“The only way you’re going to make up for it is [if you] vote in the fall and … make sure that this cancer doesn’t … metastasize any further in the American political system,” rock musician Art d’Ecco tells The Bad Penny in a recent interview. Doing his own part, the anti-war artist from Vancouver just released “How Real Is Real?,” the third single off his upcoming album Scheele’s Green, due Oct. 23 on Paper Bag Records.
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On Tyranny: Top 10 Must-See Moments From Tom Morello’s ‘Power to the People’ Revolutionary Rally
Posted in Features, On Tyranny, On Tyranny, Videos on 10/06/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
After the record-breaking turnouts that participated in the peaceful No Kings protests over the past year and change, ICE has adopted a new strategy of unlawfully detaining people of color – and dissenters who oppose the Trump regime’s draconian tactics. Due to their cowardly methods of “disappearing” hundreds upon thousands of men, women and children – many, if not most of whom, are legally allowed to be in the U.S. – we’ve become inured to the fact that unchecked authority, rampant lawlessness and a chilling grip of fear that the vast majority of us living here feel.
In response, ex-Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello – widely considered to be one of the greatest virtuosos of the past three decades – took it upon himself to amass a diverse set of musicians for a Woodstock-esque concert extravaganza. Named after the John Lennon hit from 1971, Power to the People took place Saturday in Columbia, Missouri – specifically, at Merriweather Post Pavilion, which has a capacity of approximately 19,000 attendees.
The entire event aired just one time on MS NOW on Saturday. But alas, clips of the historic galvanizing event are scattered across the Internet. Here are our top 10 favorite moments from Tom Morello’s “Power to the People” daylong event:
1. “This Land Is Your Land” jam by various artists
On Tyranny: Chasing Abbey Say Irish, Palestinians Have a ‘Shared History’; Blast Support for Colonizing as ‘Anti-Irish’
Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny with tags activism, authoritarianism, Chasing Abbey, fascism, genocide, Ireland, On Tyranny, Palestine, trump, tyranny on 09/17/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
In the most brutally honest and thus edifying installment yet of our 100-plus-installment On Tyranny series, brand-new Irish electro-Celtic trio Chasing Abbey hold nothing back in speaking out against authoritarianism, oppression and the Palestinian genocide.
We’re publishing this video today to celebrate the release of the trio’s debut record, Cyber Celt, which comes out today (Friday) courtesy of Remote Control Records.
Get a breath of fresh air as you listen to all three members of Chasing Abbey – multi-instrumentalists/producers/vocalists Ronan Bell, Jonathan Byrne and Ted Conway – bravely speak their mind and exercise free speech fearlessly and proudly … just like the Irish tradition calls for.
On Tyranny: Hardcore-Meets-Metal SoCal Crew Throwlight Throw Shade on ICE, MAGA, Anti-Immigrant Hate in Incendiary Interview
Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny, Videos with tags authoritarianism, fascism, ICE, immigration, MAGA, No Kings, On Tyranny, Throwlight, trump, tyranny on 09/14/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
As the 100th band we’ve interviewed for our On Tyranny series, which we launched in February 2025, we couldn’t have found a more fitting subject than Southern California hardcore/metal/rap enthusiasts Throwlight. The young band is tearing it up in conservative Orange County without any hesitation whatsoever, spitting in the face of the most frustrating aspects of the era in which are suffering through: compliance, willful ignorance and inaction.
While many artists are gratuitously tossing a remark or two into their live performances about how they disagree with the fascist takeover of America, Throwlight – consisting of vocalist Rocom, guitarist Chris Ellis, bassist Kevin Betz and playfully nicknamed keyboardist King of Somewhere – are putting their hearts totally into the fight. Their passion for resistance is as intense as the fury they unleash on their latest single, “No Kings,” which came out last month on limited-edition cassette.
Continue readingOn Tyranny: The Format Channel Anger Into Action, Stage Free Shows Benefitting Immigrants and Sticking It to MAGA
Posted in Features, Interviews, News, On Tyranny, On Tyranny with tags activism, authoritarianism, fascism, Format, immigration, Nate Ruess, On Tyranny, Sam Means, trump, tyranny on 09/12/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
This Q&A with The Format – an influential indie-rock duo consisting of Nate Ruess and Sam Means that reunited last year – was conducted on Friday, September 11, as part of The Bad Penny‘s ongoing On Tyranny series. The feature focuses on how fascism damages artists artistically, emotionally and personally; provides them with space to discuss their fear, anxiety and anger toward the Trump administration; increases solidarity among like-minded artists; and lets them set an example for other musicians (young ones in particular) that it is legal and just to criticize and protest.
Of the 100-plus artists with whom I’ve spoken for this series, you guys are actually putting your money where your mouth is and doing a lot of good work. Please tell my readership what you’ve been up to and the catalyst for getting involved helping immigrants.
Nate Ruess: We’re focusing right now on direct organization and “Saturdays in the Park.” When we’re on tour and in a city on a Saturday, we find a park and set up our PA system and let everybody come and watch us play for free. We’ll invite about eight to 12 different organizations to come and set up tables at this free show, and in between us playing a few songs acoustically, we’ll invite them onstage for five minutes to explain what their organization is all about and why people might want to join or get more information. It gives everybody an opportunity, instead of just feeling good about themselves for donating, to take more direct action.
Continue readingOn Tyranny: Frontman of Canada’s Elephant Stone Says ‘Being an Artist Already Makes You Political’
Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny with tags authoritarianism, Canada, Elephant Stone, fascism, On Tyranny, trump, tyranny on 08/27/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
“Canada feels more united than I’ve ever seen it.”
–Elephant Stone’s Rishi Dhir
When The Bad Penny caught wind that a band had released a song called “Fascists Killed Yer Rock ‘N’ Roll” as a single, we immediately invited them (Elephant Stone) to participate in our ongoing series On Tyranny, which focuses on how fascism affects artists artistically, emotionally and personally – and lets them set an example for other musicians that it is OK to criticize and protest the government.
Rishi Dhir, leader of the psych-pop squad from Montreal, graciously accepted our offer and answered some questions related to artists and the potential ways in which they interact with authoritarianism. We bring you the interview, which was conducted over email, on the eve of the 20-year-old group’s new album, ASHA, coming out tomorrow via Elephants on Parade in tandem with Little Cloud Records.
Continue readingOn Tyranny: Frontman for Hardcore Heroes Angel Du$t Says ‘Brown People Are Being Ripped From Their Families and Sent Off God Knows Where. It’s a Really Dark Time.’
Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny with tags Angel Du$t, authoritarianism, fascism, gaza, hardcore, Justice Tripp, On Tyranny, Run for Cover, trump, tyranny on 08/25/2026 by Kurt Orzeck
Some bands – especially hypocritical ones that refer to themselves as “punk” or “hardcore” – have the audacity to blaspheme those traditions by lamely copping out with “we don’t do politics” as an excuse.
Baltimore’s Angel Du$t – who would burn retinas if they were any hotter right now – are not one of those cowardly bands.
In the latest edition of On Tyranny (published without that header on Post-Punk), we interviewed Justice Tripp – the band’s mainstay member and lead vocalist – who does not mince words. Ever.
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