photo by jack potts
'Bible Verses for Kids' by Austin's The Western Civilization begins with the church floor stomp of a band like the The Lumineers and when the rousing, dramatic heartland rock guitar throttle slams down I thought of an amalgam of Bruce Springsteen and Arcade Fire but when the lyrical narrative drops there is no imagery of foolhardy love or existential dread filtered through surreal imagery. Instead the song digs in right away eschewing vague poetry for biting candor and emotional bloodletting:
"Read what your bible says and practice what you preach / The taste of bullshit in-between your teeth / You’d take it back if you really gave a damn but it doesn’t matter now and you don’t know who I am..."
The words come fast and as someone who found religion to be exquisitely scary and dangerous from a young age these lyrics resonate deeply. As an immigrant from a spiritual family (but not a religious one), the Christian fundamentalism that I was confronted with always felt spooky (we came to America at a time when most immigrants were sponsored by a Church) and thankfully, for whatever reason, my families ties to the Church up the street tapered off over only a few years.
I am immediately drawn to the words harmonized as one voice in unison by lyricist Rachel Hansbro (vocals, guitar, piano) and Reggie O’Farrell (vocals, guitar, bass, synth, piano, production) encircled by a fury of sound.
From Press Notes:
[Somewhat melodically based on the ridiculously racist hymn “Jesus Loves the Little Children,” which she sang all too often at vacation bible school growing up, Bible Verses for Kids is Hansbro’s way of trying to reconcile the widely accepted marginalization within the church and conservative America. She doesn’t mince sentiments on how an endless pursuit in trying to please God can unravel a sense of identity, particularly when it comes to gender roles. That pressure can take up a lot of space in one’s mind, communicated on the track by the use of a whirring drone sound. Both infect the brain, pervasive in their inescapable natures. The drumming pounds almost relentlessly, furthering this incessant type of presence.]
The Official Video for 'Bible Verses for Kids' like the song itself doesn't pull punches either. Accompanied with links to LGBTQ Youth and Mental Health resources, the video feels like a film. One that makes you think of the negative impact of some Churches, in the least, using harmful language towards anyone who doesn't live the Biblical model of man and woman, to, at worst, engages in the insidious nature of conversation therapy all culminating in imagery that could be triggering.
I must say that this song is incredibly relevant at this time when the separation between Church and State is being eroded by right wing Republicans in high office. When women's reproductive rights have been taken away or irreparably eroded. This is a crucial time when we all have to push back hard. If you are a centrist republican or independent it is time to cross party lines and vote BLUE to shut down this onslaught of fascistic thinking. We need to push back at Christian Nationalists and White Christian Nationalist because once they have put women back in 'their place' as chattel, once they push back against gay marriages, once they stifle LGBTQ rights and advances they won't stop in their pursuit of every white supremacist's dream.
'Bible Verses for Kids' is from the band's new album 'On Fractions of A Whole'. The Western Civilization is Rachel Hansbro (vocals, guitar, piano) and Reggie O’Farrell (vocals, guitar, bass, synth, piano, production), with contributions from Angie Holliday (vocals, piano), John Boyd (drums), Adam Bencen (drums), and Bob Lane (trumpet). The entire album was recorded, produced, and mixed by O’Farrell, and mastered by Nick Landis at Nick Landis Mastering in Austin, Texas.
-Robb Donker Curtius
https://www.instagram.com/westerncivmusic/
https://www.thewesterncivilization.com/
Religion may serve some sort of purpose to some, but it’s not the end all be all answer for everyone, especially considering how exclusive and damning the language can be. In many ways, that language has haunted Rachel Hansbro, half of the principal songwriting duo behind Austin indie rock outfit The Western Civilization. Somewhat melodically based on the ridiculously racist hymn “Jesus Loves the Little Children,” which she sang all too often at vacation bible school growing up, Bible Verses for Kids is Hansbro’s way of trying to reconcile the widely accepted marginalization within the church and conservative America. She doesn’t mince sentiments on how an endless pursuit in trying to please God can unravel a sense of identity, particularly when it comes to gender roles. That pressure can take up a lot of space in one’s mind, communicated on the track by the use of a whirring drone sound. Both infect the brain, pervasive in their inescapable natures. The drumming pounds almost relentlessly, furthering this incessant type of presence.
