Sacramento rockers American High have unleashed a potent new single and accompanying video, Cheye Calvo. If you are unfamiliar with Cheye’s story, allow American High to explain. The song shares the horrifying story of something that has happened to many more families in the U.S., not just Calvo’s.

In July 2008, a man named Cheye Calvo returned to his suburban home in Maryland after walking one of his dogs. Inside, he found a scene of absolute horror: over a dozen armed and violent intruders had broken into his house. His mother was bound, lying face down on the kitchen floor in tears. Then, Mr. Calvo heard the terrifying screams of his wife; she, too, had been bound and forced face down on the floor. The Calvo family watched in horror as their two beloved dogs were shot and killed; one was shot in the back as he ran away. The intruders spent the next four hours systematically destroying the home. They destroyed furniture, broke cabinets, and tracked the blood of his pets throughout the entire house. When the ordeal was over the assailants simply left. They didn’t even have the common decency to apologize.

The violent intruders were not street gang members. They were not foreign military invaders. They were not ‘illegal aliens’. The intruders were police officers.

‘No knock’ search warrants are immoral, the militarization of our local police forces is frightening and unnecessary and drug prohibition laws lead to violence, death, police corruption and, worst of all, they do not work.”

Imagine coming home to that scene?! Treated like the worst of criminals knowing you are innocent. If you have no clue what it’s like to be seen as a criminal in the eyes of the police, this would be the rudest of wake up calls into that realm of human existence.

American High, in true punk rock fashion, tackle the controversial subject of the drug war head on with this discussion and unveiling of the questionable tactics used by law enforcement to enforce drug laws…which are constantly changing.

I actually have a close friend who was enjoying an evening on the couch spending time with friends when the police raided his apartment unexpectedly. Turns out the cops knocked down the door of the wrong apartment…oops. In other words, these events happen A LOT MORE than people realize. Salute to American High for bringing attention to this topic.

Find my previous American High here.

Watch the video for Cheye Calvo below or subscribe on YouTube. The song is also on Spotify.

Connect with American High on their official website, FB or Soundcloud.