Podunkian Music Club

Eddie Vedder-- No More






Much has been made over the last couple of years, that few have dared to take up the challenge of social activism when it comes to the war in Iraq.

Neil Young of course, was the first exception to that rule having been quite vocal and quick to bring his message against the Bush administrations wanderings in the Middle East.

The Dixie Chicks of course had their troubles with their comments over the War in Iraq, made quite famous in their documentary Shut up and Sing.

But by and large, when compared to the era of the Vietnam war, the use of music in protest has been a rather limited engagement.

That changes a bit with the release of a movie call "Body of War", a documentary from Phil Donahue and Ellen Spiro, which examines the affect that the conflict has had on one veteran as he tries to re-adjust to American society. It centres on Tomas Young, who enlisted in the US Army in 2001, having volunteered to fight in Afghanistan after 9/11. Instead, he was shipped off to Iraq, was shot and paralyzed less than a week into his tour of duty.

The film documents the tragic consequences that were to follow in his personal life, as well as exploring the theme of the war with perhaps the first full review from those Americans that have been sent off to fight for President and country.

It's been described as a powerful testimony to and for those that have come back scarred, mangled and hurt beyond anyone's comprehension, a project that took Donahue and Spiro three and half years to complete.

The subject of the movie Thomas Young, worked on the soundtrack for the movie, spending hours with Vedder going over the catharsis of his experiences as best he could.

The video for the Music Club tonight, captures some of what he and Vedder came to detail for the soundtrack to the movie, which perhaps returns the voice of protest back from where it first sprang to life from some forty years ago.

Artist-- Eddie Vedder
Recording--Body of War