Check out T.V. Smith’s classic ballad about our docile generation here:
I’ve loved it since I saw him a few weeks ago with Jay Reatard.
All posts by Chris DeCarlo
My Top 200 Favorite Artists
After 100 it’s basically random order, but the first 100 is pretty much spot on.
1) The Beatles
2) Black Lips
3) Ramones
4) Rage Against the Machine
5) Pink Floyd
6) Pixies
7) Nirvana
8) Tool
9) Sonic Youth
10) Johnny Cash
Continue reading My Top 200 Favorite Artists
Recommended Reading
Incendiary Material:
1)The Catcher in the Rye By: J.D. Salinger
2)Our Band Could Be Your Life BY: Michael Azzerad
3)A People’s History of the United States By: Howard Zinn
4)Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas By: Hunter S. Thompson
5)Bill Hicks: Agent of Evolution By: Kevin Booth With Michale Bertin
See/Saw
Goes back and forth again. You don’t like what you see. You must not care for me.
Some Common Misconceptions of Anarchism (For Emma)
1) VIOLENT BOMB THROWING FREAKS!– We live in a violent society period. From schoolyard bullying all the way up to big fucking bombs being dropped on a schoolyard of Iraqi kids. So, are anarchists violent? Some of them are, some of them aren’t, but look around you, there are far more violent institutions such as the Police, the Military, and the entire United States Government. But, do we label said institutions as “violent?” Of course not, whenever they use force it’s to “protect” you and me. We grant such vultures(not all participants of the former organizations fall under this label) at the political top the means and tactics to abuse the rest of us from the middle to the bottom. You see, anarchists question and seek to abolish this authoritarian system and that logic is seen as violent by those at the top. The real question, as veteran anarchist, Alexander Berkman once posed: Is Anarchism violence? and the simple answer is, HELLLLLLL NO! In short, anarchism in itself is just a political theory that advocates overthrowing violent systems and replacing them with more suitable institutions, and since the violent criminals that run society disagree with this logic it is violence. Out of all the political philosophies/theories it has caused the least amount of violence, but that’s a whole other story.
2) NO SOCIAL ORDER!– It never ceases to amaze me how ignorant people are of this very vital and quite appealing political philosophy. Even some History/Government/ Political Science teachers cannot formulate a proper definition of what anarchism really means. Often they just say it means: no government, no laws, no order! Technically, they would not be completely incorrect, but to offer that simple response as a serious definition of anarchism is ludicrous, silly, and especially misleading. When anarchists profess that they would like to see NO GOVERNMENT they mean NO CENTRALIZED STATE POWER. We, anarchists, seek a society without state power. Like all political theories there are numerous variations and different beliefs/ideals. Some anarchists, such as Noam Chomsky, promote big government, for the people of course! Chomsky, particularly refutes the idea that a possible, envisioned, anarchist society would be chaotic or lawless and goes on to say that he believes society should be “highly organized.”
3) ALL ANARCHISTS HATE AMERICA!– Those sick, brainwashed fucks bad mouthing America! some Neanderthals might holler. Well, it is true that many Anarchists hate America, but not ALL. In fact, we have seen several highly patriotic Anarchists, such as Abbie Hoffman, Edward S. Abbey, Howard Zinn, and yours truly! I love America. I hate Amerikkka. There’s a big difference.
4) ALL ANARCHISTS ARE AGAINST RELIGION– Ok, many and perhaps most are. Emma Goldman, a prominent anarchist and personal favorite (well, one of them) often preached that religion was one of the three biggest evils dominating society (the other two being government and property). On the other hand, Christian Anarchism exists and two of the greatest anarchists to ever live are Phillip and Daniel Berrigan, both ordained priests and 100% BAMFs.
5) ANARCHISM FEEDS ON DESTRUCTION OF SOCIETY– This is only partially true. If you’re speaking of Anarcho-Primitivism, then this would be spot on, but most other forms or anarchism preach building society today for a better tomorrow. Emma Goldman noted that this is what made Anarchism distinctive from Socialism/Marxism/Communism, that the latter was based on DESTRUCTION of society and that the former was based on CONSTRUCTION. Then some anarchists, such Jello Biafra and myself claim that we should “destroy society.” This basically is the equivalent of Emma’s points. Simply, out with the old, in with the new. In other words, destruction as a form of creation: abolishing the old traditions that have failed us or are no longer relevant and instituting new ideas to take them over to create a better, peaceful, and more harmonious world for everyone.
