-tunes HERE!
Demeter - DMTR (Ecuador)
3) Demter (DMTR) – Straight from Quito, Ecuador with a kick ass song I fell in love with very first time I heard it.
Freddie & The Drillers (Russian Surf)
4) Freddie and the Drillers – Our surf buddies from St. Petersburg, Russia with a ditty that is technically Spanish as it’s only lyrics are “La curva Peligrosa!” (Dangerous Curves). Love it!
Anti-Everything (Trinidad)
5) Anti-Everything - the ONLY punk band from Trinidad & Tobago and they happen to be very, very good. They also have a new CD coming out soon.
911 (Colombia)
6)Nueve Once- another punk band from Medellin, Colombia, this one holding down the skate-pop punk scene. They have over 30 tunes in the can!
Dorados Rockabilly Trio (Colombia)
7) Dorados Rockabilly Trio – Our first rockabilly band and one of the few in all of Colombia! Their first CD is coming out soon!
Lokekeda (Colombia)
8 ) Lokekeda – Also our pals from Medellin, with an addictive song “Espinas Asesinas”. Give it a listen!
Los Ultraman (Uruguay)
9) Los Ultraman – A really solid surf band from Uruguay who, by the way, have a killer new CD on the way and are hoping to get someone in the U.S. to help them do a vinyl version.
Thanks to all these artist who participated. If you like what you hear, then be sure and visit their websites (just click their names to be taken to their respective sites).
I’d also like to thank Isabela from Remezcla.com for putting it all together.
And you dear viewer/reader/listener/punk fanatic. We hope you’ll enjoy these FREE 11 tunes from 9 artists from all over the globe (well at least Latin America, the Caribbean and Russia).
There’s a plethora of music out there these days, a lot of it free.. but good punk music, well that’s another horse of a different color all together. Enjoy!
My name is Robert G. Rose (I use my middle initial because I’m not Robert Rose the Jewelry Designer, Robert Rose the football player or any of the other thousands of Robert Rose’s in the world).
I travel all over the world and document punk rock music. This page is dedicated to Punk music and it’s [...]
