Flobots are coming to Prov

The aforementioned Matt has a piece in this week's Phoenix about Flobots and their visit to Providence later this week.

In the wake of such artist-activists as the Coup and Rage Against the Machine, Flobots have attracted a strong following with their politically charged lyrics and their signature American flag bandanas. And their Providence performance this Friday (with Gogol Bordello at Lupo’s, $20, doors at 8 pm) will be a homecoming of sorts for Flobots’ emcee Jonny 5, aka Jamie Laurie, who came here in 1996 to pursue a degree in Africana studies at Brown University. ...

After their anti-war anthem “Handlebars” became a top request on Denver radio stations, Flobots signed with Universal Republic in April. The song shot up the charts, and the band’s profile grew with an appearance on The Tonight Show. Rosa Clemente, vice-presidential candidate of the Green Party, even name-checked the band during her acceptance speech, saying, “In the words of the Flobots, my new favorite band, ‘We can lead a nation with a microphone.’ ”

Flobots subsequently launched a nonprofit organization, Flobots.org, to create street teams that link music with action for social change. They also launched a social network-ing site — FightWithTools.org — to further provide tools for their listening audience to build a movement for change. One additional Web site, AmericaWillBe.org, uses a collage of literary and activist heroes to define the purpose of their American flag bandanas.

Social justice will be an integral part of Flobots’ Providence visit this weekend. After Friday’s show, Laurie will host a “Fight With Tools” event on Saturday at 3 pm at the Open Table of Christ church at 520 Broad St., Providence. It will feature a solo performance by Laurie and discussion about Providence activism and the Fight With Tools street teams.