Being independent, radical and alternative isn’t always about
being furious at rich and powerful people and stuggling till the bitter end for hard-won justice – sometimes it’s about having a damn good time too! Which means that when a band like Peyoti for President, who mix feel-good Latin roots music with a message of anti-globalisation, people power and social change comes to town, you know The Spectre will be there. We caught up with Pietro and Luis from the band after their blistering, packed house set at Colchester’s Tin Pan Alley to talk music, politics and protest:
Thank you – that was an absolutely amazing gig – how did the crowd in Colchester compare to what you usually expect?
They were really good tonight, they really had a good time, were really enjoying it
Is there any particular reason you came to Colchester, or do you just play where you get asked?
If someone calls and the gig sounds like it’s good fun, we’re happy to play. They gave us a call so we thought, why not?
Your lyrics contain a lot of talk about anti-globalisation, about politicians lying. Do you feel at a time like this when the world is supposed to be in economic crisis, do people respond better to it than they did before, or do you think there’s always an undercurrent of anger at they way the system is?
I think people are getting increasingly pissed off and desperate, they’ve started using methods they wouldn’t have used a few years ago. I think there’s definitely a movement in that direction. You can see it with all the marches now: if you take away their voice, what else are they going to do?
We’re seeing a lot of demonstrations spreading all over Europe, I was wondering if you could give me a brief opinion on the movements, particularly in Greece, Spain and England. What do you think of them, how do they compare, what do you think about the tactics and what people are doing?
I think in Greece and Spain, where I’ve noticed it the most in Europe, it’s far more … you know… In England we go out and demonstrate and then go home for tea. A lot of people don’t feel like their life or even their future depends on it, whereas in Greece and in Spain what we’ve seen it’s really getting desperate. People are almost willing to get shot if they have to. I’m not sure if things will change or improve… I think we need to get more out there in England, restrain the violence and use people power. We need to reclaim the streets!
In Spain the tactic of assemblies in main squares is an example of that, the focus of demonstrations of the 15M movement – what do you feel about that, is it an efficient way of organising?
I would say people are finally waking up, they’ve really opened their eyes. I think it’s really effective. It was not long ago, they remembered their previous dictatorship. It’s been so long for us in England that we just a bit blasé about the whole thing. In Spain they know it’s real because it wasn’t that long ago. Their parents are telling them ‘maybe you should do something about this’. Now is the time to make a stand – and these methods are really effective, they’re being used in America as well, it’s great.
A few days ago England saw the biggest industrial action for the last two decades, we had a rally here in Colchester which consisted of about 200 people standing in one spot for two hours, listening to a bunch of speakers and then going home. I think that kind of illustrates the blasé attitude you mentioned. What do you think of tactics like industrial action? Is it effective or would it be more effective if people organised outside of old existing groups like trade unions?
I think industrial action is important as well. We need to let the politicians know that we’re willing to sacrifice what’s left of the economy if they don’t listen to us we’ve got them by the balls [laughs].
I’m sure you must think that music is a powerful tool in spreading ideas. Do you think music can change the way people think and act?
Yes, absolutely!
Just one last thing: if you could summarise for us what Peyoti for President is about, the whole ethos of the band. What would you say it’s about?
There’s this famous expression that no issue can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it or where it came from. I really do think that we need to be aware of that. It’s not just fighting something, it’s creating something that is better, and I think that’s what we need to do. We need to open our eyes and fill in a new future, in the same way that a new future was made from slavery.
Thank you very much for talking to us and for supporting independent radical media!
If you’ve not seen PfP live, unfortunately, they’re now taking a 6 month hiatus (maybe Colchester was just too hardcore? Maybe not…). The good news is, they’ll be back, louder and better than ever. Untill then, you can find out more about the band and check out their tunes at www.peyoti.com – you could even buy their album (that not advertising, we promise, it’s just a good album!)