Indeed, it has begun. While there are several reasons Occupy

exploded across North America, one should not discount the

role of music, especially the punk/alternative music we at

Unionrocks love. After five years of getting the fists in the air

with bands like Anti Flag, Rise Against, Billy Talent and

at Warped tour it comes as no surprise that those fists are now in the

air and they are shaking them in anger at the 1%.

Many of our favourite bands are credited as inspirations, and

were among the first to appear at various Occupy sites.

In Oakland Tom Morello and Boots Riley took on leadership roles

in a protest that included the shut down of the port in support of Longshoreman.

From the Caterpiller strike, to Rob Fords austerity plan, to Dalton Mcguinty's public service

attack, to Stephen Harpers attack on all our rights.. "The War is right outside your door"

Our economy is teetering, there

are youth in the streets, everyone is scared...Unionrocks has only

one answer for 2012..

Oh what a night, for the 250 people who were at The Harb in Owen Sound

Ontario and got to see an epic performance by punk legends Anti Flag.

In a night dedicated to turning it up for the labour movement , Anti Flag

took it up to 11 and an appreciative crowd rocked the Harb like never before.

The band had a great time and were thrilled to have ventured into a part of

Ontario they had never been, and were fully supportive of the important message

the night projected. Unionrocks thanks all involved, SEED, After The Anthems,

INAMBUSH, Eddy at The Harb, Rob Fiona and Jasmine, and all who came out and

got there fists in the air. But remember the message, that was just the start!!!

Also Available at Captain Pearls Port Elgin, White Rose Cafe Walkerton,

T n A Clothing Paisley, Steel and Ink in Sauble. Fromagers Music,

In Owen Sound and @ The Harb... Get em quick.......

About 5 years ago the picture below was taken, it is of Anti Flag

and plus ten thousand young people chanting "The people united

will never be defeated" in that moment unionrocks was born.

Now after five years of utilizing that inspiration to engage young

people on important social justice issues, Unionrocks has the distinct

honour of welcoming our heroes to the Harb in Owen Sound for a

very special show to celebrate what we have done, and to turn it

up loud against the growing attack on unions and workers in our

country. We will be thundering about the sell out of our resources,

and our public services, and we hope to rally the Anti Flag fans

to stand up now and to Vote this fall for real change, real democracy,

strong public services and good unionized jobs. The Harb is going

to rock so get your tickets early. Thanks to the Grey Bruce Labour Council,

PWUTI, OPSEU 260, Stryker entertainment, and Eddy at The Harb for

helping make this show possible. But most of all thanks to Justin who saw

value in what we have been doing and has validated us with his friendship.

Get ready, this is a once in a lifetime event..Be There!

It was four years ago today February 2nd when 24 excited

young people jumped on a bus and headed to Toronto, to

rock with Billy Talent at the ACC, and to launch in our own style,

Unionrocks.ca. Conceived and built to be a voice to and for

young people on the issues young workers face, our first outing was

an incredible success, and propelled us to four years of successfully

taking key campaigns to Warped Tour, where this year we will celebrate our

fifth amazing outing to this event.

In this time we have talked with thousands

of young concert goers on campaigns ranging from the 10$ minimum wage,

to the need for pension and EI reform. We have preached the lessons we learned in the

mosh pit.."When your brother or sister is down you pick them up"

Where once there was a no voice on behalf of the union movement,

Unionrocks has grown to become the loud proud voice of solidarity to

music fans throughout the province.

We are looking forward to our fifth appearance at Warped, and another year

of Turning It Up Turning It Loud Turning it Around!

And we want you to be part of it, get involved now and know what it really

means to get your fist in the air. So find us on Facebook

WARPED TOUR 2010

Twenty thousand young people!

Many dressed in Black, some wearing

masks, and not a single riot cop!

Even a morning downpour and the still open scars caused

by the G20 fiasco, the Warped Tribe came in large numbers

to rock. With the stages lighter on punk, and heavier on metal and

alt rock, the face of Warped as always is changing, but

no doubt it retains the magic that have kept it rollin for 16

years. Unionrocks being unionrocks, knew that despite fear, and a

desire to avoid the dark realities June 26th 27th exposed, we had

to make our fourth appearance there not only it's most

successful, but it's most meaningful. Armed with the youthful enthusiasm

of Megan and Matt, petitions calling for a full inquiry, our

way kewl seen everywhere t's, and one crazy old dude, in the tshirt of the day.

Though many had as always come to rock, and wanted

no part of anything political, the three hundred plus who

did come to our booth signed the petition, took our

merch and shared their summit stories came with a

committment and an appreciation for what we did

that was unseen even with our previous success.

All agreed with the need for an inquiry, and easily echoed our

theme for the day NEVER AGAIN!!!

And they did come to ROCK!!!

Check out the video shot on queen street west, June 26 2010

Sounds Like A Revolution: Part Two from NOW Magazine on Vimeo.

WHY WE WENT, WHAT WE SAW!

