Protest Music

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 Responses to Protest Music

  1. Yeah, who takes to the streets?

    You mean, like, walking down to the Indianhead potluck secretly hoping some infidel brings Kentucky Fried Chicken?

  2. 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.

  3. 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

  4. 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.

  5. 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

  6. 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.

  7. 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

  8. 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.

  9. 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.