Michigan-based post-punkers Thunderbirds Are Now! Are back with new music, their first in 10 years. The two new tracks, “Outsiders” and “Operate,” are out now on bandcamp and according to a press release from the band, all the proceeds will go towards the ACLU.
According to the release, the band was influenced by the country’s current political climate to record new music. “We haven’t recorded new music since the release of our 2007 album Make History, and given the current chaotic political climate, now seemed like a good time to come back.”
The new music was originally two older tracks, but the band dug them out of the closest for some reworking. “We took two older songs that we never captured to ‘tape’ (or a computer’s hard drive, as it were), reworked the lyrics, and came out the other side with perhaps the best two songs we’ve ever written.”
The first track, “Outsiders,” takes clear aim at several of today’s political leaders (we’ll leave the interpretations up to you), with the chorus “surround yourself with liars, so your bullsh*t becomes true.” The band also warns our leaders that “we are the outsiders, and we’ll be watching you.” The grinding new punk track will certainly become another protest anthem in today’s political climate. The second track, “Operate,” is much bouncier, with a lively guitar riff, and is a bit of a “allow me to reintroduce myself,” moment for the band. “We are here to operate,” the chorus repeats over and over again.
The new political stance is something new for the band, the press release acknowledges. “Although we’ve never been the most overtly political band, we felt compelled to not only say something about what is going on, but to do something, too.” As part of the compellation, the band is donating all of their proceeds directly to the ACLU. “It’s not the most we can do to give back, but it certainly isn’t the least either. There are injustices in this world that need fighting, and so if these songs compel you to donate to a worthy cause, then all the better.
While it’s uncertain if the new music means the band is officially coming back, you can enjoy the two new tracks below.
[UPDATE 7/13:] The band is back with some visuals for the new track, and well, they don’t shy away from the political message in this one. Check it out here.
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