Description

The Beatnigs – Beatnigs – Cassette

The Beatnigs were a groundbreaking and influential experimental band based in San Francisco, known for their unique blend of industrial music, noise, spoken word, and elements of hip hop. Their self-titled album The Beatnigs was released in 1988 and stands out as a significant release in the landscape of experimental and politically charged music.

The music of The Beatnigs is characterized by its aggressive, industrial soundscapes combined with politically and socially conscious lyrics. The band incorporated unconventional instruments such as power tools and scrap metal alongside traditional musical elements, creating a raw and intense sound that matched the urgency of their messages. Their work addressed issues such as racial inequality, social justice, and anti-consumerism, reflecting the band’s deep engagement with activist movements.

Key Tracks:
‘Television’ – Perhaps their most well-known track, ‘Television’ serves as a critique of media consumption and the passive intake of content, encapsulated in the repeated line, ‘Television, the drug of the nation, breeding ignorance and feeding radiation.’
‘Control’ – A track that highlights the band’s industrial sound and confrontational lyrics, dealing with themes of power and manipulation.

While not commercially successful, The Beatnigs album was highly regarded in underground music circles for its innovative approach and its fusion of different musical styles with radical political content. The album influenced a range of artists in various genres, particularly those involved in the industrial, alternative hip hop, and political punk scenes.

The members of The Beatnigs, including Michael Franti, would go on to form other significant bands, such as the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy and Spearhead, further exploring the blend of music and social activism. This lineage shows the lasting influence of The Beatnigs’ approach to music as a tool for social commentary and change.

For fans of industrial music, political art, and the intersections between them, The Beatnigs offers a powerful listening experience that is both challenging and inspiring. The album is a testament to the band’s innovative spirit and commitment to addressing pressing social issues through their art.

Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic seal

Alternative Tentacles Records

Track Listing
1. (Welcome ) Television
2. C.I.A.
3. (Instructions)When you wake up In The Morning
4. Street Fulla Nigs (The Experience Of Us All)
5. Control (Re-Classification)
6. Malcolm X
7. Nature
8. Burritos
9. Rooticus Sporaticus
10. Who Is Doin’ This To All My People
11. Rules
12. Jazzy Beats
13. Pre-War America
14. Television – (Radio Edit)
15. Television – (remix)
16. Jazzy Beats
17. Pre-War America
18. Television – (Radio Edit)
19. Television – (remix)