ANA KEFR – Extreme Metal Band: Banned In Tupelo, Mississippi Due To Discrimination
Los Angeles, California-based extreme Progressive Metal band ANA KEFR (Arabic, meaning “I am Infidel”) have been forced to replace their Tupelo, Mississippi date on their upcoming Zephyr US National Tour due to discrimination. ANA KEFR, whose music is complimented by lyrical themes of militant atheism and humanist philosophy, have been deemed unwelcome by venues local to Tupelo, one of the band’s handful of scheduled dates in the Bible Belt.
Commented ANA KEFR frontman Rhiis D. Lopez: “We’re seriously disappointed that we’ve been forced to re-schedule our October 11 date in Tupelo, and apologize to fans who were planning to attend. This was to be a benefit show, organized by a local non-profit organization to raise relief funds for victims of natural disasters in Mississippi. There were 3 other bands scheduled to support us on the show and now all 4 bands have found themselves shut out from the opportunity. Apparently, to the owner of Good Time Charlie’s and numerous others who flooded the promoter with hate and intolerance on our account, aiding victims of natural disasters is trumped by whether or not one believes in their merciful and benevolent religion. Their vicious stupidity only further strengthens and reinforces the truth of ANA KEFR, and it is a shame that faith must come before charity and philanthropy.”
The October 11th date has been replaced with a scheduled performance at Churchill’s in Miami, Florida on the same date. The official Zephyr US Tour 2011 schedule, in support of ANA KEFR‘s recently released second full-length album The Burial Tree (II), is as follows:
October 5 – Phoenix, AZ – Chaser’s
October 6 – Austin, TX – Headhunter’s
October 7 – Jackson, MS – Sam’s Lounge
October 8 – New Orleans, LA – Checkpoint Charlie
October 9 – Metairie, LA – Babylon
October 11 – Miami, FL – Churchill’s
October 12 – Panama City, FL – C-Level
October 13 – Birmingham, AL – The Nick
October 14 – Atlanta, GA – The Little Tree
October 15 – Columbia, SC – Outt Saloon
October 16 – Charlotte, NC – The Bonu5 Room
October 19 – Pittsburgh, PA – Pounder’s
October 21 – Ithaca, NY – The Haunt
October 22 – Ithaca, NY – WVBR radio show
October 23 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
October 25 – St. Joseph, MO – Rock n Metal Room
October 26 – Wichita, KS – Kirby’s Beer Room
October 27 – Salt Lake City, UT – 5 Monkeys
October 28 – Seattle, WA – The Backstage Bar
October 29 – Portland, OR – Black Forest
October 30 – Seattle, WA – The Fun-house
November 1 – Portland, OR – Saratoga
November 2 – Fresno, CA – Babylon
November 4 – San Diego, CA – Kensington Club
November 5 – Los Angeles, CA – Whisky A Go-Go
Of the tour, Lopez had the following remarks: “We are looking forward to our first U.S. national tour, and can’t wait to meet and make new fans and friends. To our fans in Tupelo – one way or another, we can and will overcome this. See you all on the road!”
(Source: Sundisc PR)
* For more info on ANA KEFR, click on the link below:
* Stone Says: ANA KEFR is always welcomed here at Metal Odyssey.
FELLOW METALHEADS UNITE AND RALLY AROUND ANA KEFR.
LONG LIVE ANA KEFR.
LONG LIVE INDEPENDENT THOUGHT.
METAL MUST STAY UNITED.
Stone.
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
September 18, 2011 at 1:32 pm
It’s a real shame such intolerance still exists. Maybe that’s what they’re afraid of, metal as well as other music can unify nations and the idea of a billion metalheads coming togother would be frightening to those who have to power.
September 18, 2011 at 10:00 pm
That’s right 80smetalman… here are some words of Metal faith for us Metalheads to live by:
“IN UNION WE STAND” – OVERKILL
“WE ARE DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH” – JUDAS PRIEST
“METAL RULES THE LAND” – JUDAS PRIEST
“STAND UP AND SHOUT” – RONNIE JAMES DIO
September 19, 2011 at 7:28 am
Also add:
Take on the World- Judas Priest
Wake Up the Sleeping Giant- Twisted Sister
Fighting the World- Man O’War
SMF- Twisted Sister
September 19, 2011 at 7:30 am
And how dare I forget “United Forces” by the Stormtroopers of Death and “Join the Army” by Suicidal Tendencies
September 19, 2011 at 9:36 am
HELL YEAH! \m/