The Muslims (https://www.facebook.com/TheMuzlimz/) are QADR (vocals/guitar), Abu Shea (bass), and Ba7ba7 (drums). They're from Durham, North Carolina and are a "crunchy, kickass punk band of Black + brown queer muzzies" whose intention is to bring us a healthy serving of "political satire, spandex and radical extremism. Black/Brown queer shit." They've previously featured on here with a couple of raging songs (Fuck The Cistem & Punch A Nazi) and they return today with an equally incendiary new single.
It's a song with an important message.
“I started writing this song during Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial and finished it during the attempted coup,” recalls vocalist QADR. “What a time to be alive. As a person who fits the description of a so-called ‘Black Identity Extremist,’ I find it funny that our music and message, calling out racist violence, makes people more uncomfortable than actual racist violence. At least we’re cute, tender, and funny af. Artists are the truth-tellers throughout history, and we’re just speaking our truth. Fascism was never wiped out, it just got more polite and calls itself a Richard Spencer now, whatever that is. We’re going to speak truth to power and have a damn good time doing it. I hope our fans (aka Munks) get some coded message about destroying capitalism and the patriarchy, but only if they play it backwards. I hope this song inspires the next Munk to be themselves: to mosh in the mirror, cuss out racists, steal plant clippings from government buildings, and support their local Co-ops.”
Looney Lefties, Rats From A Sinking Ship (https://www.facebook.com/RATSFROMASINKINGSHIP/) return today with a track from their excellent new album Glamorous Terrorists. The Ilkeston rap punk outfit features a core duo of Lusty on vocals and Jamie Price on guitars and for this new album they welcome Kev Frost on drums (he's a genre veteran having been in numerous bands such as Sick On The Bus, The Backstreet Abortions, The Varukers etc).
The album will be out in time for Halloween and whilst it's too early yet to feature my favourite track from it (Dedicated Follower Of Fascism), I've had permission to give it a play on next Sunday's Just Some Punk Songs show so don't miss it. As for the rest of the album, it's unmistakably Rats From A Sinking Ship lp; Lusty spits out his sharply observational punk rhymes over a menacing rap/metal soundtrack. Aim is taken at worthy targets and hits dead centre. I did comment to Jamie that this time around I was picking up somewhat of a Bob Vylan vibe from the album to which he replied "Oh. Yeah I like their stuff. We'd actually demoed everything just before I heard We Live Here. I saw the similarities but it's just coincidence or synchronicity or whatever you'd call it. We keep trying to do something we've not tried before."
Other highlights include Out In The Woods Where She Finds Peace in which the first part of the track comes across like a hauntingly atmospheric piece of poetry backed with something approaching a delicate Nick Cave type soundtrack and Lewis Collins As Bodie which is one for the nostalgia freaks conjuring up memories of everything from The A Team, Grange Hill, R White's Lemonade, The Two Ronnies and J R Hartley! Closing track Death To The Ex is particularly hard hitting (and the most like Bob Vylan). It's an album not to be missed.
This is the video they've just released. It takes it's inspiration from a classic and updates it to comment on 2020's biggest issue (that's if you don't think climate change is an even bigger issue as that's the one that'll make this year seem like happy days!). It's titled Wuhan Calling...
I think it's fair to say that the biggest buzz over any of the songs I've featured on this blog or played on the show so far this year was over the mightily impressive We Live Here which is of course by Bob Vylan (https://bobvylan.bandcamp.com/). They "sort of" feature again today as they've been busy remixing a track that appeared on Slaves' recent ep The Velvet Ditch. You'll probably already know that Slaves are the Kent duo Isaac Holman (vocals/drums) and Laurie Vincent (guitar/vocals) so I don't need to give you the usual background info, just go here if you want to know more https://www.facebook.com/slaves/
The track in question is One More Day Won't Hurt. The original version is a bruising cautionary tale about addiction and small town thuggery that pummels you into submission. This new version is no less brutal but it effortlessly bridges the gap between punk and grime. It's the type of release that's going to keep the younger generation interested in the punk scene and it has Bob Vylan's fingerprints all over it. More please....
