Fun>Da>Mental Propose An Anti War Protest in Islamabad

British/Asian sonic experimentalists Fun>Da>Mental are considering visiting Pakistan to stage an anti-war protest, the band's singer Aki announced this week. "There is a possibility that moves may be made to actually fly to Islamabad to demonstrate, right on the frontline," he said. "If people go from the West it will make a change."

Stressing the band's peaceful intentions, Aki also called for volunteers to join him on the trip, though warned, "any dreamers thinking of fighting, forget it, we are out of our depth. Get Real."

Fun>Da>Mental have long been one of Britain's most outspoken and politically conscious bands, as well as being key pioneers of the Asian/ Western musical fusion more recently popularised by the likes of Talvin Singh and Asian Dub Foundation. Aki's sleeve-notes on their forthcoming album 'There Shall Be Love' (written before September 11th) reflect their interests explicitly: "Some of us fear a loss at speaking out or challenging a system which denies humans to operate in harmony," he writes. "This is every way and anyway is a lost ideology, we all gain from shouting.'

Speaking this week, he turned his attention towards Britain's ruling classes. "Politicians are playing the games with great spin and PR (public relations) and if we do not show our distaste the reaction will be immense and will flow back into the West like a hurricane. Tony Blair is digging graves for the British people, we need reason and instinct for a positive future, not giving desperate people the right to go extreme tomorrow."

"Do not believe what I write, just do some research," he added. "It will be very awkward times for all if we do nothing. Over, but not out."

To contact Aki and Fun>Da>Mental, email aki@nationrecs.demon.co.uk

http://www.fun-da-mental.com

http://www.nationrecords.co.uk
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