KISMET; CRAZINESS; SADNESS; ANGER; FEAR AND HOPE!

From the moment it was announced that the G20 summit would take place

in Toronto, I knew that I would be there to peacefully protest. I knew that I would

be joined by thousands of other's raising their voices against the neo liberal policies

which have torn apart our country's social safety net, inflicted poverty on whole

groups of workers, and have marginalized the democratic rights of all

free thinking citizens. From the very buildup any paying attention knew a confrontation

was inevitable.

THIS IS WHAT A POLICE STATE LOOKS LIKE!!!!

My goal and mission as it has been since founding Unionrocks

5 years ago, was to ensure that my message of a way without violence,

of a positive means to focus ones activist energy in a peaceful proactive and legal way

It lay in Organized Labour, and the legitimate social justice community whose efforts

over the last century helped create the Canada we all miss and that we are watching wither.

Given how things unfolded and what I was witness to, I am only more convinced of

the validity of that message, and that more than ever all who inspire and create energy,

must take responsibility for that energy and direct it and focus it in legitimate fashion.

My weekend of protest began Thursday as I met with the director of Sounds Like A Revolution

a newly released documentary by director Summer Love of Toronto, who in film has

captured much of what Unionrocks has been working on and talking about, that there is a

rising youth political movement building and it is being fed and inspired by a growing number

of activist musicians, and groups like Unionrocks. Promotion of movie gave perfect talking

point for all I hoped to accomplish with Unionrocks.

Friday July 25th:

In normal Unionrocks style, unprepared and full of small details to take care of,

I arrived at Allen Gardens for the first large march of the weekend,

and in DIY fashion quickly assembled my banners, and a poster board promoting both the

movie and the Unionrocks Motto "When Your Brother Or Sister is Down You Pick Them Up!

Within 30 seconds of entering park I was surrounded by 6 police officers, illegally searched,

had personal property wrongfully taken from me, and had my personal notebook read through.

No stranger to political action, and without large numbers of other protestors around yet

to support me, I complied politely and professionally giving them my name, who I was,

and what Unionrocks was all about, and was rewarded for my wisdom by their immediate respect.

Soon the park was filling up, and I was quickly busy talking to activists and numerous press

about Unionrocks, why I was there, and Sounds Like A Revolution. As the march time drew near

the crowd had swelled, and included every group and banner one could imagine, sharing but

the common thread, that their will, the will of the people of this country is being silenced.

I have marched often with labour and other groups, but have seldom felt the solidarity, and

sense of rightful purpose that I did at this time in this crowd, it was mostly young,

it was multi racial, it was gay, it was straight, and it represented my Canada,

and I was greatly moved as we set out to raise OUR VOICE in OUR STREETS!

As we set out we were completely surrounded by police, on bikes lining entire route,

at every intersection back ups waited in formation nearby, and lurking ready were hundreds

of fully equipped riot officers.

It was at this time that the now infamous black block made it's first appearance, and I am at a loss

as to why police missed this opportunity to detain them en masse. As they moved in a Roman Phalanx

formation surrounded by sheets, the overwhelming police superiority on hand could have easily

surrounded and detained them. While angry, loud, and boisterous, the vast majority

of my fellow marchers would not have risen to defend that group which we know undermines

our legitimate grievances. Though there were some minor altercations due to frustration of both

activists and police on a very hot day, for four hours we marched loudly, forcefully

and peacefully and challenged the draconian security the G20 had imposed, and the hurtful, mindless

corporate agenda they are implementing that require such measures. I had hope that tomorrow, that a larger

demonstration could achieve the same as peaceably.

Saturday June 26th

I arrived at the Designated Protest Zone in a driving rain, filling up with trade unionists

it gave me strength to know that so many still will come to march, placing their hope in a movement

that now more than ever must lead the way. Having spent more than a decade in active and volunteer

service for this movement, I was eager and proud to take part in the march, knowing I through Unionrocks

carry their message and their goals to a market that must be reached. Among the largest labour

gatherings since the Mike Harris days, the march was loud it was proud and it was boisterous,

and as the proper legitimized protest it was designed to be it was a success.

A Flare being lit at Spadina And Queen signifies THE PROTEST HAS BEGUN!!!

THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!!!!!!!

At Spadina I , turned south to join the thousands of young

activists, the constituency I had been engaging for five years now,

who had chosen to defy the wrong minded efforts of the ISU to

silence any real dissent. And for well over an hour the crowd there grew, chants were chanted,

drums were banged, a couple of goofballs stripped, and an impromptu duck duck goose protest

broke out.

ILL TAKE OFF THE MASK WHEN YOU TAKE OFF THE RIOT GEAR!!!

THE GREAT THREAT ANGRY YOUNG PEOPLE!!!!!!

ANARCHIST RIOT GEAR!!!!!

