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DO THEY KNOW IT'S HALLOWE'EN?
BOO!
This fall's sweetest and scariest benefit song is "DO THEY KNOW IT'S HALLOWE'EN?"
This single features a star-studded ensemble known as the NORTH AMERICAN HALLOWEEN PREVENTION INITIATIVE. Both a trick and a treat, this song is a satire - as well as a charity-benefit song with all profits being donated to UNICEF.
AN ALL STAR CAST SAYING "ENOUGH!" TO HALLOWEEN: This rallying cry features a who's-who of current alternative music:
Beck
Sum 41
The Arcade Fire
Sonic Youth
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Sloan
Peaches
Feist
Devendra Banhart
Wolf Parade
Postal Service
Buck 65
This anti-Halloween call-to-arms also stars a grab-bag of legends such as:
… Comedian David Cross
… Sex Pistols' founder Malcolm McLaren
… Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
… 60s soul legend Gino Washington
… Psychedelic singer Roky Erickson
… Los Angeles 70s group Sparks
… Inuit throat singer, Tagaq (a frequent collaborator with Björk)
… Co-produced by Steven McDonald of Redd Kross
… And many more...
LABEL INFO: VICE RECORDINGS
RELEASE DATE: OCT. 11 2005
AVAILABLE ON iTUNES and all DSPs: OCT 4 2005
A BENEFIT FOR UNICEF
All profits are donated to UNICEF. This project is also intended to raise awareness of UNICEF's annual tradition of Trick-or-Treat For Halloween, wherein Kids Help Kids by going door-to-door collecting funds in boxes.
A SATIRE OF DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS
"Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you
(Here's to them) underneath that burning sun
Do they know it's Christmastime at all?"
- Do They Know It's Christmas
This song's inspiration stems from a frustration with other benefit songs' misguided, somewhat patronizing attitude, and Western-centric worldview. (See the July 15th New York Times editorial calling Live 8 an "insult both to Africans and to common sense")
Hallowe'en is primarily a North American holiday, and this song asks the rest of the world to help us end this night of fear and terror.
A CELEBRATION OF HALLOWEEN
Halloween is a fun holiday, and as such, this song is meant to be fun. As a satire, it is a comment on the current climate of fear and western-centric benefit songs. We're celebrating Halloween in all its spoooooky splendor. Think of it as both a trickŠand a treat, for your ears! | 
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