Sheer Mag is a do-it-yourself (DIY) band that makes music that is a blend of punk and heavy metal music with the pastiche of 1970s classic rock. They describe their music as a “caustic war cry, seething in solidarity with all those that suffer the brunt of ignorance and injustice

Benefit compilations are a longstanding medium through which artists support social movements, so it makes sense that in 2017 we have seen a lot of them. One of my favorites has been Battle Hymns, compiled by members of band Quasi, an urgent collection of explicitly political songwriting. Battle Hymns is

Haram is a New York City hardcore band whose debut EP شو بتشوف؟ (“What Do You See​?​”) was released in 2016 by the underground punk label Toxic State. The band’s vocalist is Nader Haram, a Muslim American from Yonkers, NY whose family moved to New York in the 80s to

Singer-songwriter David Rovics has written songs and produced several albums in the past twenty years. He is an impressively prolific independent artist constantly churning out protest songs inspired by current events. On May 1, Rovics released Punk Baroque, which consists of songs from 2016. It is his first album to

In 1981, Xeth “Xerox” Feinberg was concerned with the “prefab messiahs” who had long infiltrated the American psyche: Ronald McDonald, the Pillsbury Doughboy, and other “friendly faces of corporate fascism.” Channeling his feelings about these figures, he decided to start a short-lived post-punk band. “Talentless guitarist and drummer seeking bassist

This week’s featured protest song comes from pioneer of Native American rap Litefoot, who has never shied away from creating music that speaks to indigenous life.

Rhiannon Giddens collects songs. Traditional songs from the 1800s and early 1900s, like work songs, inspire her craft. Many of these songs are rooted in the history of African Americans in the United States. On her most recent album, “Freedom Highway,” Giddens takes her passion for traditional music and weaves

Hurray for the Riff Raff’s latest album, “The Navigator,” is full of poignant ballads, but “Rican Beach” is the most galvanizing protest anthem.

This may be one of the more popular and well-known protest songs from 2016. It was performed on “Saturday Night Live” by Sturgill Simpson. The brass part for the song packs quite a punch and has a lot to do with why this antiwar song is such a rousing tune.