Saturday 14 January 2012

Songs for Social Justice: Pop Will Eat Itself – Ich Bin Ein Auslander


Pop Will Eat Itself teamed up with Fun-Da-Mental for this driven anti-fascist song. It was from the album Dos Dedos Mis Amigos, which was the band’s most political output.

Released in 1994, it was written following the 1993 election of a BNP candidate to the Millwall council seat. This was the first time that a BNP candidate had been elected. After much local campaigning by anti-fascist and anti-racist organisations alongside local people and trade unions, the BNP lost the seat at the following year's election. It was not until 2002 that the BNP were once again able to get their members elected to local councils in England. 


The work undertaken in the area against the BNP demonstrates that local campaigning can and does successfully drive back the fascists. This song still resonates, as the BNP still have elected members and today Unite Against Fascism are holding a rally against the fascist EDL as they take to the streets of Barking in London.

The cover of the single had a clear focus on anti-nazi symbolism. The song got into the Top 30 and the album reached No. 11.

After Pop Will Eat Itslef split up in 1996, one of their singers – Clint Mansell – started writing film scores and has now written the scores for The Wrestler, Black Swan and Moon amongst many others.



Pop Will Eat Itself – Ich Bin Ein Auslander 


Songs for Social Justice Dance Night featuring guest DJ Jerry Dammers -
o      Thursday 26th January
o      STUC Centre, 333 Woodlands Road, Glasgow
o      6.45pm – midnight
o      Tickets £8/£4 Available direct from the STUC - 0141 337 8100









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