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Jefferson23

(30,099 posts)
Mon Mar 10, 2014, 10:55 AM Mar 2014

Life as an 'illegal' rock star in Iran's Islamic state

10 March 2014 Last updated at 00:23 GMT

"Iran doesn't have a rock history. We need to build a rock history for Iran," says Rasoo, 22, front man for The Muckers, one of Tehran's leading rock bands.

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Western-influenced music like rock'n'roll has resided in underground studios, out of earshot of the authorities enforcing the state's religious and moral rules.

Rasoo - whose moniker means The Skunk - and his band mates want to convince their peers that being in a rock band can be perfectly in sync with modern Iranian culture.

Drawing inspiration from bands like The Strokes and Tame Impala, The Muckers formed in 2011 and were joined by Rasoo in 2012.

The group is scheduled to play their first performance abroad at the SXWS Festival in Austin, Texas, on 14 March.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26473949

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