NEWS RELEASE
Feb. 1, 2007
For more information, contact:
Walidah Imarisha
afropickmusic@yahoo.com
267-992-2617

Afropick: Creating community in and out of the moshpit!

PHILADELPHIA— Brown folks all over are coming together, picking up guitars and rocking out, as the movement of punks of color grows worldwide. Here in Philly, Afropick, an utterly unique venue for people of color playing political hard music, has been at the forefront of creating that space and charging it with a politically rebellious edge. Afropick hits the stage at the Rotunda for their fifth quarterly show Feb. 23, 2007, and features God's loudest band The Baptist Preachers, NY-based Pinoy punks KADENA, and the experimental hardrock fusion of Noize.

This fifth performance promises to be even more successful than the previous four shows that brought over 600 people out. Hosted by Ashanti Alston, a former Black Panther who served 12 years in prison for his political beliefs and a fundraiser for for the Human Rights Coalition, a Philadelphia prisoners' family organizing group (www.hrcoalition.com), Afropick is all about creating community both in and out of the mosh pit.

"I believe that art is the voice of rebellion, and this young folks are certainly loud and proud with their music, I want to support their voices anyway I can, because they are not only the future, but the now," says Alston.

Afropick is organized by all young people, mostly women, of color who play in punk bands. In addition to the remaining original organizer Walidah Imarisha (poet and member of the Ricanstruction collective), Afropick is now made up of guitarist Andrea Corley, Nick Macklen, bass player for CounselCorps and The Mighty Paradocs, and Supercam, vocalist for the Mighty Paradocs.

As if that wasn't enough of an incentive to head on down to the Rotunda Feb. 23, South St. Sounds have donated five hours of studio time AND a guitar for a raffle.

This Afropick is sponsored by the Human Rights Coalition, South St. Sounds, The Rotunda, Philly ABC, Wooden Shoe Bookstore, and Philly IndyMedia.

The show is Feb. 23, 2007, at 8:30 p.m. at the Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St. It is all ages, non alcoholic, wheel-chair accessible. The show is free, and all donations go towards the Human Rights Coalition.
The Bands

THE BAPTIST PREACHERS

A bi-racial & multicultural labor of love married to its own form of Black Americana-punk rock, soul & early gospel music, Baptist Preachers is God's loudest band. Baptist Preachers is a female fronted outfit led by the righteous & beautiful black woman, Sheena Clay (from Kansas City) on vocals; Gina, "Lady" (from Boston) on rhythm guitar & vocals; Sister Heddie Gonzalez (born in Puerto Rico, but raised in Jersey) on Bass; Preacher Jim (Born in Ireland, raised in Philly) on Drums; Elliott Levin (from Philly) on Tenor Sax; Daddy B-Doug (from Ohio) on keys. & last but not least, there's "Deacon Johnny," (from Philly) testifying on the guitar. www.myspace.com/baptistpreachers


KADENA

KADENA is New York-based, anti-fascist, anti-imperialist, anti-racist, Filipino political street punk rock band that started as "The PinoiCocks" in the late 90s in Jersey City, NJ. KADENA organizing shows, protests and rebellions here and in the Philippines. They've been raided, arrested and banned. KADENA has also toured with legendary Filipino-American punk bands SIGNAL 3 and ESKAPO, hitting cities such as Chicago, San Francisco, Vallejo and Los Angeles. www.myspace.com/kadena

NOIZE

Established in late summer of 2006, this young energetic motley mixture of misfits has hit every stage with the visceral intensity of bands like Pantera, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and Nirvana while showcasing their blend of ExperiMENTAL HardROCK FUSION. Armed with an arsenal of gripping guitar licks, booming bass lines, driving drum rhythms, positive and often politically charged lyrics, Noize is quickly becoming a fixture on Philly's evergrowing underground scene. www.myspace.com/noizerock


For more info on the Rotunda, please visit foundationarts.org.
For show info, email afropickmusic@yahoo.com or visit www.myspace.com/afropickmusic.