Politics is part of the mix, with a decided anti-George W. Bush stance. However, in interviews, such as one from Ink 19 (Sept. 2003), he professes no love for any party, any politician. Period. Still, some listeners will be faced with a singer that doesn't like their views.
This starts with Track 8, and the song, "Rachel Corrie."
Rachel Corrie was, simply put, a woman run over and killed by an Israeli bulldozer while standing in front of a Palestinian home suspected of housing anti-Israeli terrorists. Without getting into the politics of the situation the song mourns Rachel's loss:
"Stand up and be counted, throw your fist toward the sky
Folks walk around like they're already dead
Long ’fore they ever die
I'm guessing this isn't the type of song you'd expect from self-identified southern-rockers. I hear Toby Keith may cover it soon. I may have heard wrong.
About three of the songs have a clear stance against the shape of American governing in the 21st century, and against the type of hate that's existed since Year Dot.
Fuck Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church. Fuck him long and hard until his rectum hurts.
With those lyrics I expected the song, "Westboro Baptist Church" to be a full-throated death metal rage. Nope. It's a toe-tapper. A sing-a-long. I really wonder how it goes down live. Does everyone clap to the beat?
After all, you expect a little more anger directed at the man, Phelps, who singlehandedly may be able to bring left and right together, the man of both God Hates America and God Hates Fags infame.
Menace is the third album from the band, that takes its name from boxer John L. Sullivan's boast. In support of the record, they're out on a West Coast tour, starting with a CD release show this Friday, Sept. 17 at Dante's in Portand, Ore. More Dates
Menace - Track
1. Gone
2. Thousand to One
3. A Good Day to be a Bad Husband
4. I Be Ready
5. Pauline
6. Walkin'
7. Menace
8. Rachel Corrie
9. Regrets and Greyhounds
10. Westboro Baptist Church
11. Fall Down
12. Dust and Sun
Article comments
1 - HW Saxton
I live in Vegas and these guys play in a
local Punk Rock type dive bar around the
corner from my house called the "Cooler
Lounge" all of the muthafuggin' time. It
took me by surprise to see this review
to say the least.They are lots of fun in
a live setting but I've honestly never
once heard their discs. Wow,small world.
Glad ya dug 'em though.
2 - Temple Stark
Have you heard the Phelps song? How DOES it go over?
3 - HW Saxton
TS, yeah they almost always do that one.
It goes over really well. The punks like
the bouncier thrashing "Country" kinda
stuff. Pretty comical scene watching the
punkers moshing around to these guys.If
I see they're playing anytime soon I'll
pass along word of your review.I'm not
much into this kinda stuff anymore but I
hang out at the dump(understatement)they
always play at because it's a 1/2 block
from my crib.
4 - Eric Olsen
the punk-country stuff has a later Social D kind of feel, although Mike Ness is a more, um polished singer.
Very nice job Temple, thanks! Dawn and I liked the last quite a bit too.
5 - Temple Stark
Please point out typos. I will not take offense. Bearing in mind this will be Googled plenty, I want to fix them. My name's attached.
And thanks Eric. Glad Dawn likes em too.
6 - Temple Stark
oh -and thanks for the update HW
7 - Cindy Chaffin
So perhaps one might say that I'm slightly biased since Mike Damron's brother happens to be my best friend...but lemme tell ya, it ain't true.
All 3 albums are solid and extremely good.
Also, I booked SOB here in Dallas a few weeks back (which was the first time I'd seen them live) and it blew me completely away. In fact, it was one of the best performances I've seen from ANY band in a long time.
Check out SOB, you'll love 'em too...now off to link to this great review! Thanks Temple!
8 - Temple Stark
Google really does work :). I've kept this album on my long listening list.