The Pixies join Elvis Costello and Gil Scott-Heron in Boycotting Israel!

The Pixies are the latest musical acts to join the boycott of Israel, which already includes Elvis Costello and Gil Scott-Heron.

The show was going to be the Pixies' first show in Israel ever, but they pulled out a few days before their June 9th show in Tel Aviv. In their statement they state, "We'd like to extend our deepest apologies to the fans, but events beyond all our control have conspired against us."

I commend the Pixies and all of the above artists for pulling out of Israel. The Israeli government's attack on the ship headed towards the Gaza strip killed over 9 people, and their continued attacks on the Palestinian people have killed thousands more.

Many say that the Israeli people cannot control their government's actions and that it is only the fans that are being punished by these artists boycotting Israel. I would disagree. Just as we here in the US have the responsibility to oppose the US government when it mistreats it own people and those abroad, including its own support of Israel, the people of Israel have the responsibility to oppose their government when it violently evicts an entire people and kills thousands in the name of occupation. Also, when big artists boycott Israel, it send a statement that these artist do not want to make money for themselves from or make money for the hosting government.

While others are calling for boycotts of the artists that are boycotting Israel, I say we support these artists now more than ever. So Pixies and Gil Scott-Heron, this is for you:

The Pixies: Here Comes Your Man



Kim Deal played with The Breeders after The Pixies broke up in the early 90's. This is one of my favorite bands from the 90's.


Gil Scott-Heron: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised


Gil Scott-Heron: We Almost Lost Detroit


Talking about Detroit, the 2nd US Social Forum will be there from June 22-26, 2010. Although I won't be able to make it this year, don't let that stop you from going!

Elvis Costello ♥ 's Palestina!

For a long time I resented, well, not Elvis Costello, but his aesthetic; you know the dark rimmed glasses with the hat or the pompadour hair that so many hipsters and rockabilly aficionados strive for. It just always seemed so unoriginal and so limited. Due to my counterculture angst, I had neglected the awesome original artist that is Elvis Costello.

My geek crush on Elvis Costello just blossomed after finding out that he canceled his concert in Israel in protest of Israel's treatment of Palestinians. "It is a matter of instinct and conscience", he wrote on his website, "One lives in hope that music is more than mere noise, filling up idle time, whether intending to elate or lament."

In a time when artist like Madonna and Elton John, and yes, sadly also Mercedes Sosa (que descanse en paz)are flocking to Israel, it is refreshing that Elvis Costello took a stand against occupation.

"There are occasions when merely having your name added to a concert schedule may be interpreted as a political act that resonates more than anything that might be sung and it may be assumed that one has no mind for the suffering of the innocent"
- from Elvis Costello's website

Elvis Costello: Shipbuilding

A really moving song about how war changes a town and how it uses its talents and gifts.

"With all the will in the world
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls"



Elvis Costello: Pump it Up