With plans to meet Summer and one of our heroes a inspiration to UR, Justin Sane from Anti Flag we joined the

crowds swelling back up along Queen Street, I moved there continuing to promote

the movie, handing out postcards with screening dates on them, and ensuring all knew Unionrocks was there,

the labour movement was there, and it is the movement that will be fighting for all these things long after

this protest is over. On Queen a bit we again came to a police line, which somehow just collapsed in front of

no more than several hundred young protestors, and somehow on a weekend where not a single cop car

could be seen except blocks away behind several lines of riot police, two now stood abandoned, after a non

violent confrontation with a small crowd? As the vandalism began I moved on along Queen where peaceful citizens marched

through and milled about in front of Much Music as several young women sat cross legged in front of a dozen

riot police, peace signs in the air. Meeting up with Summer,Jane, and Justin at that very corner, as our city teetered on anarchy,

was a moment of great synchronicity, and hopes are that it will continue to create positive energy for change.

Justin Sane and UR crew.....THE ROCK BLOCK!!!!!

Behind me a large group had formed, and was now moving east and south on Bay. Past vandalism that had already occurred.

They had penetrated what should have been the most protected corridor in the downtown, and as we joined

the growing crowd at King and Bay not lost on me was that this was truly the bulls eye for any would be vandal.

With the four main bank head offices around us and the stock exchange up the street anyone bent on mindless

destruction had a wealth of highly valuable symbolic targets. But for well over 1.5 hrs, well over a thousand people

mostly young, some older,labour, activist, native, immigrant, chanted, sang, even listened to a good comedy routine from a

comic whose gig was cancelled because of the summit

THRONGS OF PEACEFUL PROTESTORS TAKE OVER BAY STREET!!

ANOTHER RADICAL WITH RADICAL IDEAS!!!!!

With our mission complete, for now sensing the impending heavy use of force,

and with plans to again meet Justin at the theater. We proceeded out

of the canyon at Bay and King, again just ahead of planned mayhem that induced an overwhelming police

response. Saddened and confused by what we saw, on Yonge street we returned north and headed to

Queens Park to return to our car. It was then we witnessed a showdown between several hundred young

protestors, on the edge of the so called guaranteed protest zone, being fired upon by bean bag guns, pepper spray,

rushed at by cops on horses, and on foot who would grab the easiest person and drag them back across lines.

I saw several young protestors injured, several attacked and torn out of the crowd at random, I joined a chorus of other

middle age people who shouted at police that we cant silence our children with thuggery.

I saw much on the streets that day some saddened me, some frightened me, but much of it gives me hope.,

for the protestors were mostly young and represent the best this country is producing,

they are smart they are dedicated, and they are brave enough to challenge the wrongs they see around them. They

care deeply about their fellow human being, despite the chaos around us all weekend I had been offered, food, water,

free legal care if needed, medical care, sun block, all from smart dedicated people committed to change.

THE FACE OF THE NEW PROTEST!!!! YOUNG, COMITTED, SMART!!

THEY SHALL OVERCOME!!!!!

I saw what had been a disciplined, and efficient, if over handed security apparatus that had maintained order all weekend

disintegrate and seem to allow the chaos on Saturday. I saw the fear in the average person eyes grow, unsure of what to think,

who to believe, who to trust.

It is only fate, and my dedication to the mission of Unionrocks that kept me and my most treasured activist from being

caught up in the worst of the mayhem. I condemn the violence as unproductive, but see the growth in it's use as a

scary response to a continued attack on the ability for legal protest to accomplish what is needed. It

has only strengthened my resolve to continue utilizing Unionrocks to point the direction to the peaceful

legitimate means of evoking social change. I will stand again in the streets in civil disobedience, I will never

accept the suspension of Canadian Civil Liberties, and I will march with all who struggle for positive change.

HERE"S WHY!!!!

I urge all to add their voices calling for a full inquiry into what transpired, I urge all to find as much

alternative coverage as they can. I urge all to get your FIST IN THE AIR...

for it is OUR COUNTRY! OUR STREETS! OUR WORLD!!!

Though I have only seen the trailer below at this time,

newly released documentary Sounds Like A Revolution

seems to promise 70 plus minutes of UNIONROCKS

style energy, with music and interviews by our heroes,

Anti Flag, Tom Morello, NOFX, and more. Director Summer

Love relates the goal of the film was to showcase, and celebrate,

not just the inspirational artists, but the positive political energy

being created by them and their fans over the last several years.

Sounds Like a Revolution - HD Trailer from Deltatime Productions on Vimeo.

Sounds Like a Revolution - HD Trailer from Deltatime Productions on Vimeo.

Knowing that music is the key to engaging youth at this time,

Unionrocks is wishing this film wide success, so

Find it on Facebook

and share with your friends!!!!!!!!!

