Wednesday, March 24, 2010

COMBAT WOMBAT & LAB RATS


"Police Brutality" by Combat Wombat

Dragonfly Animation's video clip to Australian political hip hop group Combat Wombat's song 'Police Brutality' is a mixture of animated stiillls and footage from the protests at Beverly uranium Mine and Pine Gap US Military Base in the central desert. 


Combat Wombat are an outspoken troupe of hip hop punks mainly located in Melbourne. Armed with only samplers, mics and turntables, powered by solar energy and an uncompromising belief in Truth over Spin, these desert nomads are the real deal, creating an album that reflects the frontline activism they have become famous for. They delve into issues of national identity, the government's treatment of refugees, indigenous sovereignty, US military force and uranium mining with a sense of urgency that is balanced by their ability to turn words into action. 


"Don't wait for your government to change their policies because you will be choking on black air by the time they wake up to the reality that we are facing today on this well and truly buggered up planet. Get active and speak out."
Monkeymarc - Combat Wombat
 


At Combat Wombat's core is the Lab Rats Solar Sound System, which was formed at the Jabiluka uranium mine protests in 1998. Monkey Marc and MC Izzy are Australian pioneers of vegetable oil conversions for diesel engines (which will also fuel their upcoming national tour). Their fully equipped mobile studio runs off the solar panels on the van's roof, and their record Unsound $ystem was written and recorded using this same eco-friendly energy.



The LabRats go anywhere and everywhere we can get to. From the desert blockades in South Australia to the Forest blockades of Victoria to events like Reclaim the Streets all over... to free parties and benefits in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Darwin. To remote Aboriginal communities near Coober Pedy and Alice Springs.... to Tasmania and back again.

They made a video called Tunin' Technology to explain their vegie oil car, wind powered cinema and solar powered sound system.