INB response

I would like to start off with praise of the idea, execution, aesthetic and overall just fun of the INB. I wasn’t sure what to expect from these readings (honestly thought it was going to be a kind of “STOMP” like performance group) because I hadn’t heard of them until these readings. I was pleasantly surprised. What struck me about the whole thing was the concept behind the project. This idea of using a band to protest and get messages across works on so many levels. Some of them that I see and have the most meaning to me (because I’m sure I’m not seeing them all) are the connections with music (historically speaking), subverting the “normal” way to protest, putting forth a positive protest and using a skill that normally gets “put on the shelf.”

Music in history has always been an entertainment, a motivator and a way to communicate culture and tradition. The INB uses all of these elements in what they do. The music that INB creates is obviously entertaining and pleasing. The name “Infernal Noise Brigade” I think is an ironic name because they aren’t “noise” at all they are music. And generally speaking I would see something “infernal” as something annoying but they made good music and even if you didn’t agree with their message you can’t help but enjoy it. In the kinds of protests that I read/saw/listened to the INB acted as the motivational band like a sports band. In many past wars the use of a band to march into a city and siege it was very common. I drew this connection on many occasions. Also I drew upon the more tribal aspect of the drumbeat (i.e. war drums). Then all wrapped up you have a message they are getting across.

The messages they got across at the protests were clear. The way they did it though, was really the most outstanding. When I think of a protest it’s a bunch of people standing with signs chanting and being fairly abrasive. The band changes that image of a bunch of angry people to a crowd of positive people wanting change. The “normal” idea of protesting isn’t fun or inviting. In that sense its actually negating the message that is trying to be communicated by the protesters. By making it fun and inviting passers by and onlookers feel welcomed and are more likely to want to know the message and wont be turned off by it. In this way they turned what I would call a negative protest into a positive protest. The idea of protesting, in my mind, is to raise awareness, influence a change in whatever your protesting and (by raising awareness) getting more to join your fight. Somewhere along the line protesting changed from a positive thing to a negative thing where you see only crazy fanatics (or at least are seen that way). The INB brings it down to a less fanaticized level because the music drops the guards of the other protesters and the onlookers. Just to finish up my thoughts on this, I also feel like the people that are being protested have more access to the message as well with the introduction of music because if your being protested against by crazy fanatics you don’t take it seriously but a well organized group that is obviously non-violent (its hard to be violent with a pricy musical instrument strapped to your chest) is not only hard to ignore but hard to demonize.