Comments on: Gogol Bordello: "Immigraniada (We Comin' Rougher)"

By: likwidflame

likwidflame — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I didn’t really grasp the lyrics until I saw the video. I’ve been listening to this album since it’s been released on day 1, and I find it even better than Super Taranta! Even though the bass drops aren’t as fucking fantastic (ie, Super Theory of Super Everything… I think), the songs are so beautifully written. Seriously BoingBoing, You’ve outdone yourself here.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Gogol Bordello is the greatest rock and roll punk whatever label you want to put on it to ever step on planet earth, great energy and even better, great ideas, these guys are great human beings for putting the spotlight on stuff like this. GREAT VIDEO! LONG LIVE GOGOL BORDELLO!!!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

PBS had a great interview with Hutz too, a while back:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/culture/eugene-hutz-immigrant-punk/2812/

He sings a few bars of “Immigraniada” on acoustic (without a shirt on!).

By: MelSkunk

MelSkunk — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

This is going into my mix, beside “Fortress Europe”- Asian Dub Foundation.

Most inspiring and interesting music I’ve heard today, same they’re either not hitting Toronto or if they did I missed them. maybe if I’m lucky I’ll catch them in KÃ¶ln?

By: ransom notes

ransom notes — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

thanks for the searing video Xeni! It is raw, honest and speaks with a thunderous roar. My ancestors were not welcome in this land, I’d like someone to tell me who’s were.

By: Uland K.

Uland K. — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

There is a fundamental irony in radical positions like the one being promoted here, by Boing Boing, and it lies in the idea that a Nation shouldn’t have a right, or an obligation, to control who comes into the Nation, but it does have an obligation to protect the rights of and proved services to anyone who happens to cross the border.
That system is truly untenable; maybe that’s what guys like the self-confessed “creative nihilist” frontman of Gogol Bordello are pushing here.
The very premise of the Nation-State is rendered moot if you truly believe ( and all it requires is great privilege, or a great sense of jealous entitlement to believe, it seems) that borders should be a thing of the past.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Manu Chau used to be /in/ gogol bordello.

and i think the lyric coming rougher every time means a combination of things: it could be a reference to increasing hardships when trying to migrate to different country through legal or illegal methods, or it could be a word to the toughness of character required to go through such a process.

By: Uland K.

Uland K. — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

There was no “nation” here before the American forefathers established the United States.The children of those men are, in fact, “native” to the U.S, and so is anyone who was born here after its establishment. We, like every other first world nations, have a right and a duty to protect the interests of those citizens.Those interests might include controlling who comes into our nation. IT’s really not that difficult once you drop the white guilt programming. The only people who truly want open borders are those who want cheap and easily disposed of labor.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

i don’t believe i could have said it more simply. knowing you exist somewhere will help me put off becoming the next unibomber for a little while longer.

gracias

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

i’d love to see passports removed, we are all people I don’t care where you happen top be born.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Everyone should catch Gogol Bordello live! Best live show I’ve ever been to! Energy!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I just wanted to say I agree with dia sobe. I’m 3rd generation Hungarian, and it’s sad that so much culture from these countries has been lost. Granted, my grandparents lived in a Hungarian community, but so many traits were lost, especially the language. My great-grandmother spoke almost exclusively Hungarian, yet my father learned very little, even though she lived with him and my grandparents for quite some time. We still go to the “old neighborhod” in Toledo every winter to stock up on hurka and kosonya, but it doesn’t make up for what has been lost. Thank you, Gogol Bordello. Egeszsegedre!

By: Joseph Hertzlinger

Joseph Hertzlinger — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I not only believe governments should not dictate where people live, I also believe that governments should not dictate where people live.

In other words, I believe that “third-world” immigrants have the right to move to move here and I also believe that “first-world” immigrants have the right to move there. That latter process is often called colonialism and some people object to it.

In other words, I disapprove of both “Mexicans go home!” and “Americans go home!”

By: Boeotian

Boeotian — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Gogol Bordello is great, I’ve seen them live twice, both amazingly funny and energetic concerts, right there on my top list.

And Eugene is such a great guy! Very funny and friendly. I was at this small club once where he sang a couple of songs with this other band, and eventually I got pretty drunk and went outside for a fag. In the rain.
He was there doing the same thing while waiting for a cab, and noticing my state, offered me a lift home. Very kind of him. But I stayed a little bit more.

By: Uland K.

Uland K. — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

But the U.S and the E.U are either Nation States or made up of Nation States, right? These nations have the ability to set the policies that ( right or wrong) have made their Nations desirable locations for would-be immigrants. This would not be possible without the ability of the Nation State to set policy and enforce laws, including immigration laws.
You also must consider the conditions that brought about prosperity in first world countries. It certainly happened long before the E.U , the U.N and other Globalist arrangements came into being. You’re argument is all the more ridiculous if you consider the shape the E.U is in after existing for such a short time. It’s a disaster.
Why seemingly “progressive” people would cheer for the Globalist wet dream of endless, easily transportable , cheap labor, I have no idea.
Do you really think the kind of economy that has lots of brown, illegal servants cleaning the Mcmansions of mutual-fund/credit bubble whores is a sustainable one?
If you feel guilty about the wealth of the West, the best thing you can do is try to invest in developing Nations; destroying the conditions that bring about our ability to help will hurt everyone.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ever since I had come across the “American Wedding” video,a few years, I have been hooked on Gogol, there’s not enough words to say how much I love Gogol. The band is opening doors in such a way that’s right in your face and not masking what they’re really trying to say.

By: Uland K.

