Jihad Against America

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Jihad Against America are a hardcore punk band founded in Melbourne, Australia, shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks. It would seem that by selecting a deliberately offensive name, making references to the World Trade Center in their performances, performing songs with titles such as "Terrorism Is The New Black", and being more concerned with loudness than musicianship, they are taking part in a long-standing rock and roll tradition of aggressive iconoclasm, as well as an even longer-standing Australian folk tradition of larrikinism.

For one performance, Jihad Against America changed their name to Shihad. This was clearly a dig at the band Shihad changing their name to Pacifier in the wake of September 11, on the grounds that the name Shihad sounded too much like Jihad (note, Shihad have now reverted to their original name). The band also claimed to be the first ever winner of the Pre-emptive ARIA award.

Jihad Against America played their final gig on 22nd May, 2004. The band reformed for one gig at the Tote on 1st July, 2006 to launch "Live After Deth", a 12" recording of their previous final gig. The 2006 gig was filmed for a future DVD release, so there is speculation of an ongoing series of one-off "final gigs". However band members have stated that it will never happen again.

[edit] Discography

"Jihad Against America" (self-titled) 7" single (7 tracks) featuring:

  • Plane Side: Jon Bon Chomsky, We Want to Blow up Yanks, I Want to Sniff Your Undies
  • Buildings Side: Brown People, Bali Bomber, ... and you will know us by the Trail of Arts Students, Terrorism is the New Black


"Adelaide Tour, July '03" CD-R EP (5 tracks) featuring:

  • Holiday, Brown People, Terrorism is the New Black, Jon Bon Chomsky, We Want to Blow up Yanks

(Recorded by Nicole Hurtubise at 3CR, June 4, 2003)


"Live After Deth" 12" LP (14 tracks) featuring:

  • Plane Side: Jihad Against America, ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Art Students, Brown People, My Baby Was The Bali Bomber, My Body Image Is Perfect, Holiday In Manhattan
  • Vertigo Side: New York, Terrorism Is The New Black, Jon Bon Chomsky, We Want To Blow Up Yanks, Powerwalking In My Vodaphone Tracksuit, Emo Records Saved My Life, Rock Star Cowboys, I Want To Sniff Your Undies