THEATRICAL PREMIERE!
FRIDAY, JUNE 25th, 2010 (7:00pm)
(Introduction by Alan Cross + Q&A with filmmakers)

SATURDAY, JUNE 26th, 2010 (9:30pm)
(Q&A with filmmakers + special acoustic performance by Justin Sane)

SUNDAY, JUNE 27th, 2010 (4:30pm & 7:00pm)
(Q&A with filmmakers + special acoustic performance by Justin Sane)
yes for real!!!!!!!!
MONDAY, JUNE 28th, 2010 (9:30pm)

TUESDAY, JUNE 29th, 2010 (4:30pm & 7:00pm)

The Royal (608 College St. Toronto, ON) Map
Visit TheRoyal.to for ticket info.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of one very

kewl young lady, whose desire to honour a friend who

passed away from cancer and raise some money in her

name, Sauble Beach will play host to what will be one

of the summers most exceptional new music festivals.

With a killer lineup including Ill Scarlett, and what could

be Canada's next big rock act, Hail The Villain, free on the

sandy beach at Sauble, running in conjunction with a huge

competitive volleyball tournament, Unionrocks is stoked

to be bringing our crew to add our Fist in the Air fun to the

day. Do Not forget this is a fundraiser for the local

Canadian Cancer Society branch so be ready to dig into

your pockets, and help make this event a real success..

Spread the word mosh pit on the beach!!!!!!!!!!Unreal!!!!!

Check out Hail The Villain!!

Check out more on Rock The Beach click below!!!

We have rocked with Billy Talent, Tom Morello

Anti Flag and more, we have taken our call for

social justice and union power to the mosh pits

and Take Action Zone at Warped Tour, we have rocked

our Workplaces, now it's time to Rock Our World!!!!

From June 21 -27 the leaders of the worlds most powerful

nations will converge on Toronto, they will be joined

by the world press and thousands of protestors from

every group and corner of the globe. Unionrocks will

be loudly taking our message to the streets this week

and we want you to join us. If you get your fist in the air at

a concert, come get your fist in the air on the streets.

Join us today on Facebook!!!

 

Ok fellow mosh pit maniacs, R U READY! Not only are we planning to make

our fourth yes fourth appearance at Warped even Louder and more interesting than

already legendary earlier outings, we are working hard on plans to get the

FISTS IN THE AIR, all summer long. With a number

of kick ass concerts already announced, The G8/G20 summit, and unionrocks

looking to participate at several other shows, we need your help to ROCK

OUR WORLD!...so find us on facebook, and Get on the BUS!!!!!!!

AMONG THE FIRST ISSUES UNION

ROCKS

RAISED WAS DEMOCRATIC REFORM, (PIC)WARPED 07, KALE DEVERELL

BRINGS THE FAIRVOTECANADA MESSAGE TO WARPED AS

UNIONROCKS GUEST AND ALLY!! THE TIME IS NOW

BROTHERS AND SISTERS!!!JOIN UNIONROCKS AS WE

STAND UP FOR DEMOCRACY!!

OUR SYSTEM IS BROKEN, THIS LATEST OUTRAGE BY STEPHEN

HARPER AND THE CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT IS ONLY

A SYMPTON OF A MUCH LARGER PROBLEM WITH OUR

COUNTRY, WE BY OUR OWN APATHY HAVE SURRENDERED

OUR VOICE!! FOR DECADES WE HAVE WATCHED OUR RIGHTS

DECLINE, OUR WEALTH SOLD OFF, OUR ENVIRONMENT

DEGRADE, OUR WORKERS BE TURNED TO SLAVES, ALL BY

GOVERMENTS THAT HAVE NEVER HAD THE MAJORITY OF

VOTERS BEHIND THEM...DEMAND PROPRTIONAL REPRESENTATION

NOW!!! REAL DEMOCRACY NOW FAIRVOTE.CA

MORE BANDS TO BE

ANNOUNCED FRIDAY

JANUARY 15TH!!!!!

CHECK OUT WARPEDTOUR.COM FOR THE

NEW BANDS THAT WILL JOIN THE CASUALTIES

AT THIS YEARS WARPED..CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BELOW!!

With the core roster named, the usual griping and second

guessing of Kevin Lyman has begun, but with 15 years of

success to go on I think by now folks would accept that Warped is

gonna be different every year, but every year has been great in

it's own way. While the UR crew was in absolute heaven with last

years heavy old school lineup, were already prepping to make

this years edition of Punk Rock summer camp an absolute blast,

and are pumped for The Flatliners,and Sum 41 and for the chance

to check out some of the other newer bands out there.

NOTE: For real interest check out Rev Peytons Big Damn Band,

saw them warm up for Flogging Molly, and yes you can rock out to a

washboard...

Attention mosh pit maniacs, and

loyal supporters of Unionrocks...

the dates are set, July 9th Toronto,

July 10th, Montreal (oh yes we are!!).

Bands to be announced Friday

December 18th...

click to go to warpedtour .com and

join the Toronto or Montreal community!!

Unionrocks has

every intention of making our

fourth (yes fourth) appearance

at Warped in It's Take Action Zone,

our best and loudest yet!

