By now you are no doubt aware of an internet phenomenon that is trying to push for Rage Against The Machine’s “Killing In The Name” to Christmas Number One. The ‘merry pranksters’ have chosen a song whose chorus “Fuck You I Won’t Do What You Tell Me”, is supposed to be a message to Simon Cowell and his X factor, who, supposedly have ruined the tradition of the Christmas charts (was Blobby really the first X Factor winner?). Of course, the irony is that their plan relies on people doing EXACTLY what they are told to do. Brilliant. And Cowell no doubt has shares in Sony, who own his label Syco Records. He will be laughing all the way to the bank with not just one but two wheelbarrows full of cash. Plus a song about members of the police force also being members of the Klu Klux Klan. Not exactly Christmasy is it?
Thank heavens then for Fucked Up. The band have recorded an all-star cover of “Do They Know It’s Christmas” using some of the money they picked up for winning this years Polaris Prize. Frontman Damian Abraham, a.k.a. “Pink Eyes”, says “it’s hard to find a balance between the song being a fun, playful holiday classic and the reason we’re putting it out, to benefit organizations dealing with a deadly, serious issue.” Since 1980, there have been 520 known cases of missing or murdered Aboriginal women across Canada and many believe the true number to be significantly higher. If compared to the rest of the population their death and disappearance rate would be equivalent to over 18,000 Canadian women and girls missing or murdered. Approximately 50% of the murders and disappearances have occurred during or since 2000.
The three groups that will benefit are:
Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (Montreal)
DTES Power Of Women Group (Vancouver) and
Sisters in Spirit (Ottawa)
Joining Fucked Up are Yo La Tengo, GZA, Ezra Koenig (Vampire Weekend), Bob Mould (Husker Du), Tegan & Sara, Andrew W.K., Kyp Malone (TV on the Radio), David Cross (comedian) and Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene).
You can buy “Do They Know It’s Christmas” at most digital record stores now. We suggest you do.
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