Lyrically transformed by Rachel Hansbro and musically molded by Reggie O’Farrell, each song on the band’s forthcoming full-length, Fractions of a Whole, is a snapshot of a moment in time related to Hansbro in one way or another. There’s sincerity in how she recalls these instances, overtly tugging at these bits of remembrance that others can relate to. She likens the process to vomiting—an uncontrollable yet ultimately relieving release of remembrance as a means of helping her come to terms with it all. For O’Farrell, reaching that comfort comes from a slightly different facet of the songwriting process—by making sure everything feels and sounds just right. His keen ear and meticulous approach pay off fully on Fractions, taking the lyrical foundation laid by Hansbro and forming the walls, helping to create the whole room of an album that encompasses the dichotomy of being. As a band, they have a way of ending on high notes, no matter how somber the topic or musical expression. They each have a background in heavier music and it shows; they’re able to find the proper connections between the message they’re sending out and the resonance that goes along with it, even if it’s not what one might expect.
On Fractions of A Whole, The Western Civilization is Rachel Hansbro (vocals, guitar, piano) and Reggie O’Farrell (vocals, guitar, bass, synth, piano, production), with contributions from Angie Holliday (vocals, piano), John Boyd (drums), Adam Bencen (drums), and Bob Lane (trumpet). The entire album was recorded, produced, and mixed by O’Farrell, and mastered by Nick Landis at Nick Landis Mastering in Austin, Texas.
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:
https://www.instagram.com/westerncivmusic/
https://www.thewesterncivilization.com/
Religion may serve some sort of purpose to some, but it’s not the end all be all answer for everyone, especially considering how exclusive and damning the language can be. In many ways, that language has haunted Rachel Hansbro, half of the principal songwriting duo behind Austin indie rock outfit The Western Civilization. Somewhat melodically based on the ridiculously racist hymn “Jesus Loves the Little Children,” which she sang all too often at vacation bible school growing up, Bible Verses for Kids is Hansbro’s way of trying to reconcile the widely accepted marginalization within the church and conservative America. She doesn’t mince sentiments on how an endless pursuit in trying to please God can unravel a sense of identity, particularly when it comes to gender roles. That pressure can take up a lot of space in one’s mind, communicated on the track by the use of a whirring drone sound. Both infect the brain, pervasive in their inescapable natures. The drumming pounds almost relentlessly, furthering this incessant type of presence.
Lyrically transformed by Rachel Hansbro and musically molded by Reggie O’Farrell, each song on the band’s forthcoming full-length, Fractions of a Whole, is a snapshot of a moment in time related to Hansbro in one way or another. There’s sincerity in how she recalls these instances, overtly tugging at these bits of remembrance that others can relate to. She likens the process to vomiting—an uncontrollable yet ultimately relieving release of remembrance as a means of helping her come to terms with it all. For O’Farrell, reaching that comfort comes from a slightly different facet of the songwriting process—by making sure everything feels and sounds just right. His keen ear and meticulous approach pay off fully on Fractions, taking the lyrical foundation laid by Hansbro and forming the walls, helping to create the whole room of an album that encompasses the dichotomy of being. As a band, they have a way of ending on high notes, no matter how somber the topic or musical expression. They each have a background in heavier music and it shows; they’re able to find the proper connections between the message they’re sending out and the resonance that goes along with it, even if it’s not what one might expect.
On Fractions of A Whole, The Western Civilization is Rachel Hansbro (vocals, guitar, piano) and Reggie O’Farrell (vocals, guitar, bass, synth, piano, production), with contributions from Angie Holliday (vocals, piano), John Boyd (drums), Adam Bencen (drums), and Bob Lane (trumpet). The entire album was recorded, produced, and mixed by O’Farrell, and mastered by Nick Landis at Nick Landis Mastering in Austin, Texas.
The Western Civilization, Austin, Texas, indie rock, alt rock, storytelling, heartland, Americana rock, post punk, 'Bible Verses for Kids' (Official Video), Vote Blue, new album 'On Fractions of A Whole',
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