Get involved now, Tell all your

friends It IS FIST IN THE AIR TIME!!!

JOIN UNIONROCKS

ARE YOU PISSED

ABOUT THE DRIVE TEST STRIKE

Who aint> With drivers across the province

unable to attain, or renew their licenses the 15

week old strike by members of USW 9511

no doubt has many people more than

just a little frustrated. Place your blame where

it truly belongs, with the foreign corporation

SERCO, who has a gaurunteed profit from

their 10 year deal with the province to

provide this service, and who after promising

better access, and service to Ontarioans, is now

gutting it's workers contracts, destroying good

full time jobs, all in the pursuit of even more

profit from the citizens of this province. Good

services we deserve, they should be provided

by our government and by well paid and treated

government employees. Help the Strikers..

Buy a draw ticket from a Unionrocks member,

or join us December 22 at noon at Springmount..

North on Hwy 6.. Join Us Send a message to

Serco and our government..

l

STREET SWEEPER SOCIAL CLUB

The revolution will have groove!!

For the past year Tom Morello, all out radical and real life

hero has been working with hip hop star Boots Riley touring

and recording under the name Street Sweeper Social Club.

From Rage to The NightWatchman Tom Morello has taken his

hard core social justice beliefs to music fans and inspired a

generation of rockin radicals, With Riley Morellos guitar prowess

and political fire fuels the briliant oral skills of Riley creating a

high powered, soul pounding call to arms that you can groove to.

Check Out SSSC on Myspace

As we head towards the Holidays, and Unionrocks begins gearing

up for a year of all out ACTION, our first thoughts must fall to

the brothers and sisters who right now march on several picket lines

in this province.

When we set out last time to rock the World at Billy Talent in 07,

our first action of any kind was to raffle off one of our tickets, and raise

some money and awareness for striking Steelworkers at Goodyear in

Owen Sound.

" I have never been so proud to be involved in anything" Megan King Unionrocks President

after helping strikers December, 06.

With brothers and sisters of Steel, CEP cleaners, ATU,

bus drivers, walking picket lines, it is our prime mission

to support them now. SO stating next week unionrocks

will once again be raffleing off a prime floor ticket, and bus

passage with us for the March 28th Unionrocks Invasion II.

Tickets will be 2$ each, 3 for 5 with a maximum of 250 to be sold!

All net proceeds will go to the USW local 9511( Drive Test) strike fund.

We will also be planning a visit to their lines in Owen Sound and

Walkerton, because we live that message that is screamed from the stages

by the bands we love!!

WHEN YOUR BROTHER

OR SISTER IS DOWN!!!

YOU PICK THEM UP!!!!!!!!!

THE UNIONROCKS GANG AHEAD OF THE CURVE!!!

PROTESTING OUTSIDE THE TD CENTER FERUARY 2007

Hard to believe it has been nearly three years since we

launched Unionrocks .ca with our now historic union youth

invasion at Billy Talent's last ACC appearance. I cannot think

of a better way to celebrate three years of unparalellelled

success at taking the messages of organized labour to young people

at now numerous shows and our yearly appearance at

Vans Warped Tour!!! than to once again go rock with one of

our favourite bands, and Turn It Up Loud on the streets in a day

of rockin youth union power. UR has several floor tickets left

and will be getting a bus so if you want to get your fist in the air

get ready....It's only just begun!!!!!!!!!!

The time has come, for ACTION! One need not look far to find

clear evidence that the very social contract that made Canada

the great country it was, has been broken. When with the help of

both liberal, and conservative governments, corporate elites, foreign,

and home grown, have attacked the average worker, plundered our

communities, and created an income gap that borders on insane.

The public services we are proud of are cash starved, and

private for profit solutions are being offered in everything

from Health Care, to education.

And while a few get increasingly wealthy more and more toil

for just enough or less than enough to get by, 70% of workers

face a sentence of poverty with no real pension to rely

on. At the same time corporataions with billion dollar

profits, are locking out and firing cleaners who wont accept

a massive pay cut, global mining giants decimating a community

because it's more profitable to mine elsewhere right now, and

a government that had 80 billion dollars for the wealthy banks,

is cutting jobs and programs, as vital as education, and health care.

Instead of seeing this economic crisis as clear evidence that things

must change, business and our pro business Povincial, and

federal government are using it as a rationale to undermine the unions

and all workers, and to push through and even more pro business

agenda. IT CAN! MUST! AND WILL

BE STOPPED!

As our message to the Warped Tribe said

Your help is urgently needed...2010 is the year!

CLICK HERE...JOIN THE MOSH

PIT UNION AS WE TURN IT UP LOUD!

