Would you look at the calendar, it’s almost time to wake up the guy from Green Day!

But before that, we’ve got one more Pride gig to play and some announcements to make.

And before THAT: Dearest Readers, lovely gals, gays, and theys: We love you. You were here at the beginning with us, and we won’t ever forget. Sharing All The Feelings with you is what keeps us going.

A few weeks ago, we booked what felt like a dream gig. 
An opening slot for a pretty damn huge band coming through Leipzig. A huge leap forward for us in terms of both audience and venue.

We had put a lot (and we mean A LOT!) of work into securing this gig.

We were thrilled.

And then old social media posts of the “doing a racism” variety surfaced… authored by the act we were supposed to open for.

As soon as we saw them, it was clear what we had to do, as painful as it would be: Email the promoter and say “we can’t be part of this bill…and this is why.”

It was not Ed Sheeran,
And also: Riley has been shouting FREE PALESTINE
since before that particular shitstorm broke.

It was scary as fuck.

This industry is not designed to encourage artists to say no to things.

Artists — especially small independent ones like us — know that there are FAR more acts than there are opportunities…and a line of people clamouring to take your place.

So the pressure is ALWAYS there to be easy, to be frictionless, to make yourself smaller to fit into someone else’s mold.

That is…not who we are. Not as individuals, and not as a band.

So we said no. Because it was the right thing to do. Because no opportunity is worth losing what you stand for.
In the end, the gig was cancelled. The venue emailed us back and said that they, too, had seen the posts and decided to uninvite the act.

An act that is continuing to tour, defending their behavior, and probably not gonna experience all that much in terms of consequences.

Looked at from one angle, that isn’t a very satisfying ending to this story.

But from another, it absolutely is…because it was the culmination of a lot of other people also standing up and saying no.

No, I won’t come to that show. No, hate isn’t welcome here. No, I can’t support that.

This kind of active refusal is what solidarity looks like.
And at the very least, a prestigious venue in Leipzig had us on their bill… And knows what we stand for. And there will be a next time.

The second part of this newsletter meditation on solidarity is a story of saying yes.

We’ve applied for every single CSD in a radius of half a day’s drive from Leipzig — and played some very, very cool gigs this summer.

We were thrilled to be invited to play once more, on the last weekend that Prides are held this year, at CSD Stendal.
For those who don’t know, Stendal is a small town in northern Saxony Anhalt, and about as “in the middle of rural nowhere” as you can get, both in Germany in general, and in this state in particular.

A state where the fascist AfD won the elections a few weeks ago.

A state (and city) where over 40% of voters said with their ballots that they regard people like us — or many of our fans — as less than human.

Tl;dr: fuck that, and the Nazi horse it rode in on.
(Photo: Julia Freier)

In the words of the event organizer: “Right now, it’s crucial that we stand together and send clear anti-fascist and queer messages to Saxony-Anhalt. That’s why we’d be thrilled if you joined us at the CSD Stendal!”

Playing Queerpride Dresden was insanely fun.

Playing CSD Stendal was beyond necessary.

Because solidarity means your fight is my fight. No one stands alone, and nobody is free until all of us are free.
This is where magic happens… And sometimes, magic takes unexpected shapes.

A close family relation of one of Germany’s most famous singers came up to our merch stand, told us about being ostracised from their family for being gay, and how much they appreciated us and our set.

Speaking of merch: Bunny McBunface is back in stock!
(Photo: Gasher of Greenskull)

Pride flags were signed. We shared feelings, signed Pride flags, took up space.

This is why we play — and who we play for.

And this is what showing up means.

We’ve got more gigs coming up! Next (announced) concert is October 16 at Mühlkeller, together with our lovely friends from Layyers. It will be our first indoor show since February… And we’ve got some great things to show off.

Pizzalab has been our… Well, laboratory to craft new styles and songs. Prides and other festivals have been where we share them. Now it’s time to bring them home.

So come now and join us in this rebellion
If you have had enough of this shit!

• When? October 16, 2026
• What time? Doors 8pm, start 9pm
• Where? Mühlkeller Leipzig

Goodbyes are hard. Being in a band, even an elastic band polycule like the Flying Earrings, is like… Well, it feels like a relationship that’s more intimate than most. And, like (m)any relationship, it only gets harder the longer you were together.

Markus has been with us since before our very first gig at Bandhaus. He came in saying “I know you were looking for FLINTA musicians, and I would not want to take up space that’s not meant for me, but if you are in need, I’d love to play with you”.

And so he did — but alas, in this capitalist hellscape of a timeline, sometimes not all the wishing makes a difference.
And brains and bodies will demand time and care, and, if you don’t heed them in time, they will take what they need.

Markus, we will miss you.

Our FOA titles this one aptly: “A grab bag of most excellent songs about revolution and resistance.”

Enjoy!

★ “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” – Tracy Chapman
★ “Freedom (feat Kendrick Lamar)” – Beyoncé
★ “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” – Gil Scott-Heron
★ “Black Boys On Mopeds” – Sinéad O’Connor
★ “Cause = Time” – Broken Social Scene
★ “Complainer” – Cold War Kids
★ “No One Is Lost” – Stars
★ “Fight The Power” – Public Enemy
★ “Rolling” – Michael Kiwanuka
★ “I’ve Been Dazed” – Michael Kiwanuka
★ “What’s Up” – Four Non-Blondes
★ “Warpaint” – Flying Earrings

Disclaimer: We share this playlist via our accounts on Tidal, Deezer, and YouTube Music. While we’re keeping our music on Spotify for now, we do not actively promote it.

Please feel free to create copies this playlist to other streaming services.

Pictured: Passing the revolutionary spirit on to the next generation.

• 500g Pasta-Grade Flour (00 or Semolina)
• 2-3 Eggs
• Shredded spinach or tomato paste for color, if desired.

Clean (and we mean CLEAN!) a large kitchen cupboard.

Build a revolutionary volcano of flour (so make a mountain, then use a spoon to make the crater).

In a separate bowl, whisk 2 (large) or 3 (medium) eggs and spinach or tomato paste for color if desired.

Fill revolutionary volcano not quite to the brim.

Use a fork to gently and slowly work flour into the egg mixture.

Once all liquid has been absorbed, you should be left with a firm, smooth dough and probably a decent bit of leftover flour.

Cover dough in a damp kitchen towel and let rest for 30-60 minutes.

Roll pasta into flat sheets, folding back onto itself until it’s smooth and thin.

Slice into desired shapes and let dry for a few minutes.

Boil in water that’s as salty as man-tears for 5-10 minutes, depending on thickness.

Serve with butter or sauce of your choice.