Folk musician Woody Guthrie, the quintessential protest singer, used to have a label on his guitar saying, “This machine kills fascists.” If Woody were alive today, he could upgrade that message to “This machine probably killed fascists, socialists, communists, guerrillas and others far too numerous to mention.”
The guitars in this slideshow were made from AK47s and other demobilized heavy-duty weapons. Turned out by an instrument maker with no shortage of raw materials, the guitars have been turning up in a number of famous hands in recent months.
As we’ve said about these retreads in the past, it’s the responsibility of the musicians to make sure they hit the stage with the after rather than the before model. Otherwise, it could be a horrible waste of fans. Check out the slideshow.
Colombian musician Cesar Lopez performs during the “Urban Connection” event at Comlexo do Alemao slum in Rio de Janeiro, September 30, 2007. REUTERS/Sergio Moraes
Trackback
5 comments so far
No. On second thought, you don’t have to turn it down and I’m not calling the police. Have a good evening, Sir.
- Posted by Shawn HendricksIt may be a slum, but I bet they still got damn fine weather down in Rio for the concert.
- Posted by Shawn HendricksI hear the ban on “assault” guitars expires some time this year.
- Posted by Shawn HendricksI was going to protest protesters but instead I rallied against them. Seemed smarter.
- Posted by Shawn HendricksHe is reported to be some kind of far out and fantastic guitar soloist but at the concert he didn’t play anything but stock chords.
- Posted by Shawn Hendricks