Review: Black Mountain and Jay Malinowski of Bedouin Soundclash

“Play Music Not Politics” in support of InSite
December 6th 2008

By Kristina Mameli, The Link

The 100 block of East Hastings on Vancouver’s DTES seems a very unlikely place to hang out on a frigid Saturday afternoon, but hundreds braved the elements to help support and celebrate Canada’s only supervised injection site’s 5th anniversary.

This was round two for the rally that was originally scheduled to take place on October 23rd. That event was forced to a halt before a word could be spoken when more than 100 police officers tore down tents set up along the block saying that organizers didn’t have a permit.

This time, all permits in place, the Portland Housing Society provided a free BBQ and concert right in front of the safe injection site, successfully shutting the street down for the day. Hundreds stood in line for free hotdogs and hamburgers being served by volunteers as stilt-walkers and other street performers silently weaved their way through the crowd wielding oversized red balloons and face paint as weapons of entertainment.

The street was lined with banners proclaiming that “hundreds will die if the safe injection site closes.” The demonstration was meant to raise awareness about the benefits of the site by bringing the community together to send a message to Stephen Harper and most importantly, to bring more attention to what it does to save the lives of those afflicted by addiction on the DTES.

During its tenure, the Conservative government has appealed BC’s Supreme Court’s decision that allowed InSite to open in 2003. The facility is designed to help injection drug users that would not normally have access to health care treat wounds and seek addiction counselling while providing a safe and clean environment in which they can inject their own drugs. Consequently, it has proven effective in reducing drug paraphernalia related litter, public injections and needle sharing. The site sees roughly 645 visits a day and has not had a single fatal overdose in its time. But ironically, it’s InSite’s focus on harm reduction to which Harper’s government has long been opposed.

Along with the performers, politicians were on hand in abundance, taking the stage to reaffirm their support for InSite. Former mayor Philip Owen, outgoing mayor Sam Sullivan (in one of his last acts as mayor) and newly elected mayor Gregor Robertson each spoke on the positive impact of InSite on Vancouver. East Vancouver MP Libby Davis shamelessly took the opportunity to plug the coalition government, appealing that a coalition government would ensure that InSite remains open indefinitely.

The highlight of the event was the returning lead vocalist and guitarist of Bedouin Soundclash, Jay Malinowski, who had contacted InSite two weeks prior to the initial rally interested in showing his support. He played a short but sweet acoustic set of Bedouin classics for which Steve Bays, lead vocalist and keyboardist for Victoria indie act Hot Hot Heat joined him on stage.

Turning it up a notch and closing the show with their heavy indie stylings, was locals Black Mountain, many of whose members actually with work the Portland Housing Society when not on tour. Though their set was pocked by poor sound quality, the thoroughly chilled crowd warmed considerably as they edged closer to the dripping stage as it proceeded to rain. Black Mountain spoke minimally allowing the evening’s slogan to be embodied perfectly: “Play Music Not Politics.”