Thus reads the banner on the Facebook page of Durham (North Carolina) punk rappers The Muslims (https://www.facebook.com/TheMuzlimz/). And it's true, they are. Very. Listed amongst their "likes" are Black Punks. Brown Punks. Femme Punks. Ghetto Punks. GNC Punks. Ratchet Punks. Dyke/Trans/Queer/Faggy Punks. Punks who piss on Nazi graves... What they don't like are racists, homophobes, bigots, the intolerant and Donald "fuckface" Trump.
They're an all queer, black & brown trio featuring Qadr (vocals/guitar), FarraH BaHbaH (drums) and Abu Shea (bass). They mix up punk, afropunk, hardcore and rap-rock. They're direct in their verbal attacks but they certainly aren't po-faced whiners. They add plenty of biting satire to their incendiary songs.
They've recently released a new album titled Gentrified Chicken. It let's rip at the usual targets but does it in a style that makes it seem fresh and vital. White power goons who blame everything on Mohammad, trigger happy cops, government surveillance, gentrification, inequality etc... There's even a "sort of" Blink-182 cover!
Punch a Nazi Punch a Nazi Punch a Nazi Punch a Nazi
Punch that Nazi in the face Knock his teeth back in his brain And if that inbred scum gets up Kick that cracka in his gut
Punch that Nazi in the face Make sure that he’s seeing stars And when that khaki bag comes to Beat him till he’s black and blue
Beat him up Best him up, beat him up, beat him up, beat him up Point em out Point em our, point em out, point em out, point em out Beat him up Best him up, beat him up, beat him up, beat him up Point em out Point em our, point em out, point em out, point em out
Punch that Nazi in the face Knock his ass into outerspace When that fucking bitch comes down Drag his ass through sundown town
Punch that Nazi in the gut Beat him till he’s pissing blood Make him say your fuckin name Tear that ass up all the same
Beat him up Best him up, beat him up, beat him up, beat him up Point em out Point em our, point em out, point em out, point em out Beat him up Best him up, beat him up, beat him up, beat him up Point em out Point em our, point em out, point em out, point em out
We want peace so we’ll beat your ass to pieces You’d kill us so your death with bring us justice You’re a relic of a dying fucking system Take the proud boys with them And all the KKK Killer Cops
Punch that Nazi in the balls Whoop his ass til he fuckin falls If that mayo bread talks back Jam that marten in his crack
Punch that Nazi in the throat That should keep his no-lips shut Noose that flag around his neck Tell the boys to string him up
Beat him up Best him up, beat him up, beat him up, beat him up Point em out Point em our, point em out, point em out, point em out Beat him up Best him up, beat him up, beat him up, beat him up Point em out Point em our, point em out, point em out, point em out Beat him up
Punch a Nazi Punch a Nazi Punch a Nazi Punch a Nazi
Dave wants to recommend you all check out Bob Vylan (https://www.facebook.com/BobVylan/), a London duo that are currently blowing up big....
And so it started like any other day, scrolling through my feed when a thumbnail of Bob Vylan’s singer appeared for their single ‘We Live Here’ on YouTube. Their singer is wearing a big fake fur animal patterned overcoat, bleached jeans, boots, sports long dreads and a Crass t-shirt, enough to peak my interest in looks alone. Then the song ‘We Live Here’ plays. Finally a band with something of actual, immediate and relevant substance to say. Something that screams honesty and arresting delivery. The song starts with a distorted and lo-fi guitar before a racist sample pauses the song, allowing the full chorus riff to kick in and pin your shoulders to the wall. Some distorted, rapped vocals pepper scenes of recognisable working class British hotspots including the pub, the corner shop, high rises, police cars, and chips. Sounding strongly autobiographical, the singer talks about elements of his life growing up in London as a mixed-race child with a white mum. The delivery of the chorus line ‘we didn’t appear out of thin air / we live here’ batters and bruises its way to its intended target. Racists, bigots and nationalists are placed squarely in the crosshairs.
