Christian Punks Are More Punk Than ConPunk (part 1)
Let me elaborate on that...
What I mean to say is this: Christian punk bands (as a collective unit) have more in common with today's punk rock establishment than does the Conservative Punk movement.
They are more left-wing than you may think.
A LOT more.
Recently I was at an In 'N Out burger having lunch with a friend, and we began conversing about punk rock as we often do, being that it is an interest shared by us both. Just as a joke, I declared that I wasn't fond of Bad Religion because their lyrics are too "Christian" for me (you probably don't even have to be familiar with Bad Religion's music to get the joke; just look at the name of the band). Anyway, my friend then made an interesting statement: Knowing of my political leanings, he said, "The only thing that annoys me more than a conservative 'punk' is a Christian 'punk'" (he actually did use his fingers to put the word 'punk' in quotes).
Anyway, I found this interesting, as the vast majority of today's well-known "Christian punk" bands have more in common politically with my liberal friend than I do as a "conservative punk." Now maybe you're saying at this point, "Hold the phone! So-called Christian punk bands are just a bunch of mindless evangelicals trying to use the punk rock sound to proselytize." Well, yes, that does happen, but no more often than secular punk bands glorify fiscal libertarianism (which...I can think of four).
But I see you need some convincing, and that is only fair. Let me start by giving you an example. The lyrics are noticeably Christian in nature, but cast that aside and you practically have an Anti-Flag song. But of course, this song is not by Anti-Flag; it's by Dogwood, a band that once performed at my church when they were slightly less famous:
-----
Doubled over from mankind's venomous bite.
When the wind rises,
Humanity is in jeopardy.
A meltdown awaiting,
A knee-jerk reaction.
Our future depends upon one man's decision.
Infamous button,
Luring the push.
Will I be around,
For the appointed touch?
How long until,
The world fizzles out?
Closer to the inevitable end.
Progressing yet nearer,
I fear for the kids.
Taking advantage,
Of other countries.
Not much time left,
To watch our nation fall.
What can we do as worthless creatures?
That's what we're to believe.
Fallout,
That's that we're headed for.
Jesus,
Come soon and take us all away.
America abusing it's power like never before.
Progression to and end,
Our time is at hand. [repeat x3]
-----
Okay, sure that's just one example, but a valid one. The members of Dogwood are also active supporters of "Food Not Bombs," as indicated on their website (http://www.dogwood.ws). Should I offer another example? Believe me, I have plenty. Before I proceed however, let me just offer a disclaimer. It is not my intention to demean any of these bands or to say that they are "un-Christian" for supporting liberal causes. Far from it. Most of these bands I admire and some I have loved for years, even though I may not see eye to eye with them. My only objective here is to point out some of the misconceptions people have about "Christian punk," and maybe break down some stereotypes while giving you something to think about. In addition, all of the bands I mention are representative of traditional and non-mainstream punk instrumentation styles. I'm not including any Good-Charlotte-style pussy punk (i.e. Relient K, not that there is anything wrong with them).
Anyway, if you just stumbled upon the lyrics to this next song, who would you think it was written by?:
-----
We built this country on "democracy"
We stole this land through hypocrisy
We found ourselves some liberation
And we hid our guilt on the reservation
What we want we must possess
It's time for us to take your address
You cannot stop our progress
Send your complaints to Congress
We declared all men's equality
While the blacks still lived in slavery
They fought in wars for our cause
But still couldn't vote by our laws
We change the rule when we decide
Our moral values are cast aside
Your oppression is justified
Cause we're the ones who preside
Now it's 1994
Nothing's changed much from before
We break promises left and right
What we can't buy, we take by might
Some would say we victimize
But we just try to capitalize
Your only hope we'll monopolize
So we can build our enterprise
It's all in your books
All you need to do is take a look
If you don't know what
Our country's done
Here's history lesson #1
-----
Here's a hint: It ain't NOFX. The above lyrics are from "History Lesson 101" by Crashdog, probably my favorite Christian punk band. Throughout their decade-long career, Crashdog were known for such in-your-face political lyrics, mixed of course with proud declarations of Christian faith.
