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Ted Leo releases "Rapid Response" to benefit those hurt/arrested during Republican Convention

Posted by aubin on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 3:30 PM (EDT)

Ted Leo And The Pharmacists have released a new EP titled Rapid Response. The release is a benefit to bring awareness and financial aid to the people "affected by the police brutality in Minnesota." Many have argued that police overreacted to protestors during the recent Republican National Convention hosted in St.Paul.

All proceeds from this EP will go directly to Food Not Bombs Minneapolis, Democracy Now and the legal fees for those who have been arrested. Leo explained:

This isn't meant to be some grand sweeping statement on our part - it's just a way for us to contribute SOMETHING real to the lives of real human beings, and show our material support for those whose actions and thoughts we value in this ideological struggle.

The $4.00 EP features two originals: "Paranoia: Never Enough" and "Mourning in America" plus two cover tunes, I Got Your Number (originally by Cock Sparrer) and Nobody's Driving (Amebix).

You can purchase the EP directly from the label here.

Touch and Go Records (73 comments)

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way. Seriously.

Banal242 (September 15, 2008)

Ted Leo + Cock Sparrer = teh bestest.

freesandwich (September 15, 2008)

sarah palin is not stoked

JayTee (September 15, 2008)

I can see Russia from my house.

2+ Replies

Nameless (September 15, 2008)

I know it wasn't the best skit, but I laughed so hard when she said that...

MattRamone (September 15, 2008)

I think God's just huggin us closer!

TheMexican (September 15, 2008)

Now that's capitalism I can support!

2+ Replies

fallingupwards84 (September 15, 2008)

you mean "can believe in!"

usversusthem (September 15, 2008)

Yes, but is it sustainable?

eran_zombis (September 15, 2008)

good for them. a few people in minneapolis deserved it, but most of them certainly didn't.

2+ Replies

JayTee (September 15, 2008)

Don't cloud the issue with facts. It makes it harder for people to post comments like "Protesting Republicans is stupid, they all deserve to be in jail." on this, ya know, punk website.

loreng (September 16, 2008)

St Paul

LinoleumMagazine (September 15, 2008)

Those dudes that got arrested with molotov cocktails were asking for it.

2+ Replies

Misanthropee (September 15, 2008)

No one was arrested with any incendiary weapons. In situations like this cops have a such habits as digging up cans of turpentine and acetone from the garage, putting them next to empty bottles and rags they scrounged up and parading them for the media to justify their "preemptive" gestapo tactics. Do some research and notice that everything they brought against RNC Welcoming Committee was debunked by legal observers. Cheers for believing everything you reed.

LinoleumMagazine (September 15, 2008)

That's just what I heard on the news... Cheers for being such a smarty-pants!

fallingupwards84 (September 15, 2008)

he should have made it a benefit for Stza instead, amirite?

2+ Replies

Banal242 (September 15, 2008)

You just support Stza because he is a fellow Ron Paul supporter.

fallingupwards84 (September 15, 2008)

i doubt Stza even knows who Ron Paul is, or any of the candidates during the primaries

up teh anarchists!!!

Banal242 (September 15, 2008)

http://crackrocksteady.info/

Banal242 (September 15, 2008)

Aw hell, that's a fan site.

fallingupwards84 (September 15, 2008)

haha yep, "I'm sure Leftöver Crack does not support him"

i'm sure if Stza was asked about Paul, he'd produce a completely uninformed answer like, "no way he's pro-corporations!!!"

damnitsderek (September 16, 2008)

Or something like "I didn't know transvestites could run for president!"

Apeman_On_The_Moon (September 15, 2008)

Yes, let's give money to people who "peacefully" protest by smashing store windows.

2+ Replies

baseball (September 15, 2008)

Gimme a break, you obviously didn't make any effort to follow the conventions at all. You're talking about isolated incidents, there will always be a few idiots.

How about Democracy Now's producers getting arrested and abused? The 40 accredited journalists who were arrested for reporting on the protests? Eyewitness video being raided multiple times, once on a made up story about hostages? Food Not Bombs house being raided because cooking utensils were 'weapons'?

Do you need me to go on? The mainstream media doesn't cover this kind of stuff, get a clue.

Tudor (September 15, 2008)

Nope sorry. A few windows got broken that undermineds the ENTIRE movement. A window got broken! so now we must make grosse generalizations and label a entire group of people exercising their right to protest as "trouble makers", and dismiss anything they're protesting for.