Sonically, the lo-fi recording is clear enough to make sure they lyrics are heard and their impact can be felt, with the instrumentation grotty enough to broadcast their allegiance to their DIY punk rock roots. And judging by the 6K additional views since I first saw the video a couple of days ago, it looks like Bob Vylan are hitting home. They could be the next Sleaford Mods, or the next Idles in terms of their impact on the modern musical and political landscape…they’ve perfected the acute lyrical snarl we’ve come to expect in punk rock, but it is incredibly rare to hear something so honest and to wear their personal identities and struggles on their sleeve.
It’s easy to write about why you don’t like the government, or against animal abuse or climate change, or to reel off well-worn lines about death/war/destruction: there’s plenty of lines to lift from other bands that have trodden this lyrical path for you. Bob Vylan is for those who are a bit braver than that, and are inviting you into their own personal hell.
Their live gigs showcase the live delivery of a hardcore band, and their tones display the type of filth and grot that you can’t manufacture in an expensive studio. They’re the real deal, and they’ve got bigger balls than everyone else. They sound…dangerous. How many bands have recently achieved that?
Looks like they’ll be working with Venn Records soon, which is owned and managed by Lags from Gallows, so expect to see a lot more of these guys soon. Personally I’ll be shocked if I hear anything better by anyone else all year. https://bobvylan.bandcamp.com/
Yesterday's featured song was a bit of a left field cover version (Neutrals putting their own spin on The Exploited's Hitlers In The Charts Again) and today you're getting another one that had me thinking oh, I don't think I'm going to like this. But I certainly do, it's another inspired choice and makes me listen to the Del Amitri "classic" in a totally different light.
Ilkeston punk/rap duo Rats From A Sinking Ship (https://www.facebook.com/RATSFROMASINKINGSHIP/) last appeared on Just Some Punk Songs when they teamed up with Austrian producer Markus Kienzl and legendary poet Benjamin Zephaniah to record one of 2019's best songs (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2019/10/rats-from-sinking-ship-and-markus.html). Today they return with the title track from a new ep which is out on limited edition cd (75 numbered copies, pre sale link going live soon so watch out for it) on April 3rd. The ep will be called Nothing Ever Happens.
It contains 4 new tracks and I'm just about to have my first listen so here's some initial impressions...
The title track is the Del Amitri cover. They were a band I never paid attention to and though it's a song I've heard numerous times it's never really registered. This version though certainly does. Maybe it's because I prefer this style of music, maybe it's just because I actually listened to the lyrics instead of assuming it'd be lame ass kiddy and housewife friendly chart pap. It's a very valid commentary on misplaced values and the apathy that's all to prevalent in western society.
Track 2 is titled Muggins and is a slow burner with rumbling guitar and Lusty challenging "Who are you?..."
Next up is a song with a title that had me liking it before even pressing play. It's a more up tempo broadside at a music industry that's run by men with beards like 70's geography teachers that don't actually like music and who manufacture the same dross format of bands that they can slaver over like some paedophiles wet dream. Watch as the wannabe has beens are disposed of on a big pile of sad dreams, stolen fortunes and repossessed souls. This is just the first part of a song I really like, reality tv shows certainly fair no better in part 2! It's called Stop Making Stupid People Famous, it's very funny (and sad at the same time) and rather scathing.
They round things off with Corrie 94 and a little like the Skids classic TV Stars, it rhymes off a bunch of Coronation Street characters along with the repeat refrain of Your street is my street, My street is your street... You're a native.
All in all an excellent ep from a band that keeps on improving. You're gonna love it.
This is Nothing Ever Happens...
