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Tag: Folk

  • Songs to Listen to While Fighting Capitalism

    Songs to Listen to While Fighting Capitalism

    playlist

    Maybe you realize that the history of Capitalism has been a long and storied tale of making everything worse for the common folk so that a few people can get unimaginably wealthy. Maybe you feel some kind of way about that. Maybe you even want to do something to make it stop. If so, you’re going to need some tunes to listen to and keep you motivated for every step of the fight.

    Step 1-

    The first step to solving any problem is to first acknowledge that there is a problem and then begin to understand it. These recommendations really lay out the case that the reason we are here is because of deeply entrenched systems that manufacture consent and respond to any threat to the status quo, even a peaceful one, with violence. Last, complacency of people who would rather look the other way than deal with the reality of the situation.

    “Illusion of Choice” by The Best of the Worst

    “Wake up” by Rage Against the Machine

    “The Way you Tune it Out” by JER

    Step 2-

    Now that we laid out and understand the problem, it’s time that for individuals to decide that they can and should do something to help change things. Unfortunately, Capitalism tries really hard to keep people alienated and feeling helpless. You do have the power to enact change. The following recommendations will help work out that inner turmoil and motivate you to act.

    “Warning Dystopia” by Common Sense Kid

    “Damocles” by Sleep Token

    “New Gilded Age” By Atlas and Oracle

    Step 3-

    While it is important for individuals to realize their capacity to act and make change, they don’t have to do it alone. In fact, success can only be achieved when individuals come to together, cooperate and fight for change. These recommendations will motive you while you find and build your communities and support each other.

    “Earth (We’re in This Together)” by How I Became Invisible

    “They can’t Kill Us All” by Apes of the State

    “Salvage” by Space Monkey Mafia

    Step 4-

    Now you’ve got your community by your side. You understand the problem and your ability to make change. It’s time to act. Get out, get organized, find out what your community needs and start making things happen. It’s not going to be easy and it wont be quick. Your gonna need to stay motivated. These recommendations will keep you going when things get tough.

    “A Glorious Shipwreck” by Pat the Bunny

    “Boss Fight” by Doom Scroll

    “Barrier For Entry” by Half Past two

    End Step-

    So through the power of solidarity and music, you’ve managed to defeat Capitalism. What now? Unfortunately, I can’t tell you what to do next. Anyone that tells you they know exactly what you should do now is selling you a grift. Lucky for you, however, everything you and your friends learned and practiced during your struggle against Capitalism are exactly the skills you need to build what comes next. So instead, I am going to offer up one more song recommendation to get the juices flowing. So, at the risk of seeming a little cliche here is –

    “Imagine” by John Lennon

  • What’s Another Night? by Apes of the State

    What’s Another Night? by Apes of the State

    Album: What’s Another Night?

    Artist: Apes of the State

    Released: April 22, 2025; Self Release

    This is the third full length release by Apes of the State, fourth if you want to count the solo album no one really talks about. As a band I really enjoy their commitment to DIY music and the folk punk genre/community and also their general disdain for the government. If you are a fan of any of those things, you will be happy to know that all those things are found in spades on this release.

    Ever since Apes of the State went to a full electric touring band, the folk punk that lives in my heart has been a little bummed. However, all the other punks that live in my heart tell that little shit to stop whinging the moment the electric guitar piece hits midway through, “I’m Okay”. Its truly incredibly good and really illustrates the change was a good decision. The song is about dealing with the angst of growing up and realizing thing aren’t working out like you had planned and dealing with the desire to make things better. This is a recurring theme of the album as well. I struggle to say that this is the best song on the album because there are other solid bangers, but it is up at the top of the list.

    “Punk Rock Shows In Heaven” is my favorite song on the album, it is the classic, Apes of the State fans have come to know and love. Its got acoustic guitar, punchy drum beats and self reflective lyrics. Whats not to love? At face value, it’s a song about what it’s like in heaven but deep down I think it’s really about making life here and now more like what we imagine heaven to be. This hopeful sentiment is what keeps me coming back to Apes’ music.

    “Hot Summer Night’s Part 1 and Part 2” are cool songs Part 1 is a look at the nostalgia for youth with an ire of self judgment. Part 2 offers the same nostalgic look at the past but offers a more mature and developed take and the desire for simpler times and a reprieve from the responsibilities of adulthood. The two songs combined really feel like a coming of age story, because of the “character growth” between part 1 and 2 and the neat little, “where are they now?” retrospective that makes up the later half of part 2. It really delivers the vibes a later 80s earlier 90s movie in the vain of The Sandlot or Stand by Me. I guess that is what I think about when I get all nostalgic.

    What’s Another Night is a great addition to the Apes of the State Discography. It offers a few more glorious steps into a electrified musical direction while providing big payoffs for long time fans. I especially like the call backs to their album “Pipe Dream” found in the “Intro” track and “Round 2” which is a reprise of “Fight Song”. Bringing it back as if to say to everyone that the fight continues, and we ain’t getting through it without each other. That is, I think that over all message of Apes of the State music, and the thing that makes it meaningful to me. They aren’t afraid to point out that they’ve got problems, that we’ve got problems, and that society at large is a mess. More importantly though if we work together we can solve them.