John Butler Trio Stand Against Oppression & Violence In New Standalone Track 'Bully'

Venerated Aussie outfit the John Butler Trio have taken time out from their present work on next year's impending studio full-length to release new standalone song Bully.

Recorded last year at producerJan Skubiszewski's Red Moon Studios, the song's unveiling comes at a particularly timely moment, given the heightened social, economic and political tensions being experienced not only here in Australia but around the globe.

Along with Butler's band members Byron Luiters (bass) and Grant Gerathy (drums), Bully features the considerable vocal talents of Kira Puru on back-ups, and is available from today, 25 August, via iTunes, Spotify and Soundcloud through his own label, Jarrah Records.

The respected musician and activist has penned an explanatory statement to go along with the track, to contextualise its roots and its place in the current global climate.

"In the wake of the recent deplorable and gut wrenching event in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA, and Australia's impending bullshit plebiscite on gay marriage, it's hard to write this without a heavy heart," he wrote. "Nevertheless, I want to explain where this song comes from.

"It's about governments, corporations and organisations who think they have the right to use violence and their powers of state against their own community."

"Over the years of campaigning to protect pristine and sacred parts of our globe, I’ve witnessed two archetypes over and over again: the Bully, and the Power of community. It’s always been the injustice inflicted by the Bully that's incited me to stand up, and the strength of community that's kept my faith in humanity.

"Bully is about the abuse of power. It's about governments, corporations and organisations who think they have the right to use violence and their powers of state against their own community; telling us how we should live, who we're allowed to marry, whose lives matter and whose do not, how much racism is tolerable, what industries and private enterprises should be allowed on our land and how contaminated our water is allowed to be.

"It's about a bully mindset that is so greedy for more control, power and dominance that it’s willing to use violence against innocent citizens and in the process, killing the planet and life upon it, just to feed its veracious appetite.

"This song is about good people all over the world, who believe in a fair, just and sustainable future, who are willing to stand together to protect what is most precious to them."

You can listen to the track below; Butler is also on tour this November with Midnight Oil, and will headline Adelaide's Summersalt event, with Missy Higgins, the same month. See theGuide for details.