Educational topics have long been a mainstay of punk and hardcore i. They spend a lot more time than that at their job, preparing lessons, meeting with parents, and so on. I think of my friend Mike, who teaches in a rough area of Chicago and how he takes great pride when his students succeed and move on to rewarding careers or higher education. On the other hand, one inevitable fact of life is the return of the college students. Still, some of the students can be a flat-out pain the ass.
Their late vocalist and sole mainstay Mark E. Smith was a crank and a contrarian. He was abusive and tyrannical. He was also damned near a genius. Mark E. In his autobiography Renegade , Smith showed some affection for them. Probably just about everyone. It was a classic frat boys vs. I mentioned the negative effect on DIY house and basement shows in Boston. There are still a few doing shows and there were some long-running spaces including the Boiler Room, which was in a truck lot but, these days, some spaces only last for a few shows.
You know, instead of fighting real crime. They also try to sniff out activity on social media sites. Except for some narc. What about high school? Some bands have written about the emphasis on sports in school, often at the expense of more pressing academic needs. I just read an article about a multi-million dollar stadium being built for high school football players in Texas where else? But you also hear stories about teachers having to buy supplies out of their own pockets or using old, out-of-date textbooks.
It crashes and then the real crush begins. In any case, this is high energy stuff. So is one that ends with someone cursing out a sample of Willy Wonka. Feel It, www. Jabbing compositions that also sneak in the occasional hook. And the album keeps picking up steam throughout. Not far removed from what their former band were doingβmixing driving punk with quirky elements. Dirt Cult, dirtcultrecords. They absolutely burned when I saw them earlier this year. Static Shock, staticshockrecords. One rager after another, with blowtorch guitar, rumbling bass and scampering drums.
In the meantime, prepare to be obliterated. Fair, Warning, fairwarningrecords. Well-playedβthe bass playing, in particular, is stellar throughout.
