"we went down / a torch bearing mob out in the streets / we went down / terrorizing everyone we meet / you don't even know...."
The politico punk sing-a-long "Help Me" by SLW cc Watt, the shock and awe inspired collaboration between prolific singer / songwriter / illustrator Samuel Locke Ward and SoCal punk legend bassist / singer Mike Watt (Minutemen, Firehose, Dos), is the kind of song you want forever in the back of you mind. An acerbic kind of rallying cry so exquisitely written that it could apply to any side or throw shade and monkey feces at any side. I think it also speaks to tribalism in general and maybe even the horrible punch in the stomach feeling when you realize you are on the wrong side having been brain washed with steel wool and Ajax. Fascism, white nationalism is an insidious virus, a disease fostered by cults of personality trading talking points for rational thought.
"we went down / a torch bearing mob out in the streets / we went down / terrorizing everyone we meet / you don't even know...."
The track is part of the pair latest subversive constructed killer album, "Purple Pie Plow", for which the duo assembled a wonderful blend of guest players like saxophonist Bob Bucko Jr, along with drummer Dean Clean, and guitarist Joe Jack Talcum from the sardonic punk band The Dead Milkmen.
Liner notes:
["Purple Pie Plow", inspired by T. Rex’s unique mix of glam & psychedelia, does stylized takes on heavy subject matter. We’re led on a journey through mob rule (haunting ‘50’s-style ballad “A Face in the Crowd,” the ultra-catchy “Help Me,” the Motown swing of “Pray”), frightening fascism (New Orleans-flavored “Boring Out,” doo-wop styling “Boots March,” cow-punk “Lost To Time”) and ecological horrors (free jazz freakout “Flowers Scream,” power ballad “Toxic Sunrise”). Not to fear though as rising above the doom comes into play (acoustic/psych ballad “Children of the Stars,” lonesome folk “Dragon Steed,” noir jazz “Weeds of Your Dreams”).]
I have yet to dive deeply into "Purple Pie Plow" but feel the need to just by the sheer musical pedigrees who conceived it and made it.
Again from liner notes:
[Locke Ward, an ambitious Iowa native, has written and recorded well over 1,000 songs and put out 60 self-released albums since the early millennium with vivid titles like Sacrilege, Treason, Treachery & Thyme that encompass rock, folk, country and world music, all with inventive DIY flair. Earlier this year, Locke Ward coupled with Kill Rock Stars for an acclaimed Jad Fair (Half Japanese) collaboration, "Happy Hearts."" Locke Ward also did the artwork for the new SLW cc Watt album (as he did for the previous albums).]
[As any indie/punk fan should know, Watt co-founded the seminal San Pedro crew Minutemen in 1980. After bandmate D. Boon’s tragic 1985 death, Watt formed fIREHOSE and later Secondmen and Missingmen, released 3 punk operas and collaborated with the Stooges, Sonic Youth, Porno for Pyros, Juliana Hatfield J. Mascis, Tav Falco, Flipper, Nels Cline, Mike Baggetta, Jim Keltner and Kelly Clarkson. His long-term project DOS, with ex-Black Flag bassist Kira, recorded Justamente Tres (1996) for Kill Rock Stars.]
[As any indie/punk fan should know, Watt co-founded the seminal San Pedro crew Minutemen in 1980. After bandmate D. Boon’s tragic 1985 death, Watt formed fIREHOSE and later Secondmen and Missingmen, released 3 punk operas and collaborated with the Stooges, Sonic Youth, Porno for Pyros, Juliana Hatfield J. Mascis, Tav Falco, Flipper, Nels Cline, Mike Baggetta, Jim Keltner and Kelly Clarkson. His long-term project DOS, with ex-Black Flag bassist Kira, recorded Justamente Tres (1996) for Kill Rock Stars.]
"Help me / I'm running with the assholes / I'm running with the goons / but I have so much more in my / Help me / I'm running with the fuck heads / I'm empowering the bullies / but I have so much more"
"everyone you meet has this trauma you can't see / and this rage right behind their eyes / everyone you meet has this trauma you can't see / and this pain right behind their eyes "
"Help me / I'm running with the assholes / I'm running with the goons / but I have so much more in my / Help me / I'm running with the fuck heads / I'm empowering the bullies / but I have so much more in my heart..."
I'll feel calmer, better when Donald J. Trump is behind bars.
-Robb Donker Curtius
Purple Pie Plow, inspired by T. Rex’s unique mix of glam & psychedelia, does stylized takes on heavy subject matter. We’re led on a journey through mob rule (haunting ‘50’s-style ballad “A Face in the Crowd,” the ultra-catchy “Help Me,” the Motown swing of “Pray”), frightening fascism (New Orleans-flavored “Boring Out,” doo-wop styling “Boots March,” cow-punk “Lost To Time”) and ecological horrors (free jazz freakout “Flowers Scream,” power ballad “Toxic Sunrise”). Not to fear though as rising above the doom comes into play (acoustic/psych ballad “Children of the Stars,” lonesome folk “Dragon Steed,” noir jazz “Weeds of Your Dreams”).
Locke Ward and Watt hit it off so well that a 4th album is in the works. Listen to Purple Pie Plow and you’ll hear why they’re right to keep working together and wonder what they’ll come up with next.
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2KSLu7DbsjoZIzmH14y7S1
https://slwccwatt.bandcamp.com/album/purple-pie-plow
SLW cc Watt is an inspired collaboration between prolific singer/songwriter/illustrator Samuel Locke Ward and SoCal punk legend bassist/singer Mike Watt. After the head-spinning fun of 2021's Let's Build a Logjam and 2022's Real Manic Time, on the new Purple Pie Plow, the duo corral guests throughout the record: saxophonist Bob Bucko Jr, along with drummer Dean Clean, and guitarist Joe Jack Talcum from the sardonic punk band The Dead Milkmen.
Purple Pie Plow, inspired by T. Rex’s unique mix of glam & psychedelia, does stylized takes on heavy subject matter. We’re led on a journey through mob rule (haunting ‘50’s-style ballad “A Face in the Crowd,” the ultra-catchy “Help Me,” the Motown swing of “Pray”), frightening fascism (New Orleans-flavored “Boring Out,” doo-wop styling “Boots March,” cow-punk “Lost To Time”) and ecological horrors (free jazz freakout “Flowers Scream,” power ballad “Toxic Sunrise”). Not to fear though as rising above the doom comes into play (acoustic/psych ballad “Children of the Stars,” lonesome folk “Dragon Steed,” noir jazz “Weeds of Your Dreams”).
Locke Ward and Watt hit it off so well that a 4th album is in the works. Listen to Purple Pie Plow and you’ll hear why they’re right to keep working together and wonder what they’ll come up with next.
No comments:
Post a Comment