At first glance I thought this was a picture of someone holding an electric guitar in stadium. A closer look established that the man is holding a banjo and standing in a field. I am going to take a leap and assume that is Pete Seeger, titan of American protest music. I saw him just a few years back at the Florida Folk Festival and he was still at it.
I have been thinking about protest music lately, and who carries the banner for the revolutions of the world. Who can can lay claim to being the soundtrack for defiance, discontent, and indignation? What do you listen to on the way out the door, when you are headed off to your own everyday battles? What do teenage jihadists listen to as they leave their homes prepared to kill and die?
Is it hip hop?
Do you still believe in rock-n-roll?
Is Punk dead?
Can Reggae possibly still be relevant?
Does Garth Brooks count?
Don't be shy. If Eminem is the only thing that gets you out of your chair just tell us. I once left an Eminem album on repeat (that was an accident), full volume as I rode away for a day of trail battle. After hearing it for 4 hours I'm surprised my neighbor hadn't become more of a fan. It broke him down like Noriega.
So, whether it is a bike ride, a big presentation at the office, holding hands against the oil spill, community recycling, TEA party rally, Pride parade, weekend revival, or OBAMA 2012 (Fired up? Ready to Go!)
When it is time to take your cause to the streets, who sounds the horn?
Juancho
16 comments:
I don't take to the streets. I'm too old for that sort of foolishness.
Yeah, who takes to the streets?
You mean, like, walking down to the Indianhead potluck secretly hoping some infidel brings Kentucky Fried Chicken?
I think I need a younger demographic audience. Go back to sleep y'all. You are going to want a nap before you go to Bob Evans.
A Sampling of Songs that Fire Up the Velosopher for Protest or Hammerfest:
Do You Know Your Enemy - Green Day
My Way - Los Lonely Boys (no, not the Sinatra hit)
Hot Pants Road -- The JBs
Outshined - Soundgarden
Awesome. Ima check em out.
Rhythmalism by DJ Quik. (Also, Balance and options.)
Later that day by Lyrics Born.
LB burns the house down for sure. I saw him at the Crystal Ballroom in PDX. 1500 people surging on a spring-loaded dance floor.
The roast beef was delicious at Bob Evans, but the mashed potatoes were a little lumpy. I protested by stealing two pegs from the triangular jumping game
Since I have been battle ready most of my life, my issue usually involves the inability to stand down. So I usually try to listen to instrumentals or very textural stuff to get my brain in what I call: "smooth mode" before a ride or a gig.
Here's the chill list:
I live in a Suitcase-Thomas Dolby
One Robots Dream-Joe Satriani
Bravado-Rush
Space Boogie-Jeff Beck
Panic Switch-Silversun Pickups
If I was headed out the door to protest, blow things up, or defned my corner at four points, my choices would be:
Sink Hole-Drive By Truckers
Push It-Static X
Fully Alive-Flyleaf
Map of the Problematique-Muse
Fear of a Blank Planet-Porcupine Tree
Dragula-Rob Zombie
I could do this for hours, but those are the top of the pops.
For true, blood boiling, starting line, battle fury - So What by Ministry
When I've been pushed too far - Behind Closed Doors by Rise Against
1. I thought the golf tee game was only at Cracker Barrel. 2. The only infidel who brings KFC to the potluck is Sasquatch, bless his LDL-encrusted heart.
Speaking for the old farts:
Funky Kingston by Toots and the Maytals and What Goes On by the Velvet Underground. Throw in Now It's On by Grandaddy.
Justin Timberlake - Cry Me A River
You don't have to say
what you did
I already know
I found out from
him
And that's why you are the fastest Silk T Money.
Pre-ride- anything by Pearl Jam.
Pre-protest- Hunger Strike by Hair of the Dog, Fight the Power by PE, American Idiot by Green Day.
I have nothing to protest since cutting my hair.
Manu Chao however helps me focus on my priorities.
White Stripes, The Gossip, Bruce Springsteen, Gogol Bordello, aaaaaaaand "Buttons" by the Pussycat Dolls. But that last one gets me going in a different way.
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