Pure Punk Picks
Death & Blood & Night (Yukio) – The Stranglers
The great philosopher, Madonna, and I only say that half in jest, taught us. That for women to be free, they not only had to be free from the judgment of men and the constraints of society. (The later, basically, created by men to keep women in tow). That they must also, not be constrained by the feminists, though with great intentions, who would at times set rules on how every women should act and feel.
Hey! I thought this was a write up about a punk song? Not a dissertation about the role of women in society!
But today, I chose a song by The Stranglers, who along with Fear and a little later with G.G. Allin- created some of the most offensive, un-politically correct lyrics ever existing in punk.
I guess, The Stranglers might be considered the most misogynistic band in punk rock, but I think of them as more misanthropic (hate of all mankind). Which, when I think about it, was almost universal in the early days of punk.
The song title “Death & Night & Blood” is taken from a line from Yukio Mashima’s novel “Confessions Of A Mask.” He is considered one of Japan’s best writers of the twentieth century. I believe I read him at one time. I guess, I wasn’t overly impressed as I’m not sure of this.
But I know I’ve heard this band. I’ve always been impressed with The Stranglers.
I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re not familiar with them, but if you are of my age and involved in punk and especially, if you are British- not knowing who they are would be equivalent of not knowing The Clash! As The Stranglers were one of the most popular and commercially successful bands of punk at the time. They had loads of hit singles in England and Europe, and continue as a band to this day- minus, Hugh Cornwall their original lead inger/guitarist/songwriter. I can come up with a few funny descriptions of this band. Iggy Pop fronting Yes! The Doors if they survived and Richard Hell became their front man!
But I imagine, they’re a lot like X, nowhere near in sound, but the fact that both bands had a couple of amazingly adept musicians playing along side, two players that had vision if not dexterity. In X, John Doe and Exene supplied the later. Here, in this band, the drummer and especially, Hugh Cornwall supplied the later. This band was, actually, a mix of prog rock and punk and somehow it actually worked tremendously!
And a lot of this had to do with Hugh, with his anti-society, sarcastic, venomous and yes, sexist lyrics. This was not similar to Yes singing about “Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there!” (From “Roundabout).” In that song there’s a pause for us to ponder the significance of that lyric. Me, I just think. “What do you expect them do? Start dancing around like Hawaiian hula dancers?”
No, this band lyrically was totally un-politically correct. Of course, before that term existed. And though, I’m not totally supportive with that stance, it was a major “Fuck You” to all sides and one that was needed and mattered at the time.
With a solid, groovin’ beat and a trebly, growling bass this song begin with Hugh singing the title and a monotone shout of a chorus answering him. Lyrics like “And we decided that to die, there was no better love.” Sounds like the nihilistic feeling of the times and possibly, a suicide pact to me.
The chorus goes, “Hey, little baby don’t you lean down low. Your brains exposed and it’s starting to show. Your rotten thoughts. Yuck!” Kind of humorous, but kind of poignant- like instead of gawking at a beautiful model enticing you with her exposed body parts, you’re realizing how vapid and meaningless her display is. In other words, her sex appeal is all she has to offer. And it’s not vulgar, the body parts she shows, but more so the thoughts behind her actions that are void of any meaning, of any worth.
There’s some great lyrics with, “Home is a black leather jacket fitting tightly to my brain.” And “I will force my body to be my weapon and my statement, so”- (Then the title is sung).
Yukio Mishima died when he led a revolt to restore power to the Emperor Of Japan. They captured the Emperor and then Yukio gave an impassioned speech from a balcony to soldiers below. His speech was mocked by them and then, he immediately committed a ritualistic form of suicide called Seppuka. This is achieved by disembowelment, a form of assisted suicide, where a short blade is stuck into the abdomen and is then drawn left and right, slicing the belly open.
Yeah, these are quite disturbing notions but they certainly are intense and serious, also. And in the world of pop and rock music, as it was then, as it is now. This was certainly grave waters that, unlike their contemporaries, The Stranglers were not shy to wade in.
The Stranglers were also, not afraid to throw progressive elements into their music- weird time signatures, Bach like keyboard refrains- because as popular as they became, in England and Europe, anyways.
Their heart beat with the essence of punk. Their lyrics were biting, sarcastic and real. No lyrics about riding unicorns across the moons of Saturn. Their music and sound were free of bullshit, which is why, despite certain aspects of their sound- they were one-hundred percent punk.
And that’s what made The Stranglers, a great, if now, somewhat forgotten punk band.
And though I wouldn’t recommend it as much as I do this great song.
Having someone slice your guts out has to be considered “punk” some way.
(Slimedog)
