Triggered – “Triggered LP 2020”
Triggered is a new word in our vernacular. Before it meant simply “activated by a trigger.” Now, it also means- “caused by a particular action, process or situation- a triggered memory of his childhood.”
But I first think of Trigger the horse-
Who was “a palomino horse made famous in American Western films with his owner and rider, cowboy star Roy Rogers.”
I’m almost certain that you don’t know who Roy Rogers was, so I’m not expecting you to know his horse. But I guess, this is what this the band’s name has triggered in me.
Now, Triggered the band describe themselves as hardcore/punk/thrash which I believe, is quite accurate.
While most folks describe myself as certifiably insane, which means “afflicted with or characteristic of mental derangement,” I feel that this is unjust and untrue. Though I’m certain most mental health experts would agree with that assessment.
But let me assure you, I arrange my thoughts very neatly, every day, with great care, on top of my bed, much like how I set out my clothes that I will attire myself with for the rest of the day.
I would describe Triggered as a social commenting/politically aware band in the style of The Dead Kennedys, Rage Against The Machine and countless others with clear, legible talk/sing vocals filled with anger and what I feel is, justifiable self-righteousness-
Along with music that is a mix of hardcore, thrash and rock’n’roll.
Did I fail to mention how good the music is and how much it kicks ass? Well, it does. Let’s take a peak and see:
“Big Mistake” starts with some minor key power chords and a rockin’ beat. But soon the guitar starts trilling in a thrash/grindcore mode while the spoken, but melodic vocals, surging with rage- crash in as the beat accelerates. There’s a short, great guitar solo that makes me recall James Williamson of Iggy & The Stooges, too. In no way is this song a mistake but it is, a raging hurricane of anger and emotion and something you want to repeat rather than correct.
With a terrific intro of snarling, dirty, fuzzy, anti-social, in your face guitars, along with grounding, pounding rhythms, “Assange, Manning And Snowden,” quickly whiplashes into a full on aural assault not only upon our ears but every sensory organ. This song has a vast amount of righteous anger and reckless rhythms coupled with words and sounds to not only rock you the fuck out but hopefully, incite a revolt against the madness so many of the young, at least, clearly see.
Beginning with a strong, melodic bass and a steady, energetic beat- this may be the most conventional song on this release but it is also the most catchy and rockin’ one that gets my pick as the best. This is another worthy, political rant-“Ever wonder why the wars don’t end? Isn’t it obvious the news pretends?” And this song gets extra points for reminding me of eighties band Wall Of Voodoo with one of my favorite rock lyricists Stan Ridgway.
“The politicians are put there to give you the idea that you have freedom of choice. You don’t, you have no choice. You have owners, they own you.”- George Carlin, comedian and the source of the sample that begins “Nuke DC”. After a propulsive start with jujitsu, jigsaw guitars battling fearless, inflammatory rhythms- This song takes a pause before the vocals barge in with a hardcore rush. This tune is a marvelous mixture of hardcore and thrash and thoughtful lyrics accompanied by music that makes one want to leap about in ecstatic glee.
I remember Triggered as being one of the new bands that I really liked, seeing them once live, before life was put on pause. When things were shut down, locked down and the pulse of life was put on mute.
I still worked my Monday to Friday job, I still wrote my Thrash N Bang, but the weekends were consistently dull for me- No more Midway matinee shows!
And not only was there not much else to do, I realized, there was really nothing else I wanted to do but be involved in the local punk community.
But I hope to go to many new shows and hopefully, discover new bands as wonderful as Triggered.
With that pause in life I think Triggered should count as a brand new band. And a great band at that- with a great, first release.
And now, I think, it’s time to pump some blood into our lifestreams again and support the bands and clubs to make up for lost time.
And Triggered just conjures up for me, good times awaiting to happen.
(Slimedog)
