Gen protest songsfrom the Clash to Rage Against the Machine via Public Enemy and – why not! – the Modena City Ramblers on May 1st. Then for years, apart from a few pop exceptions such as Kendrick Lamar, nothing more: a constant ebb until last year when Kneecap, a hardcore rap trio from Belfast, took to the stage at Glastonbury, despite the fact that the English Prime Minister had asked for their removal from the line-up due to the accusations of terrorism leveled against the singer Mo Chara. The Northern Irish band responded from the stage with “fuck Keir Starmer” and “Free Palestine” in front of a sea of Palestinian flags in the audience.
Today Kneecap return with their second album, Fenianelectronic, dark and with a punk attitude (and always sung almost entirely in Gaelic), the son of that rave culture rather than rap which in some way – together with drugs – united the divided Ireland. And now that the accusation of terrorism, for having displayed the Hezbollah flag during a concert, has been dropped due to a technicality (an error was made in the way in which the accusation against him was formulated) Mo Chara returns to speak with Rolling Stone of everything that has happened in these years of music and militancy (he is fresh off a trip to Cuba), without losing the irreverent irony and propensity for fooling around already staged in the autobiographical film Kneecap.
How did the outcry caused by the controversy enter into the writing of this new album?
The album is a response to our last year. The title is Fenianwhich comes from Irish Fiannalegendary bands of warriors from Irish mythology. And it has become an insult against us and our people: by paying homage to our culture and our language, we honor who we are.
It was harder to write Fenian now that you are no longer unknown outsiders? There are very high expectations on you.
Yes, there's obviously a lot of pressure, as always happens, almost like a second album syndrome. You have your whole life to write your first one and then you have a year to write your second one. But luckily I feel the same as I did ten years ago.
How did you manage to find a balance between what is political and what is not? The album is full of ironic tones and banter.
It has been a very intense year politically and we are always ready to take sides. But like you said, there's also some messing around. Sometimes it's difficult to find this balance between being politically engaged and wanting to party, shoot shit and have fun. But just don't take yourself too seriously and show ourselves as we are.
The album arrives in a heated political climate: what do you think of the United Kingdom led by Keir Starmer?
What we think of him he says explicitly Liars Tale: “Fuck Keir Starmer, Netanyahu's bitch and genocide armer.” For the rest, I don't have time or energy to talk about him. Nobody likes him, not even in England.
Do you think politics is really afraid of you or makes instrumental use of your battles?
Politics are scared, but I don't know if politicians are scared of us. I just know we don't like them. They would like to operate in the shadows, without control, but they are elected to represent the people and they don't. I repeat, I don't think we scare them, we're nothing to them. They would like to continue to act with impunity, without anyone criticizing them and telling them how things are.
Do you feel like a target?
We know we are a target for the British, American and Israeli governments. Like all the bands and actors who take a stand on Palestine. But I also feel a lot of support and respect around us for what we do.
Carnival ironically addresses the group's accusations of terrorism. Have you always laughed about it or was there a moment when you were afraid?
No, no fear. There was a bit of pressure, we had all eyes on us. Even if it doesn't seem easy to believe, we don't have a good relationship with all this media exposure, we prefer to protect privacy, and then irony becomes a screen, a way to defend ourselves. But above all, trying to be funny, not taking yourself too seriously is the best way to tell a story and talk about politics.
Why is it that in Italy, despite there being a right-wing government, no powerful musical voices come out against what is happening?
It's a good question, I was asked it a few days ago also about France. But unfortunately I don't have an answer, I can only speak for us: in the face of what is happening we wouldn't be able to remain silent, we wouldn't sleep at night. In Ireland there is a lot of pressure, everyone supports Palestine, but this speech is not enough: doing or not doing is your responsibility in the end.
Fenian is produced by Dan Carey. What did he bring to your sound and how did you find working together?
Dan brought a more electronic, heavier and perhaps more aggressive mood. It was incredible. Dan has worked with so many wonderful artists that we listen to often, like Fontaines DC and Wet Leg.
Palestine (feat. Fawzi) it is a very powerful song, yet it seems that the Palestinian question has almost left the political agenda and there are fewer and fewer demonstrations…
I agree. Obviously now there is the topic of Iran, which is important, but also we are losing media coverage in Gaza. People no longer go to protests, but continuing to talk about Palestine is important. Because until Palestine is free, no one is free: this is our approach to the issue. What happens there could happen to any of us, at any time, just look at how Trump is behaving. Palestine it's a beautiful song, I love it and Fawzi is an important presence: who better than a Palestinian like him to tell what's happening? I would really like to go to Palestine, to play or even just to visit, but I don't think it will be easy to get in.
Where would you never play instead?
In Tel Aviv. I don't have a problem with Israeli citizens, but with their government being responsible for genocide.
Don't you have the same problems with the United States?
It's a very interesting point. There are many Irish expats in the United States and they would be our largest audience. Many in America disagree with Trump, just look at the recent No Kings protests. This does not justify American policy, because if they only wanted it, what is happening in Gaza could end tomorrow.
Photo: Tom Beard/Spin-go
Anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism are two concepts often confused in public debate. For you, where is the border and why is it important to defend it precisely?
Antisemitism is a big problem and it is growing. I'm not religious and having grown up in Belfast I know well how religion can divide people… But I often hear that people who aren't are called anti-Semitic, because they simply criticize Israel and talk about Palestine.
What do you think about Kanye West's cancellation of dates in England due to accusations of anti-Semitism?
I don't think they are accusations, it's a fact. He is anti-Semitic. Then I don't think that canceling the dates will serve anything other than exaggerating the issue even further. But if someone like Kanye titles a song Heil Hitlerthen it's right that he doesn't play at the festival, there's no room for Nazis. They say he's mentally ill? Another reason not to do the festival.
Jonny Greenwood has canceled some concerts due to threats related to the controversy over his performance in Israel…
I don't think there are threats anywhere and I don't agree with us going to play in Israel. The world is screaming not to collaborate with the Israeli government and it is important that artists continue to do so.
How and where do you get information to write your texts?
I work closely with our manager and other friends of mine who are very involved in the Palestine solidarity movement in Ireland. I don't have social media, I have trusted people who filter the news. But I don't need to be an expert, a journalist, I'm a singer who says what he thinks.
But your audience trusts what you say.
Yes, but they don't see me as an expert, just someone trying to do the right thing. I don't talk about the geopolitics of the Middle East, but I try to use my fan base to demonstrate a stop to the bombings, especially on innocent civilians.
How difficult is it today to remain radical without being misunderstood or neutralized?
I don't think that supporting Palestine and being critical of Israel is a radical position: I think it's a very humane approach. It is not controversial to call Netanyahu a “war criminal” or use the word “genocide.”
How do you judge the way the media covered you? Did they amplify or weaken your message?
Every minute they talked about me was a minute less dedicated to Gaza or Palestine. But there are people who had never heard of me because the Palestinian solidarity movement is huge, it's global: even left-wing people in America criticize Israel now, I didn't think this day would ever come.
The rave scene has profoundly influenced your aesthetics and musically also this latest album: what remains of that free and illegal spirit today?
What's left? Maybe drugs. The rave scene and drugs have played a major role in politics in Belfast: here in the 1990s, when ecstasy and techno music arrived, Catholics and Protestants met for the first time. Everyone went dancing, took ecstasy, it didn't matter who you were or where you were from.
Before saying goodbye, do you have a message for the Italian fans?
Take to the streets and sing Hello beautiful (and greets me by singing it, ed).
