Straight out of Austin, Texas, this one man project commentates on the current US political climate...
This self-described independent, melodic punk, heavy alternative, studio-based project is based in the States, and after a lengthy writing process, Dead Strong are about to release an album. ‘147 Days‘ is an interesting concept for an album, so what better way than to let the man himself, Russ Strong, put the album’s mission statement into his own words . “I am releasing a full-length album titled, ‘147 Days‘, which was written entirely in real time, during the first 100 days of the current administration, serving as an uncompromising reaction to the political landscape. The album runs a tight, no filler, 31 minutes and 47 seconds, across 11 tracks.” I really couldn’t have put it any better myself.
On first listen, I would say that the music runs somewhere between Andrew WK and Propagandhi, but the latter is definitely more apparent in Dead Strong‘s uncompromising political lyrical approach. It is indeed melodic punk with a metal edge, and the production values have created an impressive, beefy sound. A drum machine is at play too, but for the most part, you wouldn’t realise.
The musicianship is top-notch but at the end of the day, the lyrics are the star of the show for me. The words very effectively document a difficult time in Anerica’s political and social history, but at the same time, somehow manage to inject a bit of fun. ‘Elongate‘ kicks off the album with a bang, and I’m sure we can all guess who this song’s about? Some epic metal-tinged guitar work is at play here, giving it that tuneful hardcore feel that reminds me of that 90’s sound. “Watch my empire rise and fall”, Russ sings, as we get off to a good start.
‘Love In A Time Of Intolerance‘ is a song about hope in the face of adversity, as the so-called superpowers seek to divide people through media manipulation and lies. A chugging riff powers this tune, as Dead Strong shout, “Our love stands as resistance”. It tells the sad story of rainbow flags being torn down, but convinces us that love will always win, no matter what the fascists do. It has a great message, and it’s one of the album’s highlights for me. And remember, “Love will always find a way.”
‘Save The Fetus‘ is up next, and this is one of the featured singles from the album, which comes accompanied by a cool video. It’s a story where “women’s voices” are “gagged and bound”, and churches supported by the U.S. government “claim your flesh is property.” It’s a sorry state of affairs, where a fetus is more important than the life of the woman about to conceive. At one point, we hear a flabbergasted newscaster interviewing someone who is happy to “compare abortion to the holocaust.” It is truly scary times we live in. This is followed by ‘Raising Rebels‘, which starts with handclaps and berates a nation “where compassion is treated like a disease.”
Talking of diseases, and more appropriately viruses, ‘Brain Wormer In Chief‘ says “Let’s fuckin’ go!” during this hardcore-flavoured punk song about conspiracy theorists, and how those viewpoints become a welcome distraction for governments. ‘Hank Coles America‘ talks about the brainwashed and their black and white thinking, where they believe, “the godless meet their end.” It’s a song about Christian hate and how they worship a “MAGA Jesus, pure and white”, as they prepare us for “the holy war”.
‘It’s All Her Fault‘ is another lead-off single from the album, and it’s a catchy pop-punk song about the exploitation of mother earth. Russ says emotively, ‘They’re ripping out her fucking spine”, as we abuse the planet we live on, and “she bleeds from wounds that never heal.” Powerful stuff indeed. ‘Architects Of Erasure‘ has a catchy guitar line, commentating on a world where, depressingly,”the master race dream about genocide.” ‘Self Mutilation Nation‘ is about a sadistic country that is happy to drain their health care system, until society metaphorically eats itself.
‘KHH‘ has a thrash metal verse riff and a melodic chorus, with lots of tempo changes. The final song on the album is the title track, ‘147 Days‘ which is a kind of summary of what went on in that shit-show of a time period. The accompanying video shows Russ on TV, playing an out of control ego-driven megalomaniac. His character states worryingly, that he’s “got 4 years to stop this voting thing.” I’m sure we once again, all know who he is talking about? It’s a fun video about a sad subject matter.
The album ends with the sound of a slowing heartbeat, finally ending with the final sound of a flatline. Dead Strong do not mince their words and this album makes for an interesting and entertaining listen. It may all sound rather depressing, but I’d prefer to term it as enlightening. It’s a well-timed political album with a big heart and even bigger tunes.
Buy your copy HERE
1. Elongate
2. Love In A Time Of Intolerance
3. Save The Fetus
4. Raising Rebels
5. Brain Wormer In Chief
6. Hank Cole’s America
7. It’s All Her Fault
8. Architects Of Erasure
9. Self-Mutilation Nation
10. KHH
11. 147 Days
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I have been writing reviews for Brighton & Hove News, and more recently Vive Le Rock magazine for a few years now. Previously, I could be spotted playing drums for many a band over the decades. A noisy habit developed whilst wearing short trousers at school, and one that has had me touring around the UK and Europe. Punk rock is my life, but I am also quite eclectic. I am an avid gig go-er and music devourer, and can feel out of sorts if a gig date is not on the horizon. I have also been known to put gigs on myself in order to fill those gaps.
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