Then there is Squad Five-O. Dear oh dear. As a teenager, I actually used to watch these guys hosting the Christian skate show G-Rock on TBN, and they still proudly declare their Christian faith, but you might not know it judging by the lyrics to this next song, entitled "Bye American," taken from their most recent CD:
-----
Who pumps your gas, cooks your meals, works your fields
Builds your skyscrapers, prints your newspapers, it's your next door neighbors
In the ghetto city, gated community,
In the hills of Appalachia or Beverly
Metropolitan, charlatan, American
Words don't mean shit and souls wear too thin
My faith is lost from the burning cross
To the "American owned and operated" swastika
There's no pursuit of happiness in a land that's void of love
Why should God bless America?
Who cleans your gutter and your sewer
And is gonna die sooner
Working fingers to the bone
Than in an office on the phone
Underestimated
Overlooked too long
Don't tell me nothing's wrong
It seems like all the good is gone
Who stokes the factory fires
Gets nothing to retire
75 and standing on a greasy fryer
Metropolitan, charlatan, American
Words don't mean shit and souls wear too thin
My faith is lost from the steeple to the cross
To the satellite evangelical thug
There's no concern for selflessness, just smother push and shove
Why should God bless America?
I'm a citizen of the world that was made
The maker's marks of soul on me they get over the shame
Oh mercy all my ways
-----
Anyway, I could literally post enough lyrics to fill an encyclopedia, but you get the idea. If you're interested in checking out other Christian bands with similar lyrics (and I'm not including emo bands because frankly they don't interest me), there is Ninety Pound Wuss, Ballydowse, the Dingees, Spudgun and a whole slew of others. Bill Power, former Tooth and Nail Records A&R and Blenderhead vocalist, is an avid supporter of the Punk Voter movement; Mark Salomon, current lead singer of Stavesacre and former lead singer of The Crucified and Outer Circle, expresses strong liberal tendencies on his newest album, "How To Live With A Curse"; even Mike Herrera of MxPx has written lyrics critical of the government.
In fact, these are the only examples I could find of specific right-wing tendencies from punk rockers in the Christian scene:
1) Mikey Huntington, lead singer of the Huntingtons, announced on his blog in November of 2004 that he had voted for George W. Bush.
2) Judita Wignall, singer of the Halo Friendlies, writes on her MySpace page that one of her favorite books is "The 10 Things You Can't Say In America." She also bashed Ted Kennedy in one of her blog entries, which I thought was pretty cool.
Seriously, that's all I could find. I'm not joking. And both of the aforementioned bands aren't even very spiritual as far as their lyrics are concerned. Of course, there are plenty of punk-influenced bands that avoid discussing politics altogether in order to stay away from controversy, but is that really punk? In closing, I leave you with one more set of lyrics, just to show you that your preconceived stereotypes aren't COMPLETELY off the mark. Yes, there are a few Christian bands out there that are just...well, crazy. Case in point: Officer Negative (yes, THE Officer Negative). Great melodies, creepy lyrics. Here's an example:
-----
Jesus come to me, I need your help!
Satan's attacking me!
I hate satan, I hate satan,
I love Jesus, I love Jesus
I will stand and begin to fight
The enemy of my Lord
Satan you won't get my friends or family
Satan you won't get me
With the sword, of the spirit
I will chop your head off
I am a child of God
And he loves you
-----
For as critical as I am of the left, I would much rather listen to Crashdog trashing America than I would listening to Officer Negative chopping Satan's head off. But hey, to each his own. In closing (at least for now), don't be too turned off when you hear a band described as "Christian punk," especially you liberals. Give them a chance. They may consist of zealots like Officer Negative, but there is a really good chance that they just might have a lot in common with your own ideals and priorities. And for the Christian readers, don't assume that a band is un-Christian simply because they don't fall on the same end of the political aisle as yourself. Remember, even the disciples bickered and fought amongst themselves. The fact that we can disagree with each other is evidence that we're not all a bunch of drones. Otherwise, we're just weirdos with liberty spikes and plastic swords waiting to get up in the devil's business.
More to come...
