Zappagram #12
Proper Pet is a great new band from Arizona, resources to protect reproductive rights, a playlist of protest songs, oh and fuck the Supreme Court
Hey friends,
Whether or not you live in America, you’re no doubt well aware of the bullshit week we just had here in the U.S. as our so-called Supreme Court heartlessly overturned Roe v. Wade, stripping women of their right to bodily autonomy, endangering countless lives, throwing out 50 years of legal precedent, and sending us backwards as a country once again.
America has been hijacked by religious extremists and right-wing criminals who are doing everything in their power to destroy us.
This newsletter’s primary focus will always be music, but I will occasionally link to political essays written by myself and others, as well as to important resources aimed at helping people fight against the constantly encroaching threat of fascism.
This week, I’m linking to a Pitchfork article titled, “Resources to Protect Reproductive Rights After the Overturn of Roe v. Wade” which is a very short action guide geared towards those of us who want to help but aren’t sure exactly where to start.
Sigh. Deep breath.
Let’s get on with the music because it’s about the only thing that makes sense any more…
“This machine kills fascists.”
―Woody Guthrie
RECENT ESSAYS
The latest music essays by Chris Zappa
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How To Automatically Skip Music You Don't Like
A helpful tip for Mac users only
HEAVY ROTATION
New weekly playlists highlighting great music
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In light of recent events in America, this week’s playlist is made up of songs which are either protest-related or pro-woman, or both. If anyone wonders about “Born In The U.S.A.” being included here, hopefully you realize that it is not and never was a flag-waving, pro-America song—crooked politicians and the ignorant people who support them somehow never realized this, but my friend Paul Combs explains this in depth in a great piece he wrote last year.
WEEKLY PLAYLIST #12
Green Day • Bruce Springsteen • Hozier & Mavis Staples • Bob Marley & The Wailers • Muse • Garbage • Rage Against The Machine • Pussy Riot • Tracy Chapman • Sonic Youth • Patti Smith • David Bowie • Kate Bush • Dead Kennedys • John Lennon • First Aid Kit • No Doubt • Raye Zaragoza
MASTER PLAYLIST (ALL WEEKS)
RECOMMENDATIONS
Great content to check out this week
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This past week, I discovered a new band—both newly formed and new to me—out of Tempe, Arizona called Proper Pet. Their bio on Spotify states that “We were tired of being sad so we started a band,” and I can’t think of a better reason to start a band, especially if you’re as talented as Zach and Abigail.
Check them out on Spotify, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
MUSIC NEWS
The latest happenings in the world of music
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Rage Against the Machine is donating concert ticket sales to reproductive rights organizations in Wisconsin and Illinois. They have already raised nearly half a million dollars. [via Pitchfork]
On Friday while performing at London stadium, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong tells British crowd he’s “renouncing his U.S. citizenship” and that he’s moving there. He continued, “Fuck America…there’s just too much fucking stupid in the world to go back to that miserable fucking excuse for a country.” [via Rolling Stone]
During her performance at Glastonbury on Saturday, Olivia Rodrigo dedicated Lily Allen’s “Fuck You” to the five members of the U.S. Supreme Court responsible for overturning Roe. [via Billboard]
Jack White shared a statement on the Roe v. Wade reversal, calling out Donald Trump for “all the abortions you secretly paid for.” [via Instagram]
Lizzo and Live Nation have joined forces to pledge $1 million donation from her upcoming tour revenue to go to Planned Parenthood and the National Network of Abortion Funds. [via NME]
Phoebe Bridgers leads “Fuck the Supreme Court!” chant at Glastonbury, telling the crowd, “Fuck the Supreme Court! Fuck that shit. Fuck America. Like, fuck you. All these irrelevant old motherfuckers trying to tell us what to do with our fucking bodies.” [via Variety]
On Sunday, during her Glastonbury performance, Lorde said to the crowd, “Wanna hear a secret girls? Your bodies were destined to be controlled and objectified since before you were born. That horror is your birthright. But here’s another secret. You possess strength. That wisdom is also your birthright. I ask you today to make exercising that wisdom your life’s work because everything depends on it. Fuck the Supreme Court.” [via Stereogum]
Dave Grohl joined Paul McCartney at Glastonbury for his first public performance since Taylor Hawkins’ passing. Also joining Paul onstage was Bruce Springsteen. [via Spin]
Ozzy Osbourne announces a new album, Patient Number 9, featuring a dizzying array of guests including Tony Iommi, Josh Homme, Duff McKagan, Chad Smith, Robert Trujillo, Mike McCready, Chris Chaney, and the late great Taylor Hawkins. The album is set for release Sept 9. [via Kerrang!]
