Get Off that Fence! Poster Children: No More Songs About Sleep and Fire!!!

Did you ever notice how right wing always seem to be cynically appropriating seemingly anthemic tunes written by musicians of a liberal bent? Songs go out on the campaign trail and they get used often in a dumbed-down irony-removed manner. Often the artists like Bruce Springsteen ask the pol to cease and desist, as use of the song is a quasi-half-assed endorsement. Though as most musicians probably lean somewhat left of the dial, the pickings may be a bit slim. After all, we are talking about the Devil's music here, aren't we? But why can't this trend tilt in the other direction for a change?

I think it would be great if President Obama went out on the campaign trail with a healthy supply of Ted Nugent blaring from the Tour bus. Turn the tables for once--Democrat Scratch Fever--Wang Dang Sweet Four More Years--Yes We Can-Go Tango. If nothing else, it would make a decent skit on SNL.

Well anyway, let's get back to what I thought I was doing. Fade out to Mid-America.......

So at least for the time being, No More Songs about Sleep and Fire appears to be the last full length record for the Poster Children, a great funky punk pop group from the Champaign-Urbana zone of the world. Although this is not considered to be their desert island, I like it just fine. (They put out a politically motivated ep collection of covers shortly afterward). Just another criminally underrated band from Middle America. Anybody with a taste for Pixies, Talking Heads, or Gang of Four will not be disappointed here. This particular little number was released on the Parasol subsidiary in 2004, Hidden Agenda Records, though at an earlier time they put some music out on Warners.

I saw them at least ten years ago in NYC, but for the life of me I can't remember where. They may have actually been on a bill with noise pimps Bailter Space at CBGB's. Even though I wasn't too familiar with them, I recall it was a great energetic set. Sometimes you see a band put on a nice show but it can leave you a bit cold. These guys put it out there, forcefully, with heart. I know people like bands like The White Stripes and the Strokes, but I could give a shit about them. Give me the Poster Children performing The Bottle over that stuff any day. Rose Marschack is the not-so-secret weapon on weapon; even though they are all quite talented, she definitely brings the funk. Rick Valentin is on guitar and vocals. Jim Valentin is also on guitar, and Matt Friscia plays drums here.

The album starts out with a bang with the hard rocking Jane. Song two is the funky Western Springs, which the band made a video for. Check it out.




There's a lot to like on this album. Flag is another super grooving tune, where the energy just erupts from the speakers. The Leader is one of the hugest tunes, and probably not one that will be used on the campaign trail anytime soon. One of my favorites is the riff heavy Sugarfriend and the excellent Shy. All in all, a very solid album by a band on top of its game. I even have somewhere the DVD they made, sort of a tour diary/spoof/low budget scripted reality movie called No Stars that I picked up. I can't say its quite the same as The Last Waltz, but I enjoyed the cheapo charm of the movie, and the band is likeable and smart.





So if like what you hear, check out this interesting band--they put out 8 albums in their day, and a lot of them are pretty damned great, including this one. They have a web-site which brings you up to date with what the band members are up to, and they have a fairly comprehensive history of the band for those interested. Their covers ep On The Offensive is a lot of fun, and it shows that their hearts appear to be in the right place. It includes songs like the Clash's Clampdown, X's The New World, Divide and Conquer by Husker Du, and Let's Have a War by hardcore belligeristas Fear. Who knows? Maybe I've just introduced you to your new next favorite band!