Consolidated 1990
Introduction
In 1990 Consolidated released their no-holds-barred debut album The Myth Of Rock. Political activism put to industrial hip-hop. A unique combination.
Consolidated
Early 1988 Consolidated was founded in response to being unhappy with prior musical projects. Consolidated consisted of Adam Sherburne (guitar, vocals), Mark Pistel (samples, sequencers, keyboards, synthesizer) and Philip Steir (drums).
Consolidated is an American acitivist group, who put their ruthless message out into the world by putting it to musical genres like industrial, hip-hop, hardrock and funk. The message was predominantly geared towards vegetarianism, women rights, animal rights, fight against racism and homophobia, suppression and the critique of capitalism and nationalism. Even though the music was secondary to the left oriented message, it still provided interesting songs.
The activism played an integral part during their live shows as well, where the band practised “inter-active democracy”. The microphone was handed over to the visitors enabling them to discuss, react and/or debate each other and the band about Consolidated’s lyrics and convictions. The goal was not to agree with each other, but rather to give the people an opportunity to have a free conversation and enabling them to make up their own minds. A lot of those conversations were taped and some of them made their way unto albums as samples. Sometimes as an interlude, but also as part of actual songs.
Just like the anarcho punk band Crass, Consolidated also used audiovisual media at their gigs, adding another layer to their lyrics. The band frequently worked with activist organzinations and provided them with a platform at the venues Consolidated performed at.
Consolidated – ¡Consolidated! (debuut EP)
In the song Consolidated off of debut album The Myth Of Rock the band addresses their raison d’être.
But his is no rock and roll band
It’s the unique creative vision
Of a small isolated group of individuals
A team skilled and dedicated
Searching for the knowledge
That will enable them to improve the quality
Of their lives and the lives of those around themConsolidated. Wake up
…
Help us win the war against inequality
Racist, sexist and economic before it’s too late……
This is no rock and roll band
It’s a democratically executed forum
For social and political transformation… in effect…
Fight the evil system, Consolidated!!
In 1989 the band debuted with their EP ¡Consolidated!, after which the band quickly entered the studio again to record their debut album.
Consolidated – The Myth Of Rock
The Myth Of Rock
In 1990 (the exact date is unknown) the album The Myth Of Rock was released. The album is a combination of industrial music, with a clear hip-hop feel. The album makes use of sound collages, comparable to the Bomb Squad productions, which was used on Public Enemy albums. The comparison with Crass is once again prevalent. Perhaps it’s all a bit more musical, but the message is equally relentless.
Yusuf Hawkins
The album is dedicated to Yusuf Hawkins. Hawkins, a 16 year old black boy, was murdered on August 23, 1989, when he and two friends were in the wrong neighbourhood at the wrong time. Theye were attacked by a gang of approximately 30 white youths, armed with baseball bats and guns.
The song White American Male (The Truth Hurts) tells of the ideas many white Americans harbored and calls for resistance.
These white men perpetuate
This current rise of racism
What have you ever done
To rectify a history of hatred and inequality?
The songs starts off with the proclamation “I’m ashamed of my race / I’m ashamed of being a white male today”. It’s truly ourageous to realize that those still ring true today the same way it did then (35 years ago).
Review
Personally, the album came on my radar for the use of sample of Prince’s Hot Thing (stemming from Sign O’ The Times) on one of the album’s highlights: America Number One.
I bought the album and was pleasantly surprised by the combination of music and politics, which reminded me of earlier times when Crass was still a major part of my daily life.
But I thought the album was musically interesting and exciting as well. The beats sound compelling and inescapable. The lyrics are intelligent and relevant, both then and now. So, if you like politically charged music, then The Myth Of Rock comes highly recommended.
Consolidated – The Myth Of Rock – Booklet
Songs
All songs written by Consolidated.
- Product
- This Is A Collective
- America Number One
- Weakness (Part 1)
- Fight The Fascists
- Music That Lifts Up Our Savior Jesus Christ
- Josephine The Singer
- Poland
- Is This The Cheese Dip
- Message To The People
- Stop The War Against The Black Community
- White American Male (The Truth Hurts)
- Weakness (Part 2)
- It’s About That Time
- Love, Honor And Respect
- Strike
- Brian Wilson Speaks
- Dysfunctional Relationship
- There Is A Mountain Filled With Blood
- Consolidated
Musicians
All songs performed by Consolidated (Adam Sherburne, Mark Pistel, Philip Steir), helped by:
- Davey “Rock” Council – background vocal samples on Message To The People
- Dr. Bruce S. Steir, MD – speaking voice on Love, Honor And Respect
- Laurel Steir – journalist on Brian Wilson Speaks
- Lisa Bell – female speaking segment on Dysfunctional Relationship
- Danielle Doucet – bacground vocals on Dysfunctional Relationship
Consolidated – Friendly Fa$cism, Play More Music, Business Of Punishment
After The Myth Of Rock
The band went on a US tour with Meat Beat Manifesto and released 3 more albums with the original line-up:
- Friendly Fa$cism (1991)
- Play More Music (1992)
- Business Of Punishment (1994)
In October 1994, following the release of Business Of Punishment, an interview with Mark Pistel was published in which he addressed the future of Consolidated.
I think Consolidated has come close to breaking up in the past. A lot of it has to do with the politics not matching our personal lives sometimes and the music taking over our political beliefs. When the music starts becoming more important than our personal lives and our political beliefs then you have to start taking the situation in hand and realizing what’s the most important. Consolidated has come very close to breaking up because of this. I think it will cause the band to split soon. I don’t know whether it’s this album, the next album, or the one after, I just don’t know.
Mark Pistel, Slug #70, October 1994
The words proved to be prohetic. After 1994 the original members went their separate ways. Adam Sherburne kept the Consolidated project alive. The band still exists to this day and still releases music. Since the disbanding of the original line-up several EP’s and albums were released, including:
- Dropped (1998)
- The End Of Meaning (2000)
- Free Music! Stop America! (2006)
- Free Music Or Stockpiled Death (2008)
- We’re Already There (2021)
In closing
What’s your take on Consolidated and The Myth Of Rock? Let me know!
Video/Spotify
This story contains an accompanying video. Click on the following link to see it: Video: Consolidated debuts with the militant The Myth Of Rock. The A Pop Life playlist on Spotify has been updated as well.
