By Keith Walsh
Out of Montgomery, Alabama, Abusements deliver punk rock that’s fast, fun and more than meaningful. The value comes from their stance of challenging long held traditions that may or may not still be functional or useful.
The latest video by Abusements, titled “Banned,” references a recent scandal over content that ruffled some tail feathers. I asked vocalist/guitarist/writer DJ FakeName to explain more about the controversial song, and got more than I bargained for.
PunkRockBeat: What was the song or album that was banned, and what was your strategic response? Emotional response? What was so controversial that even the first amendment couldn’t protect it? Also, given last month’s election results, what are your expectations about the arts and music environment in places like Montgomery, Alabama?
DJ FAKE NAME: I am under orders from Dominique Bradley, our musical director, to not discuss “Banned” nor the situation(s) that led to it, and the LP, any further.
We put the full lyrics on the LP inner sleeve, and released a video to make light and have some fun.
When songwriters explain themselves offstage, it works to the detriment of the song and detracts from the listener experience. We’re sure you’d agree.
“Hold fast and renew bonds with family, friends, colleagues and community. We’re gonna need each other. People come to Montgomery from around the world for monuments and museums about a human rights struggle that’s been going for at least 400 years. That conflict is far from over and will outlast us. The fight, and its corollary, the battle of truth and science against lies and ignorance, is probably eternal.” DJ Fake Name/Todd Souvignier of Abusements
We have changed some elements and combined things to draw a picture that is more archetypal, and not merely specific to our local hassles.
Anyway, we were minding our business when dumb jerks came after us. We mostly did what we do: wrote songs, made recordings, shot videos. Rehearsed a lot, gigged when & where we could.
That’s the segue to the election question. Artists of conscience: This is the time to step up and do what you do. Again.
Hold fast and renew bonds with family, friends, colleagues and community. We’re gonna need each other. People come to Montgomery from around the world for monuments and museums about a human rights struggle that’s been going for at least 400 years. That conflict is far from over and will outlast us. The fight, and its corollary, the battle of truth and science against lies and ignorance, is probably eternal.
finis