Softer than Yesterday (www.reverbnation.com/softerthanyesterday)
Although officially disbanded for several years now, the Saint Louis Metro punk/post-punk band Softer than Yesterday produced a wealth of songs which provided powerful and intelligent critiques of capitalism, inequality, and state-corporate abuses of power. Unlike many bands that write political songs, Softer than Yesterday was blunt, blatant, and as articulate as the thinkers who inspired their message. Lyrically, the music is well grounded in the radical political philosophies of Marx, and this shines through on almost every song. The band was engaged in significant forms of praxis, always being true to the spirit of punk by playing all ages shows anywhere they could (including rented halls, basements, etc…). The goal was to spread a message of hope, resistance, and social action. Although there are many songs I could highlight, I will focus on System Overhaul (freely available for download here, as are all the band’s songs). Two things stand out right away on this track: Singer Josh Lucker’s high pitched and emotional delivery as well as the tight but turbulent drum parts. Heavy power chords rooted in drop D tuning supplemented with well placed guitar flashes spur the energy of the track along. The slow bridge and instrumental spaces later in the song gives the listener some rest, perhaps as a time to reflect on the previous messages, and also a chance for the bass lines to stand out. The song reemerges with a blend of the previously used chorus with addition of the chant “No war but class war,” which pushes the meaning of the song to yet another level of critique and resistance. Other songs certainly worth checking out are Reaction Dies Tonight and Are We Listening?
It would be a shame for Softer than Yesterday’s compelling message to die along with the band. Download and spread these tracks.
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