ITS TIME TO

ROCK OUR WORKPLACE

AND ROCK OUR WORLD

WITH THE BEST LINE UP IN YEARS, THE WEATHER GODS

SMILING ON US, WELL ARMED THANKS TO THE GREY BRUCE

LABOUR COUNCIL, AND WITH AN ENERGY AMONGST THE CREW THAT HAD

BEEN BUILDING FOR MONTHS, WARPED 15 WAS AN OVERWHELMING

SUCCESS, NOT ONLY DID WE RUN OUT OF PETITIONS TO BE SIGNED,

AND BANDANNAS, BUT OUR FIST IN THE AIR LOGO AND

MOTTO WAS ON DISPLAY EVERYWHERE. THANKS TO MATT, ZAK AND

TOASTER, YOU WERE PRO ACTIVISTS ALL DAY, AND MOSH PIT MANIACS TOO!

THANKS TO TAYLOR JASON, SARA D, JILL CLAIRE AND ALL WHO HELPED OUT

AROUND THE TENT, THANKS TO ALL ON THE BUS, FOR HAVIN A BLAST.

TOO MUCH TO SAY ABOUT THIS YEARS WARPED, UR CREATED SOME GREAT

ENERGY IN THE NFP ZONE, AND IN THE PITS, THE WARPED TRIBE LOVED THE

BANDANNAS AND THEY COULD BE SEEN EVERYWHERE EXCEPT THE GROUND ALL DAY.

ANTI FLAGS SET ECHOED OUR THEME FOR THE YEAR SO WELL THEY EVEN TOOK

ONE OF OUR POSTERS IN RETURN FOR SIGNING TWO OTHERS.

UNIONROCKS HAD A GREAT VIEW OF THE MAIN STAGE, AND SAW,

DEVIL WEARS PRADA KICK THE DAY OFF (DISAPPOINTING MANY STILL

IN THE LONG LINEUP), UNDEROATH HAD THINGS KICKIN PRETTY GOOD,

BUT THE AFTERNOON ON THE VANS STAGE BELONGED TO ALEXIS ON FIRE

WHOSE PRESENCE NO DOUBT INCREASED ATTENDANCE AS THEY DREW THE BIGGEST CROWD

OF THE DAY. AS AWAYS THE BEST AND MOST INTENSE BUT UNIFIED PIT WAS FOR

ANTI FLAG WHO GOT THE FISTS IN THE AIR, AS WELL AS A CONSTANT

FLOW OF CROWD SURFERS OVER THE RAIL. BUT AS EXPECTED THE DAY BELONGED

TO THE THREE LONG TIME ACTS OF WARPED TOUR CLOSING OUT THE SHOW,

NOFX, BAD RELIGION,

AND FLOGGING MOLLY TOOK THE TOUR BACK TO ITS ROOTS, AND SENT THE

FAITHFUL HOME ONCE MORE FULL FOR THE MOMENT OF MUSIC MAYHEM AND

THE MAGIC THAT IS WARPED.

WARPED TOURS MOST WANTED!!!

THIS IS THE FACE OF WARPED!!!!!

THIS IS HOW WE TURN IT UP!!!

MATT TOO EXCITED ABOUT JEFFERY STARR AT WARPED!!

JEFFERY STARR

VJ TIM SPORTING A UR BANDANNA AND PUTTIN MOVE ON

LIL D..WATCH IT!!

ESCAPE THE FATE

A LOOK THAT KILLED, AND A CREW THAT ROCKED KEPT THE

UR BOOTH BUSY AND FUN ALL DAY!!!

FASHION BY UR

BAD RELIGION ROCKS ...PERIOD FAVE PART OF DAY

BELTIN OUT SORROW WITH MATT 200 YARDS BACK FROM

THE STAGE.

THE AWESOME VIEW FROM THE UNIONROCKS TENT

AND THIS IS HOW WE ROCK THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!

JOIN UNIONROCKS AT FACEBOOK CLICK HERE!!!

WELL IT'S HERE, STAY TUNED AND WE WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW THIS YEARS

DAY OF MUSIC AND MAYHEM WORKED OUT! AT THE END OF IT WE AT

UNIONROCKS HOPE ONLY THAT MORE PEOPLE HEAR OUR MESSAGE, AND MORE

PEOPLE REALIZE ITS TIME TO PUSH BACK. 20 YEARS OF GREED AND NEGLIGENCE

HAS WORKERS POORER OUR COMMUNITIES IN DECLINE AND OUR PLANET

SCREAMING FOR CHANGE. AND NO DOUBT WE WILL HAVE HAD AN ABSOLUTE

BLAST ALL DAY... PSST PICS WILL SHOW UP ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FIRST!!

WERE DOING EDGEFEST!!!!!!!

With labour in desperate need of energy, with workers especially

young workers being negatively impacted by our current economic crisis

with Billy Talent headlining , and 30-50 000 expected attendees,

Unionrocks is doing Edgefest!!!!!!

Edgefest is without a doubt the big show to hit this summer, and

YES YES YES UNIONROCKS IS GOING TO BE THERE AS

AN OFFICIAL PRESENCE IN THEIR VENDING AREA. We are

totally pumped, and are arming ourselves to take our pro labour banner,

a number of our campaigns, and our righteous call for real change to

the dusty mosh pits at Downsview Park June 20th...Join us and

GET YOUR FIST IN THE AIR!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!IT'S TIME!!!!!!!!!!!

