The Flames of Discontent: Radical Links

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Articles by John Pietaro

Z Magazine-ZSpace Page for John Pietaro: This is John's ZSpace Page over at zmag.org. Every writer has a dedicated page but unfortunately, this one is woefully empty of the many articles and reviews he's written for Z. You'll find several articles here and hopefully it will soon include all of his writings published in Z.
Various articles published in the People's Weekly World: This link will bring you to a page with a selection of articles I wrote for the People's Weekly World newspaper. Topics include Woody Guthrie, Matt Jones, Phil Ochs, the WW2-ers Negro Army Chorus, book reviews, CD reviews, more.
The Peoples' Weekly World: John's obituary for Fellow Worker and folk legend Utah Phillips. This article appeared not only in the Peoples Weekly World, but also Z Magazine, Portside and the Lansing City Pulse a weekly newspaper in Michigan.
Z Magazine article: Paul Robeson: Standing Tall" was published by Z in honor of Robeson's birthday commemoration. Robeson remains one of our nation's great heros.
Z Magazine CD review, Michael Franti & Spearhead: "Yell Fire" by Michael Franti and Spearhead is one of the most important albums in the struggle against the Bush years. I happily wrote this review of such a strong and involving CD.
Z Magazine review of ReadNex Poetry Squad: Here's John's review of the CD 'Social Issue' by the radical hip-hop group ReadNex Poetry Squad which appeared in the May issue, 2007.
Obit of Sis Cunningham-- Z Magazine: John wrote this obituary of the great folksinger/songwriter and activist Sis Cunningham for 'Z'
Article Z Magaine-CD review: CD review of "Classic Labor Songs"
Z Mag review of Bev Grant & the Dissident Daughters' disc 'Cheeky Woman': Here's a review of the latest disc by perenniel folkie Bev Grant. Her latest aggregation is the 3-part harmony drenched Dissident Daughters, featured with her on this CD.
Z Magazine CD review: Review of "Hail to The Thieves Part 3" by George Mann & Julius Margolin
Z Magazine CD review: This is a review of Bruce Springsteen's wonderful album, "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions" (too bad I did not wait until a few months later when it was re-released and included several cuts of a more distinctly radical nature!)
Z Magaine CD review: Here's a review of Neil Young's powerful album "Living With War"
Z Magazine CD review: This is a review of Ramblin' Jack Elliot's disc "I Stand Alone"
Woody Guthrie: 95 Years of Fighting Fascists---Labor Arts: This is an article I wrote for general internet consumption and am glad to note that it was picked up by the good people of Laborarts.org, so its here for posterity. This is an article on the 95th anniversary of Woody Guthrie's birth, and of the legacy in his wake.
Article on event organized by John Pietaro: This is another People's Weekly World article, originally published in November of 2001, concerning the Oct 2001 event SOLIDARITY: AN EVENING OF INTERNATIONAL LABOR UNITY, which was a fundraiser for the NYC Central Labor Council's 9/11 Fund. This event occured in Manhattan only weeks after the terorist attacks of 9/11. Though the event was organized by John Pietaro, he was not the author of the article, but its been added here for history's sake.
Article on Woody Guthrie Concert: Though not written by John Pietaro, here's a February 2001 article from the People's Weekly World covering a concert organized and hosted by John. The event was called MADE FOR YOU AND ME: OVER 60 YEARS OF 'THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND', which commemorated Woody Guthrie's composition of that seminal ballad and celebrated his music in general. The event was also a fundraiser for the then-striking Domino Sugar workers of ILA.
On Pete Seeger's 85th birthday: John's article on Pete Seeger's birthday went out to theinternet widely and was picked up by many sources including landing in the sermon of a mid-western preacher and in the newsletter of LA Indymedia
Portside piece on Henry Foner's birthday celebration: This article was posted to Portside several years ago following the birthday celebration for noted labor figure Henry Foner
2004 May Day concert in Union Square Park, NYC (Labor Arts): Here's a report on a May Day concert organized by John in Union Square Park, NYC in 2004. We did not know it at the time, but this was to be the last of the regular May Day events he helmed in Manhattan---following this point, our May Day events have all been in NY's Hudson Valley area, but ya never know what the future may hold...
Various articles: H-Labor-Art: Here is a selection of brief pieces I posted to the H-Labor-Art website/newsletter on a variety of topics
Article on David Letterman's battling interview with Bill O'Reilly: This was posted to the internet widely the morning after Letterman's embattled interview with guest Bill O'Reilly, fascistic media commentator
Article on Moe Foner celebration at Town Hall, NYC: This is a piece I wrote that was published on the Interactivist Exchange site in 2002. The topic was an amazing evening at NYC's Townb Hall in honor of labor legend Moe Foner
John's review of a CD by George & Julius: Here's a copy of a review for a CD by George Mann and Julius Margolin from several years ago. Other than being posted to their website, the review was unpublished.

Cultural Workers/Organizations

Woody Guthrie Foundation and Archive: The name says it all. This master of the topical song deserves an archive the size of the Smithsonian, but until that happens, this space in mid-town Manhattan will do nicely. Led by Woody's tireless daughter, Nora, the Archive houses ALL of Woody's writings, songbooks, drawings, musings, diaries, memorobilia and more. If you make an appointment, you can meet with an archivist and see these documents. Its a trip through history and into the mind of the prototypical protest musician. The office is located within the office of folk music promoter Harold Leventhal, who passed away in Fall of 2005. A great loss---I was honored to have a lengthy discussion with him during a visit there. He was Woody's manager throughout his lifetime, and worked with most everyone in the genre.
Paul Robeson: Here's an amazing collection of data on Paul Robeson, one of the great American heroes who's been maligned by reactionaries for decades. Ignore the bullshit, admire the man. Robeson posed a threat to the frightened, racist status quo as he challenged it as no one else had. Born the son of a slave, Robeson graduated with top honors from law school and also stood as a nationally recognized athlete. He instead followed the path of the arts and became an acclaimed actor and vocalist but braved it all to take a stand on issues such as the need to pass anti-lynching legislation; he was also a great advocate for the early movements for civil rights and peace. An outspoken champion, Robeson boldly looked HUAC in the face and told the witch-hunting right-wing politicians, "You are the UnAmericans and you should be ashamed of yourselves". 25 years after his sad death, and through the efforts of tireless lobbying efforts, Paul Robeson was put on a US postage stamp, but our government can never apologize enough to the memory of this great artist/activist. It was the government, led by the likes of J Parnell Thomas, Joe McCarthy, J Edgar Hoover and Richard Nixon, that was responsible for the systematic dismantling of Robeson's career and then his very life. This brilliant site is care of the Bay Area Paul Robeson organization.
Bertolt Brecht: Here's a link to the International Brecht Society, an organization which commemorates the great poet/playwright, as well as promotes performances of his works. Brecht was a powerhouse among cultural workers, writing such important plays as The Threepenny Opera, Happy End, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahogonny, The 7 Deadly Sins (with composer Kurt Weill) and the Mother (with Hanns Eisler) as well as a wide assortment of poems and articles. He also created the concept of Epic Theatre, which stripped away all emotion of the actor in order to promote the core of the writer's work as well as allow the audience to reflect their own feelings upn the character. Brecht ultimately left Germany to escape the nazis (who'd had him on a hit-list and marked him as a danger to their regime), moving to Hollywood where he worked in the film industry. Brecht was of course cited as a Communist by HUAC--becoming targeted in the origianl group of writers and directors who were blacklisted. Ironically, his HUAC testimony, though unfriendly, was bought hook, line and sinker by the UnAmericans and they dropped their case against him. Still, Brecht left the US for East Germany by the late 40s and founded the Berliner Group there.His works remain among the most important of all dramas with social significance.
John Reed Internet Archive: John Reed was a firebrand radical journalist who founded the Communist Party USA after documenting not only the Russian Revolution, but also American labor rebellions and he chronicled some,of the early years of the IWW. A top writer of "The Masses", Reed covered various workers' battles with the powers that be, as well as events to celebrate workers' culture such as the Patterson Pageant of 1912. After his historic reportage of the Bolshevik revolution (Ten Day That Shook The World), Reed founded the Communist Labor Party, one of the two US-based communist organizations that sprang from the Socialist Party's left-wing, after the Sp was torn apart by various factions' response to the first World War. The left-wing were vehemently anti-war and Reed, along with Louis Frena, forged the organization that would soon grow into the CPUSA. In his last days, Reed had achieved highstatus in Lenin's Communist International, but unfortunately lost his life to typhoid while still young. However, he laid the foundation for a crusading radical journalist/activist and holds a place in history for his many achievements. His life was dramatized in the excellent film "Reds".

