Brothers! Sisters! Comrades! You say you want a revolution? Alright, shoo-be-do-wa. Well, you can count us out…in…cuz this week we're talking about songs of revolution!
For example, how about the 1980 debut single by New Orleans band Red Rockers, “Guns of Revolution”? And the band does indeed come out guns ablazin…it’s a sub-2 minute blast of resistance, rebellion, and a call to action to shake things up. It's a fiery anthem that captures the frustration, idealism, and spirit of the era, a track that had the punk rock press falling over themselves to dub Red Rockers as America’s answer to The Clash. Red Rockers would aptly open their explosive 1981 debut album, Condition Red, with the track, and now it serves as the fitting closer to out the brand new live album It’s In Our Blood, out now on Liberation Hall - which documents our heroes reunited for a powerful hometown gig in 2023, performing the Condition Red album in its entirety along with choice covers. Of course, after the debut, the powder keg punkers would go on to release two more polished albums, receiving radio and MTV exposure with hits like “China”, “Good As Gold” and their cover of “Eve of Destruction.”
So, it's only fitting that our Third Lad this week is none other than Red Rockers' lead singer and guitarist John Thomas Griffith! Following the band's initial split, JTG released a string of Americana-tinged solo records and as a folk duo with guitarist Paul Sanchez. He also co-founded another alternative music institution, one that has been going strong for well over three decades now and who still provides one of the best live experiences in all of music, the mighty Cowboy Mouth.
Special thanks to Randy Haecker from Prime Mover Media for his introduction and coordination.
P.S. Some episodes earn that "Explicit" tag more than others. Just fair warning in case you're listening whilst taking the kids to soccer practice or something.
It's In Our Blood: https://redrockerslive.bandcamp.com
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