JOHN PIETARO- vocals, electric banjo, drumkit, percussion, spoken word**********
LAURIE TOWERS- lead electric bass guitar, background vocals, spoken word
Influences
Our music derives from the heritage and repertoire of the folk/protest genre but is deeply entrenched in rockabilly, '60s pop, proletarian music, jazz, world sounds, Beat poetry, improv, the Berlin Cabaret and post-punk. Our sound is unique, blending reconstructions of works by Woody Guthrie, the Almanac Singers, Bertolt Brecht, the IWW and many more with original topical songs, spoken word pieces and free improvisations.
Sounds Like
Much too hard to say, though we've been told that John's voice could be, "the lovechild between Elvis and Johnny Cash" (Chronogram Magazine, 2005) while we are in our more defined rockabilly mode. More recent reviews (Daily Freeman newspaper, 2007) cited the influence of Trini Lopez and Jaques Brel, or Lou Reed meets Elvis in a film noir (Cd Reviews)!
Other seemingly obvious influences include post-punk, Phil Ochs, the Clash, Woody Guthrie, John Lennon, 1960s' pop, garage rock, world music, moments of 1950s cool Jazz, flashes of Billy Bragg, a hint of Pete Seeger, savory helpings of Jack Kerouac, more than a smattering of Berlin cabaret sounds, and points of reference that point toward the far-reaches of improvisational music, too. Just give us a listen! to hear more music, please visit out regular website-- www.flamesofdiscontent.org --for several selections from both of our CDs. You can also go to our page on CD Baby to check out other cuts.
This is no time for complacency---this is time for The Flames of Discontent!" - Greg Gattine, WDST-FM (Radio Woodstock)
*******************************************************************************
"Riffs sharp enough to cut the U.S. deficit" - WHISPERIN & HOLLERIN (UK indie music website)
*******************************************************************************
"Hudson Valley heroes The Flames of Discontent singlehandedly bring back protest songs" - DAILY FREEMAN newspaper
*******************************************************************************
"The Flames of Discontent lead us to the colors of the future---in the hopes that they will be Red" - PAUL BUHLE, historian/author
********************************************************************************
"The one-two punch of music and social protest" - POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL newspaper
********************************************************************************
"Don't miss these folks. They truly put the spirit of radical labor into music and art"-ALMANAC WEEKLY arts newspaper
**********************************************************************************
"Anchored by the the transfixing, melodic basslines of Laurie Towers, Pietaro's rallying cries are heightened by the hearfelt passion of making kick-ass music for the masses...noble and timely" - CHRONOGRAM Magazine
************************************************************************************
Alternative Protest ensemble The Flames of Discontent are John Pietaro (vocals, electric banjo, drumkit, percussion) and Laurie Towers (lead electric bass guitar), often augmented by Rafael Figueroa's percussion and vocals. Their repertoire combines daring reconstructions of classic protest music along with original topical songs, spoken word pieces and improvisation. Their sound fuses strains of rockabilly, jazz, punk, ‘60s pop, world sounds and Beat poetry to the folk/protest genre, producing a mix that is simultaneously edgy and familiar. With the September 2005 release of their first CD, I Dreamed I Heard Joe Hill Last Night…A Century of IWW Songs (credited to “John Pietaro & The Flames of Discontent”), the Flames have been regularly performing their brand of radical song throughout New York State’s Hudson Valley area and in New York City. The CD, described by Chronogram magazine as, “kick-ass music for the masses…noble and timely”, was recorded in honor of the Industrial Workers of the World’s centenary and produced in accordance with historian/author Paul Buhle. Pulse magazine described the Flames as “radicalism through song”.
