ATARI TEENAGE RIOT wanted to create a video statement with their new single “Black Flags” and involve their fans and others who support their idea for the song. Here is the concept:
In the past decade, we have witnessed how dangerous corruption can be for the average citizen (from Fukushima to the financial crisis, we could also include the current phone hacking scandals in the UK. The list goes on. Almost every week, new shocking news emerges.
The greed of corporations has too often endangered people's lives. Many wonder whether Washington is still led by elected politicians or by the lobbyists of multinational companies. Many citizens point fingers at individual politicians, trying to blame them. It is becoming clearer and clearer that this is a global problem. There is a similar pattern in many different countries around the world.
Historically, the black flag stood for not belonging to a specific nation-state (as no national colors are used).
For the band, this also means that no individual can consider themselves superior to others simply because of their nationality. From this mindset, racism and war have developed since the world was divided into nation-states.
The mainstream media often looks down on “consumers” and labels them as “indifferent.” Strangely enough, we see the exact opposite at our concerts. And not only that, the protests around the world show that there is currently more political activism than ever before.
The cynics always find many reasons to do nothing and feel bad. They often say that the world is too “complex” to become active themselves.
We believe that even though the world is complex, there are fundamental ideas that are powerful. Respecting other people, for example, is a fundamental idea that holds great power.
If you agree with the fundamental principle of equality and freedom, come with us and make this statement with us!
The visuals of Atari Teenage Riot videos have always been important to us. Directors like Philipp Virus, Andrea Giacobbe, John Hillcoat, and Zan Lyons have done a great job collaborating with the band to make the message accessible to a larger audience. Remember “Speed,” “Revolution Action,” “Too Dead For Me,” or “Activate,” we want to follow in those footsteps with “Black Flags,” but with one difference: We want you to be part of it!
Atari Teenage Riot has already started working on the video. If you want to appear in the video and show that you support the ideals mentioned above, please send us the following material:
- Take your phone, webcam, or another camera and film yourself singing along to the song (lyrics below).
- Show a black flag in the background, or hold it while you sing. (The motif of the black flag is meant to connect all images. If you don’t have one on hand, take a black T-shirt, turn it inside out, put your arms in... done)
- You can choose any location for this. If you want to do it at home, great. If you have a crazy location, do it there. (In front of your school or university? A shopping mall? With your friends at a party?)
- We will show parts of all the videos we receive, and ultimately make each of you part of the official video.
The video will be online, and we will gradually fill the empty spots over the coming weeks until the new single is released. But the process will not end with the release of the single. Remixes are coming! If you have a great idea that you can only realize after the release, go for it. We will keep building as long as we receive material from all of you!
- If you want to support the idea but remain anonymous - cover your face. No problem.
- Always send the video link to: blackflags@atari-teenage-riot.net
(please do not send the data directly.)
Until the release of Black Flags, ATARI TEENAGE RIOT will be visiting these festivals:
26.08.2011 FR-Charleville-Mezieres, Cabaret Vert
04.09.2011 US-Seattle, WA, Bumbershoot Festival
At the moment, the band is looking for opportunities to enter the public space and film it with you!
So make sure to bring a black flag or a black T-shirt to appear in the video with ATR.
Something unclear? Just ask! :)
Now for the next step...
If you want to go further, we would like to introduce you to the following:
“Corpsing” - the silent protest for all people who have died as a result of corporate greed.
Planking was probably the biggest fun trend since breakdancing.
When ATR were waiting at an airport in Southern Europe, they did some “planks” in the most impossible places until the airport authorities tried to stop them. (Yes, it was after a huge concert, no photos were taken and no tweets were sent...)
From there, the idea of “corpsing” developed through public appearances by Anonymous and actions by political activists in China!
How can you get people to pay attention to very serious and important issues when you are being shouted at from all sides by advertising until you shut down all your senses?
ATR has already tested it in some corners of Berlin to see the reactions.
Alec Empire lay on his back like a corpse and draped a black flag over his head. Aside from being a very strong image, many passersby stopped and did what they were supposed to do: ask questions! To our surprise, people from all kinds of backgrounds immediately understood what we were talking about.
So, if you have a friend or another person who can film you corpsing/protesting silently, PLEASE SEND IT TO US.
The release date of Black Flags is only days away from 9/11. When we realized that ten years have passed since then, and as we paid attention to how many have exploited the deaths of real people for their own political and economic greed since then, the idea behind the song made so much more sense.
If you agree, film yourself in public places, even on the dance floor, wherever you can raise awareness, send it to us!
We will show you in the video.
FAQs:
1) Is there a deadline?
No, but the sooner you send us your video, the more people will see YOU. We will continuously add new people, even after the song has been released as a single.
2) Can I wear a mask?
Yes, you can. Some of you have contacted us and said that for various reasons, they cannot reveal their identity in a video (parents, boss, community, etc.). We understand that! You can wear a mask. Please take the video in front of a black flag or hold it up (you can easily make one yourself: take a black T-shirt and tuck the sleeves inside).
3) I am in a band. Can I wear my band shirt in the video?
Yes, we WANT artists and other bands to participate!
Lyrics (Album version):
Black Flags
Atari Teenage Riot
Anonymous Teenage Riot
Are you ready to testify ?
Black Flags
Are you ready to testify?
You got 2 seconds
Are you ready to testify!!! Come on!
There’s a unified axis of government
And corporate power
Lawless and unrestrained
That’s what we should talk about
Corporations exploit the power of the state
To further enhance their power
And the real criminals get away
What they call „law“ is used to restrain us ordinary citizens who are opposed to this
Your cyberattacks are „crimes“ if the government dislikes you
But are perfectly ok if they unleash them
They pursue a whistleblower while criminal politicians get away
Do you want it all?
Do you want it all?
Do you want it all?
Try to threat the system
You’ll have the full weight of law
Come crashing down upon you
So you don’t resist
Surveillance, goons
Force us to be silent
They kill the careers of journalists
So noone can resist
There’s a class war going on
And it’s the rich who are waging it!
They try to destroy anyone who is a threat to their power
Playing for keeps – they want it all!
Are you ready to testify ?
Black Flags
Are you ready to testify?
You got 2 seconds
Are you ready to testify!!! Come on!
More about ATARI TEENAGE RIOT:
https://www.facebook.com/Atari.Teenage.Riot.ACTIVATE
