Socially & Politically Motivated: 4 More Times the Live Version was Better than the Studio Version {List 2}

Gang of Four. Image source: north.com

There was a point in time when music served as social and political commentary and had a message to send. Of course, music like this can still be found today but the motivation isn't as strong as it used to be... Or maybe it is but they're heavily censored (or perhaps it's out there but nobody cares to listen). Without having to go into conspiracy theories, here are some bands that have spoken against the status quo through their live performances.

 "Turnover" by Fugazi. Live at Lafayette Park in Washington, D.C. (1991)

Fugazi has been appearing a lot on this blog and that probably says a lot [of good things] about them. This footage shows the band participating in a Gulf War protest at Lafayette Park in their hometown of Washington, D.C., in 1991. You can see how the audience moves with the band and how Brendan Canty is drumming on something that resembles the Liberty Bell. That's pretty hardcore, right? Well, guess what makes this even more hardcore: they're performing/protesting in front of the White House, and the song they are performing is a message about apathy towards issues. Who can top that?

 "Too Much Too Young" by The Specials. Old Grey Whistle Test (1979)

This performance doesn't need a lengthy description since it not only beats the studio version (which I should mention is fairly slower than this) but is also straight-forward. Terry Hall notes in the beginning of the video, "This should have been our next single but they wouldn't play it on the radio." "Why is that?" you ask. Listen to this song and you'll find out that it's blunt, politically incorrect, and offensive towards a certain demographic.

"Call Me Up" by Gang of Four. Old Grey Whistle Test (1982)

Being one of the most influential post-punk bands of all time, Gang of Four is a group whose music is dense with social and political commentary that contains influences of punk and Neo-Marxism. This song, in particular, seems to echo those influences as Jon King sings about people who are competitive with each other when it comes to climbing the socioeconomic ladder and that he could care less about it and have fun with other matters. The studio version of "Call Me Up" doesn't measure up to this performance since it's not as powerful.

 "Bleed for Me" by Dead Kennedys. Live in Los Angeles (1980)

As a band whose name is provocative enough for the unknowing passerby to think it is a mockery of the Kennedy family, this group is one of the most controversial punk bands to ever exist. Their confidence in openly criticizing the US and distribution of explicit content has more than likely raised not just eyebrows but angry fists waving in the air against the group. But that's the type of reaction one would have to expect from a band like Dead Kennedys. Whether it is for shock value or a genuine interest in global issues, the band deserves credit for bringing forth topics that no one would be willing to discuss. "Bleed for Me" is just one example of this and their other antics.