ORGANIZE!!! EDUCATE,

....................AND.................

ENCOURAGE DEFIANCE!!!!

Trade Unionists, anti poverty activists, anarchists and socialists.

march together in London, Demanding a real and workable solution to

the current economic calamity facing our World. The lacklustre

G20 leaders plan pouring our money back into the pockets of

the crooks and theives who got us in this mess in the first place....

AUX RUE MES FILS ET MES FRERES!!

AWW THE DUSTY GOOD OLD DAYS IN BARRIE!!!

Though our hopes for a different venue have been dashed, and

the return to Arrow Hall is a huge disappointment, it is after all

Warped, With the over the top lineup, already creating a huge

buzz around our bus trips, Warped 15 will be an absolute insane day

of killer bands, an awesome party, and heavy with the progressive politics

Warped has become famous for. Though we at Unionrocks have always hoped

to giveaway UR branded bandannas, the pavement at Arrow Hall has us thinking

more along the line of bandaids...UR is busy getting ready for a

FIST IN THE AIR SUMMER, Our economies are in collapse, workers everywhere

are suffering, our governments are mortgaging the wealth of the youth and

future generations in hopes that more of the same greehead games will result

in a workable society, and there are just too many good concerts to hit this

summer from The Nightwatchman, w Janes Addiction and Nine Inch Nails,

Edgefest June 20, Warped July 10, Rise Against July 31st, and

if you want to hit what could be the fest of the year......

Winnipeg June 27, Rock THe Range Canada

Billy Talent with Rise Against, Rancid, Silverstein

Die Mannequin, Theory of A Deadman, Thornley and more...

See you in the Mosh PIt, and See you on the Streets!!!!!

Rock Your Workplace!!!!!!!!!!!! Rock Your World!!!!!!!!!

WITH BILLY TALENT SLATED FOR EDGEFEST IN LATE JUNE,

CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY THE KILLER LINEUP FOR WARPED,

AND THEN JUST WEEKS LATER RISE AGAINST HEADLINING A

STADIUM SHOW AT THE MOLSON AMPITHEATRE, SOUTHERN ONTARIO

IS PRIMED FOR A SUMMER OF MOSH PITS, AND MAYHEM, AS

THREE OF TODAYS MOST ENTERTAINING AND POLITICALLY

MEANINGFUL BANDS COME TO ROCK OUR AREA. WE AT UNIONROCKS ARE

STOKED FOR ALL THREE, AND WILL BE RUNNING A BUS TO BOTH EDGEFEST

AND WARPED, AND IF INTEREST IS THERE FOR THE RISE AGAINST SHOW TOO.

WITH SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE STRENGTHENING ORGANIZED LABOUR,

UNIONROCKS IS GOING TO INVADE THESE CONCERTS URGING ALL TO JOIN

THE MOSH PIT UNION, AND GET INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT TO ERADICATE POVERTY,

AND TO ENSURE DIGNITY AND DECENCY FOR ALL WORKERS...IT'S TIME...

ROCK YOUR WORKPLACE!!!!!

ROCK YOUR WORLD!!!!!!!

It is hard to believe that it has been two years since Unionrocks was

born, and it's energy unleashed, and all who have taken part

should share some sense of pride in what we did achieve.

Despite the limits on us we raised our voices and aided

to the success of the 10$ minimum wage campaign, the anti-poverty

fight, and raised the level of youth awareness of the positive

influence of organized labour on our society, and

WE ROCKED!!!!!!!!!

Given the current state of affairs, an economy and the entire capitalist system in

freefall, a lying sleazeball of a prime minister in power, and with workers especially

young workers poised to bear the biggest cost of this greed induced depression,

there is no doubt that the future for UNIONROCKS will be louder, more active, and

more militant times call for Radical solutions.

SO LETS TURN IT UP!!!!!!!!!!!

BAD RELIGION TO PLAY

WARPED 2009.....more Warped news and

Unionrocks plans for 2009 coming soon!!! Get ready to Rock...

ABOVE THE AFTERMATH OF A RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE,

AND ANTI FLAG CONCERT TO PROTEST THE REPUBLICAN

CONVENTION..ONCE AGAIN PEACEFUL PROTESTERS WERE SET

ON BY RIOT POLICE WHO UTILIZED ISOLATED INCIDENTS

TO SUBDUE PROTEST.....TO ALL WHO FIGHT FOR JUSTICE............

LETS ROCK!!!!!! ANTI FLAG SEPT 14

BROKEN PATH GETS THE FISTS IN THE AIR!!!!!

GOODNIGHT GOTHAM GETS THE MOSH PIT GOIN!!!!!

EBENSTREIT ..SMOKES TO OPEN THE NIGHT

CHECK HIM OUT HERE!!

