DEMAND IN DC

DEMAND IN DC
by Jason K. Walsh

January 20th will be one of the most historic days in the annals of American History, as the first African-American president will be sworn in as Commander in Chief. Following a campaign that found people around the nation glued to their televisions and record numbers turning out to the polls on Election Day, Barack Obama will take the oath of office on Inauguration Day as the 44th President of the United States. More than a million are expected to turnout in Washington DC ensuring the nation's capitol will be alive with activity. One such event celebrating the new regime in the United States Executive Branch is the "Demand in DC Art Show," in which live music, art, and film will join forces at the Black Cat to ring in the new leader.

"Demand in DC is a call to the people of this country to take back their government and their country," said Justin Sane of Anti-Flag. "If you don't take control of your government, someone will. Barack Obama is a step in the right direction for the U.S. but he is not progressive on all issues and he needs to feel the heat from those of us who have a vision we want to see America achieve."

Sane cites universal health care, gay marriage, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, campaign finance reform, green energy policies, and the closing of Guantanemo Bay as some of the new issues this new president needs to address, but puts the burden of "change" on the American people.

"It is as much a celebration of the end of the Bush role, as it is a call to all concerned citizens of this nation to do their part to steer or country in a new and brighter direction," he said. "This is a time of great opportunity for us in the United States. With the Bush White House there was never a chance at having progressive policy. Barack Obama may deliver on all or none of the above, but at least there is a possibility of these things taking shape. But for these things to take shape, each and every person who believes in these ideas must make their voice audible to President-Elect Obama and hold him accountable."

Anti-Flag is just one of the bands on the bill at the celebration, which will also feature works from local artists as well as independent film screenings. An auction will also be held dubbed "Quilts for a Cure," in which four quilts made up of over 200 band t-shirts will be awarded. The auction is in connection with DC sponsor, Shirts for a Cure, a local organization who raises money to help underprivileged women fighting breast cancer who cannot afford chemotherapy nor medication costs.

Chris Barker, also known as Chris #2, is Anti-Flag's bassist and co-lead vocalist. According to him, the election's outcome had no bearing on the commencement of the festival.

"We planned this to happen on Inauguration Day regardless of winner," Barker said. "However we are excited about the steps forward that America has made with this last election. But, 48 million people voted for the other guy. That's a lot of people who need beat over the head with good ideas."

Also performing that evening is United Nations, The A.K.A.s, and Ruiner from Baltimore, Maryland. Frontman Rob Sullivan of Ruiner said the band never had a second thought about participating.

"I couldn't have turned down the opportunity," he said. "Aside from when I was younger I loved Anti-Flag, and this was such a great idea. Bands, artists, and performers of all sorts coming together to represent a 'change' in the power system of our country and the role the people played in that."

Sullivan agreed with the guys from Anti-Flag that this will be an important day for Americans, in the hopes of pointing the nation in a better direction.

"Bush is out of office and that is something to be celebrated," he said. "But at the same time, we are given another chance. As a people, we voted in record amounts to allow ourselves a new voice for the rest of the world; a world, which for the most part, finds us to be arrogant cowboys with no agendas but our own. We picked the winner and having this show in our nation's capitol is the only proper place."

The A.K.A.'s formed in New York City about five years ago, in an attempt to play a style of music they believed in while relaying political messages in a way they thought other bands in the current industry environment were lacking. Vocalist Mike Ski has participated in other politically driven events which fused the music from the underground with art. Last year, Ski organized a series of art shows with the A.K.A.'s called "Everybody Make Some Noise: 25 Artists Celebrate the Art of the Protest Sign."

"I was personally really inspired by the event and found it to be a cool alternative to the common format of normal concerts and shows, and the way it engaged the crowd in a different way," he said. "It was from the spirit and vigor of this event that we took the title of our latest album."

"Everbody Make Some Noise" is the band's second full-length which dropped in 2008 on Metropolis Records. When their friends from Anti-Flag started planning the Inauguration Day festival, combining an art show with a live-music concert, Ski was immediately on board.

"They brought us in to help coordinate the art end, help with ideas, and rock the stage," he said. "It's an important event to take part in for us as we enjoy doing new and memorable events that push the envelope, raise awareness, and challenge the things that people are used to. It's a great opportunity to send an important message and reminder that people demand change and are catalysts for it. We're proud to be involved."

"Demand in DC" is an opportunity for people in the District to come together and share thoughts and ideas and lend their opinions about the social and political conditions affecting everyone in the country. Now about to enter a new era of American leadership, the nation is struggling on several fronts and many are looking to this new administration for hope. According to Sullivan of Ruiner, the journey back to prosperity will not be easy.

"The path before our nation is going to be a long, hard one," he said. "In my opinion, border line impossible in some areas. Between the economy, a war, and the perception
of foreign nations, it's a massive rebuilding process. Our country needs to recognize that regardless of who won the election, we need to figure out how to come together. Republican, Democrat, Independent or whatever, we can't keep blaming each other based on our differences. This election marked hopefully the start of a very loud voice in our country that we want something different."