NOV 12, 2013 – JTMP has been a strong supporter of the Iranian "Green Movement" and the underground Iranian activist music scene as they push for freedom and democracy in Iran. One band that JTMP video blogged about back in 2010 in our "Iran Freedom Now" campaign called the Yellow Dogs has resulted in a horrible tragedy. Ali Akbar Mohammed Rafie, a musician who was fired from the band the Free Keys and an associate of the members of the Yellow Dogs, in what can only be described as a fit of insanity and rage, shot dead Arash and Soroush Farazmand, 2 members for the Yellow Dogs. This is a major blow and shock to the underground Iranian music scene, and of course to their families.
The Yellow Dogs got their start in Tehran, but their music was not approved by the Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance and so therefore was illegal. The band fled to Turkey, and then made it to New York. They were a huge part of the "Green Movement" and the New York music scene, and will surely be missed. One can pay their respects on the Yellow Dog's Facebook page here. Read more on the tragedy on NBCNewYork.com.