American High's 'Cheye Calvo' is punk rock with a political message

American High is comprised of D. T. (rhythm guitar), E. S. (lead guitar), F. M. (bass), and T. M. (drums).  Hailing from Sacramento, California, the rock quartet is a punk and 60’s-inspired indie/alternative rock band.

Their latest single, “Cheye Calvo,” carries the torch of the punk attitude, as the track pulsates with a raw and lively energy that has staying power through the momentum of its powerful political message.

The MV starts out in a documentary-ish style about the history of prohibition, starting with the Prohibition in the United States during the 20’s-30’s that lead to extreme violence and gang wars.  The music video continues on to feature a police drug raid and news coverage of the uncalled for violence that ensued in the Maryland police raid.

The music is overall spirited and energized as it talks about the innocent victims of the violence that comes with drug law enforcement.  In and out zips black and white footage of the Prohibition as the MV makes an important political statement:  you’re either okay with what happened to Calvo and his family or you are against the enforcement of drug prohibition.

The single is executed with raw power, while making a bold statement.  The edgy buildup from the music video melds together scenes from the Prohibition in the United States of the '20s-'30s, drawing direct comparisons from the previous era’s nationwide ban on the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages during this dry period and what eventually resulted to today’s DEA’s efforts to cease production, supply, and possession of recreational drugs.

The parallels are eerie, magnifying what prohibition can do to its citizens while under its law as seen in Calvo’s case, the ramifications are off-the-wall and can affect innocent people.

American High’s single “Cheye Calvo” teaches us that we can’t be bystanders during such important times.  It’s time to pick up the mic and voice your stance.

In July 2008, Calvo walked into his Maryland home back from walking one of his dogs to a horrific scene.  Over a dozen intruders had invaded his home and bound and gagged his mother and wife.  They had shot and killed two of his beloved dogs.  They went on to destroy the contents of his house, bashing furniture, breaking cabinets, and trailing the blood of his pets throughout the house.

Calvo’s house had been the site of a police drug raid.  The violence that Calvo’s household went through was issued under a ‘no knock’ search warrant that authorizes police officers to enter a property without prior notification, such as by knocking or ringing the doorbell.

In the words of American High:

“’No knock’ search warrants are immoral, the militarization of our local police forces is frightening and unnecessary and drug prohibition laws lead to violence, death, police corruption, and worst of all, they do not work.”

If what happened to Calvo and his family doesn’t convince you, in the last 24 hours, 100 times per day, police have served ‘no knock’ warrants on people’s homes.  And they don’t always get the right homes.  You’re either for or against drug prohibition.