Hollywood Vampires (Johnny Depp, Alice Cooper, Joe Perry) have reunited and announced a short European tour set for 2023. [via Consequence]
Swedish sister duo First Aid Kit are back with their first new music in three years. Watch the video for their new single, “Angel.” [via YouTube]
NEW RELEASES
Dig on these recently dropped albums
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Caamp: Lavender Days [listen]
Christine McVie: Songbird (A Solo Collection) [listen]
James Vincent McMorrow: The Less I Knew [listen]
Soccer Mommy: Sometimes, Forever [listen]
UPCOMING RELEASES
These albums are coming soon
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JULY 8
Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Toast
JULY 15
Interpol: The Other Side of Make-Believe
JULY 22
Jack White: Entering Heaven Alive • Maggie Rogers: Surrender • She & Him: Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian Wilson
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
See it to believe it
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George Carlin was a man ahead of his time. No doubt over the past few days, many of you have seen the first couple minutes of this clip in which he skewers the pro-life movement and the argument against abortion, but the entire segment is worth watching especially because these days finding things to make us laugh is increasingly more and more difficult. [via YouTube]
ON THIS DATE
Musical happenings of historical significance
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JUNE 21
Birthdays: Ray Davies (1944) • Nils Lofgren (1951) • Pat Sansone of Wilco (1969) • Lana Del Rey (1985) • Columbia Records launched a new vinyl disc that played at 33 ⅓ RPM, sparking a music-industry standard so strong that the digital age has yet to kill it. (1948)
JUNE 22
Birthdays: Todd Rundgren (1948) • Cyndi Lauper (1953) • Joni Mitchell released her fourth studio album Blue. (1971)
JUNE 23
Birthdays: KT Tunstall (1975) • Steve Shelley, drummer for Sonic Youth (1962) • During his “Welcome To My Nightmare” tour in Vancouver, Canada, Alice Cooper fell from the stage and broke six ribs. (1975)
JUNE 24
Birthdays: Jeff Beck (1944) • Mick Fleetwood (1947) • Curt Smith of Tears For Fears (1961) • Frank Zappa performed live for the last time in Prague. (1991)
JUNE 25
Birthday: Carly Simon (1945) • Hillel Slovak of Red Hot Chili Peppers died from a heroin overdose. (1988) • A lock of David Bowie's hair sold at auction for $18,750. (2016)
JUNE 26
Birthdays: Mick Jones of The Clash (1955) • Chris Isaak (1956) • Harriet Wheeler of The Sundays (1963) • Colin Greenwood of Radiohead (1969) • Nathan Followill of Kings of Leon (1979) • Elvis made his last ever live stage appearance at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. (1977)
JUNE 27
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention released their debut studio album Freak Out! (1966) • The chief medical officer of Russia said that The Beatles were to blame for the country's drug problem. (2012)
OFF TOPIC
May or may not be music-related
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UPDATING
Roe v. Wade Overturned: What Music Companies Are Doing to Support Employees [via Billboard]
ACE OF SPADES
Motorhead’s Lemmy Kilmister was memorialized at Hellfest with a massive new statue enshrined with his ashes. [via Consequence]
RECORD STORE DAY
Recently released for Record Store Day: My Morning Jacket – Live from RCA Studio A (Jim James Acoustic) EP on 12” vinyl. Find a remaining copy at your nearest participating indie record store. [via RecordStoreDay]
GREAT PLAYLISTS
David Byrne has been sharing themed monthly playlists for a while now, and this month he’s featuring psychedelic tunes from the 60s to present day in a playlist titled, “PSYCHEDELIA LIVES!” [via DavidByrne.com]
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Inquiring minds want to know
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What’s your favorite protest song? Old or new, what protest song inspires you, uplifts you, or channels your rage? Leave a comment and let me know.
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Love to all,
CZ 🤘🏻
Zappagram #12
Not only are you way ahead of the curve on Proper Pet, who don't even seem to have an album out yet; but also, kudos for expressing your political outrage. I am right there with you. My wife has been crying all weekend. Men should be crying too. Land of the free, my ass. We need to take our country back in November.
Top 5:
1. Public Enemy- Fight The Power
2. Alternative Ulster- Stiff Little Fingers
3. Revolution- The Beatles
4. Get Up, Stand Up- Bob Marley
5. This Is A Collective!- Consolidated
Fuck the Supreme Court. And for anyone gibbering about “state’s rights” and how it’ll be all okay, Wisconsin is exhibit A in minority rule. Just take a look at our district maps.
And fuck establishment Dems who’ve sat fat & happy for years. “Vote hard” is not an effective strategy by itself. Neither is believing that “they’d never do that.”
Whew! Thanks Chris! ✌️
P.S. New Soccer Mommy came Saturday. It’s good!