Category Archives: Art

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Subversive Book Club: Black Panthers Speak

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Title: Black Panthers Speak
Author(s): Phillip S. Foner. Includes writings by all your favorite Panthers: Bobby Seale, Huey P. Newton, Eldridge Cleaver, Fred Hampton, Angela Davis, and Stokely Carmichael, amongst others.
Year: 1995
Pages: 328
Good Guys: Black Panthers and some of their vanilla comrades who fought beside them in the black struggle
Bad Guys: Oppressive, White AmeriKKKA: Police, businesses, the entire U.S. Government (particularly the most rotten pigs, the FBI), and average, apathetic, ignorant citizens
My Rating: A-

Why Subversive?:
I suppose it is “strange” for a white, suburban kid to walk around, clutching a book of militant black politics demonizing the wahhitte man and all his evils. But, then again I am a “strange” guy. So, why did I read this gem of incendiary material? Well, two main reasons: 1) I’m chiefly a propagandist, if anything. Without a doubt the Panthers are accountable for some truly outstanding propaganda. They are completely biased, unabashedly, may I add and write for their side/interests. The point of their works is not to offer you a fair look at how our society works or how certain events went down. Ohh no, they share their perspective of what it is like to be a free-thinking black revolutinary in an extremely racist and violent country that does not value them as human beings. If one were to read “objective” newspapers of the day they would not have the same reaction. The media was never fair to the Panthers, because they served and still serve the government. So, the Panthers fought the mainstream propaganda with their own propaganda and successfully did so. Crucial events such as the Chicago Conspiracy trial, Huey P. Newton’s manslaughter charge, the brutal murder of Fred Hampton and Mark Clark at the hands of Chicago Police with connection to the FBI are discussed extensively. 2) This book has helped me better understand how fucked up our nation was and still is and how ignorant, we white Americans are. Of course, by reading this or anything else, it does not immediately make me an expert on race relations and I certainly can not say I understand what it was or still is like to be a minority in the US of A. But, it does offer me an awareness of the American Nightmare for blacks, minorities, revolutionaries, and especially black revolutionaries (longer sentences than white revolutionaries). If the Weathermen were black they would all have been imprisoned. For those that doubt the sinister nature of our government, please look through the lens of the black experience in America. If you are privileged and white, then you will not be able to relate to it, but you will have a better understanding of how our vicious, racist system works.
I’m not saying I agree with all the Panthers’ tactics, but this subversive book at least demonstrates how positive and successful the Panthers were in their individual communities. They were a national organization and in each of their many chapters, they had schools, free breakfast for children programs, free medical clinics, and drug rehabilitation for poverty-stricken blacks. Unfortunately, history textbooks and other media outlets place too much emphasis on the violent conflicts and militancy of the Party and not as much focus on their positive, survival programs. Don’t get me wrong, the militancy was an important factor, after all their name was the “Black Panther Party for Self-Defense” and these were clearly violent times with extreme Police Brutality. In the following video, Co-founder, Bobby Seale details the Party’s Ten Point Program/Platform:

If you like this subversive book and/or want to learn more about the Black Panthers, the Black Struggle, or racist white scumfucks, then I recommend the following:

Soul On Ice By: Eldridge Cleaver
Seize the Time By: Bobby Seale
The Autobiography of Malcolm X As Told To Alex Healy
Malcolm X Speaks
Live From Death Row By: Mumia Abu-Jamal

Seen above are Co-Founders, Bobby Seale, Chairman (left) and Huey P. Newton, Minister of Defense (right). Very badass.

Chris

Art, Entertainment, Lists, Music

Tops of the Decade Part II

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This time I am covering my favorite albums of the 00s, but I am including all of my favorites from the artist. Yay!

