Why Did Dharma Guns Pick THIS David Bowie Song?
Almost 30 years after David Bowie released I’m Afraid of Americans, Dharma Guns have decided to give the song a new life.
And if you think this was just another cover song picked out of a hat, you were wrong. The Finnish rockers say its message feels more relevant than ever, and there’s an interesting story behind why they chose it.
Released on October 30, the track features Finnish musician Rami Helin and comes with an official music video. According to vocalist Pete, the band originally recorded several 1990s alternative rock covers just for fun, experimenting with stripped-down arrangements. I’m Afraid of Americans eventually made the cut, with Helin joining the project after years of being compared to Bowie.
The choice also makes sense considering the song’s subject matter. Originally released in 1997, Bowie’s track explored American cultural influence, fear and paranoia, themes that Dharma Guns clearly believe haven’t lost their relevance.
The song also comes with a visual interpretation that takes its inspiration from contemporary American society. As Pete explains: “We’ve shot music videos for all our singles, and I’m Afraid of Americans depicts present-day America in all its gory glory. It’s like watching a horror movie.”
The single serves as the first taste of Dharma Guns’ upcoming five-track EP, Subculture War, due out on November 20. The remaining four tracks are original compositions that continue in the musical direction of their latest album, Nightmares and Broken Dreams, released in April 2026.
This is also the band’s first release since signing with Australian label Golden Robot Records in August, marking another step forward for the Helsinki-based rockers.
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