|
|
|||||
Even in the trenches of national tour, FLOBOTS are managing to speak out. The socio-political activists cum high-energy musicians have opted to release their newly finished track, titled “Bradley Manning” to fans free of charge. The track can be found here: www.reybee.com/Flobots_Bradley_Manning.zip Although the track is no strings attached, Flobots hope that, in return, the song will raise awareness of a case that has grabbed national headlines and draw attention to the Bradley Manning Court Stenographer fund, which can be viewed on the front page of Freedom of the Press Foundation’s website (pressfreedomfoundation.org). Manning was arrested in May of 2010 after Adrian Lamo, a computer hacker in the United States informed the FBI that Manning had admitted to passing classified information to the website WikiLeaks.
On July 5th, 2010, Manning was hit with 22 charges including aiding the enemy and transmitting defense information. If Manning is found guilty, the charges of aiding the enemy can be punishable with life in prison. Jamie Laurie, better known in the band as Jonny 5 shared his passionate views with the cause. He was quoted as stating, “Reading about how he was affected by the images he saw of the reporters and civilians being killed, we felt an undeniable sense of kinship. He reminded us of the countless veterans and enlisted men and women who approach us after shows and share with us the many complex decisions they have faced in the line of duty. We found ourselves identifying with Bradley Manning and wanting to raise our voices on his behalf. We decided to express these feelings in a song. Basically, it’s a love song for Bradley Manning.” Formed in Denver, CO when a pair of intelligent, visionary emcees joined focuses with a powerful rhythm section and a classically-trained violist, Flobots fused disparate interests and styles of music to create a potent combination that brings together live hip-hop, strings-laden breakbeats and symphonic rock-infused crescendos that has earned them a reputation for both originality and authenticity. Written during the height of the Iraq war, their mega-hit “Handlebars” thrust them into the spotlight, earning the band a #3 position on Billboard’s “Modern Rock Tracks” chart. flobots.com www.facebook.com/Flobots twitter.com/flobots # # # |