Against Me!- The Acousic EP (2001), Reinventing Axl Rose (2002), As the Eternal Cowboy (2003)

The Almighty Defeneders- The Almighty Defenders (2009)

Animal Collective- Here Comes the Indian (2003), Feels (2005), Strawberry Jam (2007), Merriweather Post Pavillion (2009)

Arcade Fire- Neon Bible (2007)

Arctic Monkeys- Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (2006)

At the Drive-In- This Station Is Non-Operational (2005)

Black Lips- Black Lips (2003), We Did Not Know the Forest Spirits Made the Flowers Grow (2004), Let It Bloom (2005), Los Valientes Del Mondo Nuevo (2007), Good, Bad, Not Evil (2007), 200 Million Thousand (2009)

Bright Eyes- I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning (2005)

Deerhunter- Rainwater Cassette Exchange (2009)

Deftones- White Pony (2000)

The Editors- The Back Room (2005)

Fugazi- The Argument (2001)

GlassJaw- Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence (2000), Worship and Tribute (2002)

Head Automatica- Decadence (2004)

Jay Reatard- Blood Visions (2006), Matador Singles ’08 (2008)

King Khan & BBQ Show- What’s For Dinner? (2006)

King Khan & The Shrines- The Supreme Genius of King Khan & The Shrines (2008)

The Mabuses- Mabused (2007)

MewithoutYou- Brother, Sister (2006)

The Nightwatchman- One Man Revolution (2007)

No Age- Weirdo Rippers (2007), Nouns (2008), Losing Feeling (2009)

Page France- Hello, Dear Wind (2005)

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart- The Pains of Being Pure At Heart (2009)

Sonic Youth- The Eternal (2009)

System Of A Down- Toxicity (2001), Mezmorize/Hypnotize (2005)

Tool- Lateralus (2001), 10,000 Days (2006)

The Used- The Used (2002)

More albums may be added….

Chris

Art, Entertainment, Lists, Music

Tops of the Decade Part I

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Yes, I know there is still three months left of the decade, but I do not feel like waiting said time to do this post. So, basically here are my favorite songs for each year of the 00s. I cannot believe the decade is coming to an end! It was ok…. but musically fantastic. Enjoy.

1) Fatlip- What’s Up Fatlip?- 2000
2) The Shins- New Slang- 2001
3) Against Me!- Baby, I’m An Anarchist!- 2002
4) Johnny Cash- Hurt- 2003
5) Head Automatica- Beating Heart Baby- 2004
6) Page France- Chariot- 2005
7) King Khan & BBQ Show- Too Much In Love- 2006
8) Black Lips- Bad Kids- 2007
9) Jay Reatard- See/Saw- 2008
10) Deerhunter- Disappearing Ink- 2009

Clearly independent record labels dominate. 7/10 songs were on independent labels. Fuck Yeah! Top Albums are coming next….

Chris

Art, Culture Jamming, Music, Politics

Band Spotlight: Tom Jefferson

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Top Album: The Declaration of Independence (1776) This is Tom at his finest; one incendiary motherfucker. Before he completely sold out with 1803’s corporate shilling Louisiana Purchase. No expansion my ass!

Top Lyrics: “Whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government.” and “A little rebellion now and then is a good thing… the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”

Chris

Art, Culture Jamming, Entertainment, Music

Concert Review: The Rifles

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John: Last night, I ventured with Glen and Paul to the Great Scott in Allston, Ma. We went to see the two amazing acts: Mike Fiore, of Faces on Film and the British indie band, The Rifles. Though this was my first time at the Great Scott, I could tell it was a slightly smaller, and a bit more intimate venue than that of the MidEast. But, I liked it.
The gig was amazing, though that goes without saying. Mike Fiore had very passionate, and at times depressing, lyrics. His voice was like that of a male angel, singing the travesties of life, love and the injustices of the world. I especially loved when he sang something to the effect of “before she left I would never need medicine.” Thought not many people were drawn to him, I was. I could never be able to perform by myself in front of a few people, let alone a group of one hundred or so; and so, I commend him for his bravery. Due to being the lesser known opening act, most weren’t crowding around him. They were all waiting for the Rifles.

