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The punk rock band Rotten Boys claims to have been the target of a police investigation following a complaint involving one of his biggest hits, the song “Santa Claus, Old Bat”released in 1985. According to the group, the complaint came from a man identified as a “member of the extreme right”, who accused the song of inciting violence.
The case became public after the band published a video on social media, recorded during a show at Sesc Belenzinho, in São Paulo. Before starting the song, the vocalist Mao reported to the public that the drummer of the current lineup, Negralhahe had to give a statement to a police chief via videoconference.
“Black Eye had to explain to the police chief that Santa Claus doesn’t exist. The worst part is that it’s serious,” said Mao on stage.
According to the vocalist, the delegate became emotional during the conversation, crying when she heard the musician’s explanations about the satirical content of the lyrics — written during the transition from the military regime to redemocratization.
Complaint points to “encouragement of violence”
The complaint states that the song’s chorus, which talks about “killing” the capitalist Santa Claus, would encourage violence against “a legendary figure who represents a Christian world culture”. The central section is:
“Santa Claus, old baton / Rejects the poor / I want to kill him / That capitalist pig / Gives gifts to the rich / Spits on the poor”.
According to Garotos Podres, the complainant’s objective was to prevent the group from performing and, therefore, the members were summoned to provide clarifications.
Band talks about censorship and compares situation to the dictatorship period
The group claims that the situation constitutes censorship and that, ironically, not even at the time of the Military Dictatorship — when the song was released — was the content subject to formal interrogations.
“Not even the Censorship Department at the time did this to us,” stated the band.
On social media, the group also reported that Negralha, the only member who was not born when the song was composed, began to have nightmares after the interrogation, dreaming that he was accused of kidnapping Santa Claus.
Repercussion and support from entities
The situation had a strong impact on social media, generating expressions of solidarity. The directory of Workers’ Party (PT) of São Bernardo do Campo released a public statement classifying the episode as “another sign of the persistence of authoritarian practices in Brazil, disguised as moral, religious and political persecution”.
The band also repudiates what it calls an attempt to restrict artistic freedom:
“We repudiate any attempt to silence art, culture and freedom of expression — fundamental principles of a democratic society.”
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