This website offers a glimpse into some of Reed's best writings and if you follow the link, you'll also find an excellent biographical statement.
Hanns Eisler: Composer/activist Eisler became partners with Bertolt Brecht after the playwright sought out a composer who was more pronounced in Left philosphy than Weill. Together Eisler and Brecht would create some of the most radical scores of all time, radical enough to have them put on Nazi hit-lists in the 1930s. Eisler was a Modernist, schooled by Schoenberg, who set out to create a sound that was as daring in intent as harmony. A true giant of protest music, Eisler was a friend to Labor choruses, anti-fascists all over the world and even Woody Guthrie.
The Langston Hughes Society: Brilliant poet and outspoken activist of the Harlem Renaissance and beyond. Hughes offered a vision of Black life during the Great Depression as well the periods prior to it and immediately following it as well. His "A Dream Deferred" spoke volumes to a nation indifferent to its own class system.
Earl Robinson: This page offers a good, solid biographical sketch of composer Earl Robinson, who's best known for his song, "Joe Hill" (lyric by Alfred Hayes). But Robinson, who was a strong voice in the Composers Collective of NY, also composed "The House I Live In" (yup--the Sinatra song!), "Ballad for the Americans" and the 1970s pop song "Black and White", a huge hit for 3 Dog Night. Like nearly all American Communists of the period, he was as patriotic as he was radical, calling for an end to class distinction, racism and war--seemingly the goals of our nation's founding fathers. Robinson also led several choirs which offered workers' songs and folk music to receptive audiences and in later years was involved in the environmental and alternative medicine movements.
The Elie Siegmeister Society: Elie Seigmeister was one of the great, Leftist composers who looked to the music of Hanns Eisler as a model for inspiration. He, along with the rest of the Composers Collective of New York (including Aaron Copland, Charles Louis Seeger, Ruth Crawford, Earl Robinson, Marc Blitzstein and others), attempted to create an American proletariat music which embraced both the international workers movement and the progressive genres in concert music, even as they commented on urgent issues of the day. Siegmeiste soon became enamored with folk music of the US, as well as of othe cultures, and led a series of orchestras and choruses to expand on this music, often in conjunction with Collective friends. This website for the Siegmeister Society is rather flat and offers sparing information, though it does offer that a January, 2009 centenary event will be occuring. Most of the internet bios on Siegmeister either ignore his strong place in the history of Communist music circles or expand upon this in order to demonize him or the movement. Make no mistake about it, Elie was a giant among cultural workers.
Pete Seeger: Though Pete has no official website of his own, this one has been deemed the "official appreciation page", which is a great source for iinfo on Pete's music, history, and activism. The grandaddy of the folk revival is still going strong into his mid-80s, so here's a chance to look over all that he's done for society over the decades.
Phil Ochs: The greatest protest singer of the latter period of US radicalism, Ochs never achieved the commercial success of some of his contemporaries, but he's recalled as an activist among them. His mission remained true throughout his tragically short life. This website is an all-around resource with pages of lyrics, history, photos, links, etc.
Victor Jara: Chilean folksinger and freedom fighter who stood with Salvador Allende, befriended Phil Ochs and was horribly killed by the neo-fascist regime of Pinochet. A balladeer of the people, Jara, offered a voice to the populace in a time of vast social change. Jara held high esteem in the public as well as the Allende government before being tortured and murdered by the forces of the right-wing dictator that the US not only supported but had brought in to oust the elected socialist government. The nightmarish actions of Pinochet are evidence of the fear that a musician can create for a right-wing dictator.
Odetta: One of the greatest of all folksingers, Odetta broke through the largely white-male structure of the 60s folk industry to offer music of depthh and singular urgency. Her almost primal scream version of "John Henry" spoke volumes as churches were burning in Mississippi and civil rights protests in the south were enflaming dissent all over the nation. Odetta remains a vital, powerful performer with a unique blues-based approach to folksongs. While Odetta has no site of her own, this link will bring you to a Pacifica Radio transcript of an informative and moving interview.
Leadbelly: This site is dedicated to the great blues/folk singer-songwriter Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter. He crossed the divide from rural blues to urban protest song and never looked back. One of the legends.
Dorothy Parker: Though this site is a lot more fan-based than most of the links you'll find in this section, Dorothy Parker was a vitally important progressive artist. Her work for "New Masses", reporting on the Spanish Civil War, already puts her into the cultural worker spotlight. But while she may be more known as a member of the Algonquin Roundtable's inner circle, 'Mrs Parker' was also a life-long activist, a feminist who spoke out strongly for the Civil Rights movement. When she died in 1967, , her estate was left to Dr. King. Parker was a legend and this website offers info on her and her world in a fun but informative manner. The links section is also a strong one.
Marc Blitzstein: The composer of "The Cradle Will Rock" and "Regina" was also a member of the very radical Composers Collective of NY in the 1930s. By the early 50s, he'd translated the Brecht-Weill "Three-Penny Opera" and organized the very first production of it in the US (Theatre De Lys, Greenwich Village, NYC). And here's a wonderful link to offer insight into Blitzstein's song "The Nickel Under the Foot", featured in the Tim Robbins film 'Cradle Will Rock', the story of both composer and his opera of the same name: http://labornotes.org/node/889
Sonny Ochs/Remembering Phil Ochs: This is the site of Sonny Ochs, the legenday Phil Ochs' sister. Sonny has a wonderful radio program on WRPI-FM (Troy NY) and she also hosts a wide variety of Phil Ochs Song Nights all over the country. Sonny's site also has some excellent memories of her brother's life and music.
Joe Strummer Resource: The brilliant, revolutionary singer/songwriter and buzzsaw guitarist, Strummer helped to bring punk rock to communists and others on the international Left. While the Sex Pistols shouted out for anarchy, it was the Clash who had songs about the Spanish Civil War and the British years under Thatcher. They of course recorded an album called Sandinista which offerd scathing protest of the right-wing's (read: reagan/Thatcher) support of the Nicaraguan Contras. Militancy was too loose for the likes of Strummer and co, who specified their support of the revolutionary Leftists in that battle and others. After the Clash broke up, Strummer's solo career would never reach of his old band's success and then we'd lose him altogether...but just give a listen to London Calling and you know that even if thge revolutuion would not be televised, it can be envisioned through the soundtrack created by the Clash lo, so many years back!
The Kurt Weill Foundation: The Kurt Weill Foundation archives the great composer's original papers and manuscripts, while overseeing events and performances. Weill composed Brecht's greatest plays, helping to forge a new genre which bridged opera to musical and contained moving social drama.
Rod Serling Memorial Foundation: Brillianr, visionary writer Rod Serling forged new ground in television with the teleplays "Requiem for a Heavyweight", "Patterns" and many more. These noir-inspired classics made powerful statements about the strength of the common person in the face of adversity. His celebrations of equality and portraits of the little guy standing up to the power structure were further seen in 'The Twilight Zone' which offered dozens and dozens of examples. One of our favorites is 'The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street', a drama about the hysteria of suspicion. Just listen to Serling's amazing closing speech which declares, "For the record, prejudice can kill and paranoia can destroy...". Ooooh, all this during the high Cold War years! Truly, Serling was the Arthur Miller of television.
Michael Franti & Spearhead: Perhaps the Flames' favorite political band in years, Spearhead has found a way to release powerfully outspoken records that groove just as hard as they agitate. Franti and co can do no wrong (nuff said)!
Richie Havens: Since the later 1960s, Richie Havens has been globally acknowledged as an iconic protest singer, though his repertoire has a wide reach. Blurring strumming right hand, spider-like left fingers embracing his guitar neck, bent over his instrument, Havens embodies the notion of the folk revival.
Ramblin' Jack Elliot: Ramblin' Jack is best recalled as the guy who hung out with Woody so much that he developed an almost perfect imitation of his voice, gestures and stage presence. But Jack's music and adventures go way beyond that. He remains an active musician till this day. Check out the site for info on his recent release.
Billy Bragg: ONe of the strongest voices of musical radicalsim, Bragg crosses the boundary between punk and folk music better than most anyone else.
Bev Grant: Singer/songwriter/activist Bev Grant has been doing her thing since the 1960s when she shared the stage with such notables as Phil Ochs. After breaking through the coffeehouse scene in Greenwich Village, Bev led the band, the Human Condition for some years before establishing a series of powerful associations including leading the Brooklyn Women's chorus and more recently her group the Dissident Daughters. Bev has performed on several events organized by John; her music is always welcome.
Readnex Poetry Squad: This group of young, Rap-driven poets reloacted from NYC to New Paltz NY recently and have been spreading their unique style of protest poetry throughout the Hudson Valley and the NY area. Late 2006 saw the release of their second CD and a tour in 2007 will extend into Europe. The Readnex bring socail justice poetics into the current age we live in, while never refuting the origins of Left-wing spoken word art.
Jennie Litt & David Alpher: Progressive cabaret pair Jennie Litt and David Alpher light up the stage with powerful voice and piano in a wide asortment of music. But we know that these two are died-in-the-wool radicals and so really enjoy their Peoples Cabaret show which includes songs by the likes of Harold Rome. For our Dissident Fest 2007 they turned a Beacon cultural center into a decadent Berlin cabaret of the late 1920s. These two can perform Brecht and Weill or Brecht and Eisler like they have done so in the thicket of German nightlife while dodging the brownshirts!
George Mann & Julius Margolin: The fire of a century of labor song are pent up in George and Julie, but George cannot claim to have lived through much of that---Julie can. Now (in 2007) 91 years young, Margolin was a CIO organzer long before the purge by the McCarthyites and in this regard is one of labor's heroes. The two met in the NYC Labor Chorus and have been a highly visible duet all over the US, recording a series of radical CDs which include song and poetry, largely denigrating the crimes and general character of George Bush. Go get 'em, guys!
Mel & Vinnie: Two of the many social protest-based folkies of NY's Hudson Valley, Maryellen Healey and Vincent Cerniglia are a couple of troublemakers we areproud to know.
Redwood Moose: The Wobbly heart of "Moose" meets the folkie human service professional "Redwood" while armed with acoustic guitars and a mission of peace and justice. Good music and organzing, too.
The MacDougal St. Rent Party: A quartet of strong individual topical folksingers, this grouping comes off like a modern-day Almanac Singers with a humorous ax to grind. All that and they love placards such as the one adorened with the large black letters spelling out--"Smell the Sulphur!"
Robert Milby: Radical poet Robert Milby tells it like it is in verse--as often as he can. A published poet many times over, Milby also performs his work in cafes and runs poetry circles throughout much of the mid-Hudson Valley of NY.
Ray Korona Band: Ray Korona is a singer-songwriter who is steeped in the folk-protest tradition. His songs are satirical, biting, often humorous and always offer a message. His band and he have performed for many progressive events, acting as accompaniests or opening acts for people such as Pete Seeger, Jim Hightower and Patti Smith. All that, and Ray is a good friend to the Flames, having appeared at several events John has organized over the years.
Lach: Lach is the founder of the "Antifolk" genre of the early 1980s, but he's also a talented songer-songwriter with much to say right now. Antifolk was created in NYC's Est Village as a direct response to the West Village's "legitimate" folk scene's conventions----which excluded the young, edgy performers who believed as much in the Clash as they did Woody Guthrie. So they created a bizarro-planet folk scene, if you will, which sported numerous 'Anti-Hoots' in East Village clubs and a traveling performance series called 'The Fort', another Lach invention. The Anti-Folksters spoke the language of the time and place in which they lived---just as the originators of the folk revivial did. So what's up with Lach today? Punk-laced folk songs which explore our lives, lifestyles and history---its all here.
Peoples Music Network: A terrific group of diverse folk-oriented performers who use their network to build annual concerts and other events.
Mancini and Martin: This is the website of powerhouse avant duet Mancini & Martin, wonderful friends to the Flames. The pair are well-known jazz saxophonist/composer Gus Mancini and poet/author/performance artist Patti Martin. We have had the wonderful opportunity to not only share bills with M&M (ie-Woodstock Fringe Festival and others), but the duo have joined the Flames onstage for several collaborative efforts as well. These always turn out to be exciting, improvisational explorations into the sonic underbelly of song! M&M blend through-composed music with free improv, threading spoken word performance into jazz improv that ranges from wailing to mellow, tuneful to out there and back. "No Age" might begin to describe their sound.
Gwen Laster: Celebrated Jazz musician Gwen Laster is an amazing violinist who performs on the international stage but is always available to lend support to progressive causes and community events. We are lucky to have her based here in NY's Hudson Valley and have her take part in some of our events. Gwen's vilin leads are soaring, floating epic adventures of sound and she's equally comfortable playing Jazz Fusion, traditional Blues or Country, pure improv, scored concert music or burning swing.
Journey Blue Heaven: Talented Woodstock-based singer/songwriter/activist and host of cable TV's Woodstock Tell-a-Vision show. Here's to the next generation of great artist-activists.
Radical Poetry Collective: Women's Political Poetry: A collective of women poets who are writing about injustice, the war and more. This is also an outlet for the sale of a poetry anthology the group has published. The cultural workers speak---loudly!
Bob Lusk: Bob is a musician and activist based out of Kingston NY. A master of classic US folk music, he also specializes in Celtic songs and includes numerous pieces from a variety of folk traditions (and languages) in his sets. Bob is also known as one of the people, along with the Woodstock Women in Black and others, who were arrested in Kingston for engaging in a silent protest at the military recruiting center in an area mall. At the point in which the police moved in on them, the protestors were softly chanting "om" and focusing on peace. Endangering national security through chant???
Voices for Peace/Danielle Woerner: Noted sporano Danielle Woerner formed Voices for Peace in order to add to the protest of George Bush's endless war. They have graced the platform of many peace rallies as well as community events in and around NY's Hudson Valley.
Walkabout Clearwater: This is the website for the Walkabout Clearwater Chorus, the musical arm to the great Clearwater environmentalist organization. The Flames have been on the same bill as Walkabout and found their harmonies to be strong and moving.
Sing Freedom/Joel Landy: Topical singer-songwriter Joel Landy's website and cable television show (Songs of Freedom) in the New York area. Joel performs regularly in the northeast and is a member of the MacDougal St. Rent Party. HIs TV show has been a wonderful opportunity for many progressive-minded musicians and folksingers in general to have airtime that includes the visual!
Sana Sabazz: Sana is a talented poet and writer who is very much a social activist as well. In 2006 she released the book, "Why Women Cry", exploring the many issues women are faced with in society and within their own familes and themselves. Soon to be released is "Why Men Cry", also a poetic study of the inner and outer worlds of men.
The MacDougal Street Rent Party: THis NYC-based ensemble performs an array of music that is entrenched in the protest tradition. Quite influenced by the repertoire and philosophy of the Almanac Singers, they present performances where all have equal time at the lead-vocal mic. Each of the members are serious performers in their own right, too, so if you check out the website please consider making visits to each of the others' sites. Its all powerful music.
Graham and Barbara Dean: The Deans are a Massachusetts-based pair of talented musicians and songwriters who perform a great deal of social justice music.
Pittsburgh Raging Grannies: Pittsburgh's charpter of the Raging Grannies is indeed special. One of their forces is a talented musician and music teacher who's a serious activist in her own right, Mimi Yahn. Outside of her duty as the Grannies' musical director, this Fellow Worker is also a presenter of seminars on protest song, specializing in the music of the IWW. She has self-published two song-books which feature much of this music and offers it to those who attend her lectures.
Judy Gorman: Judy is a gifted singer-songwriter who travels throughout the US from her home base in Brooklyn Heights, performing songs of labor, social change and feminism. She has several CDs available via this page on the CD Baby website.
Chris Ruhe: Chris is a wonderful folksinger/activist who's been performing music of social justice, peace and the environment for decades. Shortly after 9/11, Chris began a peace vigil which stands at the very busy intersection of Rts 9 and 9-D at the crossraods of Wappinger and Poughkeepsie NY. Chris and friends person this post each Saturday afternoon, rain, snow or shine. He is also the host of the "Planet Blue" radio show on WVKR-FM (Poughkeepsie NY), which focuses entirely on environmental issues and news.
Bruce Markow: Bruce is a very talented lead guitarist who has come into his own as a gifted singer-songwriter. Much of his alternative folk music focuses on peace and justice, but there's quite a bit of humor in there as well. A strong performer and great guy.
Bryan and Marcy: This NYC-based folk-pop duo offers an exciting, harmony-laced brand of semi-acoustic music that is very enjoyable. Dueling guitars and call-and-response singing, driving rhythm, humor, evocative pieces, social conscience.
The J Kirks: The J Kirks are a family band led by activist-musician parents. They work with their children (teen and pre-teen) in a unique ensemble which showcases original songs of protest. Daring, outspoken and decidedly leftist, the Kirks are offring a wonderful education to their kids---and the rest of us. Check out their site as well as some of their powerful pieces on You Tube.

