MIM Notes 186 May 15 1999
Ecuadorian Youth Rock Against Imperialism:
Past and Present

QUITO, ECUADOR -- In December, the Movimiento pro Artistico y Juvenil 
(MAJ) sponsored a concert in la casa del obrero in Quito, featuring a 
mix of hardcore, metal, rock and indigenous Andean styles of music.

The show was during the Fiestas de Quito which celebrate the "founding" 
of the city by the Spaniards on December 6, 1534. The concert was in 
protest of these fiestas, which celebrate the day the Europeans stole 
Quito from the indigenous people and began their exploitation for 
centuries to come. The organizers spoke out in support of the struggle 
of all indigenous people to regain what was once theirs.

MAJ was formed after an incident that occurred in Ambato where the 
police broke in to a show and arrested people with no justification. 
Lead singer of the harecore band Misil, from Quito, reports that "the 
pigs shaved their heads too." He also sited a recent show where the 
militars came in and stole camouflage clothing from the kids attending, 
including his jacket.

At the December show, Misil performed with Mortero, Cafetera Sub, Los 
perros callejeros, Ente, Quitab, La pata n~an~a, and Muscaria. 

Misil's music is strongly influenced by North American hardcore. Its 
lyrics address issues such as environmental degradation, reeducation, 
animal liberation, and revolution. Their song Estas Tierras supported 
the cause of the concert as it attacks the white invasion of indigenous 
lands and genocide of the people: Esta tierra no fue encotrada, fue 
robada y violada.

In Re-Educacion Misil encourages humanity to progress to a better way of 
life: Todo crece todo avanza / Es ahora el tiempo de cambiar.

Muscaria is another local hardcore band that has a strong revolutionary 
message for the people of Ecuador and all of Latin America. Their song 
Sangres Unidas calls for a united Latin America (sin racismo, sin 
opresion) where current political boundaries no longer divide the 
oppressed and cause the people to fight each other.

In Vamos mi Raza, they call for their people vamos a accionar, pointing 
out that genocide is being carried out through starvation and a lack of 
medical resources.

In Fuerza Policial Gorilas, they denounce the murderous police and 
military forces which serve to keep the people in their place, such as 
those that try to break up shows that bring together progressive young 
people: La policia es asesina / Donde esta la seguridad social?

Muscaria's strong call for revolution is heard throughout their hard-
hitting release, which the band hopes will help eliminate the apathy 
that they see every day.

MIM adds:  While there are some progressive bands in Amerika, there is a 
real need for youth to increase the use of culture as a means to educate 
and mobilize. If you're in a progressive band, contact MIM and RAIL to 
organize local shows and fundraisers -- for projects like the Serve the 
People Books for Prisoners Program.