Rise Against to play the Valley despite SB1070
Jeff Moses
The immortal Tom LaPenna, owner of Lucky Man promotions is bringing punk rock icons Rise Against as well as Hot Water Music and Gas Light Anthem to Mesa Amphitheater on Sept. 28.
This is more than just your average rock show for Rise Against seeing as they are officially breaking the sound strike and bringing their call to resistance back to the Valley of The Sun.
If you didn’t know sound strike is a musician boycott of Arizona including the likes of Rage Against the Machine, Immortal Technique, Nine Inch Nails, Rise Against and many more. They refuse to play Ariz. in protest of what they think is an unjust law in SB1070.
Their timing is impeccable seeing as on Sept. 18, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton ruled that police could start enforcing even the most controversial provision of Arizona’s SB1070, the “show me your papers” provision.
In a state where police repression is the norm, this is one more blow to any Arizonan with a sense of common decency, and what better way to release all the angst of living in this police state then rocking out hard and moshing with all the crust punks in the Valley.
All three bands, Rise Against especially, are known for high-energy high-octane performances which leave the audience out of breath and angry for more.
With immigrants, organizers and fans looking for some sort of silver lining in the SB 1070 ruling, clearly Rise Against still coming is the only one.
The law is in effect and emotions are running high, but hopefully Rise Against will bring a message of unity, solidarity, and most importantly resistance to Arizona in the states most vulnerable time of need.
The gates open at 4:30 p.m. at the Mesa Amphitheater and will be rocking late into the night.
