Monday 7 August 2017

Superchunk - Up Against The Wall



  It seems ages since I bought a really cool new album called No Pocky For Kitty by a band called Superchunk (a bit of research tells me it was 26 years ago). The album featured some killer tracks such as Skip Steps 1 & 3, Seed Toss, Punch Me Harder and Throwing Things etc and still remains a firm favourite. I can't claim to have checked out every release since then but every so often I cross paths with them. Records like On The Mouth, Here's Where The Strings Come In, Majesty Shredding and I Hate Music have all ventured onto my radar. Most recent to make an impression is their new single, I Got Cut.

  From Chapel Hills, North Carolina the band comprises Mac McCaughan (guitar/vocals), Jim Wilbur (guitar/backing vocals), Jon Wurster (drums/backing vocals) and Laura Ballance (bass/backing vocals). Since forming in 1989 they've varied in style from grungey punk through diy indie and lush alternative masterpieces. Their latest release sees them bang on form with 2 great upbeat tracks and it's all for a good cause with proceeds going to Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. You can check it out here : https://superchunk.bandcamp.com/album/i-got-cut-b-w-up-against-the-wall

  The single kicks off with I Got Cut but the song I'm featuring today is a cover of a Tom Robinson Band classic from 1978. This is Up Against The Wall....

Darkhaired dangerous schoolkids
Vicious, suspicious sixteen
Jet-black blazers at the bus stop
Sullen, unhealthy and mean
Teenage guerillas on the tarmac
Fighting in the middle of the road
Supercharged FS1Es on the asphalt
The kids are coming in from the cold

Look out, listen can you hear it
Panic in the County Hall
Look out, listen can you hear it
Whitehall (got us) up against a wall
Up against the wall...

High wire fencing on the playground
High rise housing all around
High rise prices on the high street
High time to pull it all down
White boys kicking in a window
Straight girls watching where they gone
Never trust a copper in a crime car
Just whose side are you on?

Look out, listen can you hear it
Panic in the County Hall
Look out, listen can you hear it
Whitehall (got us) up against a wall
Up against the wall...

Consternation in Mayfair
Rioting in Notting Hill Gate
Fascists marching on the high street
Carving up the welfare state
Operator get me the hotline
Father can you hear me at all?
Telephone kiosk out of order
Spraycan writing on the wall

Look out, listen can you hear it
Panic in the County Hall
Look out, listen can you hear it
White House got us up against a wall
Up against the wall... 

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