Political Parties for Today's Struggles

Progressive Agenda: Here's a great source for geberally progressive issues today as well as how they relate to the coming political season. This is an excellent source of information and more than enough to ignite the spark so necessary to bring more folks into the electorate. Let's take it back!
Progressives for Obama-blog: Enough with the nonsensical talking heads, here's a discussion forum for we on the Left. The movement around Barack Obama is indeed excting and historic, so why not become a part of it? While we need a serious progressive party in this country, right now the battle is one for our very lives...don't just grumble about the lack of a viable third party, get in on the movement which may be able to build one---after Obama is in office.
Communist Party USA: Scourge of the right-wing for decades, the Communist Party is still alive, well and wonderfully radical, even if smaller in numbers these days. If you check out the Party's site and program you'll find a strong Marxist-Leninist philosophy that has not been connected to Stalinism in a very long time. Founded in 1919, they remain a national organization with highly active HQ in NYC and a powerful branch in Chicago which edits their newspaper, the People's Weekly World. They also maintain a thorough internationalist perspective and engage in global solidarity struggles. The CP's history contains a thorough cultural component which dispatched many, many Cultural Workers in the struggles for racial equality, unionism, peace, and social justice. The list of musicians, writers, actors, poets, directors, and visual artists who were members (or at least "fellow travellers") of the Party in the period between the latter 1920s and the 1950s, is indeed exhaustive. The pains of McCarthyism included not only prison terms and blacklisting, but also internal splintering. Ironically, the rabid, opportunistic efforts of the Right-wing led many Communists to respond with a blindness with regard toward the crimes of Stalin and the oppressive governments of many eastern governments. The Party has developed in the decades following the Cold War and the current leadership particularly established an awareness of democratic ideals and a committment to liberty within the view of socialism.
The Working Families Party: The WFP is a New York State party of unionists, activists and general progressives. It was formed in order to back "fusion" candidates, largely Democrats, who needed to be pushed a little further to the left. The FP is modeled after the old American Labor Party, which also served a similar fusion-based purpose. As of late, the WFP has also launched progressive candidates of their own, running independent of any Dem candidate.
Socialist Party USA: The SP was founded by Eugene V. Debs in 1901 but experienced many splits and changes of identity over the years. These days they remain a dedicated social democratic organization though still plagued by infighting. Deeply involved in labor and peace struggles, among other issues, the SP's HQ in NYC remains very active and, widely, they remain a national party.
21st Century Socialism: A powerful British-based site about socialism in our time. Many wonderful kinks in addition to excellent coverage and theoretical talk.

