Let freedom ring

Fight Back.

In tough economic times, people compromise. A high school grad who's anti-war but can't afford college may be lured into the military by the promise of tuition assistance and job placement. Cubicle workers, after seeing friends, family and neighbors lose their jobs, will work unpaid overtime or tolerate abusive work situations because they need that paycheck and health insurance. Sure, they're free to say "Fuck you," and skip college or join the ranks of the unemployed, but because they've got bills to pay, they suck it up. But one can only absorb so much anger without exploding into a million tiny Post-It notes, all of which say "Fuck you." So this week, we dug up five songs about freedom, mostly from angry local punk bands who will show you how to pump out the rage before that occurs.

Getting people to fight for freedom, or at least jump out of their chairs at the bar and wave their fists about it after swilling beer, is a skill the Hard Richards have perfected. Sometimes before people will fight for something, they need a rallying cry, something that makes them feel like they're all on the same team, or at least the same sinking ship. When the Hard Richards' singer, Steve Abbott, launches into "Freedom" with the words "We're all living in a fucked up world …" that apparently suffices. To witness, via video, the unbridled swirling of mad, frenzied energy and shaking fists that erupted when the Boynton Beach punk band played the song at Mr. G's in West Palm Beach, visit Myspace.com/thehardrichards. The Hard Richards will perform with South Side Dub on Friday at Swampgrass Willy's in Palm Beach Gardens.

"Before your captors are you free? What happened to your democracy? A gun in your mouth, a cross in your back, you tried to be all you can be. Would these people fight for free?" These are among the questions posed in "Fight For Free," a song by Miami punk band Johnny Sexfuk and the Fleshrockets. Ron, singer-guitarist for the band, says that after watching the 2004 YouTube video of an American beheaded in Iraq, he began to consider military recruiting tactics in neighborhoods, where money and jobs are scarce. "Basically, the song is about my stance on war in general, but especially the war in Iraq, and pretty much begs the question, 'Would soldiers fight for free without the promise of getting something in return, or in reward for their service?'" Johnny Sexfuk isn't the only punk band taking a stance on the issue. Rise Against recently withdrew from the Buzz Bake Sale scheduled for December after learning the band was expected to perform on a stage sponsored by the U.S. Army's Recruitment Department. To hear "Fight for Free," released on the band's CD "Onward and Up Yours" last October, visit Myspace.com/johnnysexfukandthefleshrockets. The band will perform Saturday at Radioactive Records in Fort Lauderdale.

Some say that doing what one loves, whether painting pictures, writing stories or playing music, is freedom. That sentiment is what inspired Jorge Rocha, singer-guitarist for West Palm Beach punk-folk band Fight Back to write "Finally Free," in which he gruffly sings about how far the rusted strings on his guitar could take him. "My soul could get some wings/and I would fly away/And anything wouldn't mean shit to me because I'd finally, I'd finally be free." He goes on to sing about South Florida sinking and him floating away and leaving his troubles behind. One can dream. "To me there is nothing better than having my acoustic guitar and singing my heart out to people," Rocha asserts. "That's freedom." To hear "Finally Free," visit Myspace.com/fightback138.

When Christian Andrew of rockabilly-blues band the Sacred Owls sings, "Well, the next time that you tell me that freedom isn't free, stop and think what that really could mean, you ignorant sheep," his voice and tone sound mellow, as though he could be singing about flowers by a stream rather than corrupt politicians, but that's fine, as it makes the lyrics more intelligible. Andrew says his song is titled "The Burdens" because figuring out government agendas is a burden. "The people currently in the highest government positions are in the pockets of the bankers, who profit from the military, medical industry, defense and prison systems," he maintains. "That compromises the decisions they make." Andrew notes that his first political song comes during a time when voices of protest are being silenced. "Thugs hired by suits to terrorize innocent American citizens," he says. "This is nothing new." On Halloween, "The Burdens" will be released on the band's "Burning in Hell" EP on Federal Jack, a record label Andrew founded with friends. The label's motto: "Conspiracy is No Longer Theory." To hear "The Burdens," visit Myspace.com/sacredowls.

For the Pollyannas who can't muster rage, there's "Freedom." This peacefully trippy, six-minute reggae song from Miami singer Kevens, is about freedom, survival and positivity. South Floridians may recall Kevens from the days he spent spinning dub, ska and progressive music as a former South Florida DJ, or as the very tall frontman for former local reggae band Le Coup. He will perform with Ky-Mani Marley on Nov. 21 at TIB Amphitheater in Islamorada. Meanwhile, you can listen to "Freedom," by visiting Myspace.com/kevens. While you're there, watch the video of Kevens singing "Freedom" at the Gathering of Nations Powwow in New Mexico last year.

Contact Colleen Dougher at cdougher@citylinkmagazine.com.