Biden Wins Presidency, Ending Four Tumultuous Years Under Trump
That was the headline from the New York Times and was followed with... Joseph R. Biden Jr. achieved victory offering a message of healing and unity.
So Donald Trump will be leaving the White House (no doubt kicking and screaming) but will things change. In the opinion of Toronto punks The Fallout (https://www.facebook.com/TheFalloutToronto/), probably not. There's a new sheriff in town but he's very much a part of the old order.
They've just released an updated version of a song which was written by bass player Patty O'Lantern many years ago whilst he was a member of The Embarrassments. It was inspired "by Basquiat artwork. I wrote it just after Bush won his 2nd term."
Politics and a crucifix the same fight we always had Blood runs as thick as oil but these days it's twice as fast Hatred spills in off the streets and it's filtered in through glass And all that remains is this price tag on our backs
It's the same old shit
Everybody's got a price and it's quickly going down We're all just dollar signs so we'd better cash out now In this razor wire playpen we can have fun within bounds Don't pick us up we're in love with falling down
It's the same old shit
Politics and a crucifix the same fight we always had Blood runs as thick as oil but these days it's twice as fast In this razor wire playpen we can have fun within bounds Don't pick us up we're in love with falling down
Rebel Time Records' Randy Smith selects another of his favourite recent political/protest songs...
THE FALLOUT - Talkin' Punk Rock Civil War
The first time I saw The Fallout was at the release show for their 2004 CD "Turning Money Into Revolution." I was wearing an F.U.s t-shirt that featured a picture of Ronald Reagan holding a pistol, Clint Eastwood style. The F.U.s had courted a bit of controversy, via MRR, for their supposed patriotic lyrics. Personally, I viewed the lyrics as sarcastic, and, having had the band (in their Straw Dogs incarnation) stay at my place a couple of times and chatting about it all only served to confirm that.
Anyways, I have a distinct memory of two members of the band eyeballing me and the shirt and laughing with each other. A little unnerving ... were they laughing at me or with me? Were they laughing at the shirt or at my expense? I still don't know. But, I'm very proud to have been able to work with ( and have some laughs with ) The Fallout over the past few years, having had a hand in releases on both Insurgence Records and Rebel Time Records.
One reviewer noted: "These guys write catchy songs that are tailor made for you to shout along with. The music is powerful and aggressive but also fun to listen to. And that’s the way it ought to be. If a song is going to inspire people, it has to be inspiring. Songs like “Red Light Union” and “Raise Your Flag” will have you fired up to run through a brick wall for the cause! This is “street” punk in the truest sense of the term – music for the people that is relevant to what’s actually happening on our streets." From another reviwer: "The Fallout make you wanna get up, dance and then go and do nasty but well-deserved things to animal abusers / fascists / cops while happily humming one of their delightful ditties." For me personally, like Moral Crux, pretty much a perfect band.
An important song for me personally and a song I come back to often. It serves somewhat as a 'daily affirmation - a 'positive reminder or statement that can be used to encourage and motivate yourself / myself.' I'm basically 60, and for 40 years my life has revolved, in great part, around punk rock, politics and 'action,' in its various forms. I'm getting old, I'm getting tired, my knees are shot, I'm getting really grumpy and at times its tempting to say 'fuck it' and go sit on the porch and rest on my laurels, spending my time looking back in introspection (or anger) remembering the good old days. But, songs like this ( and other songs on this album such as "Action Today" and "Another Way" ) put a little 'pep in my step'. I may not make it out to a lot of demos or actions these days, but, yep, goldarnit, there are still new and inspiring bands and songs that need to be heard, via Rebel Time Records and there is still a diaper load of old (and hopefully still inspirational) political documentation and history that needs to be preserved, scanned and uploaded via the Arm The Spirit and Dragonfly archives. The fact that I can do this work whilst ensconced in my Lazy Boy Recliner is just a plus ... 'take it easy, but take it' ...
As singer / guitarist Byron noted: "A lot of punk is about making changes. Songs about political action and anarchy. But getting wasted at the Warped Tour isn’t going to bring about the revolution anytime soon. Chant-along working class hymns don’t create change. At most we’re bringing awareness to social issues. So this song is hopefully encouraging folks to get out there, get involved in their communities and start making the kinds of changes punk rockers are always singing about. Real changes are being made by real people everyday at union halls, the United Way, Canadian Blood Services, the Daily Bread Food Bank. The jocks who think it’s cool to slam the hardest on the dance floor just don’t get it, that’s not revolution.