Post office clerks put up signs saying "position closed" And secretaries turn off typewriters and put on their coats And janitors padlock the gates for security guards to patrol And bachelors phone up their friends for a drink While the married ones turn on a chat show And they'll all be lonely tonight and lonely tomorrow
Gentlemen, time please, you know we can't serve anymore Now the traffic lights change to stop, when there's nothing to go And by five o'clock everything's dead And every third car is a cab And ignorant people sleep in their beds Like the doped white mice in the college lab
And nothing ever happens, nothing happens at all The needle returns to the start of the song And we all sing along like before And we'll all be lonely tonight and lonely tomorrow
Telephone exchanges click while there's nobody there The Martians could land in the car park and no one would care Close-circuit cameras in department stores shoot the same movie every day And the stars of these films neither die nor get killed Just survive constant action replay
And nothing ever happens, nothing happens at all The needle returns to the start of the song And we all sing along like before And we'll all be lonely tonight and lonely tomorrow
And bill holdings advertise products that nobody needs While angry from Manchester writes to complain about All the repeats on T.V. And computer terminals report some gains On the values of copper and tin While American businessmen snap up Van Goghs For the price of a hospital wing
And nothing ever happens, nothing happens at all The needle returns to the start of the song And we all sing along like before
And nothing ever happens, nothing happens at all They'll burn down the synagogues at six o'clock And we'll all go along like before And we'll all be lonely tonight and lonely tomorrow
Leicester's Longtooth & Wasterman (aka Greg Semple and Karl Traae) return today with a new track on which they get transported to a not too distant future where they find themselves onboard the Starship Enterprise NCC-170, the crew are all missing! The ship is being taken over by a rogue photocopier that has attained sentiency and is threatening to takeover the universe! Meanwhile Sophia Janeway (formerly of Hanson Robotics) beams in to save the day. It's all played out to an electro-punk soundtrack...
The duo have been described as having a sound that lands somewhere between Crass, Atari Teenage Riot and an angrier Sleaford Mods. They mix up the energy and anger of punk rock with drum and bass and hip hop. Electro beats and cutting lyrics. Punk music for the modern age. You can find out more here : https://www.facebook.com/Longtoothandwasterman/
A refreshing change from the standard punk tunes you get served up on here, this is a bonkers space odyssey called Killing Hal...
Plastics gonna kill us all Long live the photo copier The last survivor of the humans spawn Long live the photo copier AI AI AI A I I A (repeat) Long live the photo copier Long live the photo copier 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 (repeat) Long live the photo copier Long live the photo copier
We couldn't stop the diesel But the diesel stopped us Sacked your dad for the self driving bus Long live the photo copier Long live the photo copier Who’d have thought That the first AI Would choose the gender Of a woman And not of a guy Tell us why tell us why we got a lady AI......stand by Long live the photo copier Long live the photo copier Long live the photo copier Long live the photo copier AI AI AI A I I A (repeat) Long live the photo copier 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
she ruined my sci fi Ruined my life Before her point of view I found titillation nice I know you're quite angry I know you're quite right The oppression by cock And the fight for your plight Long live the photo copier Long live the photo copier AI AI AI A I I A (repeat) Long live the photo copier 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
Our fun is over What’ve we done My 3 titted alien is on run She had to wear a mini skirt She had to be young For the ratings of the cock But the cocks day is done
I want to be digitised and fly across the stars I won't need air or water when I'm colonising Mars Just a little bit of graphite And a little blob of grease They could even fit an off switch So they won't need any police
Upload our brains and cast off this flesh Then there won't be any criminals coz there won't be any left And when we’re all dead And when we’re all gone The photo copy copier Will copy copy on Copy on
In recent times, a majority of the British press never seem too far away from printing their next headline decrying the looney left. Supposedly first used before the 1987 general election it's a term often trotted out by red tops like The Sun, The Mail and The Express to pour scorn and derision on pretty much any idea the Labour Party might come up with. It's a slur that's thrown around not just at the Labour Party though, it's also used to label groups or individuals that don't share those tabloid's editor's political views and though I'm no expert on US politics but I'm sure people like Bernie Sanders also get tarred with the same brush and no doubt it's a term used world wide. Unfortunately it's a term that's been used so often that a sizeable proportion of the general public are swayed by the headline and don't bother to look deeper. If they did they might wonder, is it such a bad thing to think society's needy should be protected. Is it a bad thing to want nuclear disarmament? Is it bad to think animals should have rights or that the NHS should be protected? Today's song suggests that being a caring human being shouldn't lead to you being labelled looney left.
