Metal Anarchy

Scowl and GEL will no longer be taking part in any official South By Southwest (SXSW) events in Austin, TX. The two acts made the move to protest SXSW’s decision to accept sponsorship from the US Army and defense contractors.

Scowl said the following:

“Scowl is no longer performing at any of our previously scheduled “official” SXSW showcases.

We came to this decision in protest of the U.S. Army’s sponsorship of SXSW. As well as the involvement of RTX (formerly Raytheon), Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems whom have direct ties to the manufacturing and supplying of weapons used against Palestinians.

We refuse to be complicit in the face of genocide in Palestine.

We refuse to participate in the war machine.

We will still be performing at our scheduled unofficial showcases.”

GEL also issued a statement:

“We will be pulling out of all official SXSW shows next week.

There’s no reason for @sxsw to involve the music of our peers and music at large with the US Army and defense companies that are actively committing and/or complicit in genocide.

Free Palestine 🇵🇸”

Flatspot Records commented as well:

“Flatspot Records is removing our official showcase from SXSW. We will not support the involvement of the U.S. Army and defense companies at SXSW. Flatspot World is still a go, now at The Little Darlin – Free and All Ages. Doors will now be at 4pm.”