The song is written in talkin’ blues style like the old folk singers because Bob Dylan, the icon of all protest singers, is just as guilty of a lot of talk but little action. And The Fallout are no different either. We’re busy making music, booking shows and recording while trying not to go broke. We’ve played a lot of benefit shows, we’ve attended various protests, but have we affected any real change? It’s not about being cynical, but being honest about what it really means to be a punk."
And: "It’s sometimes easy to think that music is a catalyst for change. This song is about being honest and accepting the fact that real change comes from people who take action. It’s about lifestyle choices that are in harmony with our communities. I participate in protests, I’m active in my trade union and I’m a regular blood donor. It’s about doing whatever you can do to impact your community in a positive way."
Please don't get excited cause I'm not keeping score Of the chances you've blown and opportunities ignored To help the ones you love and say you care for While you talk righteously all about it
And it ain't getting better in fact it's getting worse Poor are getting poorer the meek inheriting the earth While here in the America's we're still giving birth To the notion we're all created equal
Now I don't think you understand what you're fighting for Our music, poetry and politics don't lead to a cure We need more than talkin'' punk rock civil war
Please don't take me wrong, don't get pissed off But the injustice and violence that you think you can stop Continues everyday as we sing our protest songs
Talk without action produces no results Self-gratifying lifestyles removing any doubt The chimes of freedom have long wrung out In a world where direct action counts
Another guest review today, this one by Ashley Colman. He''s a massive fan of Canadian political 3 piece The Fallout (https://www.facebook.com/TheFalloutToronto/) so as they've just released an excellent new album I thought I'd ask him to say a few words. The album's called The Times Have Never Changed and it's out now as a joint release from Discos Machete (a new label started up by Victor of Brigada Flores Magon fame) and the ever reliable Rebel Time Records... https://rebeltimerecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-fallout-the-times-have-never-changed-2
Over to Ash...
The Fallout are angry, passionate and committed to the numerous causes they support, like many a punk band. However, what sets them apart from the pack? TUNES my friends that's what. These political savvy punks have been railing against the tide since 2004 with a handful of releases which thankfully have been made available on their Bandcamp page, remastered, remixed and not to be missed. Also, pay what you want, or free? Nah, scrap free, because we know what work goes into getting underground music out there don't we?
Anyways, what do you get from The Fallout, 15 tracks of pacey, tuneful, fist pumping anthems, with their interpretations of this fucked up world chronicled into the biting lyrics, with Lord Byron's distinctive vocals to the fore. Patty 'O' Lantern (bass) he of Brutal Youth and Class War Kids infamy handles the vocals on 'Can't Take It', 'Invincible', 'Red Light Union', & 'Turn It Down', with him adding a new dimension as well with his backing vocals throughout this great album. The Class War Kids classic One Last Struggle is covered within the album.
Comparisons... don't we love 'em. Think of early SLF, Newtown Neurotics and fellow Canadians The Subhumans and your getting there and like the afore-mentioned, TUNES my friends in abundance. File under absolutely essential.
This is the title track, The Times Have Never Changed...
Don’t care about the Bob Dylan you quote Books you’ve read or poems you wrote I see suffering I see no hope
The times have never changed That’s what drove Phil Ochs insane The times have never changed
Protest songs of ’67 Against a war you never ended All that posing and pretending
The times have never changed That’s what drove Phil Ochs insane The times have never changed
The more things change The more they stay the same Happens time and time and time again All I know for sure is we have endless, endless war The times have never changed
One thing I don’t understand From Iraq to Afghanistan It just keeps happening again and again
The times have never changed That’s what drove Phil Ochs insane The times have never changed
There's quite a few great political punk bands out there, bands that not only write intelligent lyrics commenting on the state of the world that we live in but who also manage to compliment their message with a catchy as hell soundtrack. Toronto 3 piece The Fallout are one of the very best. No strangers to this blog, Byron Pickles (guitar/Vocals), Dr. Bob (drums/vocals) and Patty O'Lantern (bass/vocals) have released some killer songs of unity, inclusion, solidarity and struggle during the course of the band's 15 year history. Taking their cue from Pete Seeger’s quote “the people are on the march and must have songs to sing” they've been responsible for a back catalogue which has seen them described by Exclaim as "kind of like a street-punk version of Woody Guthrie.” There's been 5 albums thus far and rather excitingly number 6 will be with us shortly. It'll be called The Times Have Never Changed and if the teaser track that I'm posting today is any indication it's going to be another modern day classic. You can stream it here (check out their other releases whilst you're there, most of them are remixed, remastered and available name your price) : https://thefalloutcanada.bandcamp.com/
With a video featuring footage of an anti-austerity demo in Montreal from March 27th 2015, this song is a working class anthem, a call to arms. It's called Set Us Up...