*****************************************************************************In March of 2007, they released their second album, 'Revenge of the Atom Spies', a collection that metaphorically comments on contemporary struggles for social justice and civil liberties through the imagery and some of the sounds of the Cold War years. In contrast to the first disc, this one is largely comprised of originals but vintage songs are included as well, albeit treated to the Flames unique arrangements and irony. Liner notes were written by Buhle. The Daily Freeman newspaper music critic commented, "Hudson Valley heros The Flames of Discontent singlehandedly bring back protest songs...they put their money where their mouth is so you should take your money and buy this CD". WDST-FM (Radio Woodstock) DJ Greg Gattine declared, "This is not the time for complacency; this is the time for the Flames of Discontent". Two of the album's cuts have recently been added to Neil Young's website LIVING WITH WAR TODAY, a vast collection of protest music, largely in response to George Bush's illegal war in Iraq. The Flames tracks have consistently achieved first-column status.
***************************************************************************The Flames’ music has been heard live on the air at WBAI-FM (NYC), WDST-FM (Woodstock NY), WVKR-FM (Poughkeepsie NY) and in a national Pacifica Radio broadcast live from the Clearwater Festival 2007. Their CDs have been broadcast on many radio stations including the aforementioned as well as WKZE-FM (Red Hook NY), KAOS-FM (Olympia, Washington), WSUR (WI), Radio Labourstart (internet radio from London, UK), and Oscar Brand’s esteemed folk music program on WNYC (New York City). Hudson Valley performances included those at the Colony Cafe, Joshua’s and the Byrdcliffe Theatre (Woodstock NY), B.S.P., Mezzanine Café and Alternative Bookstore (Kingston NY), the Howland Cultural Center and Chthonic Clash (Beacon, NY), Rosendale Café (Rosendale NY), High Falls Café (High Falls NY), the Cubbyhole (Poughkeepsie) and the Wave Farm (Cairo NY). They have also performed in New York City’s CUNY Graduate Center, Brecht Forum and Sidewalk Café, among other sites. The Flames performed for New York area IWW centenary celebrations and also for May Day, Labor Day and social justice events in the Hudson Valley and NYC including the fundraiser for the Working Families Party (Nyack, NY), New Paltz Peace Rally, and a Music for Peace Project concert (Poughkeepsie) coordinated by The Musicians Alliance for Peace and organized Phil Ochs Tributes in Beacon, NY and Woodstock. The Flames were also featured performers at The Woodstock Fringe Festival 2006 and organize the annual protest song spectacular, The Dissident Folk & Arts Festival in Beacon each October. They also host annual events in Woodtock Ny, Woodstock Phil Fest: A Celebration of the Music & Activism of Phil Ochs, and the Woodstock Woody Guthrie Birthday Hoot.
***************************************************************************John Pietaro works professionally as a Labor organizer in the Hudson Valley but has also independently worked as a cultural organizer in the New York area for for the past decade. Apart from work with the Flames, he has performed with Pete Seeger, Alan Ginsberg, Fred Ho, Amina Baraka, Matt Jones, Kirk Kelly and many others. His events, including those commemorating Hanns Eisler (1998, NYC), Woody Guthrie (2001, NYC and 2007, Woodstock) and May Day (multiple years, NYC, Kingston and Beacon NY), among others, have featured countless protest performers. John has also has performed for numerous Labor rallies including The Million Worker March (2004, Washington DC) and The Solidarity Rally for TWU Local 100 (2002, NYC). He has organized many events including those commemorating Hanns Eisler (1998, NYC), Woody Guthrie (2001, NYC) and May Day (multiple years, NYC, Kingston and Beacon NY). Pietaro is a contributing music writer for “Z” Magazine; his articles on arts and activism have also been published in Portside, Fifth Estate, Groundscore, People’s Weekly World and others. He holds degrees in music and certification in Organizing. He currently works for a NYS public workers' union and, like all staff of that union, he is represented by the United Steelworkers Local 9265. He is also a member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 1000 and the Industrial Workers of the World.
***************************************************************************Laurie Towers is the Flames’ lead instrumentalist. As a bassist, she incorporates both rhythmic basslines, counterpoint and lead lines simultaneously, and also handles most of the instrumental solos, too. Stylistically, she's been called a hybrid of studio bassist Carol Kaye, Motown musicians and free Jazz performers. Professionally, she is an alternative health practitioner of international note, independently managing a New York City physical rehab practice catering to professional performers and athletes. Laurie is also a writer, visual artist and an active feminist who's been a guest speaker at programs for women in “safe houses” and other locations and has acted as a mentor for girls who have been deemed “at risk”.