Chris DeCarlo – ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!
CD Review: What’s For Dinner?
Band: King Khan & BBQ Show
Album: What’s For Dinner?
Year: 2006
Label: In The Red
Credits: King Khan- Vocals, guitar. Mark “BBQ” Sultan- Vocals, guitar, drums. Mastered by David Cheppa. Recorded at Moon Studios, Berlin in 2006 (which I believe is King’s studio, where the Black Lips’ 2005 record, Let It Bloom was recorded, at least half of it!)
1) Treat Me Like A Dog- 8.5
2) I’ll Never Belong- 9.8: Excellent example of the group’s Doo Wop
3) Zombies- 9.5: Excellent example of the duo’s Punk Rock
4) Dock It #8- 9.2: A rocker to drive around and pick up chicks to!
5) Why Don’t You Lie?- 10- Top Ten Greatest Doo Wop songs/ Highly romantic, not depressing as some listener commented.
6) Captain Captain- 7.5
7) Too Much In Love- 10: BEST KING KHAN SONG! AND ONE OF THE GREATEST LOVE SONGS EVER!!!
8) Learn My Language- 7.8
9) Blow My Top- 7.5
10) Into the Snow- 9.8: Yet another amazing lovin’ Doo Wop number!!!
11) Operation- 8.5
12) The Ballad Of… – 8.0
13) What’s For Dinner?- 9.0: Makes you hungry…..
14) Suck It and Smell- 8.7
Final Grade – A: Despite the fact that mathematically it only comes out to an 88 (B+). Clearly some of the songs are better than the others, but all of them are at least good. This is the way I see it mathematically: Insane Punk Rock + Soulful Doo Wop = Kickass Rock N Roll! Brings you right back to the 60s!!!
Chris DeCarlo
My Favorite Albums
After the first twenty-five, the list is basically in no particular order. Remember they’re not the “Greatest,” they’re my favorites.
1) Pink Floyd- Darkside of the Moon (1973)
2) Rage Against the Machine- Rage Against the Machine (1992)
3) Black Lips- Los Valientes Del Mundo Nuevo (2007)
4) Velvet Underground- Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)
5) Beatles- Revolver (1966)
6) Animal Collective- Strawberry Jam (2007)
7) Pixies- Doolittle (1989)
8) Bright Eyes- I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning (2005)
9) Radiohead- OK Computer (1997)
10)Tool- AEnima (1996)
11) Ramones- Rocket to Russia (1977)
12) Replacements- Let It Be (1984)
13) Minutemen- Double Nickels On the Dime (1984)
14) Sonic Youth- Goo (1990)
15) Nirvana- In Utero (1993)
16) Clash- London Calling (1980)
17) Sex Pistols- Nevermind the Bollocks Here’s the Sex Pistols (1977)
18) Elliott Smith- Either/Or (1997)
19) King Khan & BBQ Show- What’s For Dinner? (2006)
20) Jay Reatard- Matador Singles ’08 (2008)
21) King Khan & The Shrines- The Supreme Genius of King Khan &The Shrines (2008)
22) No Age- Nouns (2008)
23) Frank Zappa- We’re Only In It For the Money (1968)
24) Beach Boys- Pet Sounds (1966)
25) Nick Cave- Tender Prey (1988)
26) Leonard Cohen- Best of Leonard Cohen (1974)
27) Meat Puppets- Up On the Sun (1985)
28) Bad Brains- Rock For Light (1983)
29) N.W.A.- Straight Outta Compton (1988)
30) Wu-Tang Clan- Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993)
31) Page France- Hello, Dear Wind (2005)
32) Arcade Fire- Neon Bible (2007)
33) Johnny Cash- At Folsom Prison (1968)
34) The Who- Tommy (1969)
35) Doors- Doors (1967)
36) Against Me!- Reinventing Axl Rose (2002)
37) Misfits- Walk Among Us (1982)
38) Anti-Flag- Die For the Government (1996)
39) Ween- Chocolate and Cheese (1994)
40) Weezer- The Blue Album (1994)
41) Jesus and Mary Chain- Psychocandy (1985)
42) Vaselines- Way of the Vaselines (1992)
43) Fugazi- Steady Diet of Nothing (1991)
44) Minor Threat- Minor Threat Complete Discography (1989)
45) Lou Reed- Transformer (1972)
46) David Bowie- The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars (1972)
47) Simon & Garfunkel- Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966)
48) The Stooges- The Stooges (1969)
49) New York Dolls- New York Dolls (1973)
50) Black Sabbath- Paranoid (1971)
51) X- Los Angeles (1980)
52) Nightwatchman- One Man Revolution (2007)
53) Pogues- Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash (1985)
54) Arctic Monkeys- Whatever People Say I Am That’s What I’m Not (2006)
55) GlassJaw- Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence (2000)
