The debut EP from the Wakefield-based unapologetically politically-charged hardcore punks Class Tourists is a pulsating amalgamation of visceral intensity and penetrating lyrical content. The band presents an uncompromising standpoint on anti-fascism and police brutality, calling forth comparisons to Dead Kennedys, Minor Threat, and MDC. Today, we dive into the details of this harsh new release, with a special track by track commentary by the band, who shared their take on nationalism.
Class Tourists’ debut EP is a vehement critique of societal norms and political structures, interwoven with a searing commentary on societal pressures and the expectations of the establishment, then calls out the elitism of political figures, emphasising the importance of the youth’s voice in shaping the future.
The band further challenges societal norms, with a critique of the hypocrisy of alcohol culture and advocacy for marijuana acceptance. The EP closes serves as a forceful condemnation of sexual abusers and the exploitation of power.
Their DIY approach to recording underscores their uncompromising commitment to message over production quality.
The music they have consumed while working on their debut E.P. has been thoughtfully compiled into a playlist, offering a glimpse into the potent influences that have sculpted their raw, primal sound. The sonic breadth and depth of these influences percolate through their distinct hardcore narrative, compelling and confrontational.
While it’s tempting to break down each track, what makes the Class Tourists experience so distinctive is the entirety of its execution. This debut is a bracing onslaught of lyrical fervor and unrefined sonic energy, functioning as an audacious manifesto of the band’s intent and vision.
The band’s politically-charged ethos permeates even their cover art. The collage, featuring Oswald Mosley, a fascist politician who led the British Union of Fascists, captures the moment he was knocked out by an irate crowd while delivering a Nazi salute in Liverpool.
The art piece, titled “Declare War On Hate,” combines elements of history, politics, and artistry in an attempt to make a powerful statement against hate and fascism.
“The falling hearts and the debris were added to suit the title of the piece ‘Declare War On Hate’. It’s literal, but who cares. It occurred to me that it would look sick on the cover of an album or something, so that’s what you see.”
werwewer
GOOD CITIZEN
Probably the only song with an actual riff here. Itโs about feeling pressure from everyone you know about what type of a person should you be, and how older generations and members of the establishment are trying to push careers and expectations onto their children. The E.P. was recorded entirely on GarageBand IOS, which is part of our DIY approach. The songs are messages and statements, and as long as they are conveyed to the listener, the quality of the recording becomes secondary. Thatโs the deal with a lot of punk; the recording is low quality but no one cares. Who gives a fuck what gear youโve got? Itโs about what youโre saying.
YOU DONโT SPEAK TO ME (YOU DONโT SPEAK FOR ME)
The lyrics โThe youth defines the culture, the culture defines the world, the world defines the futureโ is about how young people today, through actions and innovations, will become and embody society tomorrow. So, they should have more of a voice in the future of our world, as opposed to out-of-touch politicians who were born in an elite class and canโt relate to their own people when it comes to money. You have a millionaire Prime Minister telling families with kids having to skip breakfast to โhold your nerveโ.
They donโt want you to be free, they want you to labour for them. They donโt desire to make this country better for its people, any talk of that is just them playing the โhearts and mindsโ card. This is probably the main song to relate to the E.P.โs name and theme. The government are conmen and opportunistic in manipulating the public in their favour. The police are just as bad as the so called โcriminalsโ they go about arresting. Propaganda is real, the same manipulation tactics that Nazis were so bad for using to manipulate the Germans.
Great Britain is a lie and itโs people are disillusioned. Countries who, as a majority, want to promote tradition in society will hinder social change because that mindset of keeping the country โwhite and freeโ as it was in the โgood old daysโ is blatantly Nationalist. Conservative flagshaggers can get to fuck.
THREE FIVE
I enjoy a smoke, me. The songs about breaking the stigma around weed and questioning the legality of alcohol and alcohol culture. In the UK and definitely all over the world too, you see alcohol make people fight in the streets, smash in shop windows, shout obscenities and make themselves look like cunts. If they had a smoke instead, theyโd just be chilling with a Fanta watching funny dog compilations at home.
Iโve seen alcohol turn people and myself fucking ugly, and I donโt know why thatโs the socially acceptable answer to recreational substances to some people. Drink has ruined peopleโs lives and ended peopleโs lives, and thereโs so much public endorsement to it. Iโm not fully condemning it; people can do what they want and I enjoy a drink every now and again. I just know that itโs got to be done in a responsible manner of it can be dangerous, and itโs strange that you see adverts for it on TV and so much encouragement for it in culture. Yes, thereโs a lot of information made aware to people about the dangers of drinking, but itโs still on offer on the shelves at Asda. Also, hangovers fucking suck.
DEAD RAPISTS
Itโs pretty straightforward with the meaning. People who use trust as a lure for disgusting purposes like that, all these disgraced TV show presenters using their fame and wealth to keep people quiet, are the lowest of the low. So this is just a chant about it, something I invest aggression into.