Glen: Mike Fiore did go a bit under-appreciated. I recognized a few of his tunes, notably “I’ll Sleep To Protect You,” “The Medical Mind,” “The Winners Daughter,” and the classic closer “Natalie’s Numbers.” For an acoustic solo musician, he deserves a lot of credit. The Rifles surprised me in a number of ways. I didn’t anticipate such a lengthy set (17 songs including the two song encore). The Rifles played seven songs off of their top 10 album of 2009 The Great Escape and a number of songs from No Love Lost. There were clap-alongs, sing-alongs, requests…you name it. Amazing drumming, amazing guitar solos, amazing singing. “She’s Got Standards” stood out as did “Romeo and Julie,” with its catchy “woh-woh-woh-oh” bit. I’m definitely glad I ventured out to see this show. It goes down as amongst the best.

The Rifles Set List
1. “Science in Violence”
2. “She’s Got Standards”
3. “Repeated Offender”
4. “The Great Escape”
5. “Peace and Quiet”
6. “Out in the Past”
7. “History”
8. “Hometown Blues”
9. “Spend a Lifetime”
10. “Toerag”
11. “Robin Hood”
12. “When I’m Alone”
13. “The General”
14. “Local Boy”
15. “Romeo and Julie”
——
16. Encore #1
17. Encore #2

Art, Books, Entertainment, Films, Lists, Politics, religion

Which Was Better?

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I’m going to throw out some titles and deem whether I feel the novel/book or the film was better. Of course I’m only including works I’ve both read and viewed.

1) Fight Club– Film (novel was very close though)
2) Willy Wonka/ Charlie and the Chocolate Factory– Film (1971)
3) One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest– Film
4) The Shining– Novel (I love the film too)
5) A Clockwork Orange-Film
6) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas– Novel
7) Fast Times At Ridgemont High– Film
8) The Motorcycle Diaries– Novel
9) Manufacturing Consent Book
10) The Outsiders– Novel
11) The Autobiography of Malcolm X– Book
12) To Kill A Mockingbird-Novel
13) Of Mice and Men– Novella
14) Julius Caesar– Play
15) Macbeth– Play
16) A Christmas Carol– Novella
17) A Separate Peace Novel
18) Girl, Interrupted– Novel
19) American Hardcore– Book
20) The Great Gatsby– Novel

Chris

Art, business, Culture Jamming, Entertainment, Femmes, Lists, Music

My Favorite Record Labels

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1) Sub Pop– No Age, Nirvana, Beat Happening, Mudhoney, Soundgarden, The Shins, Handsome Furs, Wolf Parade, The Vaselines, Iron and Wine, Modest Mouse, Rogue Wave, Sebadoh, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Postal Service

2) SST– Black Flag, Meat Puppets, Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth, Bad Brains, Minutmen, Husker Du, Descendents, Soundgarden

3) Matador– Jay Reatard, Sonic Youth, Fucked Up, Cat Power, Mission of Burma, Yo La Tengo, Pavement, Interpol, Lou Reed

4) In the Red– Black Lips, Jay Reatard, King Khan & BBQ Show, Mark Sultan, Dirtbombs, Vivian Girls, Deadly Snakes- Nice, little label!

5) Vice– Black Lips, King Khan & The Shrines, Death From Above 1979, Fucked Up, The Raveonettes

6) Domino– Animal Collective, Arctic Monkeys, Lou Barlow, The Fall, Stephen Malkmus, Will Oldham aka Bonnie Prince Billy, Pavement, Elliott Smith,

7) Rough Trade– The Smiths, Arcade Fire, Galaxie 500, Beat Happening, Vaselines, Libertines, Babyshambles, Mabuses, Butthole surfers, The Moldy Peaches, The Raincoats, Sufjan Stevens, Stiff Little Fingers, The Strokes, The Veils,

8) Bomp!– Black Lips, The Stooges, The Germs, Dead Boys, Devo, Mark Sultan, The Modern Lovers, The Warlocks

9) K Records– Calvin Johnson, Beat Happening, Beck, Bikini Kill, Built to Spill, Kimya Dawson, Modest Mouse, Vaselines

