If music is a vehicle for protest, then merchandise might just be the extra horsepower needed accelerate the message — starting with a new bundle of goodies from The Downhauls.
In tandem with the release of their new single “Crosshairs,” the Boston punk band put together merchandise packs to raise money for the American Civil Liberties Union. Their “Revolution is in the Air” bundles — named after a refrain from the song — includes a digital download of “Crosshairs,” a matching tee, pin, and sticker, plus a print and digital copy of the band’s new zine.
The apparel and accessories bear punk rock’s quintessential “ready to fight” look — and the band’s pledge to donate 20 percent of sales makes good on their message.
“It started with [guitarist and vocalist] Chrissy V. rage-writing the lyrics of ‘Crosshairs’ based on her own personal experience of feeling targeted, powerless, and silenced by this ghoulish regime, and sharing a rough recording with the band in the form of a catchy ’70s punk ditty,” says DownhaulsLauren “LoWreck” Recchia, drummer for The Downhauls. “We collectively started brainstorming, working on the song, coming up with ways to make music into philanthropy. The brainstorm landed on a few main tenets: Release a single, make a zine (highlighting the art, words and activism of talented people we know), create swag designs that like-minded people would wear with pride, and donate to something we believe in — in this case, the ACLU, who tirelessly work to defend the civil liberties of all Americans.”
That urgent, no-nonsense sentiment also ripples through “Crosshairs,” which declares, “The fallout’s now / When’s that gonna click?”
“The intention is to keep this train rolling with more issues of the zine, and to make more donations to causes that can make a difference,” Recchia adds. “So please stay tuned.”
Get a look at the bundle below, and pre-order your own here.
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