Resources for Progressive Musicians/Listeners

Living With War Today: An offshoot of Neil Young's website, LWWT features tons of anti-war songs by artists you've heard of those you never have come across before. The tradition continues...until we can stop writing such songs. As of late may 2006, two of the Flames' songs have been added to the litany of radical songs which speak back to the Bush Administration, achieving first-column status. We are proud to keep such good company!
The Internationale: Here's a page dedicated to the communist and socialist anthem, The Internationale. This powerful piece of music sustained many a revolution over the world, though it was written in honor of the Paris Commune. This song has been so important to the Left that the CPUSA named their national cultural clubs after its composer, Pierre DeGaytor. The poem by Eugene Pottier has been translated into every language and during the Spanish Civil War members of the International Brigade sang it together as a unifying force, though each did so in their native tongue. The Stalin-era Soviet Union, sadly, claimed this brilliant work as its national anthem and the image of Red Army soldiers marching to it in processions with tanks and other weaponry in Red Square has often tarnished the piece. Regardless, it remains the theme for all workers struggles and in recent years has risen in stature once again.
Music of the Spanish Civil War: This is a wonderful website which will bring you directly to a page of recorded music of the Spanish Civil War. If you move about on it, you'll find sections which include history and more. Among the music selections is our fave, Viva La Quince Brigade, but this site goes well beyond that. Also look for some great links.
Punk Voter: A great resource for punks and those wholove them. Here's a chance to disspell the myth that the punk rock movement is in any way connected to racism or neo-nazis; those punks that engage in that hatred are few and far between.
A Little Page on the Internationale: Not so little, really. Here's a brilliantly collected group of translations for the Internationale in many, many, many languages. Deeply moving to consider the possibilities...
Progressive Artists' Roster of the US Social Forum: The US Social Forum has expanded its reach this year and opened the doors to cultural workers for, seemingly, the first time. We are very excited by the rpospect, though we are not available to attend this year. We urge all rpogressive artsits, regardless of genre, to get a listing in this roster. It is surely time for the cultural workers to speak out.
Butterfly Gardeners Assoc--MUSICIANS & FINE ARTISTS FOR WORLD PEACE: Musicians & Fine Artsits for World Peace is a network of artist/activists organized by Allen Moore, a west coast-based peace activist and musician. His highly extensive website, with endless links to musicians, poets, dancers, visual artists and more, plus activist organizations, includes a call for more additions---so drop him a line! Not only will you the cultural worker and /or your organization be listed, but he also helps cultural organizers to get the word out about their events and festivals by adding those links as well. He is also planning a 2008 festival of peace music, among other events.
Song Lyrics for Activists: A resource for a great amount of song lyrics concerning social justice, peace and more. Need a song for an upcoming rally or other performance? Its probably here!
Lift Every Voice: Music in American Life: Opening up with the great African-American spiritual that has become an anthem, this site offers up a historical look at music of the people, with an accent on the protest genre. Wonderfully crafted, the site offers documentation on the connection between such songs and other artworks. There are also sections on, "Protest Songs in particular, Ballads, Hymns and Spirituals, southern songs and historical music in general. Audio clips are available for some of the selections.
Love Music Hate Racism: British-based anti-fascist collective which organizes young people via progressive musics of all genre. THey have established a series of events in Europe which have been very successful in the battle against racial hatred.
Songs of Labor & Struggle: A collection of lyrics for some of our most profound protest songs--the IWW, Woody Guthrie, Aunt Mollie Jackson and others.
Protest Songs: Another site dedicated to lyrics of protest songs. Can never get enough of these!
Musicians Alliance for Peace: The Musicians Alliance for Peace is an organization founded in the Long Island New York college, Stony Brook, and it has grown in leaps and bounds within a five year period. Each year they coordinate The Music for Peace Project, which asks musicians all over the world to stage simultaneous concerts with an anti-war theme during the weekend that bridges March and April. In 2006, the Flames became a part of this event, with a concert in Poughkeepsie, NY. M4P is a very important organization that effectively bridges the gap between progressive actions and the arts. The Flames are big supporters of M4P.
Righteous Babe Records: The independent label founded by Ani DiFranco is true to its cause of presenting some of the best Left-leaning folk-oriented music around. You'll not only find Ani's catalog here, but also recent releases by Toshi Reagon and many more.
Daniel Pearl Music Days: Following the terrible and tragic murder of journalist/musician Daniel Pearl, his friends and family created an organization to present music of social justice. Though Pearl was killed by terrorists in Iraq, his loved ones have asked that concerts dedicated to peace in Iraq and elsewhere, as well as social conscience of every kind, be considered a Daniel Pearl Music Day. If you check out the website, you'll note just how many musicians have offered to be involved in such a cause. If you are a protest musician, please consider this in order to keep the name and memory of Daniel Pearl alive.
Smithsonian Folkways: The legendary Folkways Records was founded by Moe Asch decades ago and became the label of Woody Guthrie, the Almanac Singers, Leadbelly and a wealth of folk music from all walks of life and all over the globe. Asch's catalog was as daring as it was educational and he never hesitated to release the music of artist's with a profoundly progressive message. The catalog may have died along with him, but Smithsonian picked it up some years ago. Much of Asch's output is again available, plus the new label has released some powerful new/old recordings as well, including the formerly lost Guthrie recording of "This Land is Your Land" which includes some of the lesser-known verses. Smithsonian-Folkways is perhaps the best source for folk music--radical and otherwise--out there.
CD Baby: The best internet connection for independent musicians and of course for those listeners who want tofind out where the lesser-known artists' CDs are available. An incredible selection of every style. CD Baby carries both of the Flames CDs, among their great collection.
Rhino Records CD/Vinyl Store: The Rhino Records store is legendary in the New Paltz NY area. While we can no longer recall what the connection is to the record label of the same name, Rhino stands out as an amazing resource of new and used CDs and vinyl of all genre. Looking for some unique avant gard recordings? Go to their "Out" section. How about some terrific underground punk, intense jazz from the 1950s, Beat poetry, 60s rock, shameless 80s pop, B-side collections, lost oldies, cutting-edge newbies and local indie release? This is only the start. Like record stores in days of old (ahhh..) you can listen to any CD that is already opened up before buying. We love this place, as you can imagine. Oh, and they also carry our "Revenge of the Atom Spies"! Rhino has no website, but you can visit their shop at 188 main Street (downstairs), New Paltz NY or call them at 845-255-0230. Yes, Virginia, there still are a few wonderful record stores left.
Woodstock Music Shop: The Woodstock Music Shop is located on historic Rock City Road just off of the famed Village Green in Woodstock NY. This most famous village has an intense arts history dating back over one hundred years and its important that it has its own music store. Ron, the owner makes certain to carry instruments made by locals, as well as name brands. But he also makes certain that there is an affordable range of everything, as he feels encouraging beginners is paramount to the music's expansion into the next generations. He's also available for personalized service and great conversation as well as bringing some excellent teachers into the store's back-room for lessons. Specializing in not only acoustic and electric guitars, basses, folk instruments but also a wide array of frame drums and other hand percussion, this place simply wreaks of Woodstock. Amen to that! PLUS the Shop has a good collection of albums and CDs and among the latter he carries the Flames newest CD "Revenge of the Atom Spies".
Jack's Rhythms (record/CD store): One of the New Paltz NY's favorite record shops, Jack's has a brilliant collection of jazz LPs and CDs, as well as a great collection of music in all genres. They also carry the Flame's CD "Revenge of the Atom Spies". No website, but they are located at 54 Main St in New Paltz. 845-255-1082 or jrhythms@hotmail.com
Hudson Valley Music: This site offers a wide range of information about musicians and bands in NYS's Hudson Valley area, everything from band listings to a performance calendar. Highly recommended.
Musicians Against Sweatshops: One might think of this organization as the musical arm of United Students Against Sweatshops, though their membership has a wide range of ages. Here's more evidence that the artists have not gone to sleep during this time of social struggle and war.
Woodstock Artists Guild/Byrdcliffe: The Woodstock Artists Guild not only has a gallery/performance space in the heart of this most famous arts village in upstate NY, but they also own the legendary Byrdcliffe Artist Colony located just above Woodstock proper. Byrdcliffe was founded as an independent artsits colony in 1903 and brought waves of artists and intellectuals to this community. Shortly after Byrdcliffe, the Maverick art colony opened, as well as several other important organizations which brought creativity and progressive philosophy to what was once a small farming village. Woodstock continue to be a wealth of creative expression and activism.
Elderly Instruments: This company is not in any way aligned with any progressive activism that I am aware of, but they are an amazing source for musical instruments. They carry nearly every brand of stringed instrument, as well as lots of other things like harmonicas, percussion, sound equipment and more. Though Elderly originally specialized in vintage guitars and banjos, they have now become a serious contender for all-time-great folk instrument catalog. Severl of the Flames instruments were purchased through elderly including John's two workhorse banjos: the acoustic Mike Ramsey 'Chanterelle' custom and the solid-body electric Banjocaster. It's all here.

