In this series we look back into the year 2013 by reviewing an album from this year every other week.
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White People and the Damage Done was the second longplayer by the Californian band with the rather bit too long artist name. The band was of course formed by Jello Biafra, mostly known for being the vocalist and songwriter of legendary band Dead Kennedys. But Mr. Eric Reed Boucher as Biafra is called by civil name has also teamed up with NoMeansNo, (the) Melvins, Napalm Death, and many other bands, he is furthermore known for his political activism, his spoken word shows, and for being basically everywhere in the media. White People and the Damage Done by Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine was released via Alternative Tentacles on April 02, 2013 and it featured Ralph Spight (guitar | Freak Accident / Victims Family), Kimo Ball (guitar | Mol Triffid / Griddle / Freak Accident), Andrew Weiss (bass | Rollins Band / Ween / Butthole Surfers / and many more), Paul Della Pelle (drums | Nik Turner’s Space Ritual / Ruin / Helio Creed) and of course Jello Biafra (vocals).
The thing that one can always be certain of is that a Jello Biafra release sounds like a Jello Biafra release whoever else is involved and whatever kind of release it is. The vocalist from San Francisco has a unique way of uttering his speech, both when singing or speaking. And furthermore, the way Biafra adresses political topics is distinctive, too. His evil sarcasm is spiky, sardonic and very reflected. Thus, White People and the Damage Done shoots against left- and right-wing politics simultaneously – although with different intentions. Behind all the razor-sharp satire, Jello Biafra is an antifascist activist who knows that the left needs a little wake-up call from their selfrighteousness from time to time.
Sound-wise, the audience is provided with a mix from Hardcore Punk, Surf Rock, Garage and Stooges-like Proto Punk. The result sounds quite a lot but not exactly like the Dead Kennedys. Is that bad? Not at all! This is the Biafra sound, and those who love will probably buy everything that was touched by Eric Reed Boucher. And like that, White People and the Damage Done is indeed a great post-DK album.
Next up in this series: Snoop Lion – Reincarnated
