Blood and Oil Music Review

In more ways than one, politics has always been music's sexy mistress. From the explosion of folk protest songs during the 60's and 70's to the outburst of frustration seen in the 80's punk scene, the formats of political protest and rock formats have been the voice of the people, an outlet for the unsettled, and the pulse of the nation. Since the US's 2003 invasion of Iraq, musicians, especially within punk and metal movements, have banded together against the Bush administration with unparalleled tenacity. Fat Mike, frontman for punk veterans NOFX and owner of Fat Wreck Chords along with members of Green Day have been figures on the frontlines, helping organize and expand such anti-war/anti-Bush organizations as PunkVoter.com and RockAgainstBush. Influenced by the prior political punk legends like Black Flag, the Clash, and Minor Threat, the next generation of rock politics has fully arrived. From high school dropouts to possessors of Master's degrees, the members of the following thread are united in their quest for social change. These are the bands that matter, because they're the soundtrack to social change for this generation and the next. Thus, we have braved the scenester message boards, scoured the music mags, and myspaced/purevolumed 'til the coffee ran out. Since people seem to enjoy lists, we have laid forth for you, a selection of the most important politically minded bands presently active (in list for, of course). Obvious candidates, like NOFX and Green Day, have been omitted, in favor of lesser known yet equally significant groups.

Band: Against Me!
HQ: Gainesville, FL
Seminal Releases: As the Eternal Cowboy (2003), Searching For a Former Clarity (2005), New Wave (2007)