“(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang”
by Heaven 17
6 thoughts on “VOLUME 24.2.2”
Billy Bragg – Take Down the Union Jack
Figured we’d have at least one BB track in this round. Very smart and clever – had to look up a few things [e.g. Gilbert & George]. So very him. I heard “What could be more British than a picture of me bombed?” (Of course he probably would have said pissed and it wouldn’t have worked as cleverly as I thought it did.) According to Genius lyrics it’s “…here’s a picture of my[me] bum.”
Heaven 17 – (We Don’t This) Fascist Groove Thang
Initially quite minimalist musically – builds nicely. “Crisis point – we’re near the hour.” Scary stuff. Resistance dance.
“Take Down the Union Jack” / BB. Love our William, he’s the living link, I think, between ’60s protest music and punk and whatever came after. This song is a prime example. Nice live cut (apparently) of this tune, which recasts the demise of the British empire — in progress since the mid-20th century — as a critique of Great Britain’s idea of itself, circa ’00s (I have the CD but had to look up its vintage). Beautiful tune, and somehow I grasped its topical reference to veteran Benny Hill-ish comedy duo Gilbert and George being a distraction from English decline, and from England’s new dismal role as part of the cyber-era global economy. Many layers to this song. I admire Bragg’s musicality and bardish ambitions.
“Fascist Groove Thing …” / Heaven 17. I don’t know much about H17 but have heard of this song. This is my virgin listen! (I think.) I love that they were addressing resurgent fascism in 1981. Wow! Prescient. Yeah, people were perceiving it then, in the U.S and U.K. Little did they know. Man. Catchy little number with the correct message. You could dance to it, wish more had taken it to heart.
BB – First thing that came to mind was James Taylor, Tom Morello and Joe Strummer. I like it. Like most selections, I need to dive a little deeper with this artist.
H-17 – Never heard of them, Wow felt industrial and then all that changed real quick. Is this that prog rock you all keep talking about? industrial Prog Punk Rock
Heaven 17- Aside from the fact that they stole the rhythm track from “Jump” by Sister Sledge, this was a solid tune. Super keyboard-forward, I hope that bass was an actual piece of wood and human fingers as opposed to an electronic bass. It’s so steeped in 1980s New Wave it is almost a self-parody. Id love to see a contemporary artist cover this. Where are you Chappell Roan?
“Take Down the Union Jack” by Billy Bragg
A blend of folk and protest music, with Bragg’s signature mix of wit and sincerity. Nice to hear Mr. Bragg again in the line up. It has been awhile and this is the perfect round to feature him.
“(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang” by Heaven 17: Is this Devo? Or was Devo influenced by this band? Or was it the other way around? That stick clatter rhythm is cool. Creative work and the bass is the stand out. Gimme some of that synth Did not parse the lyrics on this one but I think Fascist Groove.Thang speaks for itself. ” The line “history repeats itself” seems prescient
Billy Bragg – Take Down the Union Jack
Figured we’d have at least one BB track in this round. Very smart and clever – had to look up a few things [e.g. Gilbert & George]. So very him. I heard “What could be more British than a picture of me bombed?” (Of course he probably would have said pissed and it wouldn’t have worked as cleverly as I thought it did.) According to Genius lyrics it’s “…here’s a picture of my[me] bum.”
Heaven 17 – (We Don’t This) Fascist Groove Thang
Initially quite minimalist musically – builds nicely. “Crisis point – we’re near the hour.” Scary stuff. Resistance dance.
“Take Down the Union Jack” / BB. Love our William, he’s the living link, I think, between ’60s protest music and punk and whatever came after. This song is a prime example. Nice live cut (apparently) of this tune, which recasts the demise of the British empire — in progress since the mid-20th century — as a critique of Great Britain’s idea of itself, circa ’00s (I have the CD but had to look up its vintage). Beautiful tune, and somehow I grasped its topical reference to veteran Benny Hill-ish comedy duo Gilbert and George being a distraction from English decline, and from England’s new dismal role as part of the cyber-era global economy. Many layers to this song. I admire Bragg’s musicality and bardish ambitions.
“Fascist Groove Thing …” / Heaven 17. I don’t know much about H17 but have heard of this song. This is my virgin listen! (I think.) I love that they were addressing resurgent fascism in 1981. Wow! Prescient. Yeah, people were perceiving it then, in the U.S and U.K. Little did they know. Man. Catchy little number with the correct message. You could dance to it, wish more had taken it to heart.
Work is killing me. I’ll see if I can catch up.
BB – First thing that came to mind was James Taylor, Tom Morello and Joe Strummer. I like it. Like most selections, I need to dive a little deeper with this artist.
H-17 – Never heard of them, Wow felt industrial and then all that changed real quick. Is this that prog rock you all keep talking about? industrial Prog Punk Rock
Oh, H-17 reminds me of this Chili Peppers song:
Heaven 17- Aside from the fact that they stole the rhythm track from “Jump” by Sister Sledge, this was a solid tune. Super keyboard-forward, I hope that bass was an actual piece of wood and human fingers as opposed to an electronic bass. It’s so steeped in 1980s New Wave it is almost a self-parody. Id love to see a contemporary artist cover this. Where are you Chappell Roan?
“Take Down the Union Jack” by Billy Bragg
A blend of folk and protest music, with Bragg’s signature mix of wit and sincerity. Nice to hear Mr. Bragg again in the line up. It has been awhile and this is the perfect round to feature him.
“(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang” by Heaven 17: Is this Devo? Or was Devo influenced by this band? Or was it the other way around? That stick clatter rhythm is cool. Creative work and the bass is the stand out. Gimme some of that synth Did not parse the lyrics on this one but I think Fascist Groove.Thang speaks for itself. ” The line “history repeats itself” seems prescient