Apocalyptic Spring by Elbowache

Traumatic events tend to send one back to their foundational doctrines. This past election was surely traumatic, and for my dear friend Justin Totora, there are few doctrines more foundational than The Clash. The election also sent me back to one of my foundations: Punk. It also filled my blood with venom that needed letting. A thought in the zeitgeist was a temporary moratorium on love songs. Thus, I set aside my personal baggage and spewed forth some of the most political material I could; trying to free the poison in my veins. Justin's love of The Clash manifested itself as him trying to cut down !Sandinista! from a triple record to a single record. I patiently listened to his process and was often shocked by what he chose to cut. But a unifying theme on what he decided to keep was second person lyrics. Words that told the listener what was what, and what to do. No abstract story telling. No personal narratives. Just the truth as they saw it- told to the listener directly. That along with The Clash's disregard for genre constraints informed the spirit of this EP. So here, channeled best as I can, are my feelings about these insane times. Mirth, disbelief, disillusionment, wonder, encouragement, gall, disappointment, needling instigation. Hear it. From me to you. Throw a brick. Everything is broken. Be the new leaders. Live for now. Make tomorrow yourself, dammit!

I threw these four together to get them out of my way. To express my intense feelings, then, if I can, move on. They aren't hap hazard, but they ain't polished neither. They're cheap and quick, and for now. For this Spring, cause it's a beautiful Spring, and it might be our last.

-Tom