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To what extent does your work express your emotions versus a political statement? (Im not going to lie to you, this might get crazy)

I try to write in other ppl's emotions...I know that may sound odd, but it's what I do, & I NEVER write political songs, cuz everybody'd hate me forever more!

(I DID write one called "The Hate Song," in which I hated everyone from Ronnie Reagan to Georgie Bush to Marion Barry to 'unresponsive whores.' Ppl used to ask for it, but it was my closing song, so I made 'em wait for it! I sent a tape with the Hate Song on it to a place I wanted to work at, & the lady who ran it told me "I think you're too political, & I hear you're LEWD!" I still got the gig, but I hated the place, & never tried to play there again.)

A short visit to our website www.noisykungfu.com would answer this question pretty fast.
I don't believe anyone whom listens to our music, attends one of our shows, or visits our site, would have to question emotion or the "political statement" of our band if not for the individuals involved.
We are "entertainment", but the intent is the delivery of a message in as powerful a format as we can.

In year of the moth, personal experience and events around us influenced all of our music. Bible verses, books about world war one and two. Stories about friends. Some politics came into it but only a little.

Same for my personal material.

Scratchy wrote:To what extent does your work express your emotions versus a political statement? (Im not going to lie to you, this might get crazy)

Is this a trick question?

Mike Nobody wrote:

Scratchy wrote:To what extent does your work express your emotions versus a political statement? (Im not going to lie to you, this might get crazy)

Is this a trick question?

I find that question funny as hell. My 5 year old already has you on the list (did I mention she's from the future?)

Why not do both? The problem with political songs is that in time they become dated as world events progress. One of the first songs I wrote and recorded was called "Johannesburg" about apartheid. A more recent one was about the war in Iraq. Now I try and write in a more general style so the songs aren't obsolete so quickly.

jimmydanger wrote:Why not do both? The problem with political songs is that in time they become dated as world events progress. One of the first songs I wrote and recorded was called "Johannesburg" about apartheid. A more recent one was about the war in Iraq. Now I try and write in a more general style so the songs aren't obsolete so quickly.

I figured that out decades ago. All those old hardcore bands complaining about Ronald Reagan have nothing to complain about now, huh?



I don't work very well if I'm trying too hard to make it "about" something. If I just do it and figure it out as I'm doing it the better.

jimmydanger wrote:Why not do both? The problem with political songs is that in time they become dated as world events progress. One of the first songs I wrote and recorded was called "Johannesburg" about apartheid. A more recent one was about the war in Iraq. Now I try and write in a more general style so the songs aren't obsolete so quickly.

"Imagine" was a 'political' song. Has it become outdated?

If he had called it "Imagine There's No Berlin Wall" it would have.

jimmydanger wrote:If he had called it "Imagine There's No Berlin Wall" it would have.

99 Luftballons?

How can you not write about politics? Nearly everything is political in some way. Either on a communal or inter personal way... Yet somehow, I manage to never write about it specifically

Politics is a fleeting and physical reality. I dwell in the more important and permanent spiritual realm.
When I die it will be with the knowing that I tried my best to do the right thing... you can't get that through money or power.

Hayden King wrote:How can you not write about politics? Nearly everything is political in some way. Either on a communal or inter personal way... Yet somehow, I manage to never write about it specifically

Its not an existential question. Emotional or Politics

It's an odd question in the first place, but I don't think I could have been much more specific ...

"I manage to never write about it"

I write basslines, riffs, and progressions. No politics at all. Wanna write political lyrics for them? Go ahead. I'm terrible at lyric writing, though.


And there are some political songs that have transcended being dated by the sheer quality of the music... "Ohio" for one. Nixon's not coming anymore, but damn that's a fantastic song.