It is probably of little surprise that one of the subjects in their new EP for rebel rock group, the Urban Guerillas, is the Argentinian revolutionary and guerilla leader Che Guevara.
The number, Viva Revolucion was written in Cuba.
Urban Guerillas’ guitarist/songwriterr/vocalist Ken Stewart said the track is an imagined conversation with Guevara about today’s political landscape.
‘‘People are fed up with politics allowing insensitive corporations and corrupt politicians to run riot, with the shuffle beat inspired by the tempo of Cuba’s 1950s cars,’’ Stewart said.
The EP called My Kind features five songs including Ballad of Ned Kelly with the bushranger ‘‘as a political figure reacting to his family’s persecution and rallying for independence from brutal and corrupt colonial rule,’’ Stewart said.
The EP’s namesake number My Kind is about alienation triggering a search for like- minded souls with another track, Rise Up, an observation of the world as seen on television with an admonition for people to make their voices heard as an anthem for peaceful change.
My Country, My Shame combines violin and didgeridoo to set the scene for the clash of cultures praising the hope that as a nation Australia will face up to the mistakes of the past and walk together in harmony as one.
The Sydney-based band boasts a strong sense of social engagement in their songs often providing a focus at rallies and on the coal face of change.
Formed by Ken Stewart, the Urban Guerillas sprang out of the pub, punk scene in Adelaide, South Australia, in the 1980s.
The Urban Guerillas also comprise Phil Paviour as bass player and vocalist, with Mick Elsley as drummer/vocalist.
Urban Guerillas will appear at Corrimal Hotel, Wollongong, on Saturday, February 13, the Brass Monkey, 115A Cronulla Street, Cronulla, on Saturday, March 19 with Persuaders.