Fearless Iranians from Hell

Fearless Iranians from Hell were a band from San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 1983, their sound was initially hardcore/punk and later changed to crossover/thrash metal.

The band's lyrics were written from the point of view of an Islamic extremist and mock the anti-Iranian sentiment that was prevalent in the U.S. at the time, especially in the wake of the 1983 United States embassy bombing.[1][2]

The band was formed in 1983 by members of the group Marching Plague, who donned ski masks, posing as terrorists. Iranian American vocalist Amir Mamori was an early member. Photographer John Cohen related that the original lineup only played three or four shows before the lineup started changing.[2] Ras Matthew (born Matthew Mack) was 16 when he sang for the group in the 1980s. He left the band, later becoming a Rastafarian and playing with the reggae group Buffalo Soldier.[3]

Fearless Iranians from Hell signed to the Boner Records label. Their first release in 1986 was their self-titled 7" Fearless Iranians from Hell. The EP includes the songs "Blow Up the Embassy" and "Iranian Klan". "Blow Up The Embassy" has been covered by Birth A.D.[4] Their first full album, Die for Allah, was released in 1987. The album was also released under the Big Takeover label in Germany. Its cover featured an image of Ayatollah Khomeini. The song "Chant" from the album included lyrics in Persian.[5] They released Holy War in 1988. Their third album, Foolish Americans, was released in 1990. A CD compilation Foolish Americans / Holy War / Die For Allah came out the same year and was re-released in 2002.

Fearless Iranians from Hell refused to do interviews. While most understood the band's anti-American sentiment to be sarcastic, the band members did once contact a lawyer over a website that was offering a bounty on the lives of the band members. The message delivered by FIFH was one that depicts a nation of Islamic radicals who are united in their fervor to see destruction in the west. The lead singer and song writer, being an Iranian exile himself, wrote these lyrics out of disgust and anger for this common interest he saw in the Iranian culture and leadership. Former band member "Mr. X" related that "Most Iranians when they saw where the band was coming from they appreciated it. They saw this is a spoof of racial profiling by vilifying a whole nation based on what their leaders do."[2]

At least one musician from the band went on to join the Butthole Surfers.[5] Their music is included in New York's ARChive of Contemporary Music.[6]

The Australian Rock Against Communism band Southern Storm covered "We Own the World" in 2004, re-writing the song with anti-Semitic lyrics. The song was not credited to FIFH, however.

Discography

References

  1. ↑ Christgau, Robert (1990). Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s (1st ed.). New York: Pantheon Books. p. 464. ISBN 978-0-679-73015-6.
  2. 1 2 3 Jones, Mark (January 2, 2008). "The Kids Were Alright". San Antonio Current.
  3. ↑ "Dedicated buffalo soldier to march into wacky's". San Antonio Express-News. June 2, 2000.
  4. ↑ Holmes, Jacob (May 19, 2011). "Report: A night of thrash in San Antonio". San Antonio Examiner.
  5. 1 2 Robbins, Ira. "Fearless Iranians from Hell". Trouser Press. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  6. ↑ Gonzalez, David (May 8, 2009). "If It Rode the Airwaves, It's Probably Here". The New York Times.
  7. ↑ This EP includes rarities and demos.
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