OCCUPY GUITARMY

an open ensemble for protest and solidarity in sound, facilitated by the Occupy Wall Street Music Working Group.

[iamanamp]

Fair Trade Music Seattle - organizing musicians as workers in the "gig economy"

Musicians are talking about another fight - and this one has nothing to do with Spotify.

[occupyguitarmy]

Soldier's Heart, Warrior's Soul: Remembering Jacob George

Soldier's Heart, Warrior's Soul : Remembering Jacob David George is a memorial 3 LP album honoring our friend Jacob George.

Happy to say this Kickstarter was successful. Still time to support it!

[nycactivist]

Laurie Anderson’s Monumental Protest

Her most recent work was a visual and musical meditation on the horrors of Guantánamo.

[occupyguitarmy]

One of our regular Zuccotti supporters, Laurie Anderson, keeps making music to push back against power and remind us of the affective horror of US torture.

[iamanamp]

Sonic Uprising: Songs for Freddie Gray

Creative work in a time and place of crisis is essential to a community coping with tragedy and can become a necessary and powerful agent of change. If we truly believe that black lives matter, it'...

[nycactivist]

May was a constant presence at New York-area demonstrations, protests, marches and picket lines for workers and those unjustly targeted by the state.

[occupyguitarmy]

A long read about the guitarmist-activist and all around great human being Mike May.

[occupyguitarmy]

“188th” Verse:  | D |  A | A | D | Chorus: | G | G |  D | A |

Well I fought for the one eighty eight I packed my bags to meet my fate And off I went to pay my rent I’ve been a patriot since I was eight So there I was with the ole fighter wing Fightin a war no one could see With eight thousand pounds of bombs and rounds All loaded up as we all sing “Hey ho, here we go, load ‘em up and watch ‘em go Hey ho, here we go, load ‘em up and watch ‘em go” After twelve long months of war I got home to do my chores But instead I laid in bed I could see that A-ten soar “Hey ho, here we go, load ‘em up and watch ‘em go Hey ho, here we go, load ‘em up and watch ‘em go” Well I went to the bar every night Tryin to drink away all my pain and fright But what could you do when the drink was through But dream about the war, every night "Hey ho, here we go, load ‘em up and watch ‘em go Hey ho, here we go, load ‘em up and watch ‘em go” (middle eight) Invisible war’s too much for me What we need’s a conversation you see But it’ll have to wait cuz I’ve gotta date Uncle Sam needs twelve more from me "Hey ho, here we go, load ‘em up and watch ‘em go Hey ho, here we go, load ‘em up and watch ‘em go” "Hey ho, here we go, load ‘em up and watch ‘em go Hey ho, here we go, Where they all go, nobody knows…

[occupyguitarmy]

"Joe Hill” Alfred Hayes

I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night Alive as you or me Says I, But Joe, you're ten years dead I never died, says he I never died, says he

In Salt Lake, Joe, says I to him Him standing by my bed They framed you on a murder charge Says Joe, But I ain't dead Says Joe, But I ain't dead

The copper bosses killed you, Joe They shot you, Joe, says I Takes more than guns to kill a man Says Joe, I didn't die Says Joe, I didn't die

And standing there as big as life And smiling with his eyes Joe says, What they forgot to kill Went on to organize Went on to organize

Joe Hill ain't dead, he says to me Joe Hill ain't never died Where working men are out on strike Joe Hill is at their side Joe Hill is at their side

From San Diego up to Maine In every mine and mill Where workers strike and organize Says he, You'll find Joe Hill Says he, You'll find Joe Hill

I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night Alive as you or me Says I, But Joe, you're ten years dead I never died, says he I never died, says he

[occupyguitarmy]

Songs for Mike May Memorial

Guitarmy will be having an epic sing along at Mike May's memorial this Saturday (August 15th, 4:00 - 7:00 PM) at the Unitarian Church of Staten Island. If you were a friend, fellow activist, neighbor, family member or movement person showing solidarity, bring out your acoustic instrument and join us.

