Radicalism & music

Radicalism and Music offers a convincing argument for music's tranformational impact on the radicalization, reinforcement, and motivational techniques of violent political activists. Based on interviews, email correspondence, concerts, and videos, the book shows how music is exploited to its fullest potential as a tool for recruiting and retaining members of al-Qa'ida, the Hammerskin Nation, Christian identity, Kids in Ministry International, Earth First!, and Vegan Straightedge. It makes a careful examination of music's roles in radical cultures, roles that have serious impacts, as evidenced by the actions of the Frankfurt Airport shooter Arid Uka, Sikh Temple murderer Wade Page, white supremacist Matthew Hale, and animal-rights jactivist Walter Bond, among others. Such cases bring up difficult questions about how those involved in radical groups can be stirred to feel or act under the influence of music. -- from back cover.