SCUMBLE IMPRESSES EVERYONE!!!!!!!!

THANKS TO ALL FOR ROCKIN

LABOUR DAY WEEKEND!!!!!!!

MORE PICS AND STORY ON MUSIC PAGE!!

check out the review and more pics here

Fists in the air in the pit with The Briggs............

A couple of good sisters saying Solidarity Rocks in the

unionrocks tent...............................................

And a whole mess of mayhem thanks to Mother Nature......

Oh well could only be WARPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just a few pics from Warped 08, Oh what a day, Unionrocks rocked

The Take Action Zone, and we thank all those who came by the tent, joined the

MOSH PIT UNION, and helped keep the fist in the air spirit flowing. Thanks to

Sumner, Vans, Unitetheunited.org, and all the great bands. More pics and

detailed story to come, but first sleep, sleep, sleep!!!! RAIN? WHAT RAIN???

Get involved and help!!!!

click here

STOP THE SELLOUT OF CANADA !!

WARPED TORONTO VENUE

CHANGE: DOWNSVIEW OUT, IT'S ARROW HALL!

Though the move from the Downsview site that is large, grass, and easily accessible

by public transit, the new locale at Arrow Hall offers some potential benefits for

this years attendees. Hard core members of the Mosh Pit Union will no doubt be

disappointed for the lack of dust flying on the out door concrete surface, and caution

must surely prevail. With multiple buildings available even the smaller stages will be able

to give fans and musicians alike a better experience with fewer distractions. The buildings

will also be a good source of relief from either heat or rain either or both a high probability,

and the availability of food, water, and BEER should and could be more available than at

the old Barrie shows. Unionrocks has been guaranteed that the folks at Warped are working

hard to make sure this change rocks for everyone, and that the Take Action Zone will still be

prominent and accessible outside, so get ready cause unionrocks is coming with some awesome

plans and some awesome giveaways..see you all at Arrow Hall......

(6900 Airport Rd Mississauga Ontario)

BUS TICKETS ON SALE NOW!!!!!!

brad@unionrocks.ca or any UR activist

While last months release of the employment and wage data from the 2006 census

certainly would not shock anyone who finds themselves working for a living, it should be

seen as nothing short of a call to arms for all who believe in real social Justice, and dignity

for workers. The numbers released show that most workers in this country have lost ground

over the last 20 years, with the lowest end of the pay grid seeing the most dramatic decline, and

the once strong middle class shrinking and facing an erosion of their ability to make ends meet and

foster the hope of a better future in their children. Fully 1 of every 4 jobs in Canada now pays less

than $10 an hour, below our governments LICO standard which is a measure of economic well being

for a family of three, child poverty rates have not declined and remain near 20%, 80% of children

living in poverty have parents who work. These facts alone demand immediate and decisive action,

but this reality is made worse by the fact that we have seen 20 years of the greatest growth in GDP

in history, and while the overwhelming majority of workers are poorer and opportunities for them

and their families have been greatly diminished, the top 5% of wage earners have seen substantial growth

in their wealth and incomes, and the top 1/1000 % have seen their wealth accumulate exponentially.

This inequity, not seen in this country since the 1920's, is not just a cyclical problem easily corrected,

but it has been a planned and executed overthrow of Canada"s social order, that has restored the wealthy elites

to a position of such economic power that it undermines our democracy and threatens the very fabric of our

great nation. All should be concerned about the realities exposed by these figures, if a job is not a ticket out of poverty,

is the door shut on hope. In a nation where we are all just scrambling to get by while a few live better than

ever, can we build the sense of community needed to address the large problems like the environment, and the

sustainable, prosperous future we all want for our children.

THIS IS NO TIME FOR A DAY OF ACTION!!!!

ITS TIME FOR A DECLARATION OF WAR!!!

Toronto Tickets ON Sale NOW!!!

OK folks it's official, the site for this years Warped extravaganza,

(including the return of Unionrocks to the Take Action Zone....

see more) will be Downsview Park, and tix are already on sale.

No doubt the inner city and mass transit accessible venue is sure

to increase the crowds, the line up is exciting most people I talk to,

with many happy Pennywise fans anxious for their return. Unionrocks

is getting prepared for our little part in making Warped a great event,

and want to help you get there, so if you and your bros and sister's want

to get on a bus, get your fist in the air with Unionrocks contact us here.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES BARRIE..SEE EVERYONE

AS WE ROCK TORONTO!!!!!!!

It seems that there is never any end to the labour strife on our provinces

campus's of higher learning. The good brothers and sisters who provide

cafeteria services at Seneca college's Markham Campus walked off the

job and went on strike March 10th after 8 months of fruitless bargaining,

that had a multi billion dollar company offering a meager 1.5 percent

increase in pay to the hard working people who feed the staff and students

at this institution. The Unite Here workers want parity with their

brothers and sisters at other Aramark campus facilities, and the respect

and dignity all workers deserve.