Let me elaborate on that...
What I mean to say is this: Christian punk bands (as a collective unit) have more in common with today's punk rock establishment than does the Conservative Punk movement.
They are more left-wing than you may think.
A LOT more.
Recently I was at an In 'N Out burger having lunch with a friend, and we began conversing about punk rock as we often do, being that it is an interest shared by us both. Just as a joke, I declared that I wasn't fond of Bad Religion because their lyrics are too "Christian" for me (you probably don't even have to be familiar with Bad Religion's music to get the joke; just look at the name of the band). Anyway, my friend then made an interesting statement: Knowing of my political leanings, he said, "The only thing that annoys me more than a conservative 'punk' is a Christian 'punk'" (he actually did use his fingers to put the word 'punk' in quotes).
Anyway, I found this interesting, as the vast majority of today's well-known "Christian punk" bands have more in common politically with my liberal friend than I do as a "conservative punk." Now maybe you're saying at this point, "Hold the phone! So-called Christian punk bands are just a bunch of mindless evangelicals trying to use the punk rock sound to proselytize." Well, yes, that does happen, but no more often than secular punk bands glorify fiscal libertarianism (which...I can think of four).
But I see you need some convincing, and that is only fair. Let me start by giving you an example. The lyrics are noticeably Christian in nature, but cast that aside and you practically have an Anti-Flag song. But of course, this song is not by Anti-Flag; it's by Dogwood, a band that once performed at my church when they were slightly less famous:
-----
Doubled over from mankind's venomous bite.
When the wind rises,
Humanity is in jeopardy.
A meltdown awaiting,
A knee-jerk reaction.
Our future depends upon one man's decision.
Infamous button,
Luring the push.
Will I be around,
For the appointed touch?
How long until,
The world fizzles out?
Closer to the inevitable end.
Progressing yet nearer,
I fear for the kids.
Taking advantage,
Of other countries.
Not much time left,
To watch our nation fall.
What can we do as worthless creatures?
That's what we're to believe.
Fallout,
That's that we're headed for.
Jesus,
Come soon and take us all away.
America abusing it's power like never before.
Progression to and end,
Our time is at hand. [repeat x3]
-----
Okay, sure that's just one example, but a valid one. The members of Dogwood are also active supporters of "Food Not Bombs," as indicated on their website (http://www.dogwood.ws). Should I offer another example? Believe me, I have plenty. Before I proceed however, let me just offer a disclaimer. It is not my intention to demean any of these bands or to say that they are "un-Christian" for supporting liberal causes. Far from it. Most of these bands I admire and some I have loved for years, even though I may not see eye to eye with them. My only objective here is to point out some of the misconceptions people have about "Christian punk," and maybe break down some stereotypes while giving you something to think about. In addition, all of the bands I mention are representative of traditional and non-mainstream punk instrumentation styles. I'm not including any Good-Charlotte-style pussy punk (i.e. Relient K, not that there is anything wrong with them).
Anyway, if you just stumbled upon the lyrics to this next song, who would you think it was written by?:
-----
We built this country on "democracy"
We stole this land through hypocrisy
We found ourselves some liberation
And we hid our guilt on the reservation
What we want we must possess
It's time for us to take your address
You cannot stop our progress
Send your complaints to Congress
We declared all men's equality
While the blacks still lived in slavery
They fought in wars for our cause
But still couldn't vote by our laws
We change the rule when we decide
Our moral values are cast aside
Your oppression is justified
Cause we're the ones who preside
Now it's 1994
Nothing's changed much from before
We break promises left and right
What we can't buy, we take by might
Some would say we victimize
But we just try to capitalize
Your only hope we'll monopolize
So we can build our enterprise
It's all in your books
All you need to do is take a look
If you don't know what
Our country's done
Here's history lesson #1
-----
Here's a hint: It ain't NOFX. The above lyrics are from "History Lesson 101" by Crashdog, probably my favorite Christian punk band. Throughout their decade-long career, Crashdog were known for such in-your-face political lyrics, mixed of course with proud declarations of Christian faith.