Progressive Radio

WBAI-FM: New York's progressive, listener-sponsored radio station that offers "the other side" to the corporate media stranglehold on the news. 'BAI is a part of the Pacifica Network, but it stands out as a lone wolf in thst classic NYC style. Listen online, even if you are not in range. And while you are at the site, check out the Regional Report page which includes updates of activist-based events happening in the area immediately surrounding the City, especially Don DeBar's 'Up the River' report. Of course this is the original source of Amy Goodman's award-winning "Democracy Now!" and the home of such luminaries as Bob Fass, Bernard White, labor reporters Ken Nash and Mimi Rosenberg (hosts of "Building Bridges"), and David Rothenberg, whose Saturday morning show offers humorous and serious discussion on oscial issues and the arts.
Pacifica Network: Pacifica is a network of independent, listener-sponsored radio stations located around the USA. It is the umbrella that produced such great broadcasts as those of WBAI in New York and KPFA in San Francisco. Brilliant, controversial, fearless journalism mixed with some of the best Left music, poetry and discussion. Pacifica was founded on the ideals of pacifism over 60 years ago and they are still leaders in the anti-war movement, but have since broadened their scope to include all areas of social change. Pacifica also broadcasts nation-wide for special events such as gavel-to-gavel coverage on large-scale protest rallies, Congressional hearings, and special cultural events like the annual Clearwater Festival (the Flames are happy to say that we performed live from the Pacifica WBAI sound booth at the 2007 Clearwater Fest which allowed us to offer our songs across country!). It is the people's network, if there ever was one. They take no corporate sponsorship at all---its all from listener donations.
Radio Free Kingston: Wonderfully radical and outspoken radio program on Kingston, NY-based WKNY-AM (1490). Hosts Art Richter, Gary Bischoff and Billiam Von Roestenberg light up the airwaves with scinillating political discussion. The Flames have been among their line-up of guests on this program which airs each Sunday afternoon from 12:30 till 1:30
Air America Radio: The Air America Radio network began just a few years ago as a progressive response to right-wing AM talk radio. In NYC it can be heard on 1600 AM, but they have affiliates in mnay major cities all over the US and they also stream live on the internet. Here's the leftie answer to morons like Rush Limbaugh, featuring powerful discussion, humor and more. Sometimes you just need to check in with Air America to relieve yourself of the corporate media!
WFMU-FM: Wow, talk about a station built on eclecticism and variety! FMU, based out of Jersey City NJ but broadcasting throughout the NY area and also throughout most of NY's Hudson Valley (where we get to listen to it!), is an incredible treasure, offering equal space to post-punk and avant garde jazz, garage rock and hip-hop to radical discussion. OKay, we can live without the occasional death-metal but, hey, at least this station is that open. Format? What's that??? That's why we love FMU! Check it out at 91.1 in the NYC/NJ area, 90.1 in the Hudson Valley or anywhere on the net.
WDST-FM Radio Woodstock: "Radio Woodstock" is the Hudson Valley/Catskill region's best radio station for classic rock (especially deep album cuts), acoustic-based sounds and some of the more interesting cutting-edge artists, too, intermingled with reggae and more. Many of their music programs are excellent, but we have a special fondness for the Morning Show with Gattine & Franz ("The is no time for complacency--this is time for The Flames of Discontent"), which has not only great selections, humorous talk and lots of progressive content, but has also had the Flames on as in-studio guests; John has been a frequent call-in interviewee as well. We are also happy to report that DST has aired music from our "Revenge of the Atom Spies" album, but that's not all... In addition to programming the work of artists like Dylan, Hendrix, the Beatles, Patti Smith, Richie Havens, the Doors, Bob Marley, the Clash, the Band and countless others, DST also offers great specialty programming including the long-running Sunday morning talk show, "Woodstock Roundtable", which features a great array of guests speakers, musicians and more. Host Doug Grunther and show regulars Studio Stu, Gus Mancini and Patti Martin, along with other frequent guests like Mad Magazine editor Joe Reola, do talk radio proud. Always, present are humor and socially conscious thoughts. The Flames have been among their guests several times. Another highlight specialty show is "Acoustic Breakfast", a Saturday AM show that offers folk music and contemporary acoustic artists. WDST also engages in presenting concerts and other activities to benefit important causes. They are not only located in Woodstock, NY, they help to keep alive the spirit of arts and progressivism that made that village world-renown.
WJFF-FM: Radio Catskill is another gem nestled in the mountains that no one would have expected. JFF is an indie station that is hyrdo-powered (really!) and broadcasts a great variety of music and discussion. A progressive agenda is clear in that they broadcast some Pacifica programming such as "Democracy Now!" as well as more than a few local personalities who are wonderfully outspoken. Intermingled with this is NPR reporting and music ranging from folk to roots to jazz and lots more. Songs from the Flames CD 'Revenge of the Atom Spies' have also been aired on 'JFF.
WKZE-FM: KZE is an acoustic-based radio station which broadcasts throughout the mid-Hudson valley of NYS as well as western Connecticut. It's format is contemporary acoustic music, folk, folk-rock and international music as well as much that fits into no category. An excellent radio station which also streams over the internet. The Flames are glad to be associated with KZE, for selections from our "Revenge of the Atom Spies" CD is on their regular evening-into-night rotation.
WVKR-FM: This indie station is out of Vassar College (Poughkeepsie NY) and sports some of the most daring programming we've heard. Two polka shows per week (!) in addition to hardcore punk, free jazz, folk and roots music, forgotten pop, rap, spoken word and several different Left-wing discussion shows. And please note that VKR also broadcasts the award-winning progressive news program "Democracy Now!", produced by journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzales, each moring AND again each afternoon from 5PM-6PM. You can hear this station on the web, too. Among our favorite music shows is "The Primitive Show" (garage rock), "Folk Rock & Roots" (the name says it all), "The Lost Oldies Show" , "Radio Eclectica", and of course "Scene Unseen", a regional music show of which we've been in-studio guests.
Folk Rock & Roots: Host Andy Tokash's program on WVKR-FM (91.3, Poughkeepsie NY). An excellent program which features contemporary and classic acoustic-based music.
Radio Labourstart: This is the internet radio station of the London-based Labourstart.org, the international news source for issues of concern to workers---that's ALL of us. Radio Labourstart plays a wide array of labor-oriented music as well as regular broadcasts of news from WIN. The Flames have been proud to have songs from our first CD broadcast via this source.
Workers Independent News: This internet-based Labor news service is rapidly spreading throughout the country and is also affiliated with the international Labourstart which is based out of London. WIN broadcasts Labor news reports, music and announcements throughout its internet site and also through broadcast radio via a multitude of independent and public radio stations.

Cultural Education Foundations

Max's Kansas City Project: Keeping alive the name of this long-lost-but-never-forgotten iconic NYC rock club, this foundation offers grants to musicians in medical crisis and also has a great youth outreach program as well. Housed in Woodstock NY and run singlehandedly by Yvonne Sewall,the widow of Max's original owner Mickey Ruskin, the Project is tireless in its heartfull mission.
Sphinx Music: Sphinx is a wonderful organization which aims to counter the obvious inequalities in the classical music field. Clearly, few African-American professional musicians are employed in major orchestras throughout the country, and positions are few and far between for any kind of involvement in what can be a rather exlusionary setting. BUt their mission is a vast one which seeks to bring classical culture out of its box by teaching children of color, presenting musical programs and highlighting the work of noted Black and Latino performers and composers. Sphinx begins their mission with children, exposing Black and Latino kids to concerts and music education and bringing programming into particularly deprived school districts. They also offer higher-level music instruction up to and including major scholarships. Sphinx also has several professional-level performance groups which demonstrate the artistry of their laureates. The organization also sponsors competitions which result in increased educational and performance opportunities. Annually, Sphinx holds major concerts, combining professional musicians with students, at such locations as Carnegie Hall.
Strummerville- The Joe Strummer Foundation for New Music: This foundation was established by Joe Strummer's family and friends in the period immediately following his untimely death. The site offers info on the foundation itself as well as events that benefit its mission.
Bread and Roses Cultural Project: Bread and Roses is the Cultural arm of 1199 SEIU, the powerful healthcare workers' union. Bread and Roses maintains a permanent gallery plus runs a series of events and sells a large number of prints pertaining to Labor or other social justice issues.
Labor Arts: Labor Arts was founded by Rachel Bernstein of the New York University Labor Library and Henry Foner, perenniel Labor activist and former president of the Furriers' union. The site has a regular permanent collection of historic Labor-oriented art and other pieces, plus usually includes various other exhibits as well.

Progressive Performance Spaces

The Colony Cafe: This wonderful performance space is a nearly one-hundred year old building located on Rock City Road in the heart of Woodstock, NY---the world's most famous village. The Cafe was created out of the Colony Hotel, which was built to accomodate the many artists moving into Woodstock in the early 1900s, in the wake of the Byrdcliffe arts and crafts colony. Shortly after Byrdcliffe's 1901 opening, the Arts Students League opened up a Woodstock location of their art school and many independent painters, poets, musicians, actors, playwrights, sculptors, composers and others began to flock into Woodstock. The hotel was opened and thrived for a short while, but the building was barely used until its rebirth as the Colony Cafe. The very walls vibrate with cultural history, the sound is brilliant and warm and the scene is terrific. Best of all, Colony is, true to form, the host of many progressive events, from political fundraisers to awareness-rasing events which celebrate social justice in many ways. Colony is located at 22 Rock City Road, just across the street from the famous Woodstock Artists' Cemetary. The Flames' annual tributes to Woody Guthrie and Phil Ochs (The Woodstock Phil Fest) are held at the Colony, and we've also played there for fundraisers for progressive political candidates and for the memorial for the late Woodstock Music Shop owner Ron Osenenko.
The Howland Cultural Center: Howland is a non-profit cultural center located in downtown Beacon, NY. It's building is a dramatic Victorian that is well over one hundred years old. Both art gallery and performance space, Howland programs everything from string quartets and classical pianists to coffee houses and concerts such as our November 2005 Phil Ochs tribute concert and our Dissident Folk Festival. Howland has an inhouse blues/swing group, too, The Howland Wolves, and offer their space for various community purposes. Howland is the acknowledged, "jewel of Beacon".
The Muddy Cup: Nearly all of NY's Hudson Valley can claim a Muddy Cup as its own. Endlessly hip, artful and sporting the best coffees anywhere, the Muddy Cup is an old-fashioned coffee house that encourages socializing. Shops in Beacon, New Paltz, Kingston, Hudson, Poughkeepsie, Albany, Catskill and more regularly house performances and feature walls full of local art. Here's the kind of place that offers a nod to 50s Beat coffee houses, 20s German cabarets, 30s Parisian cafes, and the kind of place Hopper would have enjoyed painting. All of that and the progressive owner is quick to stage politically active events in any one of his shops. To hell with anti-labor, fat-cat Starbucks---stick with the indie coffee shops like this one!
The Rosendale Cafe: Another legenday Hudson Valley venue, the Rosendale Cafe moves from being an acoustic room, featuring local folk-oriented acts, to housing large-scale benefit concerts, to featuring Jazz and other kinds of music. The vibes are among the best and the space's management is consistently on the right side (er, left side) of any important social issue. The Cafe is often a great spot for progressive organization's events.
CBGB: The official site of what was the official home of punk. Hey, it's not really over, is it? Check out the site for info on the legend and plans for what's to come! Also, you can buy copies of such wonderful links to our (recent) past as Live at CBGB Vol 1!
High Falls Cafe: A comfortable showcase performance space for acts ranging from folk to jazz to spoken word to whatever it is that the Flames do. The Cafe is located in the beautiful (and progressive) community of High Falls NY, just outside of heady, artsy, progressive Rosendale. No wonder no one has thrown us out yet! We have performed at this Cafe more than once---a great spot.
Yippie Museum Cafe: Located just around the corner from where CBGB once stood (alas), the Yippie Museum has stared down the odds of a frighteningly expensice Manhattan and taken a stand. In the cafe, one can hear any number of artists performing songs of social justice--including the Flames. Come down to 9 Bleeker Street, NYC, and keep alive the dream of an East Village of the people!
60 Main--New Paltz Cultural Collective: 60 Main is a coffee house in hip, liberal New Paltz NY which features musicians, poets and guest speakers. All of the coffees sold at this homey space are fair-trade guarenteed and they also offer an assortment of posters and other products from the Northern Sun or Syaracuse Cultural Workers catalogs. But more so, 60 Main is an establishment of the New Paltz Cultural Collective, thus there own members sell their CDs, artworks and poetry collections at the coffee house and use the space for meetings and more. Walking into 60 Main is a little like stepping back into Jack Kerouac's San Franicisco. The Flames have been happy to become a part of their experience.
Backstage Studio Productions: One of the hottest nightclubs/auditoriums/art galleries/perfomance spaces in the City of Kingston, NY (the state's first capital!). BSP, as its more commonly known, it located in the heart of uptown Kingston and regularly features new music, theatre, poetry and more in their bustling club as well as large auditorium. You just can't find a place this largein NYC---they could not afford to stay open! BSP has presented the Flames in performance among many other progressive artists.
AntiFolk: AntiFolk founder Lach remains a vital part of NYC's punk-folk music. His movement, AntiFolk, retains a safe haven in the East Village's Sidewalk Cafe, one of the few sites where acoustic or almost-acoustic musicians can still perform in a club (sadly, NYC is but a shadow of its former self; no way could the current NY spawn the likes of a Bob Dylan or Phil Ochs, for its near impossible for a clubowner to be sustained selling coffee and catering to radical folkies!). Check out the Sidewalk and of course the AntiFolk scene that Lach has maintained since the 80s. If it breaks down a boundary, it has served a purpose---why shouldn't the Clash's "Spanish Bombs" sit comfortably with folk/protest classics like "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall"?
Rosendale Street Festival: This is a major festival which pretty much takes up all of downtown Rosendale, a Hudson Valley community just near New Paltz. The primary attractions of this weekend event are the series of bandstands strategically set up all around town which feature some of the areas hardest working musicians. The Flames were proud to be a part of the fest in 2006.
Woodstock Fringe Festival: Here's the site for the Woodstock Fringe, which organizes the Festival of Theatre and Song each summer, among other events. A classicly "Woodstock" event which features a wide array of performance and truly offers a visceral definition to the description 'fringe'.

