Interviewed at Edgefest ’08, guitarist Patrick Mathers of Hostage Life recounts a story from 2 years ago when Hostage Life played Edgefest in 2005. It’s interesting to remark upon the fact that certain venues expect a certain stage etiquette when a band performs in front of a family audience. For some artists, that goes without saying, while with others it’s an insult to who they are.
Naturally any punk rock band is going to personify that egotistical “we’re the $#@!’ing !@#%” attitude and cuss up a storm to get the rest of the punks in the audience all rattled up. After all, the band’s target audience wants just that… a rebellious spokesperson with no fear of public scrutiny.
So why then accommodate the virgin ears and eyes? Which demand should the band cater to? The group of people that want the punk lifestyle or the group of people that wants to enjoy the music without being offended? Check the interview to see what the final outcome was and tell me whether you think the demand for one audience can save or break a band’s career.
In light of the lyrics to their song “White Jesus”… I think it’s a perfect example of what a punk band is; a blasphemous rebellion. Check some of these lines, it would take quite a bit of comfort in knowing who and what you are to say these things… especially with an older generation of baby boomers protecting their kids from the same “racket” their parents tried to protect them from, such as Elvis Presley, Kiss, etc. Inevitably today’s kids will do the same for their kids when the next generation of “bad influence bands” comes into the lime light and onto the radio.
white jesus
the coward’s redeemer
that lies to believers
betrays the healer
every page and brush’s stride
so successfully divides
share the same world view as medieval minds
heeding the threats of forgotten scribes
slaughter or slave for paradise
cry intolerance when criticized
and it’s a fucking lie
I tend to agree… recently I’ve returned to Church after having lost my dear grand-mother (r.i.p. G) and my high school sweetheart. In an effort to restore the balance I had in my younger days when I had full faith in God, I’ve been refreshing my memory of what the 10 commandments really mean and where we are to find true happiness and fulfillment.
For the most part, I contend that the bible is a philosopher’s book and demonstrates the benefits of living a very honest and courteous life, but at face value, there are numerous errors and dissertations which have been corrupted over time and reinterpreted by different generations whom have all had different perspectives. Henceforth as put by Colin’s lyrics “share the same world view as medieval minds”, do we really want to be so conservative that we’ll take literal translations from thousands of years ago when the average human’s IQ was maybe half of what it is today?
Even as I’ve aged, I’ve caught on to so many discreptancies about religion whereby one bible describes the son of God as a caucasian, blue eyed boy with blond hair… are you kidding me? How would a white boy survive the desert 2000 years before sun screen was made? Christianity also states that Jesus died on the cross to pay homage for all our sins… isn’t that a bit of a co-op to paying for our own consequences?
Who knows what truth there is, I think the only truth we can enjoy is the one we discern for ourselves by reading the various versions scriptures for ourselves. So hey, kudos to Hostage Life for rattling cages and encouraging people to look at all angles.
This video along with The Flatliners video (also from Edgefest 2008) is currently featured on the Edgefest website, so if you’re an inside edge member and a fan of this band, go rate the video and share it with friends.
Hostage Life Video Downloads for your iPod or Mobile Phone;
http://www.epkhosting.com/free-video-downloads/underground-operations/
Posted on: August 18th, 2007
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Securing My Seat
NXNE 2007 features Hostage Life from one of my favorite indie record labels Underground Operations. The boys have had regular airplay on 102.1 the edge for more than 2 singles including Sons of Hostage Life, Committee, and currently airing is Securing My Seat. These hard rockers make blue collar music for the people who loath their day job. No doubt, these boys have been there and are on a lifelong battle to Secure their Seat in the industry.
This track is available on their full length album entitled Walking Papers
For more information about Hostage Life or to find out where they’ll be next, visit www.hostagelife.com