56) System of A Down- Mezmorize/ Hypnotize (2005)
57) Head Automatica- Decadence (2004)
58) Deftones- White Pony (2000)
59) Jane’s Addiction- Nothing’s Shocking (1988)
60) Alice in Chains- Dirt (1992)
61) Faith No More- Angel Dust (1995)
62) Incubus- S.C.I.E.N.C.E. (1997)
63) Editors- The Back Room (2005)
64) Primus- Sailing the Seas of Cheese (1991)
65) KRS-One/ Boogie Down Productions- Criminal Minded (1987)
66) Pharcyde- Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde (1992)
67) Cypress Hill- Greatest Hits From the Bong (2004)
68) Kinks- Well Respected Kinks (1974)
69) Rolling Stones- Forty Licks (2002)
70) Germs- GI (1979)
71) Metalica- Master of Puppets (1986)
72) Mudhoney- My Brother the Cow (1995)
73) Smashing Pumpkins- Siamese Dream (1993)
74) Buzzcocks- Singles Going Steady (1979)
75) Mabuses- Mabused (2007)
76) Husker Du- New Day Rising (1985)
77) Big Black- Songs About Fucking (1987)
78) Sly and the Family Stone- Stand! (1969)
79) Dinosaur Jr- You’re Living All Over Me (1987)
80) Pavement- Slanted and Enchanted (1992)
81) Smiths- Meat Is Murder (1985)
82) Daniel Johnston- Continued Story (1985)
83) Bob Marley- Legend (1984)
84) Roy Orbison- 16 Biggest Hits (1999)
85) George Jones- Pure (2007)
86) Hank Williams- Best of Hank Williams (1998)
87) Jimi Hendrix- Are You Experienced? (1967)
88) Bob Dylan- Blonde on Blonde (1966)
89) Alice Cooper- Billion Dollar Babies (1973)
90) Dead Kennedys- Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death (1987)
91) Black Flag- My War (1984)
92) Descendents- Liveage (1987)
93) Led Zeppelin- Houses of the Holy (1973)
94) Elvis Costello- This Year’s Model (1979)
95) Bjork- Post (1995)
96) MC5- Kick Out the Jams (1969)
97) Queen- Greatest Hits (1987)
98) Galaxie 500- This Is Our Music (1990)
99) Deerhunter- Rainwater Cassette Tapes EP (2009)
100) Captain Beefheart- Trout Mask Replica (1969)
101) Tom Waits- Rain Dogs (1985)
Honorable Mention: Rocky Horror Picture Show Soundtrack (1975) amongst too many others.
Chris DeCarlo
Songs of the Week!
Richard O’ Brien- Science Fiction Double Feature (from Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) )
King Khan & BBQ Show- Waddlin’ Around (2004)
Tom Waits- Hang Down Your Head (1985)
Sonic Youth- Madonna, Sean, and Me a.k.a. Expressway to Your Skull (1986)
Two Gallants- Las Cruces Jail (2005)
Chris DeCarlo
Film Review: Bruno!
It is clear that Bruno is queer and here- to stay. What is there to say? The word I hear the most that describes how audiences have reacted to the film is…. speechless. When the film ended, it was quiet in the theater and there was this general feeling of WTF?! DANGER: If you are easily grossed out or offended then Sacha Baron Cohen’s new flick, Bruno, is not for you!!! I can’t stress that enough. I will save you and your loved ones the time, money, and embarrassment if that happens to be the case. Especially DO NOT see the film with your parents, unless they are really hip, open minded, and not easily shocked or offended. And even if said possible viewers (such as Borat fans; the film makes Borat look like Disney On Ice) meet all those requirements, chances are they will not enjoy the film since everyone I know that has seen it, either disdains it or thought it was “just ok, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone, unless they like sick movies,” except for me. Here’s why…
Well, firstly I love over-the-top-, shocking, satirical mockumentaries. I love over-the-top-/absurd humor period. Being a massive fan of classic exercises in bad taste such as Pink Flamingos and Hated, I found the film quite amusing and even for me a little shocking (but not offensive). Whether it was trying to seduce Ron Paul into a Sex video, trading an African, excuse me African American (you’ll have to see the film to get that!) baby for a fancy, U2 Product Red ipod, engaging in various, highly sadomasochistic bondage with significant others, or learning how to defend one’s self from an oncoming homosexual racing at you with two dildos, Bruno had me cracking up or trying to look away from start to finish- nearly.
