"Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another right now"
The No WTO Combo
| The No WTO Combo is: Jello Biafra (voice) Kim Thayil (guitar) Gina Mainwal (drums) Krist Novoselic (bass) Albums:Live From the Battle in Seattle (2000)Recorded live on Dec 1, 1999 @ The Show Box in Seattle Mixed by Jack Endino Alternative Tentacles Records |  |
The music on this CD was recorded live on Dec 1, 1999 several hours after a police enforced curfew had gone into effect on the second day of unrest at the WTO ministerial meeting in Seattle, WA. The show itself (which included performances from other artists) was reviewed here shortly after it took place (please see “Biafra & Franti: Live from the Occupied Zone”). The No WTO Combo consists of Jello Biafra (ex-Dead Kennedys, current Lard, etc.) at the mic, Kim Thayil (ex-Soundgarden) on guitar, Krist Novoselic (ex-Nirvana, ex-Sweet 75, current Eyes Adrift) on bass and Gina Mainwal (Sweet 75) on the drums.
On that day in December of ’99 Jello Biafra, Krist Novoselic, Kim Thayil and drummer Gina Mainwal performed a one-off protest concert against the World Trade Organization, and all that it stands for, at The Showbox in Seattle. History, insurrection and tear gas was in the air, as hundreds of fans and weary protestors defied the Seattle police curfew to show up and rock the house.
Tension was everywhere. No one knew if the show would even happen ’til the band walked out on stage. Biafra had been out rabble-rousing to gatherings big and small. Krist spent days filming as much of the ruckus as he could. Kim and Gina just wanted to reach the venue without being gassed and arrested. Somehow amongst it all, time was found for three rehearsals.
The plot began when Biafra and Krist were brainstorming with protest organizers for music talent to add to the events. Big names were proven “unavailable”, so Krist drafted Biafra and the all-star pseudo-supergroup was hatched.
The NO W.T.O COMBO was recorded live on multi-track and mixed by Krist Novoselic and legendary grunge wizard Jack Endino; capturing the energy and ‘you-are-there’ ambiance of a night like no other. Artwork includes lots of W.T.O. info, photos, and a personal journal and reflections by Krist Novoselic. Biafra ties together many ideas from his spoken word albums and adds a few new ones on the opening track. The NO W.T.O. COMBO performs two new Biafra songs and two more that may be familiar. “Live From The Battle In Seattle” is just over 44 minutes in length. Roughly 15 minutes of spoken word and 29 minutes of music.