Dead eyes with a cold blank stare Black heart doesn’t feel or care Driven only by market share and a need to survive Figure heads full of shit and lies When are we gonna realize We don’t have any rights if we don’t organize
Set us up, set us up just to knock us down Gotta run, gotta run run you out of town
Gotta gotta gotta gotta get rid of you There’s only one thing left to do Gotta gotta gotta gotta get rid of you
Profits first and people last Take advantage of the working class Hysteria created en masse to conquer and divide Lapdog with authority A governing minority Save money through austerity so viscous and bile
Some day we’ll finally see Damage and depravity We’ll drag you through the streets as you beg for mercy In the rubble and the decay As your system fades away We’ll rebuild the ash and clay in solidarity
No strangers to this blog and one of my favourite ever Canadian bands, The Fallout are a Toronto trio featuring Byron (guitar/vocals), Bob (drums/vocals) and Patty (bass/vocals). If Woody Guthrie had been a modern era Canadian he'd have probably been a member of this band. They wear their hearts on their sleeves and seem to find the process of writing political songs that have both a great tune and a valid message a bit of a breeze. You can check out their back catalogue here : https://thefalloutcanada.bandcamp.com/
Their 2004 (long out of print) classic album, Turning Revolution Into Money, has been remixed and remastered and will be available on Bandcamp on Mayday as a pay what you want download. All donations will fund their upcoming 4 track 7".
A new 7"? I'm glad you asked. The ep will be released by the excellent Rebel Time Records and will be titled Raise Your Flag. No doubt it'll be one of 2018's best so watch out for it.
They've just released a video for the title track. As a schoolkid, I began buying punk records over 40 years ago and one of the many singles in my collection was the Rising Free ep by the Tom Robinson Band. On that ep was a song called Glad To Be Gay. To be honest, the prejudices and abuse suffered by gay people was something my 13 year old self had never really been aware of up until then and I would think that was the first time I'd heard someone proclaiming they were glad to be gay, I imagine many of my contemporaries were hearing this for the first time too. I wasn't gay but for those that were it must have been a defining moment. The video you'll find below features footage of 1973's Toronto Pride Parade and riffs on the themes presented by that TRB classic. The Fallout, catchy as hell tunes with a message? Hell yeah!
This is Raise Your Flag.....
Raise your flag, Raise it high
Let them look you in the eye
Side by side
Show your pride
Wave your flag, wave your flag
Raise your flag, Raise it high
And when they look you in the eye
Wave your flag, wave your flag, wave your flag
Double standards of the hypocrites
They condescend as you bite your lip
You’re in my heart
You’re on my mind
You don’t have to take that shit
On the horizon is a new frontier
If you feel alone or you’re getting scared
With all your spirit
And all your soul
You know there is nothing to fear
Sing if you’re glad to be gay
Homophobes are just a dying breed
As they cling to an illegitimate creed
You’re in my heart
You’re on my mind
They offer nothing that you can believe
All their hate they never take a rest
Stunning ignorance takes away your breath
With all your spirit
And all your soul
Resolve that you’ll never forget
To sing if you’re happy that way.
The Fallout are a straight up, stripped down political punk band from Toronto with backbone and backbeat. Amongst their influences are listed the likes of The Clash, Stiff Little Fingers, The Jam and Ramones. They've been together for around 20 years and their songs are social commentary with a killer soundtrack; singalong rebellious music from a 3 piece that wear their hearts on their sleeves. The line up features Byron (guitar/vocals), Bob (drums/vocals) and Patty (bass/vocals).
