Hello Punks, I am writing a book about the famine in Ethiopia from 1984-1985. Specifically I am writing about the many famine relief records that took place to help raise money and awareness for the starving people of Ethiopia. Many of you might be familiar with Band Aid "Do They Know It's Christmas?" or USA for Africa "We Are The World". What you may not know is that these two groups started a ripple that spread across the planet and bands across the world wanted to take part in helping others. Not to be outdone by USA for Africa, next SKA bands Madness, The Specials and UB40 formed a band called Starvation. Not to be outdone popular musicians in Canada formed a band called Northern Lights and recorded a song called "Tears Are Not Enough". The entire music industry across the world jumped on the bandwagon and nearly every country and every genre wanted to take part. I have collected more than 175 recordings from all over the world in nearly every musician style including Rock, Heavy Metal, Soft Rock, Rap, Country, SKA, Punk, Tejano, Parody, and comedy. I am here because I need help to see if you know of any tracks from 1984-1988 that mention Africa, famine or Ethiopia. The record might have been a response to hunger, famine or aid sent overseas. I have found the following punk records. 1. A.H.V. – En Navidad También Comemos... 2. The Snapping Bogseats – Feed The People E.P. 3. Smokin' Dave And The Premo Dopes – Ethiopian Jokes 4. Chumbawamba – Pictures Of Starving Children Sell Records 5. Dead Aim - Ethiopian Dicks Need Jobs 6. Really Red - Starvation Dance Links: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Hi, Writer. So, as far as I know the famine in Ethiopia was from 1983-1985. As far as raising awareness of the famine a couple of punk bands come to mind: Potential Threat - "Demand an Alternative" LP (1985, UK), with their album cover and the title song. https://www.anarcho-punk.net/threads/potential-threat-demand-an-alternative-lp-uk-1985.30435/ Crucifix - "Dehumanization" LP (1983, USA). Also with the album cover and the song "another mouth to feed". I'm pretty sure that has to be about the famine in Ethiopia. Crucifix - 1983 - Dehumanization (LP) There's bound to be more but these are all I can think of right now. Possibly also The Dead Kennedys with the cover pic of "Plastic Surgery Disasters" although I don't recall any song/s dealing specifically with that topic. EDIT: Listening to it now I think the Crucifix song I was thinking of might be Death Toll, on the same LP.
But listen, don't just take my word for it, especially with that Crucifix song. Find the lyrics for it and judge for yourself. It's been a while since I read the lyrics to that song, so I could be wrong about it being about Ethiopia. If in doubt, leave it out!
