Tales From The Drop Box Episode 54 is in my less than biased opinion a blast of fresh punk rawk air to engage your mind and soul as a new age of dissent and rebellion begins in America. If the past is any predictor of the future, punk rock will become more relevant in the social discussion just as it has every single time a government exists to divide the people.

If you are a fan of the genre, I think you’ll find these 15 tracks engaging and diverse. If you are not yet a fan, this episode should open a few doors to the state of the nation – the punk rock nation. As is oft observed, it is difficult to do something new and interesting in this genre, but this episode’s selections should make it obvious that the punk rock game has changed a bit from 1976-77. Not only is the musicianship of these bands obvious, but the diversity in their approaches is readily apparent. Sure, they draw on obvious past influences, but they breathe new life into the genre. The scene is now… perhaps this episode will change your life…. punk rock certainly changed mine.

As for this week’s social issue, I am not sure that a comprehensive analysis is really necessary to measure the level of hate directed at immigrants worldwide let alone measure the rising level of vitriol towards persons some individuals perceive as different in our own country. It is not just a racial divide that is increasing the hostility between various groups of individuals. There is clearly a widening and misplaced perception that our world is composed of persons that fall into two broad categories: “us” and “them.”  Consequently our societal relationships are frequently measured on a completely subjective, stereotypically irrelevant basis. Thus, the prevailing viewpoint is expressed as the lowest common denominator – race and religion. Thus, in a Trump America white is good and Muslim is evil.  This position is morally reprehensible and indefensible.  The “new” race/religion paradigm is “good” vs “evil”  with the primary focus  directed to hating immigrants. That is, the election of Trump has freed the hatemongers to focus on what makes “us” different from “them” as compared to focusing on what actions are right and what actions are wrong. There is no longer the belief (aspiration?) that we are all in this world together. As a nation we have not focused on the problem namely eradicating a select group of maliciously evil assholes intent on destroying our way of life but rather apparently opted for blaming people who look or practice religions different from our own as being somehow responsible for all of the evil in this world and for our own individual lack of success.

Why highlight this issue now? As this week’s Berlin attack, like this past summer’s attack in Nice, France, certainly highlights, the “immigrant” issue in Europe, like America, is a time bomb waiting to explode. As more of these tragedies impact the daily lives of people in major cities both at home and abroad, hate speech directed at immigrants will increase beyond what Trump is advocating. See Donald Trump and the Rise of Anti-Muslim Violence. Research suggests that politically motivated rhetoric can influence the level of hate motivated crimes. (See Levin, Brian (2016) Special Status Report – Hate Crimes in the United States). As the level of hate filled rhetoric increases in both volume and severity, it is now more important than ever to educate and inform those who are susceptible to such hate speech that violence is not the answer and blaming immigrants for societal problems will not result in a better world for us all or a better condition for each of us individually. It is not just Trump as the proponent of this lunacy. The power of hate rhetoric is more pronounced in families where children are susceptible to the biases and perceptions of their parents. Our focus as a nation should be on preventing the very environment that has bred the current terrorists we are all so concerned about.

Perhaps my perception of the current state of hate is a little trite but we, i.e. you and I, need to resist the temptation to blame immigrants as a source of terror. Resist hate. Be tolerant. Teach tolerance.

Here is what you’ll find in Episode #54:

1. Petrol Girls – “Rewild” (Talk of Violence)
2. The Cavemen – “Satan Is Her Name” (Born To Hate)
3. Bloodsucking Zombies From Outerspace – “Welcome To The Jungle” (Bloody Unholy Christmas)
4. The Suburban Homes – “Welcome to Shitsville” (…Are Bored EP)
5. Bright Lights – “Hide Out” (When Stories Become Places)
6. The Gashers – “Roadside War” (In Trust We Bleed)
7. Contact High – A.C.K.” (Lessons From Defeat)
8. The Superweaks – “Junkies Is Gone” (Better Heavens)
9. Pretty Hurts  “Beat on You” (Pretty Hurts)
10. Dayglo Abortions – “The Dishwasher” (Armageddon Survival Guide)
11. Sham 69 – “Goodbye Billy Blue” (It’ll End In Tears)
12. The Cryptics – “All Lawsuit, All The Time” (Make Me Digital)
13. Crown Court – “22” (Capital Offence)
14. Calcinator – “Electrife” (Various Artists – Punk 45: Les Punks  The French Connection: The First Wave of Punk 1977-1980)
15. Maid of Ace – “Monster” (Maid In England)

She is evil she’s insane Satan is her name … if you want it you’re gonna bleed but it’s the price you pay and you’re a very sexy girl very hard to please you can taste the bright lights but you won’t get there for free

KFR

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 53 arrives free of social issue commentary shortly after Episode 52. Continuing with the alt-pop-o-rama theme of the last episode, I think this show is much more positive sounding, i.e. less dark thoughts. Also, be forewarned that this is a foreign influenced show from countries well positioned to hack our minds and not our emails. Caution is therefore encouraged. This show will be like candy – sweet unless you eat too much. As such handle this episode with care… but play loud!

