(52 votes, average: 4.17 out of 5)
Loading ...
BORN AGAINST-s/t e.p. (Vermiform VMFM01) 1990
Sort of a companion piece to the recently posted LIFE’S BLOOD 7″, Born Against were another N.Y. band that changed the parameters of what a “hardcore” band could be (and NOT be).
Intelligent and uncomprimising in their views, these guys (and a few other bands) collectively called “bullshit” on most of what was happening in the world at that time. Tackling such heavy issues on this record as consumerism , blind patriotism, religious conviction and the exploitation of women, in a smart and personal way- they stood out from most other bands of the era.
At a time when hardcore was being comodified by major independent record labels (In-effect/Caroline etc.) especially in N.Y. and shows promoting these bands became bigger and more expensive to attend, born against spoke out the loudest. In an infamous “debate” on the WNYU “crucial chaos” radio show, Sam and Adam from born against and Charles from RORSHACH went head to head with the two meatheads (Pete and Lou) from SICK OF IT ALL and the guy who runs the In-effect label. Hilarity insues and nothing much gets solved, but it proved that born against stood behind their convictions and were willing to face people who threatened violence against them for their outspokeness. The lyrics to the song “born again” sum up the comodification issue quite nicely:
Born again as just another product
born again as the next big thing
once a vehicle for outrage now just packaged tastefully
The status quo whose very abuses generated our contempt
now courts us, now treats us like the serviles they know we’ve become.
I reject the leveraged buyout
I reject the corporate sellout
I reject their lame ass version of what the fuck this music is all about.
And make no mistake
all they want is your money
and all they need is your numb nod of approval
and all they demand is your silence
Born again, dead.
After a line-up change or three, they released several more GREAT records and toured a couple times before calling it quits in 1993. It’s hard to sum up a band of such importance in a few paragraphs. Besides the absolutely RAGING music, their views and personal insight brought a much needed, breath of fresh air to hardcore at a time when it was becoming a a sad parody of itself.
Most of these guys went on to other good bands such as MENS RECOVERY PROJECT, THE (YOUNG) PIONEERS and recently the WRANGLER BRUTES. Check out Sam Mcpheeters sites HERE and HERE.
ps: the born against sticker on the cover of this record is actually safety orange
colored but for some reason my scanner wouldn’t pick it up - nerd facts……
Tracks
Half Mast
X-Mas Eve
Nine Years Later
Born Again
Witness To A Rape
Posted by: SurlyOldPunk
Witness To A Rape ends abruptly, could you fix that?
Sweet rip either way.
Sorry ’bout that……………..Fixed now !!!!
uh, duder, the version you upped is from the re-press and is all of the songs compiled into one track, not just Witness To A Rape.
Man, I had forgotten about this record. Taking my back to high schooll….
Didn’t the singer of Citizen’s Arrest play drums on this 7″?
My bad…. fixed again, this time with the original rip from the vinyl……..sorry all !!!!
hands own one of the best bands of the 90’s! Anyone have the 8″ split flexi to post?
[…] ah, check out ‘my’ kind of hardcore music, born against. their bio is as fascinating as their fascinating records, and their members/organizers helped create the thriving, leftist punk and indie scene that laid in wait for PJH in the early 90s Jersey burbs…..here’s an ep’s worth at 7inchpunk, though i’d strongly suggest digging deeper and mining the beautiful reissues courtesy of kill rock stars. […]
does anyone have that infamous debate on WFMU? I’d love to hear it, i only know the folklore.
thanks
old request but figured i’d post it..anyone that wants to hear the born against/sick of it all debate on WFMU
http://soup.vox.com/library/audio/6a00c2251d296f8fdb00cd972eb89c4cd5.html