I should start by saying that I know nothing about politics or social history, if at any point it sounds like I'm pretending that I do know about these things - I'm not and I don't. So, be nice. If you can correct me on anything, please do.
I’m just writing to say that as of today it has been ten years since The No WTO Combo’s BATTLE IN SEATTLE. This battle was held over a weekend of protests on the 29th of November and climaxed with one beast of a rock n roll show.
Who were The No WTO Combo?
Well Jonny, I’m glad you asked, The No WTO Combo were; Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys/DOA), Kim Thayil (Soundgarden), Gina 'the magnificent' Mainwal (Sweet 75) and Krist Novoselic (Nirvana/Flipper/Eyes Adrift). They formed for one night in rebellion of the WTO and recorded one album, “Live from the Battle in Seattle”.
What the devil is the WTO?
Citing the inlay of the aforementioned live album, “The World Trade Organization (WTO) was created in 1995 as an outgrowth of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) to write, enact, adjudicate, and oversee enforcement of world trade law. In order to promote a level-playing field between trading nations, the WTO has sought to remove or reduce environmental, public health, and other standards that restrict trade among countries with differing standards”. AKA super villains!
I am in no way a politically active, socially aware or even particularly intelligent person (quite apparent in that this has all been spoon-fed to me by Jello & Krist who are all of these things and more) – but even the briefest bit of research into the WTO has revealed many heinous, unkind and greedy acts. Whether it’s (unofficially) taxing Europe for banning the sale of meat products from hormone-treated animals or outlawing product labels such as ‘Dolphin Safe’, ‘Sweatshop Free’ & ‘Made with Recycled Content’ – you’ll find something in there that makes your skin crawl.
I offer no real insight into the WTO, I barely understand it, but The Battle in Seattle is something well worth celebrating and investigating, and now that the album is harder to get hold of (though not impossible - just look) it’s good to get as much of this stuff online as possible. Keep the night alive, and all that.
December 1st 1999:
The World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference of 1999 was met with a series of largely non-violent protests (some people will invariably be idiot vandals) that tragically turned violent with tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets missing ‘vandals’ and taking down any unfortunate that the exhausted police (some working 16+ hour shifts with no breaks for two or three days straight) happened to shoot near. I hate vandalism, but I can’t help but agree with Krist’s statement that “there is a big difference between a 16 year old punk smashing a window and a professional law enforcer smashing a person”!
As the violence escalated, the media coverage increased and while it wasn’t all positive the exposure would later lead to further investigations and a better understanding of the WTO. This would see resignations (Seattle Police Chief, Norm Stamper) and ensured that “The World Trade Organization was yanked out from under its rock.” (Krist).
The important artifact for me is the recording of The No WTO Combo, being 12 years old and living in London at the time, I missed the lot and it was only when searching out the other recorded endeavours of Krist Novoselic that I learned about this specific musical happening.
Those that fought the cause and those that braved the curfews to make it down to The Showbox Club that night were rewarded by a brief four-song set from a one-night-only super group. Pulling songs from The Dead Kennedys (Let’s Lynch The Landlord) and DOA (Full Metal Jackoff) and adding two blistering originals (Electronic Plantation & New Feudalism) the four musicians gave a 44-minute emotional release for the people of Seattle. The battle was won.
A few months later it would make it onto CD & LP, released through Alternative Tentacles Records (Run by Biafra) and mixed by Jack Endino (guitarist of Skin Yard and producer of Nirvana’s ‘Bleach’, Afghan Whig’s ‘Up In It’, Babes in Toylands ‘Spanking Machine’ & Soundgarden’s ‘Screaming Life) with informative and inspiring liner notes from Jello Biafra and Krist Novoselic. Get it if you can.
Now that music is something of a commodity; bands in pubs have become backing music, CDs and Vinyl have become 'space consuming', musicians are TV fodder, and that retail, press & radio are practically full-on payola: The No WTO Combo provide possibly the last documented moment in time where musicians were heroes, and rock music was inspiring, relevant, brave and essential.
More information? Don’t stop here, I’m just an idiot on the internet who likes cool records. Find out more for yourself.