They've previously appeared on here with their own song, Talkin' Punk Civil War and with a storming cover of The Rebel Spell's Fight For The Sun. If you're not already familiar with them then you should definitely check out their impressive back catalogue on Bandcamp.... https://thefalloutcanada.bandcamp.com/
I'd heard a while ago that they were working on new material and was excited when they posted one of the newly recorded songs on the Rebel Time Records Youtube page. It's about the Turn It Down campaign against white power music / hate rock of a few years ago and it features Patty on vocals. They plan to release a 4 song 7" ep and then follow it up with a new album.
This is Turn It Down.....
White noise In stereo sound Nothing sounds worse Need to turn it down Turn it down Feeble minds cling to misguided fears Forcing their nonsense Into naïve ears Turn it down Mouth full of hate Head full of shit Bigots pandering to idiots Turn it down Your out of touch Get with the times Turn it around And leave your hate behind Turn it down
You may remember that I recently posted an update featuring REDS covering a Rebel Spell song which they dedicated to the memory of Todd Serious (if you missed the song then you should check it out). Today's update also features a Rebel Spell song, a version of a song which will feature on a forthcoming compilation called Rebels Sing : A Tribute To Todd Serious And The Rebel Spell.
I really like this one, it's called Fight For The Sun and it originally featured on The Rebel Spell's Last Run album (you can check out that version here : https://therebelspell.bandcamp.com/album/last-run).
Enjoy.......
You might believe this is a real nice place where everyone is free and more or less safe But did ya know around the world they’ve locked up about 10 million people? You might not have known but that just changed don’t confuse this for justice just cruel and insane But to those among us that know and are raising hell to free them
Fight for the sun my bold friends, fight for the sun this night will end. I promise... Fight for the sun my bold friends, fight for the sun this night will end Fight for the sun fight for the sun fight for the sun it’s coming
We might look different but we’re all the same in that we all need to move and feel love to stay sane But our cruel species withholds these rights from 25 Billion creatures How many years cutting day and night would it take to sever that much chain? You need to help what will it take to get you all to see this!?
I wait they wait when is it coming? Don’t wait, they wait you must bring the sun.
Let’s go bass man walk me home now It’s only music but I’ve got you listening Crank the volume bring the rage up Harder drummer let them hear it I need some voices a thousand voices I need you all and one more thing guitar guitar guitar guitar
The Fallout are a politically charged punk rock band from Toronto, Canada. They claim a kinship with bands like Stiff Little Fingers, The Jam, D.O.A., Moral Crux etc, all bands that play with a similar upbeat tempo and who've penned many a socially concious song between them.
If they sound like your cup of tea (and to be honest, if they don't why are you reading this blog?), there's a great back catalogue of their music awaiting your attention here : http://thefalloutcanada.bandcamp.com/
The song I'm posting today can be found on 2004's Turning Revolution Into Money album and it's a rallying call for you all to get out into your local community and make a change by getting involved. If all you do is sing along at the shows of your favourite bands, nothing is ever going to change for the better, it's actions not words that'll bring about a revolution. Starting off with a Woody Guthrie soundbite, this is Talkin' Punk Rock Civil War.......
"Now, boys, you've come to the hardest time. The boss will try to bust your picket line. He'll call out the police, the National Guard, They'll tell you it's a crime to have a union card. They'll raid your meetin', they'll hit you on the head, They'll call every one of you a goddam red, Unpatriotic, Japanese spies, sabotaging national defense! That if you don't let red-baiting break you up, And if you don't let stoolpigeons break you up, And if you don't let vigilantes break you up, And if you don't let race hatred break you up, You'll win. What I mean, take it easy, but take it!" Please don’t get excited cause I’m not keeping score of the chances you’ve blown and opportunities ignored to help the ones you love and say you care for while you talk righteously all about it
And it ain’t getting better in fact it’s getting worse poor are getting poorer the meek inheriting the earth while here in the America’s we’re still giving birth to the notion we’re all created equal
Now I don’t think you understand what you’re fighting for Our music, poetry and politics don’t lead to a cure We need more than talkin” punk rock civil war
Please don’t take me wrong, don’t get pissed off but the injustice and violence that you think you can stop continues everyday as we sing our protest songs
Talk without action produces no results self-gratifying lifestyles removing any doubt the chimes of freedom have long wrung out in a world where direct action counts
