Shawn Refuse and the Distanced – “Three Songs”
I refuse to explain who Shawn Refuse is, and furthermore, I distance myself, going forward, from any discussion concerning this.
But Andy Bang just handed me a beer and a small bag of cheetos and uttered one word to me, “Write.”
But really, I feel I shouldn’t have to explain to anyone reading this who Shawn Refuse is- that is, if you’ve been around the local punk scene since TNB started, forty-nine… I mean, nine years ago.
Because the band he was in at the time, Refuse Resist, we quickly realized was the most popular hardcore band from Boston then.
And when we saw them live, we were not surprised why.
Great tunes, wild playing and aggressively potent vocals by Shawn.
And as ferocious as Shawn is onstage, he is as mild and mellow off.
But Refuse Resist ended when he was lured by his wife to be, Lyz Star, to New York.
Lyz is and has been an excellent promoter of punk shows. She’s a fiery, firecracker redhead with a heart of gold. But anyone speaking of Lyz mentioning the words, mild and mellow, I promise-can’t be doing so without keeping a straight face!
But Lyz is a wonderful woman, Shawn a wise guy in following her. And when I say “wise”, in no way do I mean in the way that Andy and I are wise guys, which, of course, we are.
And though Refuse Resist is no more, three of the members from that band formed one of the very best, current, melodic/punk bands of Boston- Loser’s Circle.
But let’s now check out Shawn’s latest work:
“With You” is a bass less, not in fact, but in not having a bass line! And it certainly isn’t lacking in feeling. It’s quite emotional and expressive. “Love was just a four-letter word, one that I ran from. Then one day you came along and I no longer had to run.” Andy and I had a heated debate over which one of us this song was directed to. We came to the agreement, finally, that it was actually for the love of his life, Lyz. “You taught me how to see through others eyes.” Very important for a writer to see this, but even I, as a near-sighted writer, can see, this is a seriously, great song.
“Invisible Friend” begins with fuzzing, distorted, dissonant guitar along with angst riddled lyrics. “Do you remember when we used to stand side by side? Then life got in the middle and I felt the need to run and hide.” This song asks several questions and ponders them with an emphatic, edgy vocal that recalls John Lydon to me. This song states. “I am the invincible friend.” But the intelligence, passion and energy is very visible, very evident in this tune.
With some roaring guitar chords and a steady beat, “Always Give, Never Give In,” pauses for a few moments before storming in like a tropical storm, not full of rain and wind and destruction, but volume, intensity and passion. And before I pass out, can I mention that Derek Rossi of OC45 plays guitar on this track? No! Well, at least I made an effort! This is a driving, hardcore thrill ride with a definite, Dead Kennedy’s vibe hanging over it. “Things are always different, they always change…but the world keeps on spinning…we’re not so very special in the end.” This is very true. But what is special is the art and values, the beliefs we’ve latched onto that survive and continue long after we’re gone. The passion,
the camaraderie, the honesty and the dedication to our pure art will live on. That is at full display within this song.
Andy just handed me a can of Jolt cola and a small bag of Doritos- sweet!
I remember seeing Refuse Resist’s farewell show at the Midway. It was the first sold-out show that I witnessed there.
What I remember most about the show was seeing New York’s Live Fast Die Fast for the first time. A few months ago
I reviewed their recorded work which caused TNB’s decision to include New York bands for the first time in our New England
based site.
I’m also, remembering meeting Lyz Star for the first time. Outside of Great Scott’s at a show, and her slapping a sticker onto my butt, that may have been related to a small record company- Red Star, if I’m recalling properly. I do remember that the sticker stayed on my jeans, long after going through the wash for several times as I made no attempt to remove it.
But that’s how life is. Some events, some memories never wash away and that’s all for the good.
You go through the rinse cycle of life and think you’re now, brand spankin’ new- but some memories, good or bad, stick with you, always. ‘Cause those are the ones that somehow, mean the most to you.
Shawn Refuse was a big part of Refuse Resist and they were a great, goddamn band. That I, and many on the scene, will never forget.
But he’s still doing great stuff, not only in a different location, but also in a different phase of his life.
Your ears, your mind should tell you this. I feel your heart surely will.
And your memories are not telling you to relive the past, but just to remember what about it, that made you feel that it was special.
(Slimedog)
