Refused and Anti-Flag are two excellent examples. In terms of bands with important messages, Gojira is a right up there. You could pick any of their songs really, but Amazonia from their latest release is a good place to start. “The greatest miracle is burning to the ground.”
Gojira are unreal
Would the Refused reunion, playing things like the ‘Ray Ban’ stage at major festivals, be deemed something of a sell out? The Shape of Punk To Come is a great album.
Forgot about Gojira. Hard to know with RATM. Once a band like that starts making a few quid, it goes against what they are preaching. They always argued being on a major label helped them get the message out. I don’t agree with that necessarily. Sure it allowed them to tour, and they became millionaires in the process. I think the drummer even has his own smoothie company now.
I have no idea what money they put back into good causes and charities etc, and just because they have a ball of money doesn’t mean they are no longer allowed to be socially conscious or “stick it to the man”.
The reunion produced two excellent end products (new albums), rather than simply scalping fans with over-priced gigs. Even The Clash sold out to a certain extent, mate. Mark Perry maintained that “punk died the day The Clash signed to CBS”.
They sell. People buy. Their anti-capitalist stance is bullshit, though.
As for getting the “message” out, sure. Paying a couple of hundred quid to attend a corporate arena, sipping Budweiser and buying overpriced merch made in China, while listening to pretend communists that are actually wealthy capitalists in their mid- to late-50s, shouting “fuck you I won’t do what you tell me”. What exactly is that message again?
Totally. They don’t need to tour at all. Do a gig and record it professionally , stick it online, and everyone gets to see it and hear the message, for free!
The minute they signed with a major label, yeah, the anti capitalist message is gone.
Punk bands get the same grief. Get famous and popular and you’re no longer “punk”. Depends on the message I suppose…
I have some RATM CDs back on the auld sod. I’ll have to get rid of them when I get back. A Stalinist purge if you will…
No argument there.
There are very few that haven’t.
Fugazi turned down every major label in the early 90s. They still became millionaires (MacKaye anyway) but kept the same ethos (all ages shows, etc.). I know of many shows they played in Ireland where they handed back some money to DIY promoters.
Now you’re talking. The original incarnation of The Dead Kennedys as well. Jello Biafra is the reason today’s artist have the freedom to write what they want.
On the morning of the first eviction
They carried out the wishes of the landlord and his son
Furniture’s out on the sidewalk next to the family
That little piggie went to market so they’re kicking out everyone
RATM cancel European tour.
Love that tune and album. Only time I saw them was when they played Limerick on that tour. 20 years ago!
“50-something year old pretend anarcho-communist hypocrit injures leg while sticking it to the man”. I really hope nobody had shelled out money for flights and tickets just to see them.
Minor Threat - Guilty of Being White
I was thinking of going a while back to see them but didn’t bother in the end. Just can’t justify the ticket price and it was a festival of other bands I had no real interest in seeing.
I will go on my fugazi binge tomorrow .
You should check out The Evens as well.
Tool - The Pot
Saw them play a community centre in Dublin around the time of first album. Great show.
Would have been a good auld gig. Love it. Guitar. Drums. Vocals, fuck all else. The online live videos as well are all basic as feck. You’d see cover bands with notions in roaster pubs hauling more gear than them.
