The title of the blog is necessarily what this post is about. Even since the begging of time, music has been an influential part of societies, drawing people together and even bringing them apart, depending on how close minded the society was. Music and the tone of specific songs could influence a persons mood, add tone to a scene of a movie or a show, and tell stories. One could listen to the lyrics of a song and be so influenced they themselves write a song or a novel or, well, anything.

There’s different genres of music/artists that really stand out to me, consisting of the band’s motives and why they made a band. One example of music that really moves me is punk. Ska-Punk, personally is my favorite, with Choking Victim and Less than Jake being two entirely different sounding bands with different imagery being in the same genre.

Choking Victim, a ska-punk band that was formed in New York City, known for their politically charged lyrics and innovative way their music is played. Right after they recorded their first full-length LP, No Gods, No Managers in 1999, the band broke up, but still had enough recordings to make an album. With punk rock coming from English bands such as The Ramones in the 1970’s, there has been several different genres of punk to come with it, but Ska-Punk was mostly prominent from 1996 to 2000.

Less than Jake, on the other hand, is also Ska-Punk. Despite their horn driven rhythm and higher beat, they do still classify as a ska-punk band. Why? Because of social commentary and political comments. Less than Jake is a band from Gainesville, Florida, recording a whopping 36 albums.

Choking victim has more political commentary, such as the song Money. The song describes God giving money to the rich and to the government, but also giving it to the dead, with the lyrics of, “‘Cause after you have money, things are never quite the same.” And, “The money fueled this empire and our racist history. Although I’m forced to use it, the rules have all been set. But life is not worth living when your soul is in debt.” While Plastic Cup Politics talks about drinking, and discussing things (such as politics, henceforth the name) under the influence, which they may have not talked about whilst sober.

These songs both talk about things that a lot of people don’t want to talk about, but that’s the beauty of music: talking about things that nobody wants to talk about in a little song. Regardless of the genre of one’s band, they can discuss current events and people’s lives.

Choking Victim’s Squatta’s Paradise E.P. and Less Than Jake’s Hello Rockview