( I was being sarcastic, in case it wasn't OBVIOUS, which I'm pretty sure it WAS SO THANKS YOU VERY MUCH)

the_other_scott (September 15, 2008)

either way, 90% of the people who hear this album are going to steal it. fucking pathetic.

1+ Reply

655321 (September 15, 2008)

Unfortunately, you are so right

thomas7155 (September 15, 2008)

I think protesting at conventions is stupid. Sure, Republicans pull some lame shit that SHOULD be protested, but conventions are just part of the political process.

5+ Replies

baseball (September 15, 2008)

People aren't protesting the convention itself. They are protesting because it's a fantastic opportunity to get media coverage to their cause.

fallingupwards84 (September 15, 2008)

seconded

the problem is when those same protesters think that the Democrats will actually do any better

14theroad (September 15, 2008)

There are protests at the DNC every time. Most of them the same people that are at the RNC protests. No one thinks the Dems are going to do a better job.

fallingupwards84 (September 15, 2008)

touche

Misanthropee (September 15, 2008)

They're part of the dog and pony show the 2-party state helms to make it appear as though democracy is taking place. Where in the Constitution are party conventions mentioned? Where else in the world are such huge, conspicuous conventions commonplace in the "political process?"

baldsteve (September 15, 2008)

Get off the high horse and the 'Constitution'.

They are throwbacks to the days when the delegates couldn't actually talk to each other and didn't get to 'assemble'. Nobody said it was democracy.

Now it's archaic bullshit paid for by lobbyists.

loreng (September 16, 2008)

Most are protesting the war, not the convention.

baseball (September 15, 2008)

Like we needed another reason to know Ted Leo is awesome?

Dudley_Shale (September 15, 2008)

Ted Leo is the most punk mother fucker on the planet.

God Bless this man. Wholeheartedly.

GlassPipeMurder (September 15, 2008)

how do I become a beneficiary of this?
I could definitely use some help.

5+ Replies

fallingupwards84 (September 15, 2008)

were you really there?

GlassPipeMurder (September 15, 2008)

For the sake of context, I was arrested Sept 04 standing on a sidewalk in downtown Minneapolis with 102 other people.

baseball (September 15, 2008)

That sucks man. Are you being charged?

GlassPipeMurder (September 15, 2008)

Yeah, "unlawful assembly" which I am confused about because I was on the sidewalk of a public space and completely cooperative with the police officers. Then they boxed everyone on the intersection in and told us we were all under arrest. I haven't received a court summons though, and it was supposed to come within 7 days.

baldsteve (September 15, 2008)

If they are claiming 'unlawful assembly' then they are claiming they gave you 3 verbal warnings to disperse. As for the Court Summons, if you haven't gotten it yet, keep your fingers crossed, during times like this, a good chunk of these get lost in the shuffle (thankfully).

A good friend of mine was arrested in New Orleans, spent 2 days in jail then was told that due to the amount of processed people, he either would or wouldn't hear from them again.

It's been 4 years, he just got lucky. I hope the same for you boss.

dlangl4 (September 15, 2008)

Fucking ridiculous.

nowah (September 15, 2008)

Were you arrested on the bridge? I know that all of those charges will be dropped in due time.

I was arrested on the 1st and am facing a gross misdemeanor for "interference with use of public property," so I'm really fucking stoked that Ted Leo is taking charge with this. Though I think these proceeds would be better served going to the RNC 8.

GlassPipeMurder (September 15, 2008)

nah, downtown Minneapolis on the corner of 7th and 2nd. it was the only MPLS mass arrest that I know of.

nowah (September 15, 2008)

Oh shit, Minneapolis.
Okay, well those charges are just as likely to be dropped as the bridge arrest I think.
Are you signed up to the rnc08arrestee listserv? That's been pretty helpful. If not, e-mail me at noahballoon@riseup.net and I'll try to set you up on it.

loreng (September 16, 2008)

Outside the Rage show, huh? Sorry to hear it. I suspect almost all the charges are going to be dropped, except for those against organizers. More bands/people/organizaitons need to get behind this issue.

redpatch (September 17, 2008)

hey, i was arrested too!

fallingupwards84 (September 15, 2008)

thank god you have the 1st Amendment's "right to assembly" to fall back on... oh wait, the Constitution is meaningless in 2008, how silly of me

allison_le_gnome (September 15, 2008)

Yeah, a guy on Kray (who had press identification) was locked up for like two days for no reason.

dickvain41 (September 15, 2008)

I just purchased this my first download ever I hope they make this a CDEP or 7" anyway good shit! I just sent an e-mail to the Baron (Amebix) to check it out anyway support this shit!

feeeding5000 (September 15, 2008)

I just bought this. I have no money. Heeeeeelp.

