Damn, Sleater Kinney's Hot! (original) (raw)

Damn, Sleater-Kinney�s HOT!
by Joshua Frank
Dissident Voice

November 10, 2002

Our protest songs are here! Portland Oregon based female trio Sleater-Kinney brings us the album of the year, yearning for answers and valiantly asking questions--their latest rock extravaganza One Beat is riddled with more enthusiasm then the whole Democratic Party combined.

Social change starts at the roots of any culture, and bands like Sleater-Kinney are nurturing this grounded effort.

�Oh look it�s time to pledge allegiance, Oh god I love my dirty Uncle Sam...� roars the vocals of Carrie Browstein on a song titled Combat Rock, a tribute to the Clash�s 1982 album.

�I think rock musicians can provide social and political critique that can stimulate people,� Corin Tucker of Sleater-Kinney told me recently, �A big inspiration for us was the Clash's album, "Combat Rock", which was written in the ultraconservative Thatcher era.�

It couldn�t be more refreshing to listen to rock songs that are more intelligent than our corporate muddled media ever could be.� With influences ranging from Public Enemy to the Sex Pistols, Sleater-Kinney is not prone to sitting still on controversial issues.

�I don't know why there aren't more artists writing about the pending war or the government, but I do see more bands getting involved in anti-war benefits, says Tucker, �I guess protest songs are sort of uncool these days.�

One Beat� also challenges our governments reaction to September 11th, �...the president hides while working men rush in to give their lives..� belts Corin on Far Away.

�I am concerned with the US using military action on Iraq before all of the diplomatic solutions are exhausted. I am afraid we are going to be caught in a very violent conflict in the middle east, where everyone has nuclear bombs and horrible weapons. We need to be diffusing this situation instead of going in with bombs.�

We must appreciate brilliance when we see it, or in Sleater-Kinney�s case, when we hear it. They�re a band you�d be proud to have your kids listen to.� With millions of albums sold, and rave reviews from Village Voice, Billboard, and Rolling Stone to name a few, don�t you think its time for you to take a listen?� And as an added bonus their fantastic independent record label Kill Rock Stars hates war too! (www.killrockstars.com)

�We�ll come with our fists raised, the good old boys are back on top again, and if we let them lead us blindly, the past becomes the future once again.�- Combat Rock

Joshua Frank, 24, is an activist and freelance writer living in Portland, Oregon. Email: