Our story begins some years ago when we co-existed in different groups in the very same country.
PEYR was a band that gained a reputation in foreign countries, but when they had had their name spelled in Japanese they tactfully ceased to exist and left God Krist. and Tryggur floating in the Ether waiting to make themselves manifest.
PURRKUR PILLNIKK was another band, never too bothered but quite possibly too concerned. They played with FALL in England, then they too ceased to exist and Einar kept spinning around hoping to hit someone.
TAPPI TIKARRASS was still another band. When their charm became stagnant Bjork decided it was time for an evolutionary leap and sent us a bright smile that opened our hearts.
Birgir caressed his bass in a band called MED NOKTUM, but when the call came he knew he had to obey and left his fellow workers in the Vineyard for the Cosmic Unity of KUKL.
K.U.K.L.
SALMUR.323.
And there was one with the name of Melax who had spent his time within the framework of the surrealist group MEDUSA, alternately making phallic Bird Cages and Music for Miro on the Moon. He too heard the call and obeyed.
KUKL thus became the logical conclusion of the Icelandic Musical Evolution. They depict the Marriage of Heaven and Hell: the Union of Opposites, Cold Claustrophobic Winters with the Agoric Midnight Sun of the Summer Months. Snow fused with Vulcanic Activity: A Cold and Calm Outside covering Catastrophic Aliveness that may tear the ground from under your feet.
The anti-war association Iraq Veterans Against the War has been staging guerrilla theatre warfare in cities all over the U.S. for the past year. They call it Operation First Casualty…and they most recently brought the battle to the streets of Denver, CO, where the Democratic National Convention is meeting this week. This video is of one of their earlier operations in Chicago, but it shows the strange juxtaposition of everyday American life in “wartime” with the everyday life of Iraqis in wartime. Same war, very different experiences. It’s funny watching people lined up for the bus - because gas is so expensive - and seeing their day interrupted by the reason for the gas and food price hike. At least you are not being tackled at gunpoint in your own home before you even leave the house to catch the bus!
The veterans who form I.V.A.W. set an example for all of us - they have committed acts of violence and murder that most of us never will, and they are taking responsibility for their actions, even though the government tells them they are wrong for doing so. In fact, even Obama, who has repeatedly, if unconvincingly, claimed he will withdraw all troops from Iraq, won’t meet with them. Check out www.democracynow.org for more details about IVAW, footage from the recent Operation Casualty in Denver, and their request to meet with Obama and other major Democrat representatives.
