Henry Rollins, Hank III, Nashville Pussy and now Johnny Depp among the many stars who support The West Memphis Three

View video Part II

You may remember the story… Robin Hood Hills area of West Memphis, Arkansas, May 1993. Three innocent and well-liked eight-year-old boys were found dead, Steve Branch, Christopher Byers, and Michael Moore, the victims of very gruesome and tragic murders. The accussed killers were three male teenagers dubbed The West Memphis Three.

West Memphis Three

In their zeal to get their man and satisfy the community’s demand for justice the investigating police used many questionable tactics to obtain the corroborative evidence and confessions they needed to make the arrests. Crime scene and forensic evidence was mishandled. The accussed teens were tried and convicted of the murders. Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley were sentenced to life in prison, and Damien Echols currently resides on death row. To this day, the three young men continue to proclaim their innocence and are persevering in their attempts to have new trials granted.

The case has received considerable attention. Supporters of the West Memphis Three believe the arrests and convictions were a miscarriage of justice. Two HBO documentaries, “Paradise Lost: The Child Murders At Robin Hood Hills” (1996) and “Paradise Lost 2: Revelations” (2000), chronicle the alleged injustices of their arrest and trial. Support websites have been created and are updated frequently. Books have been written and LPs have been published. Many stars and musicians have come forward in support of the WM3 through interviews, money, and efforts raising money for the TWM3 legal fund.

Johnny Depp added his name to the long list of celebrities and activists calling for authorities to re-examine the convictions of the West Memphis Three. Depp joins such supporters as Eddie Vedder, Metallica, Henry Rollins, Hank III, Nashville Pussy, Winona Ryder and the Dixie Chicks (to name a few). Many supporters feel the WM3 were convicted because they were devotees of heavy-metal music, Stephen King novels and the occult.

Depp’s pre-taped interview will appear on CBS’s “48 Hours Mystery” this Sunday, February 28th, to call for reopening the case. The episode will discuss new DNA evidence and alleged juror misconduct that could potentially clear the WM3.

“I firmly believe Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley are totally innocent,” Depp said, according to a New York Post report. “It was a need for swift justice to placate the community. Damien Echols is on death row to be killed by lethal injection.”

Hank III lent his support with the song “No Values” on “Rise Above”, a 2002 project spearheaded by Henry Rollins featuring guest vocalists singing tunes originally recorded by Rollins previous hardcore band, Black Flag.

In 2000, “Free the West Memphis 3″, another compilation featuring various artists was released. Both benefit the WM3 legal fund.
Support
http://www.wm3.org
http://freewestmemphis3.org

About The Case
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/famous/memphis/index_1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Memphis_3

Johnny Depp lends a hand
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1457291/20020903/rollins_henry.jhtml
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1632465/20100223/story.jhtml

Rise Above CD Cover

Purchase Music
Click to purchase Rise Above: 24 Black Flag Songs to Benefit the West Memphis Three
Song List

Earning Your Spikes

I’ve been known to say to someone that they have earned or need to “earn your spikes.”  I have also been presented with the question of what that means. For me, earning your spikes is equal to earning my respect. I use it in conjuction with friends I have met over the last few years, most of them Hank III fans.

How does someone earn my respect? By staying true to themselves, having integrity, being flexible with ideas and open to change, someone who is passionate about the music they love and willing to put time, effort, creativity and sometimes money towards supporting Hank III and the Reinstate Movement.  Don’t get me wrong, we’re all broke so don’t think I am passing the collection plate – I’m not.  But it does take money to see shows, or travel to follow the band. There is also the money spent on album and merch sales, babysitters so you can get to the show, and that copy of Lovesick, Broke and Driftin that you just bought for your buddy’s bday gift…. it adds up.

But you do not have to have a lot of money to participate (it helps to have a little).  You need only have a voice (some printed petititions help too).  If you have a special talent, passion or skill, figure out how you can apply that to supporting the band, outlaw country music and the Reinstate Hank movement.  Be creative, go to support events, find a way to get that petition in at the next event you attend… people are interested.

How do I support the band? I travel all over the USA to catch shows. I buy my tickets (usually at least two) and I have been known to give a free ticket or two away at sold out shows just because I could… I support the band thru buying merchandise, running this site and making web sites for band members. Hanks Angels make Reinstate Posters and flyers for free download to pass around and get the word out. Various other artwork is being created for this site and future projects relating to Church of Hank….  and all of it was done not by me alone, but by a group of my dedicated hellbilly friends, and many more dedicated friends I have made thru the Hank III “family” network.  Thank you to everyone. I look forward to many years to come with you all!  You’ve earned your spikes!!!!!!!