Labor Unions and Associated Resources

AFM Local 1000: Local 1000 of the American Federation of Musicians is designated as the "traveling musicians local", but it primairly represents folk-oriented performers, many of which can be described as protest-oriented. While 802 is the much better known New York local, the flexibility of 1000 offers much more to performers who are not members of large orchestras, doing studio dates or playing in Broadway pits. But while its physically based in NYC, Local 1000 includes members from all over the country. It took John a while to become a member, but he now holds membership proudly.
1199 SEIU: United Healthcare Workers East keeps organizing and expanding their membership...and sphere of influence over the healthcare industry. Cut purely in the mold of the CIO unions of the '30s, this wonderfully militant organization (which was chartered in the 30s) is a model for progressive unionism with a vengeance. 1199 is also known for their rather unique foray into the cultural field (again, similar to the unions of old), with the founding of their Bread and Roses program some thirty years ago. 1199 stands tall among union political activists as well. The Flames' John was indoctrinated in Labor as a member, delegate and activist with this union and after years of working for other unions has now come back into the fold. Beginning Feb 2008, John can now be counted among 1199's proud army of Organizers.
Coalition of Labor Union Women: What began as a mere branch of the AFL-CIO has grown into a powerhouse organization which fights for equal rights for women in the workplace---and beyond. CLUW has forged alliances with special women's programs in many unions, such as the Steelworkers, to create a base of activism which has a loud, unified voice.
Big Labor: Big Labor is a site associated with Union Communication Services; its title is an apparent response to the rightist zeal over the size of the movement these days. Big Labor offers lots of good info for we in the workers' movement as well as links and offers a 'Song of the Week', too. Several of the Flames songs have been featured as Big Labor features and we are thankful to them for that. But the site also contains weekly updates on labor news in general and in soecific to YOUR union, contact info for all unions, labor joke of the week, much more.
LaborNet: The latest news on the Labor front, links and historical pieces as well.
Unions.org: Here is a union members directory of businesses that provide discounts to members. Unions.org is the largest directory for Labor Unions. The directory is organized by state and by Union. A great tool for working people.
National Labor Committee: The NLC is best known for having investigated and exposed Kathy Lee's sweatshop, but their detailed reports on Nike and Disney atrocities are also amazing bits of fodder for activists. They also organize a yearly NYC march against sweatshop labor at the start of the winter shopping season. Charlie Kernagen, NLC's founder, is a fearless spokesperson for justice in the workplace. Please check out this group's site and support their global (they should be known as the INTERNational Labor Committee) activities with a membership. These folks are the real thing.
Shop Union Made: If you've been walking around with a royal case of the guilts about wearing sweatshop-produced jeans and non-union shirts, you can now avoid all of this and find out how to purchase all union-made clothing.
Union Communication Services: This is a wonderful resource for Labor activists and it includes a great 'Song of the Week' section that we highly enjoy. This organization also produces a very inclusive catalog of Labor books that is a must.
Union Jobs: Here's the one site that covers all of the unions that are affiliates of either the AFL-CIO or the breakaway Change to Win Coalition unions. This site lists every job related to Labor in every state of the nation. A great resource (yes, John found his current union staff position through this site!)
Labour Start: This British-based site is probably the best all-around iinternational resource for Labor activists. Once on it, go to the links for their Radio Labourstart----24 hours per day you can hear a mixture of Labor music and reports from WIN. Make this one of your 'favorites'
US Department of Labor: I know, I know, this is a governmental agency and in recent years its become a shadow of its once-glorious self. Worse, Bush's choice for DoL head, Elaine Chao, is a company person who's been anti-union most of her life. Roosevelt must be rolling in his grave. BUT this is the source for information on your rights as a working person, even if the agency's management would like to abolish them. Go to this site to read about the Family & Medical Leave Act or about about the overtime laws or even your diminshing right to organize. The best way for us to fight the power is to make full use of the laws which are actually still on our side. A bunch of those are right here.
Service Employees International Union: THe "Power of Purple" looms large in the Labor movement. SEIU, one of the more progressive unions, has turned organizing into a science----more power to them. Check out their website for news on their international's actions and campaigns as well as info on their affiliates, such as 1199, NY's Healthcare union.
United Steelworkers: USW recently dropped the "A" from the end of its name, as its bounds have now stretched far beyond America. Joining with industrial unions in Europe and Africa, USW has maintained its dedication to organizing, internationalism and progressive unionism. USW can trace its roots back to SWOC, William Z Foster and Phillip Murray.
UNITE!-HERE: The amalgamation of both the needletrades union (itself the product of the coming together of the two big textile unions--ILGWU and ACTWU) and the hotel and restaurant workers' union brought about this grand acronym. Primarily focusing on organizingand international solidarity, this progressive union is constantly forging new ground.
The Industrial Workers of the World: The website for the IWW, the Wobblies. This was the very first US-based labor federation that was global and ecumenical from its inception. Its founding convention included such luminaries as Mother Jones, Eugene V Debs, Daniel DeLeon, Big Bill Haywood and Lucy Parsons. The IWW's strongest organizers were also their musicians and this list of names includes Joe Hill. Currently, the IWW is the only union that is organizing workers at Starbucks shops, a chain that is perhaps second only to Wal-Mart in their horrendous anti-worker tactics. Don't buy Starbucks coffee...and please don't shop at Wal-Mart. But DO check out the IWW's site!
OSHA: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been under threat by the Bush Administration, but they continue to maintain the laws that protect workers from unsafe working conditions. Check out this site to find out exactly which situations you are experiencing in your work-life which are deemed illegal. Is it too cold? Is the ventilation poor or perhaps releasing impure air? Contact OSHA.
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees: AFSCME represents city and other municipal employees throughout the US and Canada. While often restrained by the dreaded Taylor Law, AFSCME nevertheless offers progresive unionism to its membership and is not afraid to lash out against the right-wing reactionaries in government and the world at large. While there are many excellent affiliated unions under AFSCME's green banner, NYC's own District Council 1707 deserves mention. Progressive and even left-wing to its core, DC 1707 remains the lost little sister of the much larger DC 37, yet it fiercely defends the rights of it membership---all workers at not-for-profits in the NY area that are contracted by New York City.
Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union: RWDSU is based out of NYC but covers our nation and Canada. Fighting the steep uphill battle against monoliths like Wal-Mart, the union continues to maintain strong organizing drives and even win battles (check out the success of their grocery workers in California!). RWDSU had their quadrienniel convention in July of 2006 and the Flames were happy to have been a part of it, performing for the con's final day. Solidarity Forever!
Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation: The ALF is a joint body that works in the Hudson Valley of NYS toward solidarity among union members and for justice for workers in general. The Coordinator of the HVALF is Jen Fuentes, a strong labor activist and progressive who has been a guest speaker at a number of the Flames events.
AFL-CIO: The American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations is the largest labor federation in the US. It began life as two different labor feds: the more craft-union oriented American Federation of Labor (the early presidents of which tried to keep radicalism to a minimum, calling for "pure and simple unionism" for decades) and the CIO, which was founded as a means to organize workers of lesser skills, such as those in factories. The AFL had refused to unionize the vast groups of workers in the growing industries. The CIO also took the now obvious step to organize workers of both genders and all races together. Prior to the 1930s, most unions were comprised of white males who were skilled or semi-skilled workers. The CIO, which actually began as a Committee for Industrial Organization, picked up on the IWW model of wider unions which organized all members iin a work-site (as opposed to the elitist craft union concept). After the CIO broke off from the AFL it happily hired organizers who were Communist and Socialists and created an amazing federation of militant unionists. However, the post-WW2 years saw a purging of union roles as anti-Communist hysteria polarized the movement. By 1955 the two federations forged into one, in a means to solidify the forces. The AFL-CIO's website is an excellent resource which includes multiple links to all of its affiliate unions and organizations and iin recent times, a blog.
Change to Win federation: Change to Win is the breakaway labor federation founded by SEIU president Andy Stern, UNITE president Bruce Raynor and HERE president John Wilhelm. The goals of this federation were to focus on organizing new members---here-here!---and to develop a strong solidarity network to take on missions such as the organization of Wal-mart. As CTW prepared their break, several more unions joined their forces including RWDSU and others. Further, UNITE and HERE became one, strong union as a show of their program of consolidating for power. While there is also a theory that any level of disunity is far too dangerous, it is exciting to see this fed shake up the movement as much as they have. Now, it is to be seen how differently they carry on day to day operations---but many of us remain very interested in the concept of a CIO-inspired federation at this time. CTW has links to many unions and organizations as well as a very informative news blog.