Uland K. — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The onus is on you to describe how the protections ( economic, legal, etc.) that modern Nation States provide would be maintained in the vacuum Nation States would leave behind, should they be destroyed. Who’s values win out? Do you really imagine that some kind of progressivist utopia would take root in a borderless world? Do you honestly believe that the coercive power of the police, or other state agencies, would no longer be required, or that a non-state group would not assume those powers?
Or, do you imagine that some kind of enlightened world government will simply look at your wish list for a just society and say “done! next..” .
Both are delusions. The Nation State offers the only possibility for guaranteeing any form of rights; rights are only based in the rule of law. Who enforces the law? Saudi princes? Dutch anarchists? Kofi Anon? You?
Why do you imagine so many immigrants want to come to the first-world west, if it’s not to enjoy the benefits that these Nation States bring? If they truly wanted some kind of anarchist rainbow situation, they could move to the wilds of Africa, or the mountains of Khazakstan.
No, they want to live in Brooklyn, or Toronto, where the children of the privileged go to run up credit card debt before they land media or academy jobs and are able to afford affectations like believing in a borderless world.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I find some of their work is getting a bit more contrived and self-similar, not quite as creative as the earlier albums.

But it’s still great.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Everyone thinks that they are the last ones that are going to move into the neighborhood. As a tax payer though, I do dislike shouldering the burden of paying for a portion of the needs of some who are capable of earning their own way. So do I blame the waves of imigrants that are pouring over the boarders or the politicians that provide many of them with the means to stay without contributing to the benefit of the whole? My mother emigrated to the US from Ukraine at the end of WW2. She and my father (whose parents also came to the US from another country)never held out their hands for assistance. I think that this is the line that, today, splits many first wave diaspora from the newer imigrants. To my immigrant brothers I say, there is plenty of room here. You are welcomed. Please though, earn the privilage of being an American. That goes for all of our youth who were born here and are walking around with a fabricated sense of entitlement.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

One thing I’ve always wondered about Gogol Bordello – is it just me, or does the melody of “Start Wearing Purple” sound exactly like “I Love Paris” by Cole Porter?

By: Rachael Ariella

Rachael Ariella — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

What he says about the “world music” label is really interesting, I’d never thought about the effect that might have before.

Also love the Dylan “Chimes of Freedom” reference in the song. A sad answer to the idealism of the past.

By: dia sobin

dia sobin — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Growing up as a second generation Russian/Romanian in the USA during the cold war, the key-word for coping in the “melting pot” was “homogenize”. If your bloodlines originated from the “Evil Empire” one didn’t brag about it – one didn’t wear a button that proclaims “Kiss me, I’m Russian”. One most likely forgot about ones heritage… and the family history became some vague constellation in an extraterrestrial sky. If one wanted to become “famous” one changed their surname; it was that simple. Immigrants were welcome only if they were ready to accept menial jobs… doing work that nobody else cared to do. When my father was a young man he wanted to be an artist, but this was during the depression and my grandfather burnt all his sketchbooks, convincing him to be practical. So my father worked in a factory for 45 years. Hey, you might say, at least he had a good pension. But it cost him his voice.

I think what I find most refreshing about Gogol Bordello is that they give a voice, not only to contemporary immigrants, but to all those immigrants of the past who somehow lost their voice, their heritage… and their stories. They were too frightened to “Come Rougher”. But, I think they’d all have been uplifted hearing this song! Thanks, Xeni!

By: Antinous / Moderator

Antinous / Moderator — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Why do you imagine so many immigrants want to come to the first-world west, if it’s not to enjoy the benefits that these Nation States bring?

Funnily enough, huge countries like the US and conglomerations like the EU are, as political entities go, farthest away from being nation states. The US allows people of varying nationalities, cultures and language groups to roam free across three thousand miles of varied terrain and economic opportunities. The EU now approaches something similar. You’ve demolished your own argument. It is the very dissimilarity to the classic nation state that makes the US and Western Europe so desirable for those seeking opportunities.

By: politeruin

politeruin — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ooh nice catch, BB. Great album too and i can also recommend seeing them live, i guarantee you won’t ask for your money back. They are loud and somewhat intimidating but after witnessing what they do you wouldn’t want it any other way.

Huliganjetta!

By: StAlfongzo

StAlfongzo — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Thanks Xeni! Love Ugene and Gogol!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

love the newest video…saw you play in Australia, Byron Bay earlier this year. I’m a big fan..and an immigrant musician as well.

Can you do a song about the expulsion of the Gipsys from France in particular and the plight of refugees in general.Django Rheinhaardt would turn in his grave.Alsio like the kafka reference.

Well done

By: mindysan33

mindysan33 — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I love this video. We are going to see them this tour, and I’m so excited. I’ve heard great things about them and everyone here who has seen them seems to confirm that.

C White- I got it, and at first I didn’t like it as much as Underdog World Strike, but it’s grown on me, and has probably become my favorite by GB. A good solid album from start to finish. Pala Tutu is such a wonderful song…

By: C White

C White — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I think their latest album is perhaps their best, and amongst my favorite of 2010 thus far.

They used to come to Ottawa often enough, but no new tours dates here for the past few years. This town needs some Trans-Continental Hustle, and maybe a little Super Taranta!

By: el Charlot

el Charlot — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Please Eugene come back to France, I’m so ashamed of what this country is becoming (and worse part, I’m half Italian, can you think of something worse than being French and Italian today ?).

What about doing massive free gigs on a truck at every place Police come to throw out Traveling People (’cause it’s not only Roms, also any Gypsy or even French living on the road are targeted …).

BTW, this brainless Sarkozy is Hungarian from his father …guess it shows us that immigration bring us good and bad (and ugly too …)

Hope my english is not to bad to express myself on those sensitive matters ;)

By: Eric Ragle

Eric Ragle — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

LOVED THIS.

This is truly a wonderful thing. The meaning of the song/video was tremendous. I love that fighting spirit.

Thanks mucho, Xeni.