Following up on yesterday’s two-parter is the flip side to Rage’s Renegades insert, and the conclusion to the defacement cliffhanger. Don’t try this at home kids, or, if you do, come up with something worthy of withstanding the test of time. Fin.
Category Archives: 2000
Raging Insert (Part 1)
Also eligible for induction into the R&R HOF is Los Angeles’ own Rage Against the Machine (seems like I’ve been touching base with them quite a bit lately). Again, voting ends 12/9, so don’t delay! As an aside, or really, the point of this post, this two-parter, is a politically-charged suggestion by the band, from their Renegades release, about the pros of defacing domestic currency. Presented here is the first side of the Renegades insert. For a brief definition of defacement by means of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, continue reading.Defacement of Currency
Defacement of currency is a violation of Title 18, Section 333 of the United States Code. Under this provision, currency defacement is generally defined as follows: Whoever mutilates, cuts, disfigures, perforates, unites or cements together, or does any other thing to any bank bill, draft, note, or other evidence of debt issued by any national banking association, Federal Reserve Bank, or Federal Reserve System, with intent to render such item(s) unfit to be reissued, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
Defacement of currency is a violation of Title 18, Section 333 of the United States Code. Under this provision, currency defacement is generally defined as follows: Whoever mutilates, cuts, disfigures, perforates, unites or cements together, or does any other thing to any bank bill, draft, note, or other evidence of debt issued by any national banking association, Federal Reserve Bank, or Federal Reserve System, with intent to render such item(s) unfit to be reissued, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
High Fidelity (aka “Barry, the Door!”)
Now, I was certain I’d already posted about this seminal soundtrack, but a quick site search conflicts with my shady memory. Originally released in accompaniment with the film in 2000, this 2015 colored vinyl version was a Record Store Day Black Friday, 15th Anniversary release from November 2015. There also appears to be a red vinyl version, limited to 500 copies “pressed exclusively for Red Bull Sound Select’s 30 Days in L.A.” (Thanks, Discogs.com). The only prior vinyl version came from Germany or the UK, and were extremely limited (not to mention fetch a hefty price online). 2016 black vinyl versions fetch for around $20, so options a-plenty.
Kiss Koncert
Yup… this concert was over 18 years ago (le sigh). Certainly not a fan of The Nuge’s political position, but he was fairly solid with Skid Row and solo. Kiss was, obviously amazing, though I wish I hadn’t missed the blood-spitting part of the rock n’ roll show. The overpriced beer that caused me to miss this classic experience only added insult to the injury.
Peace
When the Blue Meanies are headlining over Alkaline Trio, you know you’re in the early 2000’s. Thanks to Mike Park (owner and creator of Asian Man records, and saxophone player for Skankin’ Pickle) for organizing this awareness show “promoting positive youth development through engagement in the arts and social change.” The foundation appears to be still going strong, and you can check out more about them here.
Beastie Book-It
With all the frenzy surrounding the upcoming Beastie Boys book, it’s relatively easy to forget about the hardcover book that accompanied the Beastie Boys Anthology: The Sounds of Science. Presented here is a nice, if simple, layout of some of (16 to be exact) the Boys’ classic album covers, which also doubles as the book’s cover. Whatever your weekend plans may be, make sure they include the Beastie Boys.
Back in Blue
Oh, the subtle luxury of the limited colored vinyl reissue. This time around it’s the “legendary” debut album by Australia’s The Avalanches. Since I Left You was originally released, mainly in Australia, back in 2000 (with copies going for well over the $350 mark), so the frugal side of me held out for this 2017 translucent blue double LP reissue. Hype sticker on the front quotes Pitchfork as saying, “Quite possibly the best sample record ever made” and though I’m partial to Paul’s Boutique, they may not be wrong.
A Study in Hypocrisy
Just found my casual weekend reading material. U.S. Foreign Policy: A Study in Hypocrisy, courtesy of Canadian punks, Propagandhi and their 2000 album from Fat Wreck Chords, Today’s Empires, Tomorrow’s Ashes.
Virus
I want to devise a virus
To bring dire straits to your environment
Crush your corporations with a mild touch
Trash your whole computer system and revert you to papyrus
So begins Virus, the 2000 doomsday “single” off Deltron 3030’s debut album, Deltron 3030. Positive Contact, the 2001 single off the same debut, would have been my first choice for single-hood, but the Deltron team had a different plan. Back with Things You Can Do, this 6-track single contains the album versions, the stupid radio edits, and the chill instrumentals. Remember kids, Deltron 3030 released both of their studio albums as instrumentals, so consider that the next time you and your lover lock lustful eyes.
Swagger
Los Angeles-based Celtic punks Flogging Molly entered the entertainment bubble with their debut studio album Swagger back in 2000. The album would be critically acclaimed for their folk / punk / oi mix, and would represent a prolific start to a 17+ year career, up to and including 2017’s Life is Good. Late nights are prime hours to spin Flogging Molly, be it Swagger or otherwise. Just make sure you have enough whiskey on hand.
Music: Response
Limited to 1000 copies, this 3x LP, 6 track maxi-single has a few things going for it. It was released in 2000 in the UK, it was distributed by Freestyle Dust, a Chemical Brothers’ sub-label of Virgin Records (set up in 1995 specifically for the band), and it was nabbed for only $6 from our local brick and mortar. Spinning these very soon! My apologies to the neighbors in advance.
Leftovers
Aside from being an amazing, 31-track compilation, the double vinyl version of Lagwagon’s 2000 grab bag release Let’s Talk About Leftovers (a play on their 1998 album, Let’s Talk About Feelings) is a Germany-only release. Who knew Lagwagon was big in Germany? Anyway, if you can find this, nab it. It’s not cheap, but well worth the double spin.
Jeremy Hates Art
Billed as the poor man’s Neil Young, Lucky Jeremy’s Hates Art suffers from only one, principle issue… being too damn short. This charmingly unpolished collection of acoustic rants was a sought after gem during my early-to-mid twenties, and it only took me a decade to finally acquire it. Limited to only 500, hand numbered copies, Hates Art is a steal for the $1.50 asking price on Discogs.com. So, you know, when you’ve had your fill of Neil, Jeremy is your go-to guy.
The Future of 2000
The record on which this sticker is attached was small in stature, but large in overall significance. With only four tracks, Eye of the Cyklops from Mix Master Mike was the first record I’d owned, or even seen, that featured a copyright date that didn’t start with 19. Released March 21st of 2000, I’d purchased this record for its mind-blowing shockability, but have since been happy with the music contained within. I am, as I assume many of you are, ashamed to admit how long ago 2000 now seems.
Pump
2000’s Pump Up the Valuum was just about the time I started to “respectfully” lose interest in NOFX. As one who is prominent in giving respect where (crass) respect is due, I’ll always hold the NOFX hand close to the chest, but at a certain point, abandonment seems a worthy option.
I doubt I’ve heard this album in over 15 years… that, is my cross to “badger.”
The Prudent Groove 