American High Brings Distortion & Dissent in Cheye Calvo Music Video: Watch

Creedence Clearwater Revival protested the Vietnam War in “Fortunate Son.” Rage Against the Machine condemned police brutality in “Killing in the Name,” and now, Californian punk rock band American High asserts music’s unique power of protest once again in “Cheye Calvo.”

American High has never hidden from political protest. Rather, it’s their entire musical identity. They are less a rock band with political undertones and more a group of activists who choose music as their method of communication. Their purpose is clear—to end violence, defend the natural born rights of all people, and denounce blind allegiance to authority.

“As long as our country is the world’s leading arms dealer, as long as we have hundreds of military bases in over 100 countries and territories, we will continue the struggle. For non-violent interactions. For peace,” says their website.

Their latest single, Cheye Calvo, is a powerful representation of these beliefs.

The single references the story of Cheye Calvo through crunchy, power chords. Calvo is the former Berwyn Heights, Maryland mayor who was raided by police in 2008 after a package of marijuana was found delivered to his residence. The high-profile raid sparked no conviction, but plenty of controversy, stoking claims of police brutality and becoming a rallying cry for opponents of the American “War on Drugs.”

The music video employs striking visuals of police raiding suburban homes, rounding up stunned families, and placing young children in their rifle sights, making American High’s position on the issue clear and convincing. These visuals, paired with lyrics such as, “Cheye Calvo did nothing wrong” combine for a stark message against drug prohibition and overzealous law enforcement.

While the song is largely reminiscent of the power chords of Green Day and the vocal attitude of Bad Religion, they make a concerted effort to craft a unique sound.

“We shun the tired intro-chorus-intro-chorus-lead-chorus-exit” blueprint. We prefer freedom songs… weird chords and weird changes, weird blueprints, weird harmonies and backward leads. Happy singers singing dark songs of love lost, the costs of constant war, and a scream into the night,” they write.

“Cheye Calvo” follows their 2017 debut album Bones in the Attic, Flowers in the Basement, which follows the band’s political message in word and action. On their website, the band states that “every dime this record generates goes to Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services. Feed the hungry, shelter the vulnerable, teach those yearning to learn.”

If you’re a fan of progressive politics, conscientious rock, or, well, drug legalization, you’re sure to dig American High’s take on auditory activism.

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By Ryan Chandler

Ryan Chandler is a journalism and government major from Houston, Texas. His passions include public speaking, live music, and arguing about politics at inappropriate times. In his free time, he fights fake news and shreds a gnarly guitar.

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