Labor History/Heritage

Documenting Labor Inside and Out: Amazing collection of Labor memorobilia and history. How did we miss this one before??? So much is here!
An Eclectic List of Events in US Labor Movement History: These folks seemed to have left no stone unturned in their attempts to write out a full and concise, year-by-year history of US Labor. Copy out sections for the next union meeting you attend!
The Harry Bridges Project: A site dedicated to an amzing cause---to document the hertiage of the labor leader who changed the face of longshoremans' unions all over the world. Demonized by the right for his Communist Party ties, Bridges withstood the onslaught. A real hero of workers' history. The Almanc Singers wrote and frequently performed a song about him. Woody Guthrie also wrote one.
Eleanor Roosevelt Papers: Quotes on Labor: Here are some wonderful quotes from Eleanor Roosevelt on various strikes and actions occuring over the years of her time as First Lady and beyond
The Labor Heritage Foundation: Any radical of any shade of red must stop by this great site which features not only the best in Labor-oriented CDs, but various types of topical music and dozens of thought-provoking, progressive films, books, posters, buttons and more. They also carry both of our CDs, "I Dreamed I Heard Joe Hill Last Night" and "revenge of the Atom Spies". Write to them today for a copy of their catalog and make sure you refer all unionists to Labor Heritage (just try to ignore that their name is dangerously close to an ultra-right lunatic fringe group, save for the "Labor"!)
Labor Union Quotes: Here's a great selection of quotes about the Labor movement from a variety of progressive sources: Dr. King to John L Lewis and beyond
Solidarity Forever: A very resourceful site established by IBEW Local 1613. Powerful quotes, links, a section to "Buy American", more.
Labor Quotes: Here's an exhaustive list of quotes of the Labor Movement---everyone from Mother Jones to Debs to Dr. King and beyond. Ever find yourself short of ideas for an important statement and don't know where to turn? Here's where.

Progressive Organizations (general)

United for Peace & Justice: UFPJ is an amazing organization, a federation of many progressive groupings really, which has staged powerful demonstrations in NYC and Washington DC. Check out their excellent site for breaking news on the anti-war movement, among other things. They also have an excellent events calendar in which you can find out about upcoming actions or post your own.
National Organization for Women: One of the first and still strongest women's rights organizations. Check here for news about issues that affest women--and all of us--as well as a series of actions you can become involved in. NOW also has a wonderful assortment of links to check out.
After Downing Street: How many ways can you spell impeach?
Feminism and Women's Studies: A virtual clearinghouse of information-- historical, theoretical, workplace-based, sexuality-based and more, plus links to Women's Studies programs around the nation. Sources range from Mary Wollstonecraft to Sojourner Truth to activists of out times.
Earth Day Network: From the folks who brought you April 22, here's a great resource for all things envirnomental.
Anti-Nazi League: UK-based anti-fascist organization. While its not always easy for us to see it in the US, Europe has expereinced a horrific resurgence of nazi menatality in recent years. This organization, which has ties to cultural workers fighting the good fight, has made a strong impact.
ACT-UP New York: The fearless AIDS activist organization broke down the walls--in more ways than one--and continue to be a powerful radical force.
Living the Legacy: A History of the Women's Rights Movement: This is a brilliantly composed collection of articles and statements on the history of the Women's Rights Movement between 1848 and 1998. THis site was sponsored by the National Wome's History Project, so it is sure to include excellent historical data, a timeline and sections on contemporary issues, too.
Activist Resource (Hudson Valley): Mark Bernard has single-handedly created the strongest website (with email announcements) for progressive events in NYS's Hudson Valley. He includes events that occur in areas apart from the Valley as well, but here's one place where locals can tunr to to find out about protests, rallies, conferences, meetings and progressive arts events too.
Code Pink: This strong women-led anti-war group has been a presence at every major peace rally in recent years. One of the best things to happen to activists during these terrible Bush years
Workmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring: The Workmen's Circle stands among the first workers' collectives which not only advocated for people but also provided insuarance and other benefits. It was founded approximately a century ago, largely serving the needs of Jewish immigrants duing harsh times. BUt the Circle also served as a strong socialist voice and politics toward empowerment were--and are--the central point. THe Workmen's Circle, like many left organizations, remains vital but in smaller numbers these days. They maintain branches all over the country with very active locations on noth coasts and many points in between. Culture remains a large part of their program and in NYC the Circle houses the well-established Peoples Voice Cafe.
Killer Coke: "Murder...its the real thing". Shedding the light on vicious capitalism, Killer Coke was founded to offer activists information on the crimes of the Coca cola company. Not only vehemently anti-union in the factories in South America, but actually responsible for the deaths of labor activists. Further, Coke has been exposed for racist policies in our own country. Things just go better with Pepsi.
Syracuse Cultural Workers: This organization based in rural New York State has been fighting the good fight and offering a catalog of products for progressives for decades. Its all good---radical peace, labor, feminist, environmental, one-world statements on tees, posters and more. And its all union-made.
Impeach Bush: Here's the epicenter of the movement to impeach the Resident. The atrocity of this Bush Administration is exposed in a variety of statments on this site and the organizers have also arranged for a petitition you can sign onto.
WESPAC: This Westchester County, NY organization has been fighting the good fight for many years. Currently, they are very involved in the anti-war and immigrants movements. They also host a series of events in the New York area.
Clearwater: This Pete Seeger-founded organization is known as much for its folk music festivals as it is for its excellent job of cleaning up New York State's Hudson River. Music and activism should always have such a beautiful mix.
West Point Peace Rally: This annual peace rally is organized by a wonderful amalgamated group of progressive activists and features powerful speakers. The Flames are happy to be associated with this group and perform music for the rallies. While the website is bare-bones, it ultimately includes not only all pertinent info to get you to the march and rally around West Point Military Academy, but it also offers links to all of the speakers and performers own sites. This rally not only brings the anti-war message right to the school that is attempting to produce new generations of canon fodder, but also has as a primary goal the shouting down of the Bush Administration---who keep showing up each May to offer a speech to the new Academy grads.
Northern Sun: "Products for Progressives" is their slogan and is certainly the best description for this grass-roots organization. Northern Sun carries a brilliant assortment of t-shirts, posters, stickers, buttons and more. Shop here as you comppile your unifirm in the battle against the right-wing. I guess Northern Sun somehow forgot the most important piece of paraphenali in this struggle: hip-boots!
Northland Poster Collective: One of the best progrssive paraphenalia companies out there, Northland's catalog sports a full compliment of posters, tees, bumper stickers, buttons, note cards, etc carrying the activist message. Wear your heart on your left sleeve!
Pocono Progressive Network: THe Pocono Progressives are fighting the good fight for peace and social justice throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. This daring, outspoken group came together following an impromptu candlelight vigil for peace shortly after 9/11/01---and have organized themselves into a strong force. While visiting their site also be sure to check out their vast group of progressive links.

Radical bookstores/Publishers

International Publishers: The dean of radical publishing houses, International has been the primary source of Marx, Engels, Lenin and much more recent authors of progressive books for generations. This was the first US-based publisher to offer Lenin's letter to American workers, various Communist and socialist texts, history books and visions for the future. A tremendous online catalog allows you to shop for titles you probably cannot find anywhere else.
Alternative Bookstore: This amazing bookstore/performance space/gallery has no website, but if you are anywhere near uptown Kingston NY---it should be a planned visit. Not only a brilliant assortement of used books on every subject (with a special focus on progressive politics and the arts), but wonderful conversation from manager Carl. The site has a regualr new music series via the Deep Listening Institute offering the best in experiemtnal sounds. PLus, in conjunction with the city's "First Saturday" monthly gallery walk, they feature concerts from many artists. The Flames have performed for quite a few of these in this intimate spot with great company. Alternative is like one of the old-fashioed bookstores you always hoped for but never experienced.-- 35 North Front Street, Kingston NY 845-331-5439 alternativebooks@earthlink.net
East Waterfront Publishers: East Waterfront is an independent publishing ouse owened by Brooklyn-based poet and activist Pete Dolack. It focuses primarily on radical poetry, but also publishes a number of progressive political pamphlets. Pete's own poetry is available through this site. His work is among the strongest and most militant you'll read anywhere.
Revolution Bookstore, NYC: A radical institution in Manhattan for many years, Revolution Books carries most everything in Leftie books. Its hard to go in there and not spend too much money---classics from Marx, Lenin, Luxemburg, Foster, to Zinn, Goodman and everything in between. Entire sections of Spanish-language books, plus areas (in English) on Latin America, Africa, China, Europe, and of course US labor history and theory, anti-war struggles, women's rights, and all other progressive issues. Revolution also carries radical buttons and other paraphenalia, DVDs and CDs, too. Our disc "Revenge of the Atom Spies" is also available there. When in Chelsea (or the NY area in general) you must stop by Revolution---9 W. 19th Street. Just look for the big, red flag.
Common Courage Press: One of the best sources of books on progressive topics: history and current events.
Beacon Press Publishing: A progressive publishing house which releases a great assortment of books on all Left subjects

