Andrew DuncanA Who’s Who of Punk Rock Come Together Through Social Distancing to Send a Message About COVID-19
One positive element that has come out of this pandemic are the various videos that have reunited elements of my youth into a melancholic realm of otherworldly happiness. From Josh Gad bringing the cast of The Goonies and Ghostbusters together to various New Wave and First Wave alternative acts performing from their homes, performing timeless tunes of yesteryear. What has been lacking in the YouTube-i-verse is the punk rock community rising up and joining forces to lead their voice and express an opinion about what is going on in the world today.
From members of Minutemen and The Adolescents to Fishbone, Screeching Weasel, The Runaways, The Supersuckers and more, they all brought a unique approach to a song that absolutely rocks. “Flatten The Curve” is the video we all need. I cannot tell you how much joy it brings me to see so many musicians I respect and admire from the scene return from the grave and show off their chops. All of this stems from Frank Meyer’s (The Streetwalking Cheetahs and Blind House) creation.
Meyer comments about the project:
“This was a fun project to edit because all of the artists sent in videos in all sorts of formats with varying degrees of quality and clarity, so the challenge was to make it all as cohesive as possible, yet embrace the limitations. Everyone was recording in or just outside their house, so there’s all sorts of different colors, instruments, backgrounds, and setups. At first, I thought this would make it difficult to cut but then I leaned into it and embraced the concept and circumstances and realized this was a really special, unique visual experiment.”
Distance yourself and dig in!
Featured Vocalists (in order of appearance):
Chris Freeman (Gay C/DC/ Pansy Division)
Manfred Jones (Woggles/Magnificent)
Lisa Kekaula (The BellRays)
Adam Bones (The Two Tens)
Eddie Spaghetti (The Supersuckers)
Ben Weasel (Screeching Weasel)
Wendy Stonehenge (Glitter Wizard)
Cherie Currie (The Runaways)
Tony Reflex (Adolescents)
Suzi Moon (LA Machina/Turbulent Hearts)
Frank Meyer (The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs/ Blind House)
Josie Cotton
Backing Vocals:
Adam Bones
Cherish Alexander (Josie Cotton Band)
Chris Freeman
Kent Holmes (Brutalists/Magnificent)
Frank Meyer
Savannah Pope
Ted Jedlicki (Thor)
Bass:
Mike Watt (Minutemen/Secondmen/Stooges/Firehose)
Norwood Fisher (Fishbone/Trulio Disgracias)
Steve McDonald (Redd Kross/Melvins)
Drums: Steve Kravac
Guitar:
Adam Bones
Billy Rowe (JetBoy)
Brian Coakley (Blind House/Cadillac Tramps)
Brian Forsythe (Kix/Rhino Bucket)
Deniz Tek (Radio Birdman)
Frank Meyer
Michelle Balderama (LA Machina/Brainspoon)
Ray Violet (Jesters of Destiny)
Rich Jones (Michael Monroe, Black Halos)
Keys:
Aaron Minton (Prima Donna) – Theremin
Chris Freeman – Melodica
Jussi Lehtisalo (Circle/Pharaoh Overlord) – synth
Melanie Vammen (The Coolies/Muffs) – combo organ
Paul Roessler (Screamers/Twisted Roots) – piano, organ