This isn't just a random top 5 favorite list. This isn't my top five at the moment. This is me answering the subject. These five groups not only gave way to real creation, but they hold dear to my heart. 1) Crass This collective was born in the chaos of the early UK punk scene. They believed that the only authority in the world was one self. They screamed against the wind, not in the vain hope of changing the world, but to attempt to understand the horrors around them, and their roles in them. They were abrasive. As they came to their final years their music began to lack the form it once had, it became raspier, angrier. It was genuine. They set a shelf life for the crass collective. 1984. They held true, no stupid reunions, no ego stroking. This coupled with Orwell at the age of 13 changed my world. quotes " Those of us who stand out against the status quo. Do so against all odds. We cling so closely together Because we have little other than ourselves. Critics say that it's just punk rock or that we're just naive anarchists. They hope to discredit us with their labels and definitions. Throughout history societies have condemned those who are later celebrated as heroes, In so many bourgeois homes Van Gogh's sunflowers radiate from the walls, Yet he lived in utter misery, condemned by those very same people. Why is it that the kind and gentle are subjected to violence and riducule? How is it that the small and mealy-minded have gained so much power? What perversion has taken place that we are governed by fools?." 2) Nirvana Nirvana was the first band I ever connected with. Lyrical tidbits of clarity, hidden amongst artsy surreal escapism. A nod in every direction to bands no one gave the credit deserved. They were like a tribute band that grew into a beast all it's own. The next logical descendents of "the wipers", nirvana made songs that had energy, but expressed uncertainty. 3) Embrace - not the "nu metal" band. The circa late 80's hardcore/emo group. My absolute favorite Ian Mckay project. And that's saying a lot for a man who spearheaded minor threat and fugazi. The perfect blend of Minor Threat's anger, and Fugazi's more expiremental musical throes. Not a bad song on the entire album. quote. no more number one we've got to quit that game no more attitude give it back to the TV set, c'mon no more tough guy stance i hear your mommy call no more suicide it kills everyone no more petty love no more petty hate no more pettiness 4) Les Savy Fav Really fun indie rock. Really odd allusions. Really strange tales. Their album "Go Forth" is the single album I'm still shocked no one listens to. Their other albums are great too, but "Go foth"is bizarre from beginning to end. Borrowing heavily from Gang of Four in the musical dissonance department, some songs have no "hook" others have brief pre-chorus sing alongs. Find this album. legally or otherwise. Find this album. quote. "Don’t trust the poets, they want to get paid They’re plying their trade to the art of getting laid Don’t trust the prophets, their visions are fudged They’re buying our houses while selling us floods" 5) Bad Religion These guys hold the dearest place in my heart for bands. Of the two main lyricists, one is a Doctor of Evolutionary Paleontology (with a minor is zoology) and the other is a helplessly addicted heroin and crack addict. Both lyricists are furious and sharp tounged. Both lyricists have a distrust for modern man. Greg graffin tackles things from a very logical, science backed point of view. Brett Gurewitz (Billy Gnosis) tackles things in a more ambiguous way, and chronicling his own horrors and failures with an honest disgust for what he has done and is doing to himself. Sonic attack. Their music blisters through each album, and within a couple minutes you've heard another attack on humanity from people who are too elequant for many to notice just what they are saying anyway. Ohh's and Ahhh-lagists. Harmony hasn't moved me like this since the beatles. quote. a) "Our evolution is our demise" "Grave memorial hewn white stone Like the comforting caress of a mother Or a friend you've always known It evokes such pain and significance What was once is reduced to remembrance And the generations pass without recompense What pretension! Everlasting peace. Everything must cease." Yah, so that's my essay for the evening hahaha. hope somebody out there can relate to me about these bands. maybe not tho
