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October 20, 2005

Indie rockers use sarcasm, talents, Halloween, to help the children

Back in 1984, when Bono was a wee activist, he sang a line on the chart topping, Band Aid song, "Do They Know It's Christmas", that has always bothered me with its blunt, patronizing delivery.

Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you

Band Aid was a who’s who ensemble of 1980s musicians put together by Bob Geldof for a benefit record for Africa’s poor. This is the same Bob Geldof that resurfaced this summer for the Live 8 concerts. He appeared to have aged at twice the rate than Bono, which hatches a new M.S. theory - saving the world isn’t pretty if you have lost all cultural relevance.

Fast forward to 2005 and my head scratching confusion with Bono’s lyrics is shared with a veritable heroes list of indie rock stars. Swankster favorites, Beck, Devendra Banhart, members of Arcade Fire, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Postal Service, and Wolf Parade, among others, have gotten together to record a UNICEF benefit song under the satirical name, “North American Halloween Prevention Initiative”, or NAHPI. The aim of the mock band is to “stamp out the most scary of holidays” that is Halloween.

A sweet animated video has been produced for the song. Try and spot the following artists, who all appear on the song. After the jump.

Posted by Merry Swankster at October 20, 2005 09:45 PM

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