Periodicals of Interest

"Z" Magazine: A progressive magazine that covers all areas of news on politics, activism, the war, labor, human rights andmore. Features, reviews, articles on culture and reviews. All in one package and its free of dogma, too! The Flames are proud to report that John is a contributing music writer for Z. His pieces have included articles on Paul Robeson, an obit for Sis Cunningham and numerous reviews, largely of CDs by artists producing topical music.
"Political Affairs" Magazine: One of the finest periodicals of a Marxist philosophy. Covering news, culture, theory and more.
The Morning Star: Wonderful British socialist daily paper---it can possibly be described as the UK version of the Daily Worker. Imagine that, in Englnad you can buy a real Left newspaper at the corner newsstand but in the US we must get a monthly or weekly paper in specialty bookstores!
"The People's Weekly World" Newspaper: The People's Weekly World has been a fiery newspaper since 1924. The paper of the Communist Party USA, it had been known for decades as the Daily Worker. A good general left weekly, it covers a wide range of material. Though he is not writing for this paper currently, they published many of John's articles on arts-activism several years ago, including features on Woody Guthrie, Matt Jones, Hanns Eisler and more. A search on "Pietaro" at the PWW site will get you to these articles.
"The Industrial Worker": Official newspaper of the IWW, the Industrial Workers of the World. Offering in-depth reportage of workers struggles globally, the IW is an excellent source for labor news. As the paper is published by a workers' organization which stands apart from the AFL-CIO and Change To Win unions, their outlook is considerably wider than most union papers. Radicalism is never spared, yet IW covers issues surrounding striking workers or labor actions from any union.
"Labor Notes": Not only the best independent Labor monthly out there, but a great organization that also publishes some very important books. Get a subscription to Labor Notes today.
"Punk" Magazine: Yep, its back! Just in time to cover the loss of CBGB and Hilly Kristal, too. But how good it is to see that logo again. As of this listing, we have not had a chance to buy a copy of it yet, but are really looking fwd to it! Punk Magazine lives!
Village Voice: Its been a long time since the Voice had their office on lower Broadway and had such cartoonists as Pfeiffer in their pages. But even with all of the loss and with the apparent lack of REAL downtown hipness, it still remains the bible of hip NYC.
"The Nation" Magazine: The Nation is a tried and true progressive weekly that's been around long enough to see movements grow and in some cases dissolve. Strong news on every left front.
"Chronogram" Magazine: Chronogram is a large-formatted, glossy monthly magazine that is filled with coverage of the arts and more in the area that ranges from the Catskills through the lower Hudson Valley. Great articles, reviews, poetry, fiction and photos, plus pages of resources for area galleries, performance spaces, eateries, holistic health centers and others. Best of all, Chronogram includes at least one strongly dissentful political article per issue. Oh, and did I forget to mention that its FREE?
"Maximum Rock N Roll": One of the great Punk-Rock magazines, "Maximum Rock N Roll" is consistently unafraid to speak out against governmental corruption in most every issue. Some of our favorite cover stories include the "Burn Your Flag!" cover story from the mid-80s or the very special issue from 2004 entitled "Punk's Not Dead--Reagan Is", which offered a thorough analysis of the crimes of the Reagan Administration. Never short on humor, this issue also contained some very serious details on the Reagan era's harshest realities. The mag offers radicalism and of course a highly independent view of punk and hardcore music.
"The Progressive" Magazine: Like The Nation, the Progressive has been fighting the good fight for generations now. This mag has actually been around since 1909--coming of age in the period of bohemianism and the early days of both the IWW and the socialist Party. Hey, the Progressive hit the newsstands 8 years before the Russion Revolution and 10 years before there was even a Communist Party in the USA. The Progressive has earned its wrinkles and it is still out there doing it.
"Sing Out!" Magazine: Though very often not steeped in activism over these last couple of decades, Sing Out remains an important resource for folk and other acoustic-based musicians. They cover a wide range of folk-based styles, but protest music is not quite forgotten either. Besides, its part of a powerful tradition and has covered the folk music revivial since the early 1960s. Its pages are historic.

Other Resources

The Red Encyclopedia: One of the most thorough sites featuring radical history of most every stripe. okay, so the editor may be opinionated, but then who on the Left isn't? Here are full explanations of Left organizations today and yesterday, as well as organizations in Europe. There's also a map of sorts guiding you through these same organizations and also a section on lingo. Exhaustive, but its vital that someone took the plunge to try to catalog all of this.
Red Globe: "News for your class, not your country"---Red Globe is an international communist and otherwise Left news service with coverage you cannot find in most other places. Most links are for Spanish-language readers, but there are many other articles and links here for everyone.
In Defense of Marxism: A thorough, thoughtful collection of articles and information on Marxism in history and its applications today. This site can be trasnalted into most every language and it was created by the International Marxist Tendency, an outgrowth of the Troskyist movement.
Antonio Gramsci, Marxist Internet Archive: An amazing collection of Gramsci's writings and philosophy c/o the Marxist Internet Archive. Antonio Gramsci was a groundbreaking Italian Communist who lived for his cause. After spending several years struggling for labor causes and attempting to build workers' councils, he became a delegate to the Communist International and began to develop his own philosophy of socialism. He was imprisoned by the fascist Italian government in the latter 1920s and composed his most famous work, The Prison notebooks in the decade of his incarceration. Gramsci did not survive his sentence, ultimately dying in a prison hospital, but his writings remain among the most important of global Leftist documents.
Cold War Links: A powerful and compelling collection of Cold War-related information. Nearly everything is contained here----people too yojng to actually remember this stuff will never believe that it actually happened, that's why its so important that a site like this one exists. We have to make sure that everyone understands the dangers of a government that engages in fear-mongering and manipulation.
Black Panther Party, Marxist Internet Archive: As usual, the Marxist Internet Archive has put together an excellent overview of the Black Panthers, including some wonderful excerpts of great writings. The Panthers were demonized by the white conservative establishment, but much of white socia=ety remained fearful of this organization which had as a primary mission the defense of African-Americans. The agenda included educational programs, breakfasts for children in poor communities, opportunities for cultural understanding and pride, as well as a neighborhood watch.
Econosmith: The ingenius duet of John Economos and Maxine Smith is unique among photographers. These two are artists with an eye for social justice and musicians who perform radical songs. They've been available to help document most of the major anti-war rallies since the Bush years of sabre-rattling, but also save time to shoot cultural workers (er---so to speak). We are proud to use their photo of our core duet on not only this website but one of our postcards, too. When looking over their collaborative work, one cannot tell where John ends andMax begins---its all powerful and artful.
Pop Culture and the Atomic Age: We wish that we'd discovered this brilliant collection of endless information before beginning work on our CD "Revenge of the Atom Spies". You simply must peruse this site if you have ever thought about the effects of Cold War politics on the arts and pop culture in general.
Reason in Revolt: Australian clearinghouse of all things radical and Left in the land down under.
Catskill Animal Sanctuary: This organization is fighting the good fight for those without a voice of their own. An amzing group of people founded this Saugerties-based sanctuary years ago and they have expanded both their space and mission consistently. Rescued animals are from farms, slaughter houses, labs or just abusive homes. At CAS, the animals are treated with the utmost dignity and respect and many of the once-ferocious abused animals are now warm and personable. Each one has a story of its own. The CAS is a very, very special place.
Malachy McCourt: Brilliant actor/writer/activist Malachy McCourt has been fighting the good fight for decades. Fearlessly outspoken, Malachy was a Green Party candidate for NYS governor in the 2006 election. One of his campaign stops was our first Dissident Folk Festival in which he offered an amazing speech from the Festival site's floor, not onstage: "I don't want to speak from the stage as I have NO platform", he told us. "A platform is for those who are running; I am STANDING. Now let's talk about the issues...". Fittingly, malachy closed off his segment by singing the most moving rendition of "Johnny I Hardly Knew You" we have ever heard. What a guy.
Defenders of Wildlife: One of the wonderful organizations fighting the environmental crimes of the corporatist government of George Bush. Defenders focuses on the struggle to save endangered species and other animals that have not been declared "endangered" but remain in peril (or were taken off the list in recent years and are in serious danger). A big part of their activism is dedicated to protesting wolves, one of our personal favorite causes. Please go to the Defenders website and consider joining today.
Jay's Radical History Links: We on the Left cannot get enough of ourselves and so here's a site that offers more of Left history and current events than you can possibly digest. This site will offer international links so that you can reach out to brothers and sisters all over the planet. I am sure that Jay is now working on some links to connect us to the Mars Canal Boat Pilots Union and the Saturn Ring Airline Pilots Association as well.
Marxist Internet Archive: A treasure trove of Marxist information, this site offers sections on all major left figures in history. Not just Marx and Engels, but Gramsci, Lenin, Debs, Luxemburg and way beyond.
Classwars: The website of Hudson Valley activist Fred Nagel, who's a leader of both Dutchess Peace and the Dutchess Greens. Fred also hosts a radio show on WVKR-FM (Poughkeepsie NY). This site sports not only up to the minute activist news, but also ties into the Hudson Valley Activist calendar.
Our Hudson Valley: This is a wonderful site which offers information on many events, organizations, places of interest and news on the mid-Hudson Valley area of New York. It includes a great resource for spreading info on events--Carl's List.
Atomic Platters: A wonderful source of info, reminiscence, humor, and fiction about our Cold War experiences through pop culture, with a special focus on songs. Almost exhauting to go through it all!