Rats From A Sinking Ship are Lusty and Jamie Price, a rap punk duo from Ilkeston who've featured on here a few times previously but who return today with what's quite possibly their best track yet. If you're unfamiliar with them you can find their music here : https://ratsfromasinkingship.bandcamp.com/
They recently completed work on their new album, it's a collaboration with Austrian producer Markus Kienzl and if the first single from it is anything to go by it's going to be very special indeed. The single sees them team up with legendary poet, activist, author and actor Benjamin Zephaniah for one of the year's best songs. Jamie lays down a bruising soundtrack whilst Lusty scornfully questions why he should be criticised for preferring to wave a flag for the community as opposed to one for the jubilee or for being pro human rights. Why should he be considered a troublemaker for caring about those who sleep on our streets or are being brutalised in places like Congo and Bahrain. So far, so great, but then then they play their trump card.... Benjamin Zephaniah adds a touch of class as he calls for revolution, world peace and the saving of the planet. He doesn't like the smell of anyone who is Conservative and he hasn't any respect for the church and state and you know what, I'm with him 100%. Great music, great lyrics. A vital release.
The Muslims are a hardcore rock-rap politically motivated all queer black and brown punk trio that burst forth out of Durham, New York, "following the inauguration of Donald (fuckface) Trump." Lining up with Laylatul Qadr (lead vocals/guitar), FaraH BaHbaH (drums) and Abu Shea (bass) I think it's fair to say they aren't your typical band. Not for the faint of heart they're only too willing to speak out against "oppression, racism and white people problems." They've recently released new album Mayo Supreme (on Don't Panic Records) and damn, it rocks. It's a fuck you from the heart. Check it out.... https://themuslims.bandcamp.com/
The music will have you bouncing off the walls, the lyrics will get you thinking. The album is an important critique of modern society and should be heard by a wider audience. It reminds me a little of one of last year's best releases (Material Support's Terror Prone Nation https://materialsupport.bandcamp.com/). To find out more about them check out Facebook... https://www.facebook.com/TheMuzlimz/
This song starts slow, asking the question why are men such fucking trash? before exploding into a joyfully upbeat attack on 50% of the human race. You think you're a good guy? They don't buy it and they certainly don't trust you. If you don't enjoy getting poked with a big pointy stick then this might not be for you. For the rest of us, enjoy. Fuck The Cistem...
Why are men such fucking trash You hinge on dominance to last You chase the money to catch the ass I’ll pay for dinner, nigga I’ll hold the door, you cracka
So fuck the system Fuck these cisdudes they are useless It is proof that men are trash.
So fuck the system Fuck these cisdudes they are useless It is proof that men are trash. We’ll reproduce without your ass — and that’s scary
Why don’t you admit that you hate women Reject your compliments, and you get violent You say that you’re the good guy, we don’t buy it. I don’t trust you in close space I don’t trust you in no space
So fuck the system Fuck these cisdudes they are useless It is proof that men are trash.
So fuck the system Fuck these cisdudes they are useless It is proof that men are trash. We’ll reproduce without your ass — and that’s scary
So fuck the system Fuck these cisdudes they are useless It is proof that men are trash.
So fuck the system Fuck these cisdudes they are useless It is proof that men are trash. We’ll reproduce without your ass I say me too - and it’s fuckin sad I’ve gotta prove that shit to you Though I’m sure you had a clue. There are predators in your crew — and that’s scary
Cutting through the bullshit pedalled by the mass media, Rats From A Sinking Ship are a duo (Alex Lusty on vocals, Jamie Price on guitar) from Ilkeston in Derbyshire who mix rap, punk and metal in their quest to present an alternative version of the state of the world today.
Frontman Lusty has had a long and varied musical history, being behind projects such as John Peel favourites Frigid Vinegar, The One Three and Happy Martyr (the latter two were collaborations with long time Morrissey and Polecats guitarist Boz Boorer). Details of these and others can be found here : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Lusty.
Rats From A Sinking Ship released their debut album, Rise As One, last year on Driveby Shouting Records. It was intended as a cry out to disaffected youth everywhere to stand against the breaking down of modern society cultures in favour of the accepted mainstream. Fast forward to October 2016 and they're back with a follow up entitled The Peasants' Revolt. Also on Driveby Shouting, you can order it here : http://www.rfass.co.uk/. It'll be released soon in North America by Girth Records.
The first video from the new album is a scathing condemnation of former PM Tony Blair, a man who benefited greatly from media hype but who proved to be a self serving twat responsible for helping stir up a hornet's nest in the Middle East. Hang Him........