Then there is Squad Five-O. Dear oh dear. As a teenager, I actually used to watch these guys hosting the Christian skate show G-Rock on TBN, and they still proudly declare their Christian faith, but you might not know it judging by the lyrics to this next song, entitled "Bye American," taken from their most recent CD:
-----
Who pumps your gas, cooks your meals, works your fields
Builds your skyscrapers, prints your newspapers, it's your next door neighbors
In the ghetto city, gated community,
In the hills of Appalachia or Beverly
Metropolitan, charlatan, American
Words don't mean shit and souls wear too thin
My faith is lost from the burning cross
To the "American owned and operated" swastika
There's no pursuit of happiness in a land that's void of love
Why should God bless America?
Who cleans your gutter and your sewer
And is gonna die sooner
Working fingers to the bone
Than in an office on the phone
Underestimated
Overlooked too long
Don't tell me nothing's wrong
It seems like all the good is gone
Who stokes the factory fires
Gets nothing to retire
75 and standing on a greasy fryer
Metropolitan, charlatan, American
Words don't mean shit and souls wear too thin
My faith is lost from the steeple to the cross
To the satellite evangelical thug
There's no concern for selflessness, just smother push and shove
Why should God bless America?
I'm a citizen of the world that was made
The maker's marks of soul on me they get over the shame
Oh mercy all my ways
-----
Anyway, I could literally post enough lyrics to fill an encyclopedia, but you get the idea. If you're interested in checking out other Christian bands with similar lyrics (and I'm not including emo bands because frankly they don't interest me), there is Ninety Pound Wuss, Ballydowse, the Dingees, Spudgun and a whole slew of others. Bill Power, former Tooth and Nail Records A&R and Blenderhead vocalist, is an avid supporter of the Punk Voter movement; Mark Salomon, current lead singer of Stavesacre and former lead singer of The Crucified and Outer Circle, expresses strong liberal tendencies on his newest album, "How To Live With A Curse"; even Mike Herrera of MxPx has written lyrics critical of the government.
In fact, these are the only examples I could find of specific right-wing tendencies from punk rockers in the Christian scene:
1) Mikey Huntington, lead singer of the Huntingtons, announced on his blog in November of 2004 that he had voted for George W. Bush.
2) Judita Wignall, singer of the Halo Friendlies, writes on her MySpace page that one of her favorite books is "The 10 Things You Can't Say In America." She also bashed Ted Kennedy in one of her blog entries, which I thought was pretty cool.
Seriously, that's all I could find. I'm not joking. And both of the aforementioned bands aren't even very spiritual as far as their lyrics are concerned. Of course, there are plenty of punk-influenced bands that avoid discussing politics altogether in order to stay away from controversy, but is that really punk? In closing, I leave you with one more set of lyrics, just to show you that your preconceived stereotypes aren't COMPLETELY off the mark. Yes, there are a few Christian bands out there that are just...well, crazy. Case in point: Officer Negative (yes, THE Officer Negative). Great melodies, creepy lyrics. Here's an example:
-----
Jesus come to me, I need your help!
Satan's attacking me!
I hate satan, I hate satan,
I love Jesus, I love Jesus
I will stand and begin to fight
The enemy of my Lord
Satan you won't get my friends or family
Satan you won't get me
With the sword, of the spirit
I will chop your head off
I am a child of God
And he loves you
-----
For as critical as I am of the left, I would much rather listen to Crashdog trashing America than I would listening to Officer Negative chopping Satan's head off. But hey, to each his own. In closing (at least for now), don't be too turned off when you hear a band described as "Christian punk," especially you liberals. Give them a chance. They may consist of zealots like Officer Negative, but there is a really good chance that they just might have a lot in common with your own ideals and priorities. And for the Christian readers, don't assume that a band is un-Christian simply because they don't fall on the same end of the political aisle as yourself. Remember, even the disciples bickered and fought amongst themselves. The fact that we can disagree with each other is evidence that we're not all a bunch of drones. Otherwise, we're just weirdos with liberty spikes and plastic swords waiting to get up in the devil's business.
More to come...
posted by Kris Avalon at
11:42 AM
|
1 Comments