Stiff Little Fingers “Nobody’s Hero” video plus lyrics

Jacob George “We Support the Troops”

Jacob George “188th”

Bill Withers “Lean On Me”

Vex “You Talk Against the System”

“Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round”

Alfred Hayes “Joe Hill“

[occupyguitarmy]

Guitar part is a continuous groove, slow

| Bm | G | D | A | What we need are teachers /who understand the history / of this country What we need  / is a decent living wage/ so people ain’t cold and hungry What we need / is bicycle trails / across this beautiful nation What we need / are more trees and less / play stations What we need is / a justice system / that seeks the truth What we need / are more books /  and less boots What we need is love For every woman and man from southern Louisiana to the mountains of Afghanistan Now, it’s true, the troops need support the support to come home Treatment and jobs and love for the soul (love for the soul) You see, war ain’t no good / for the human condition I lost a piece of who I was /on every single mission And I’m tellin’ you / don’t thank me for what I’ve done

Give me a hug and let me know We’re not gonna let this happen again Because we support the troops and we’re gonna bring these wars to an end I said, we support the troops and we’re gonna bring these wars to an end

[occupyguitarmy]

NOBODY'S HERO - STIFF LITTLE FINGERS

I think it's time we talked this over I think you've taken this too far I never wanted to be different Didn't ask to be nobody's star

Try to take control of it Cos what you see is what you get Try to take control of it and not me

You say there's talk of revolution (so what's new?!) You say there's fighting in the air You think that I've got the solutions But do you really think that's fair?

Try to take control of it Cos what you see is what you get Try to take control of it and not me

(Chorus:) Don't wanna be nobody's hero I don't wanna be nobody's star Don't wanna be nobody's hero Get up get out be what you are

You think it's time you took me over To do what you can't do yourself But don't let heroes get your kicks for you It's up to you and no one else

Try to take control of it Cos what you see is what you get Try to take control of it and you'll see

(Chorus:) Don't wanna be nobody's hero I don't wanna be nobody's star Don't wanna be nobody's hero Get up get out be what you are

Be what you are, be what you are, be what you ar-re

[occupyguitarmy]

We’re heartbroken to announce that fellow guitarmist Mike May died last week after a long illness in Staten Island. A tireless protestor, rabble rouser, and lifelong punk rocker, Mike lived and loved to the fullest and demanded justice for all with every breath.

Here’s the Houston punk band, Vex, featuring Mike May on vocals:

You talk against the system But still you point their guns (Your childhood dream!) You think it's rebellion? Well you're only having fun (Ice cream!) You dictate morals and values And even how to dress But still you expect Freedom for the rest. Stop your foolish game Don't you see it's a lie? How can you believe in anarchy When you're screaming "Die!" If you want things to change You've got to take a stand. You can't be two-faced If you call yourself a friend A's with circles Ripped shirts and crazy hair That'll never explain That we really care. Thrashing to false answers Fortify their lies How can you change the system When you never try? The factions you're with Will follow you throughout your life The actions you choose Will cause unnecessary strife I walk on the beach I'm talking peace to everyone You kneel at the steeple But still you point their guns. Thrashing to false answers Fortify their lies How can change the system When you never try?

[humansofnewyork]

“I was an international relations major. I was thinking about going into government, but the more I learned about bureaucracy, the more I realized I’d be better off just writing political songs.”

[juanderful22-deactivated2015091]

Downtown Boys - Wave Of History (Official Video)

Don't forget to subscribe for more great exclusive videos: http://bit.ly/1xR6CmV Visit the official Don Giovanni Records website: http://dongiovannirecords.c...

[occupyguitarmy]

Downtown Boys bring the old school political hardcore with the riot grrrl edge and contemporary anti-capitalist politics. Yay.

[iamanamp]

[occupyguitarmy]

Big respect to Bree Newsome, brilliant tactician of civil disobedience, grace under pressure, and FANTASTIC VOCALIST!

[occupyguitarmy]

if a song could be freedom…organized sounds of resistance

Interference Archive exhibit June 25 – September 6, 2015 131 8th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215 Opening Thursday June 25, 7-10 pm

Music has been at the core of hundreds of political and social struggles across the globe. This exhibition features the picture sleeves of over 200 political recordings that will expose the broad scope of the intersection of music and politics. In addition, flyers, lyric sheets, buttons, publications, and other ephemera are on display. A series of programs will run throughout the run of exhibition, where we will actively and collectively listen to—and discuss—how music has shaped the manners in which we understand ourselves in the past, present, and into the future.

[jmeekzzz-deactivated20160307]

DONT LET THEM GET AWAY WITH MURDER - JASIRI X

Much love to occupy's people's puppets and the nyc light brigade, whose visuals can be seen in this powerful new video by Jasiri X.

[occupyguitarmy]

A climate music songsheet made for the Oakland, CA March for Real Climate Leadership - Feb 7, 2015