Grade: B
Chris DeCarlo
50 Ways to Fight Censorship!
This is from David Marsh’s incendiary work, 50 Ways to Fight Censorshoip. It’s a bit out of date, but nonetheless important to those who love and want to preserve one of our greatest rights: free speech. This is merely an outline of Marsh’s book courtesy of semantikon.com:
1. SPEAK OUT!
2. Register and Vote!
3. Send Your Senators and Congressperson Letters or Mailgrams.
4. Teach Your Children How to Know When Censorship Appears in the Classroom, or Elsewhere.
5. Oppose De Facto Censorship of the News Media by the Wealthy and Powerful.
6. Get Involved With Your Library.
7. Make Art That Fights Censorship.
8. Speak Out About Freedom of Speech at Schools, Churches, and to Youth Groups in Your Town.
9. Write a Letter to Your Local Paper in Defense of Free Speech.
10. Call Your Radio Station Talk Show.
11. Support Those Retailers Who Fight Against Censorship.
12. Read Banned Books. Read Everything About Censorship and First Amendment Issues.
13. Gather Information and News Clippings on Censorship and Send it to a Central Clearinghouse.
14. Buy Banned Records.
15. Write and Perform Songs About Free Speech and the Perils of Censorship.
16. Write Movie Moguls and Tell Them to Eliminate the MPAA Ratings Code.
17. Watch “The Simpsons” and Other Controversial TV Programs.
18. Contact Your Local Cable Outlet to Find Out if It’s Being Pressured to Censor Its Programming.
19. Join the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
20. Join the Freedom to Read Foundation.
21. Stop the Attack on the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
22. Join Article 19.
23. Support the American Booksellers Association Foundation for Free Expression.
24. Get to Know the Censorship Groups. Study Their Literature, and Expose Them to Public Scrutiny.
25. Investigate the Tax-Exempt Status of Pro-Censorship Lobbying Groups.
26. Find Out Your State’s Requirements for Purchasing Textbooks.
27. Run for Public Office On a Platform Supporting Freedom of Expression.
28. Write to Your Favorite Artists; Find Out What They’re Doing to Help Preserve Freedom of
Expression.
29. Make an Anti-Censorship Home Video Showing the Various Benefits of Free Speech in Your
Community
30. Write About Your Positive Experiences with Art.
31. Become a Voter Registrar. Organize a Voter Registration Drive.
32. Form a Group That Establishes a First Amendment Litmus Test for Politicians.
33. Start an Anti-Censorship Petition Campaign.
34. Boycott Products Made and Marketed by Companies That Fund the Censors.
35. Start a Grassroots Anti-Censorship Organization.
36. Start an Anti-Censorship Newsletter.
37. Contact Local Arts and Educational Organizations; Persuade Them to Stage a Free Speech
Events.
38. Set a Good Example by Starting a Parents Group to Combat Censorship.
39. Contact Local TV Stations and Propose a “Censored Films Festival.
40. Use Community Access Cable or Community Radio to Raise Awareness of Free Speech Issues.
41. Stage a Mock Trial on Censorship.
42. Sue the Bastards!
43. Create a Public Service Announcement to Be Aired Over the Radio.
44. Make Sure Local Schools Have a Course on Freedom of Speech.
45. Contact Others Concerned About Censorship–Use the Classifieds!
46. Talk to Teachers About What They’re Doing to Ens ure Free Speech.
47. Picket the Censors.
48. Have a Moment of Silence to Keep Speech Free.
49. Have a Speak Out Day.
50. Make the Real Obscenities the Real Issues.
Chris DeCarlo
Kids Like You & Me (KLYAM) 