10) Alternative Tentacles– Jello Biafra, Dead Kennedys, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, D.O.A, Half Japanese, Butthole Surfers, The Crucifucks, Lard, Melvins, Wesley Willis

11) Touch and Go– Big Black, Rapeman, Shellac, Jesus Lizard, Scratch Acid, Butthole Surfers, Naked Raygun, The Rollins Band, TV On the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Urge Overkill

12) Dischord– Fugazi, Minor Threat, The Evens, The Teen Idles, The Nation of Ulysses, Scream

13) Fat Wreck Chords– Descendents, NOFX, Anti-Flag, Against Me!, Propagandhi, Rise Against

14) Epitaph– Bad Religion, Social Distortion, NOFX, Descendents, Green Day, Circle Jerks, Vandals, Converge, The Sounds of Animals Fighting,

15) Saddle Creek– Bright Eyes, Two Gallants, Tokyo Police Club, Cursive

16) Merge– Arcade Fire, Dinosaur Jr, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Vallye Band, … And You Will Know Us By the Trail of the Dead, Lou Barlow, Buzzcocks

I’m probably forgeting some. Oh well. Feel free to post suggestions.

Chris

Art, Entertainment, Music

The Return of the Fuzz!

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The Return of the Fuzz

Anyone out there tired of listening to the same mainstream songs on the radio over and over again? Does Coldplay sound too clean for you? Well, no need to worry, a musical elixir has arrived and it is here to stay. Within the past few years, fans and critics alike have witnessed a tornado in the revival of Garage Rock.
Garage Rock is a genre of music that emerged in the early 1960’s primarily in The United States and Canada, but certainly not limited to those two countries. Simply stated, the music was pure, raw, noisy, and often self-produced. The title of the genre literally refers to bands beginning in their garages creating the aforementioned sound and it later being reflected in their recordings. Most groups of the Garage variety have become obscure names or one hit wonders. On the other hand, British Invasion artists, like The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and the early Beatles share elements of the no holds barred style in their work. For instance, in The Beatles’ 1963 hit, “Twist and Shout,” the vocals are rather loud and raspy. For readers who are unfamiliar with Garage Rock, listen to the tune again and you will hear it!
Despite the fact that these bands never became as commercially successful as The Beatles, The Kinks, or The Rolling Stones, this did not diminish their clear influence on future generations, particularly the first wave of American and British Punk Rock bands. In fact, Garage icons, The Sonics and The Seeds have been noted for shaping the music of several Punk pioneers, such as The Ramones and The Dead Boys, respectively.
Today, we are fortunate enough to have a myriad of young musicians, who have heard and studied the music of their parents and are injecting the latter’s style with Punk Rock attitude and Pop hooks. This is where we arrive at the revival of Garage Rock. So, what makes this style so unique? Why should consumers of music pay any attention to it? Well, for starters it deviates from the normal, almost formula-driven music listeners hear in the mainstream. Much of today’s stars record radio friendly, overly produced songs. Even artists that may not fall under the banner of “mainstream,” but have garnered commercial success maintain absolutely disparate production values than their earsplitting counterparts. Popular metal bands, Rage Against the Machine and Tool profess to dedicating years recording their LPs. Garage Revival artists, chiefly, The Black Lips, King Khan & The BBQ Show, Jay Reatard, and The Dirtbombs stand in direct contrast to these aesthetics. They release material that is unpolished and often recorded in a brief amount of time. For example, The Black Lips and the King Khan & BBQ Show joined forces and formed the super group, The Almighty Defenders and recorded a self-titled, twelve song, Gospel album in just a few days. But, this isn’t foreign in the Garage world. Jay Reatard claims to have written one of his latest songs, “It Aint Gonna Save Me,” in just one hour and recorded the number in a mere day and a half!
Fans of Rock and Roll will appreciate the fact that these modern bands are resuscitating the fun, rebellion, and simplicity of the devil’s music. So, if you miss the element of shock or dare I say danger in Rock, and then give these wild hipsters some ear time.

Chris

As seen in the UMass Lowell Connector