buy these punk for palestine benefit releases from 2024
A few records by punks who showed up for families in Gaza that arrived this year
Genocide is fucked up, heartbreaking, demoralizing, infuriating, and devastating. Musing about the year in entertainment feels hollow. The holidays feel false. Children are dead. There’s this impulse I have to mourn and deflate, to follow my sinking gut.
Instead, I’m trying to focus on people who made things happen: The bands who organized DIY benefits this year like the legendary Tompkins Square Park show that Haram, Warthog, and Necron 9 played. Everyone who protested. Every person holding a microphone at the hardcore gig screaming “free free Palestine.” Every punk who kicked out some motherfucker who booed or scoffed at that sentiment.
Then there are all the people who put together benefit releases. Punks raised a significant amount of money to get humanitarian aid to families in Gaza. So this is something you can do: Even if the tapes are sold out, go buy all the files. Listen to every band, especially the ones you’ve never heard of. If there’s a compilation I should add here, DM or email me: eminsker at gmail dot com. Rachel Courtney has compiled a running list of benefits across genres, find that here. Free Palestine.
Palestine Solidarity Compilation Vol. 1 & Vol. 2
Make a donation directly to UNRWA, PCRF, PRCS, ANERA, MAP, or PYM; e-mail the donation receipt to gd4palestine@gmail.com and note the volume you want. You want both volumes, to be clear. The first volume has Gee Tee, Billiam, Lothario, Cherry Cheeks, Pyrex, and Neo Neos. The second has Uranium Club, SPLITT, Split System, the Gobs, Heather the Jerk, and Spread Joy.
A goth and cold wave compilation from France that benefits Collectif Palestine Vaincra. A lot of these compilations understandably are going for names, but this feels like a comp in the true sense where it’s partially a genre showcase and scene report.
No Genocide / No Occupation / Yes Liberation
Dissidents released a trilogy of Gaza benefit compilations this year, and all three are immaculately curated: Mujeres Podridas, Chain Cult, CLASS, Pura Mania, and GOLPE, Rat Cage, Alien Nosejob, Soup Activists, Prison Affair, and more all appear.
Girlsville’s No Sleep Til Palestine Is Free
Billiam, Cut Piece, Hood Rats, Pyrex, Freak Gene—there are of course some unbelievable bands on Girlsville’s compilation. I’d argue the best moment is Germ House covering Limes’ “Blow This Town,” and Threx’s Shangri-Las cover is sick too.
Peace of Mind in a Troubled World Vol. 1: NYC 2024 Compilation
I’m actually unclear if this one’s still available, but it’s worth emailing Peace of Mind to see. It’s up on YouTube, this incredible snapshot of NYC punk right now: Straw Man Army, Abism, Kaleidoscope, Flower, No Knock, Disputa, Decept, Love & Compassion, and more appear.
Action Now! A Paperface Zine Benefit Tape for the Palestine Children's Relief Fund
All profits go to PCRF. It features tracks from Feeling Figures, CLASS, the Spatulas, Sugar Tradition, Itchy and the Nits, and more. Compiled by Joe Massaro of the great publication Paperface.
A compilation of largely unreleased music from Memphis musicians that crosses genres and raises money for the Palestine Children's Relief Fund and Palestine Legal. It’s got Aquarian Blood doing freak folk, Big Clown screaming over a rough mix, an extended live Optic Sink jam, an ethereal pop song from Bennett, and much more.
Music for Iran’s Palestine Solidarity Mix
With all proceeds going to The Sameer Project, Music for Iran’s collection includes contributions from Being Dead, Jacco Gardner, the Serfs, BEAK>, Gimic, and more.
Sentiero Futuro Autoproduzioni’s Punx for Gaza
With money going to the Laylac Center (Palestinian Youth Action Center), this comp has music by Comunione, Narkan, Mirage, Lucta, and Cimitero. The chaotic and exceptional Golpe track “Nato Colpevole” is worth the price of admission on its own. The TV Dust and Kalashnikov Collective tracks are excellent, too. There’s no unifying aesthetic—just a unifying belief.
Open Palm Tapes’ Liberation for All: A Palestine Benefit Comp
The Chicago label’s compilation features hardcore and punk from bands including Stress Positions and M.A.Z.E. Proceeds will reach the Red Crescent Society in Palestine.
A just-released UK comp that raises funds for two people from Gaza City: Yahya Al Hamarna (@yahya_alhamarna) who is now displaced in Khan Younis, and Yousef Abdellatif (@yousef_altamimi1) who is now displaced in Nuseirat. It features 42 songs and some heavy hitters including Lambrini Girls.
Musicians for a Free Palestine
Several bigger names on this one, including Mannequin Pussy, Deerhoof, Downtown Boys, Shamir, Babehoven, Frankie Cosmos, Horse Jumper of Love, Squirrel Flower, and Ted Leo. All profits go to purchasing eSims for Gazans.
Black Violence Presents 100 Punks for Palestine
Boston bands coming together; donations of different amounts gets you different stuff. There’s more info on Instagram.
A Homeland Denied: A Compilation for Palestinian Liberation
This French compilation features 121 bands in all, focusing on hardcore and metal. All profits are donated to MECA for Peace.
A grindcore and powerviolence collection, revenues will be donated to organization that act against the starvation in Gaza.
Gold Bolus’ Mandatory Liberation Vol. 1
A multi-genre collection that includes a track from Detroit’s Deadbeat Beat. Proceeds are donated to Crips for eSims for Gaza, which donates funds that allow Palestinians to receive aid and maintain communication with one another and the outside world.
Naru Records’ A Better Tomorrow for Palestine
Japanese metal compilation, donations made to Medical Aid for Palestinians. There’s 21 songs here, just completely intense shit.
Gardenhead’s Free Palestine: A Benefit Compilation For The Palestine Children's Relief Fund
A. Savage, Homeshake, and Cindy Lee are among the artists who contributed to Gardenhead Records’ compilation. All proceeds go to the PCRF.
A German compilation featuring an array of heavy music. “All purchases will go directly to comrades fundraising for evacuations from Gaza to Cairo.”
Tadpole’s Medical Aid for Palestine: Benefit Mix 2024
A hardcore and punk collection from the UK label that includes music by Golpe, Power Pants, Incident, Louse, and more. Donations go to Medical Aid for Palestine.
Second Floor Recording Co.’s Nashville For Palestine
Snooper have a track on this one, as do a bunch of other great Nashville artists. Donations are going to the PCRF.
A metal and grindcore compilation organized by someone in Leeds. The money raised will help provide eSims for families.
Palestine: A land of heroic people, killed by a people who stole land
A 40-song punk compilation out of the UK. Money is raised for Cwtch Pals based in Pembrokeshire, Wales; money goes to helping families escaping the bombings.
The Paris of Appalachia’s wildest and strangest artists offer nine songs, with proceeds going to the Palestine Children Relief Fund.
Punks For Palestine: Aotearoa Compilation
Artists from across Aotearoa, songs specifically about the genocide. Eleven pointed, political rippers. Proceeds go to CareForGaza.
An international compilation of bludgeoning hardcore and punk. Profits go to Ele Elna Elak, Heal Palestine, and the PCRF.
Wild, smothering, obliterating Boston hardcore and beatdown. All proceeds donated to the Gaza Mutual Aid Collective.
