barfbag

stream Barfbag's (mem Dresden Dolls) political hardcore rager "Pornocracy"

Barfbag

David Bason is a veteran music manager and record executive, who was largely responsible for signing The Strokes to RCA, signed The Dresden Dolls to Roadrunner, aided in the New York Dolls’ mid 2000s comeback, and more. Turn out he’s also a pretty vicious punk singer, and more recently he’s been fronting the new socio-political hardcore band Barfbag, whose lineup also includes The Dresden Dolls’ Brian Viglione on drums and Kenny Carkeet (who used to be in AWOLNATION and has produced/engineered albums for Anti-Flag, The Used, and more) on guitar and production.

The first song Barfbag released was “A Moment of Clarity Between Tweets” last year, which they followed with “Right to Fight Back” on Earth Day earlier this year, and we’re now premiering their third single “Pornocracy,” which is intentionally being released ahead of Flag Day, which is this Sunday (6/14). The band writes:

Fuck the Pornocracy. Steal the kleptocracy. Don’t idolize the rich, their kids don’t go to war.

During a national crisis the President hid in the bunker for a week before emerging. He didn’t meet with black leaders. He didn’t address that this breaking point was reached due to another police involved murder. He didn’t offer any words of solidarity. He offered no solution. Rather, he vilified a segment of our own population who have grown tired of watching their loved ones killed.

For those looking down their nose at unrest, remember that there are several incidents in this country when violence has sparked change for the better and helped achieve political goals. Let’s not tell people how to protest or how to express themselves.

The shot heard around the world, the American Revolution started with a gunfight against oppressors.

The Nat Turner led American slave rebellion was a bloody necessity.

The Black Panthers’ cop-watching patrols were armed out of necessity and self-defense. They became an important part of the American civil rights movement. Stonewall Riots that gave way to the LGBT movement was a brick throwing incident.

Through the lens of history, stealing a pair of sneakers will not be seen as the issue. The conditions that led to the revolution will be the issue. The French Revolution, that gave birth the very freedom American has always aspired to begin with rioting, looting and striking. Storming the Bastille was not peaceful but it showed that people hold the power not the elite. And remember The French Revolution went on a for a decade, this won’t be over tomorrow simply because you want it to be. Stomaching this is hard but it’s necessary.

Civil unrest is a longstanding way for oppressed people to express themselves using the means they have at their disposal. So rather than ask what it accomplishes to break a window, ask yourself how that individual has been oppressed.

This is a moment in the nation’s history that needs to happen. If you don’t understand the rage then you should consider yourself fortunate. Revolutions are not rosy and they don’t end when you want them to but if they don’t happen change will not come.

Fuck Trump
Barfbag

The song’s a real scorcher, as are the two previous singles. You can stream all three and read the lyrics for the new song below. The band’s debut EP, The Plastic Age EP, comes out July 13 via Stay Gold Records with a full-length to follow.

Barfbag

Barfbag

“Pornocracy” lyrics
Did you vote – Yes I did!
Did you march – Yes I did!
Do you have debt – Yes I do!
Do you wanna throw bricks – Yes I do!
Do you trust D.C – No I don’t !
Can you pay your bills – No I can’t !
Can you see a way out – No I don’t!
Do you blame foreigners – No I don’t

Fuck the pornocracy
Steal the kleptocracy
Don’t idolize the rich
Their kids don’t go to war

Do you carry a gun – No I don’t !
Why not – Guns are for pussies!
Do you punch Nazis – Yes I Do!
Good man – Thank you !

Are you scared of people – No I’m not!
Do you feel the heat – Yes I do!
Do you give up – No I don’t!
Can you escape your class – I try!!

Fuck the pornocracy
Steal the kleptocracy
Don’t idolize the rich
Their kids don’t go to war

Is your heat turned off ? Rent Strike !
Roaches on the rats ? Rent Strike !
Is your water full of lead Rent Strike !
Slumlord ducking you? Rent Strike !

Did you vote – Yes I did!
Did you march – Yes I did!
Do you have debt – Yes I do!
Do you wanna throw bricks – Yes I do!
Do you trust D.C – No I don’t !
Can you pay your bills – No I can’t !
Can you see a way out – No I don’t!
Do you blame foreigners – No I don’t