ANTI-FLAG releases "Toast To Freedom"
- joint benefit single with the DONOTS, Ian D`sa (BILLY TALENT) and Bernd (BEATSTEAKS) will be released on February 8
- 7"-single and iTunes Deluxe Bundle available for pre-order now!
Long live freedom! The US political punk band ANTI-FLAG congratulates AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL with their version of “Toast To Freedom” on its 50th anniversary. Joining them are the DONOTS, as well as Ian D`sa (BILLY TALENT) and Bernd (BEATSTEAKS).
In the fall of 2012, ANTI-FLAG entered the legendary Hansa Studio in Berlin and re-recorded “Toast To Freedom” as part of their tour with Billy Talent: The song, written by Carl Carlton, commemorates the founding of Amnesty International 50 years ago and serves as a manifesto for peace and freedom, more relevant today than ever. Quickly, more collaborators for the project were found: The DONOTS provided background vocals, while Bernd from BEATSTEAKS and Ian D`sa from BILLY TALENT played guitar.
Even behind the mixing desk, the lively Who-is-Who continues. The song was recorded and mixed by Michael Zimmerling, who has previously worked with Iggy Pop and Einstürzende Neubauten. The mastering was done by John Davis (recently worked with: Lana Del Rey, U2, Regina Spector).
In a teaser video released today, the participating artists share insights into the project's inception and offer a first sneak preview of the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEw090W0ZZk
The benefit song by the punk rock veterans will be released digitally and as a 7-inch on February 8 and is available for pre-order now.
All proceeds from the sale will go 100% to Amnesty International and support the global work of the human rights organization!
"Toast To Freedom" is available for pre-order now:
7" Vinyl Preorder:
http://unclem.merchcowboy.com/lp/anti-flag-toast-to-freedom-lp-7.html
iTunes version:
(includes MP3 of the song, the official music video, an extended version, and a digital booklet)
http://snip.ftpromo.net/anti
The story behind "Toast To Freedom":
It is July 31, 2012, when an idea develops into a self-runner. ANTI-FLAG, the punk quartet born about 20 years ago in the leftist underground of Pittsburgh/Pennsylvania, featuring singer Justin Sane and bassist Chris #2, plays a benefit concert at the Berlin club Cassiopeia for the then-imprisoned PUSSY RIOT members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina, and Yekaterina Samutsevich. 200 initiated die-hard fans witness the show, including Jochen Wilms, a long-time friend and companion of ART FOR AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL founder Bill Shipsey.
Wilms, ANTI-FLAG, and the band RADIO HAVANNA, which also actively participated in the benefit show, along with their label UNCLE M, agree to articulate their anger and confusion over the imprisonment of the PUSSY RIOT members beyond the benefit concert. The parties forge a plan to record their version of the song “Toast To Freedom,” as already done by renowned artists like Marianne Faithfull, Kris Kristofferson, Larry Campbell, Gentleman, or actor Ewan McGregor. United in the desire to stand against the rampant poverty, exploitation, and injustice worldwide, these artists express with “Toast To Freedom” not only their discontent with the influence of lobbyists, corporations, and religions on politics, legislation, and governments, but also “comfort through the song over losses and help to overcome pain,” as co-author/producer Carl Carlton aptly summarizes.
Not three months later, the roughly sketched master plan takes shape as the members of ANTI-FLAG gather with producer Jochen Wilms in the historic Berlin Hansa Studios to record their version of “Toast To Freedom” with the active help of some old friends and companions - including BILLY TALENT guitarist Ian D’Sa, Bernd Kurtzke from the Berlin BEATSTEAKS, and the fully assembled band DONOTS from Münster. Together, the sound collective united in spirit and musical socialization plays a loud, manifest of resistance anchored in every line and every chord, a song that is likely to stir up a lot of dust and awaken sleeping dogs across genre and country borders.
“Inspired by the fate of PUSSY RIOT and with the help of some good friends, we hope to bring the message of ‘Toast To Freedom’ to people whose ears have remained closed so far. Just as PUSSY RIOT inspired us to never give up and never remain silent in the face of oppression and injustice, we hope to achieve something similar with this song. This is our call for freedom.”
(ANTI-FLAG)
