Never meet your heroes? Or does every good band require a terrible member.

The Background:

Magrudergrind shouldn't need too much of an introduction as they are one of the most popular and highly acclaimed modern day grindcore bands. Their fairly short catalogue manages to stretch out almost over a decade. And within such catalogue, their two studio albums are regarded as some of the best modern grindcore material of all time to many fans of the genre. After the 2016 album, "II" released, the band has gone almost complete silent about any updates regarding future Magrudergrind projects. Their last post is dated at 2021, with many fans asking for more material. Vocalist Avi Kulawy moved on from the band to form Gravesend. This lasted up until 2023. Since then, fans just pieced together the fact that Magrudergrind has unofficialy disbanded. Most of the members have gone back to regular day jobs. However, the sole reason this story caught my eye and led me to research, is the fact that grindcore vocalist, Avi Kulawy, went on to work as a digital marketer for the Israeli Defense Force!?

My Research:

Now I also shouldn't have to explain why a grindcore vocalist working for the IDF is batshit insane. Especially considering the crimes against humanity they have committed for the past couple decades. Also with the fact that its a vocalist in a band as well known and regarded in the punk scene as Magrudergrind. A genre that is so rooted in punk values like anti-facism, anarchism, and liberation for the oppressed. It makes you wonder what Avi has been singing about for the past decade. I discovered this fact first in a Reddit post (classic) with people discussing what happened to the band. Many users explained his role as a digital marketer for the IDF. The direct source they all state is the singers LinkedIn page. Which the one I found only lists Avi as a part-owner and marketing manager at Bikestock. I couldn't find any information on what Bikestock even is. There is not too much explicit evidence that states this truth so I want to tread lightly with the claim. Though many users across Reddit and Rate Your Music have been disparaging Avi for the past couple years. I didn't want to just hop on a band-wagon without truly confirming whether or not it is the truth. So I kept searching and found some interviews and other background information that helps in discovering the reality of the situation.

Back in 2016, around the release of their studio album "II," Avi did an interview with Vandala Magazine. It gives away some important information regarding their political views and lyrical content. Avi is asked about the new album and if they are still raging against the same ideas. With capitalism and the meat industry half-jokingly being mentioned as the ideas. Avi explains, "Well, first of all, I don’t know that we explicitly ever raged against those specific items you just mentioned. Some songs are explicitly political, but sometimes the lyrics might be misinterpreted, or might be actually contrary to what you might think a grindcore band would lean in the political spectrum." ..Interesting? He then states that the more "explicitly political" subjects are topics like the prison-industrial complex and LGBT rights in the United States. Which definitely are good topics to sing about, but leaves you curious on what subjects are contrary to typical grindcore ideals. The question is closed out with, "But, that being said, we're not an explicitly political band." Well that's not a good sign.

Another odd fact is that the band was sponsored by the Toyota Motor Corporation owned record label, Scion Audio/Visual. In the 2000s, Toyota sought to promote their new automotive marque, Scion. They did this by sponsoring various music projects from artists of all genres. There was a surprising amount of metal on the label for such a mainstream company. Bands like Melvins, Immolation, Meshuggah, Saint Vitus, and lo and behold, Magrudergrind took part in this sponsorship. The recording and release for their 2010 ep, "Crusher" was financed by the company. Now there may not be any direct unethical consequences. But is odd to see a grindcore band being sponsored by a multi-billion dollar car company's record label.

As expected, the band was hit with tons of backlash because of this decision to work with Scion. An article by the Washington City Paper written some time after the release gives away more information regarding the ethics of the band in retrospect to the sponsorship. There are many past statements Avi has made regarding how they should be viewed in the scene in the article. Avi states, “A lot of times, you get lumped in as like a straightedge, vegan, completely socio-political, left-of-center band. But, in reality, each of us do have our own political beliefs,” and, “We don’t have any lyrics or imagery that’s really saying that we’re anti-anything.” They seemed to appreciate the exposure they got more than anything. This just hammers in the fact they never carried the typical political subjects you would expect in any other grindcore band. And it's not something that they try to hide either.

Looking Into Lyrics:

A more obvious direct-source some may not have taken into consideration is looking into the lyrics. Written by Avi Kulawy himself, it can't get much more 1st person than that. The lyrics for the band seem to be a double edged sword. Like earlier stated, songs like "Regressive Agenda" are written about homophobia and restricted rights built by "robed theologists." Some others have more general ideas against widespread dictation and control, like on "Divine Dictation." However, other songs are on the complete opposite of the spectrum. "Lyrical Ammunition for Scene Warfare" uses hard hitting statements like, "Not bound to the scenes beliefs. Punk is full of fascist views. I choose to fight these fucked up rules. I refuse to live by what's expected." Now these may not be inherently bad alone, but paired with all the background information given, it carries a very different meaning. Another track from their selftitled, "Abuse of Philanthropic Self-Gain," continues the themes of extremist views and using moral superiority as an outlet for self-centricism within the punk scene. Again, these are valid issues to write about, but it leaves a sour taste when Avi makes statements like, "..I’m not gonna outright state anything specifically where Barney and I might might diverge in political affiliation or belief." It's just bad practice to make a punk-style band without carrying the same anti-establishment morals and beliefs that a punk band should. And that's not a method to conform people into the same ideals or to act politically correct. It's just kind of a 101 fact in punk.

The Outcome and Takeaways:

To sum it up, I think it's true. Given my extensive research of interviews, articles, and lyrics, I think it's easy to piece things together after hearing all the accusations. Grindcore vocalist, Avi Kulawy, works for the IDF. So what? What do we do? Now this article may seem pointless to some. This is not exactly world altering news. But I think there are quite a few takeaways that can come from this. The first is the most obvious, which everyone should already oblige to: Don't consider yourself a fan of punk and especially don't start a band if you have opposing beliefs to anti-establishment and other common punk ethics. Another that I think is extremely important more so now than ever is to look into the artists you constantly support and listen to. It's so easy to disregard or just never hear about any terrible actions they have done in the past. It's unfortunate how often the next up and coming band gets exposed for blatantly horrendous acts. Especially in underground hardcore scenes. Or it could even be events from a very much established artist that happened years ago. Research the people who you support. And especially don't continue to support them if they end up being shitty people. One last thing that everyone should take into consideration is to do your own research. Don't just hop on bandwagons and attack people for what may not even be true. I wouldn't even support "attacking" them in the first place. But always double check as the news and public is always prone to spreading the wrong ideas and false information. Many things get overshadowed and hidden over time. So it's important for us fans to make sure all past actions get the recognition they deserve. The good and especially the bad.

Sources:

Washington City Paper

Vandala Magazine

Metal Insider

Members of Magrudergrind: Casey Moore, R.J. Ober, Avi Kulawy

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