Here is what you’ll find in Episode #53:

1. Twist – “Bleached” (Spectral)
2. Sunset Sons – “Remember” (Very Rarely Say Die (Deluxe Edition))
3. Night Flowers – “Embers” (Night Flowers)
4. Saint Motel – “Getaway” (saintmotelvision)
5. Mugison – “Please” (Enjoy!)
6. Owel – “Places” (Dear Me)
7. Gospel Dating Service – “A Temptation” (Champagne)
8. Nouvelle Vague – “Love Comes In Spurts” (I Could Be Happy)
9. Kytes – “Inner Cinema” (Heads and Tales)
10. Trashcan Sinatras – “All Night” (Wild Pendulum)
11. STRFKR – “Never Ever” (Being No One, Going Nowhere)
12. White Lies – “Take It out On Me” (Friends)
13. Jeff Rosenstock – “I Did Something Weird Last Night” (Worry!)
14. Echo & The Bunnymen  “Crocodiles” (BBC Radio 1 Live In Concert)
15. Leather Jacuzzi – “Don’t Touch Me (I’m A Punk) (Monsters, Narcs and Idiots)

Come on DJ earn your money because I’m at work on Monday do your job…baby, love comes in spurts in dangerous flirts and it murders your heart

KFR

Sorry for the short delay in getting out this episode of Tales From The Drop Box. Episode 52 returns with some original goth rock from The Mission, some new stuff from Ty Segall and Tyvek and a couple of throwbacks this week from Ivan & The Parazol and the Mockingbirds. I think I’ve put together a pretty eclectic mix but there is always room for improvement, not perfect but worth repeated attempts. Also, look for notice of something new to arrive in the next couple of days i.e. a new list!

The social issue this week is about honesty in government. While we always suspect that our government tells us lies we rarely do we have evidence. Not so fast. You can always look to Florida or Texas to give us great stuff. This week it’s Texas. The Texas State Department of Health has released on Monday a revised booklet entitled “A Woman’s Right to Know.” The booklet includes new information about possible risks of abortion, an unborn baby’s development and pregnancy/parenting resources. State law requires that abortion facilities give women the informed consent booklet at least 24 hours before an elective abortion. All good. However, one new piece of information is the mention of alleged research indicating that an abortion may increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer despite numerous, peer-reviewed studies that have refuted any link between abortion and breast cancer. The booklet also says women who terminate pregnancies can become suicidal and infertile.

“If you give birth to your baby, you are less likely to develop breast cancer in the future,” the booklet states. “Research indicates that having an abortion will not provide you this increased protection against breast cancer. In addition, doctors and scientists are actively studying the complex biology of breast cancer to understand whether abortion may affect the risk of breast cancer.”

This is in short – a lie. The Texas Department of health actually knew in publishing the information that there was no evidence of an increased risk of breast cancer from an abortion. In February 2003, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) convened a workshop of over 100 of the world’s leading experts who study pregnancy and breast cancer risk. Workshop participants reviewed existing population-based, clinical, and animal studies on the relationship between pregnancy and breast cancer risk, including studies of induced and spontaneous abortions. They concluded that having an abortion or miscarriage does not increase a woman’s subsequent risk of developing breast cancer. See National Cancer Institute: Abortion, Miscarriage, and Breast Cancer Risk

It is one thing if some pro-life website is painting this false picture. It is not right to lie about the risks but it is also not the government telling the lie either. This booklet is a prime example of someone’s politics giving an overlay to science to intentionally mislead people. Regardless of your views on abortion, the moral issue is whether the government should lie to people to scare them from having abortions. This should be simple for everyone to understand: the government shouldn’t lie to the people  – about anything.

Some might say this is a small thing and causes no harm. This is a big thing. Why? Because next you’ll start get booklets indicating that abortion goes against the science of creation and God is a scientist. Then some school board will say that this is what should be taught in schools and maybe we should remove some books from our library that we don’t agree with. See Virginia School District Weighs Banning 2 Classic Books

The pamphlet is yet another an insult to democracy – a democracy which requires honesty and integrity in dealing with its citizens.  The insult albeit is a small one, but we need to decry any government that lies to its citizens, except of course when it is Trump that is telling the lies. Then it’s just a #^$^#^!! pivot.

Here is what you’ll find in Episode #52:

1. Sshh – “Tin Soldier” (Issues)
2. Ty Segall – “Orange Color Queen” (Ty Segall)
3. American Wrestlers – “Someone Far Away” (Goodbye Terrible Youth)
4. Cowtown – “Clock In” (Paranormal Romance)
5. The Mission – “Met-Amor-Phosis” (Another Fall From Grace)
6. Tyvek – “Tip To Tail” (Origin of What)
7. Roddy Harty & The Lonesome Fire – “Tiny Miracles” (Swithering)
8. The Boo Devils – “Love In Vain” (The Noble Art of Rock n’ Roll)
9. This Wild Life – “Hit The Reset” (Low Tides)
10. Communist Daughter – “Hold Back” (The Cracks That Built The Wall)
11. Flyying Colours – This is What You Wanted (Mindfullness)
12. Savoy Motel – “Souvenir Shop Rock” (Savoy Motel)
13. The Men – “Hit The Ground” (Devil Music)
14. Ivan & The Parazol – There’s a Lady” ( Mama, Don’t You Recognize Ivan & The Parazol?)
15. The Mockingbirds – “Money” (Various Artists – Sharon Signs To Cherry Red)

It was like rain in a strange hurricane these tiny miracles and its almost biblical… money money give us your money

KFR