The Last Internationale

An activist rock outfit blending the narrative drive and working-class themes of traditional folk and blues with punk’s insurgent energy, the Last Internationale came together in New York City when vocalist Delila Paz joined forces with guitarist Edgey Pires. The pair made no effort to conceal their convictions, addressing Native American rights, economic justice, and the spread of apathy across America in their lyrics; their first album, the self-titled The Last Internationale, appeared in 2009 on the independent Manifesta Records imprint and featured the pointed statements “Free Troy Davis,” “Ballad of a Yuppie Liberal,” and “Winter Soldier,” along with updated renditions of “Workers of the World Unite” and “Where Have All the Flowers Gone.” Committed to tangible results rather than mere advocacy, Paz and Pires performed regularly at benefits and demonstrations. The duo followed with their second Manifesta release, Choose Your Killer, in 2011, which helped expand their following. Two digital EPs surfaced in 2013 via the band’s Bandcamp site: New York, I Do Mind Dying, a set of blues and folk covers, and a separate collection of early demos. That year also brought a major-label agreement with Epic Records and preliminary work on a third album, with Brendan O’Brien slated to produce and Tom Morello—former Rage Against the Machine guitarist and admirer of the group—serving as executive producer. When Paz and Pires told Morello they needed a drummer, he reached out to his ex-Rage Against the Machine colleague Brad Wilk, who joined as a permanent member after being impressed by the music. The singles “Killing Fields” and “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Indian Blood” preceded the August 2014 arrival of the Epic debut We Will Reign.