2+ Replies

allison_le_gnome (September 15, 2008)

You don't have $4 for a good cause AND Ted Leo?

Nameless (September 15, 2008)

It may sound surprising, but it happens.

And, you should have waited if you didn't have it! It's going to be up for a couple of weeks. You didn't have to get it today.

allison_le_gnome (September 15, 2008)

Awesome. I did the $10 donation since I'm a big Democracy Now fan (not that I have time to listen to it anymore).

TheOneTrueBill (September 15, 2008)

I love it when other bands cover Cock Sparrer because the melodies and the tunes are always good, but I can't listen to Cock Sparrer proper because of that guy's fucking voice.

DarrenMcLeod (September 15, 2008)

Just purchased it. This is a great effort on the part of Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, and I have to support it.

Also, great download interface. Any other labels with good, decently priced, digital download interfaces? I pretty much strictly use eMusic because of the great deal you get as a subscriber.

Nick_V (September 15, 2008)

Awesome. I think the $8.00 they make from this will buy a box of band-aids and a couple cans of creamed corn.

6+ Replies

TheOneTrueBill (September 15, 2008)

You're dumb.

Nick_V (September 15, 2008)

Shit, you sunk my battleship. Well played, Clerk.

fallingupwards84 (September 15, 2008)

hahaha

baldsteve (September 15, 2008)

¿uɹoɔ pǝɯɐǝɹɔ ɥʇıʍ ƃuoɹʍ sı ʞɔnɟ ǝɥʇ ʇɐɥʍ

Nick_V (September 15, 2008)

You're clever.

fallingupwards84 (September 15, 2008)

kind of a dickish way to put it, but we all know he's right

BlackRonin (September 18, 2008)

I know nothing of the kind.I got my fines paid by bugging fellow regulars at punk shows. I know of at least two people who have had their med bills paid in large part to crappy detroit punk bands(and I mean that in the nicest possible way!) And this is TED FUCKING LEO covering Cocksparrer and FUCKING Amebix!! What the fuck have you done????!!!!???

Adam_K (September 15, 2008)

I have always absolutely refused to pay for mp3s.

I love Ted Leo.

I support this cause.

I "donated."

Now I can hear Ted Leo sing Amebix.

I love life.

baldsteve (September 15, 2008)

So he didnt' throw donuts?

1+ Reply

IanIsSuperRad (September 15, 2008)

I know! What an idiot! How does he expect REAL change to be made without throwing food?

Guy_Incognito (September 16, 2008)

I hate protests mostly because of the stupid rhetoric that stupipd people bring to it. It has turned into the least intelligent form of political exchange on the planet. There was a time when protest actually had a meaningful purpose. Now it is just a political stunt to get free TV time for the party.

The majority of the signage and slogans that people bring to those gatherings do nothing less than destroy my faith in humans as intelligent and thoughtful beings. Things just aren't that simple, if you can fit your argument on a bumper sticker or a protest sign then chances are that you probably don't have a very good argument.

This goes for both sides. I just ain't buying it anymore. Stupid humans.

4+ Replies

Guy_Incognito (September 16, 2008)

Yes, I see the typo.

loreng (September 16, 2008)

So what do you do instead?

redpatch (September 17, 2008)

we had a communications team, a legal support team, a clinic, food not bombs served food every day, we held meetings of hundreds of people each night of the RNC, and a good number of people wrapped me in blankets and supported me after I was released from my national guard escort and correctional officers at 2 am. I think we protested against the way the world is now not just by civil disobedience and marching, but by becoming the change we demanded.

BlackRonin (September 18, 2008)

There is actualyhy something to be said for pithy sloganeering.It beats the hell out of seeling a mproduct..FOR REAL. People have always said just "singing" about a problem doesnt mean shit! Those people were usually joyless Marxists.

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