**********************************************************************************A NOTE TO POTENTIAL 'MYSPACE FRIENDS': It is very important to us that this site be used as a networking device for cultural workers (ie-artist/activists) or progressive organizations. Though we have accepted friend listings from some non-radicals, these are generally people we either know or have come to know, but we cannot accept friend requests from musicians who are not in any way connected to the struggle for peace, human rights, labor, civil rights, women's equality, the environment or other issues of great relevance. PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOR FRIEND REQUESTS IF YOU ARE NOT ENGAGED IN IN USING YOUR ART TO MAKE A STATEMENT BEYOND ART FOR ART'S SAKE- Thanks
Friends of PUBLIC ENEMY- Help Support our New Graphic Novel! Please check out our new PUBLIC ENEMY Vol. 1 by Chuck D and Adam Wallenta and order a copy at www.americanmule.com/shop. We ship worldwide and accept Paypal! Order today and get 2 FREE cds and an original work of art from the book. Limited quantities, so get them while they last. Help support independent underground HIPHOP and comics. We need your support! All purchases autographed!!!
We announced 77 performers for the Utica Music Fest! For a list of bands and their profiles please visit us at www. uticamusicfest. com or check out our blogs.
Bands::: Interested in playing the festival?? Click the link!
Early Bird tickets are now on sale! See 150 bands for only $10! Click the link!
Thank you for the friend request! Hope you will join us at our blog and also ask your friends to find out about Single-Payer. It's the difference between TRUE Universal Health Insurance and phony schemes for private insurance companies to continue business as usual. If you want REAL healthcare reform help spread the word!
> My wife and I will be at the > Uncle Funk show on New Year's > Eve---looking fwd to it. Hopefully > this "brother of the head" gets to > finally say hello to you in > person.
... not only that, but last I heard, Tony's on the gig. I'd say that's a Cleanhead photo-op!
If you have any art, music or poetry of your own creation that you would like to share to further the cause of spreading peace and love through artistry, please feel free to msg us, or visit PeaceLoveMusic.com and comtact us there. Peace
See the Bossa Nova Beatniks live at Kenny’s Castaway on Bleecker Street in NYC on a double bill with Gary Hood & The Last Show Ever. Tuesday August 14 from 8 to 10 pm.
Latest Release!!! - Bossa Nova Beatniks - End Civil Twilight - Click on the cover.
Location: On the National Mall near the corner of Constitution and 15th Streets, Washington D.C.
Metro: Take the Blue OR Orange line to Smithsonian Station.
Date & Time: Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 6:00PM (Rain date Friday, July 27)
Price: FREE
Description: A public reenactment of a historic speech originally given by Paul Potter, former President of the Students for a Democratic Society, at the April 1965 March on Washington to End the War in Vietnam near the Washington Monument on the National Mall. This event is part of the Port Huron Project, a series of reenactments of protest speeches from the 1960s and 70s. Each performance in the project is staged at the site of the original speech and is delivered by an actor to an audience of invited guests and passers-by. Videos of these events are then distributed online and on DVD. The project is named after the Port Huron Statement, the visionary manifesto of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), a radical student group formed in 1962.
You can find photos and video of past events and more information about the Port Huron Project at http://www.porthuronproject.net or http://www.myspace.com/porthuronproject
I've been busy lately working new designs for my store Stop the GOP! and reading the Deathly Hollow non-stop ;-) . I tried to do more than just make generic candidate logos(although I have those too). I've actually picked out some of my favorite quotes from each of the candidates so that you can let people know why you're supporting your choice- right now Edwards, Clinton, Obama, and Kucinich are available.
Check them out and let me know what you think(and feel free to send others my way).
Oh I almost forgot- for a limited time if you buy 3 t-shirts you get a fourth one free! No coupon necessary!
..
