Archive for On Tyranny

On Tyranny: Diles Que No Me Maten Frontman Says U.S. Is Rapidly Becoming Too Costly – and Scary – to Tour Through

Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny with tags , , , , , on 05/28/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

It feels like only yesterday when touring across the United States was one of the greatest dreams the vast majority of bands in the world shared. What a difference a piece of shit president makes. With each passing day, as Trump’s unimaginably horrific, misguided and illegal policies continue to destroy America’s values, economy, reputation, health, security and overall well-being, bands are having to think much harder about whether it’s even wise to tour here anymore.

Over the past few months, The Bad Penny‘s On Tyranny series – which focuses on how fascism directly impacts musicians artistically, professionally and emotionally – has primary revolved around conversations with American artists. (The series started a couple of years ago with a focus on musicians living under authoritarian regimes around the world.)

In this installment, we once again touch base with a musician based outside the U.S., this time not to learn about how artists can survive, cope and/or adapt to life in a fascist society, but what impacts America’s accelerating death spiral is having on those living beyond the country’s borders.

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On Tyranny: Ratboys Blast Trump Administration as a ‘Fucking Psychotic Regime’

Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny with tags , , , , , , , on 05/26/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

An aspiring authoritarian regime typically silences dissent gradually over the course of its rule over a country and its populace. But the inverse appears to be occurring with the Trump administration. In yet another sign that the autocratic ambitions of the president and his goons – particularly White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President J.D. Vance – are backfiring, more and more artists are publicly denouncing them and their sociopathic ambitions.

In doing so, artists are challenging not only the federal government’s threats of Soviet-style retribution (blacklists, harassment, even imprisonment) but contemporary music fans who bemoan entertainers for voicing their political opinions; a corporate music industry that profits from encouraging their clients to remain politically agnostic, anodyne and antiseptic; and supplicating media moguls, editors and publishers in a shrinking and increasingly conservative-dominated field.

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On Tyranny: Indie-Rock Legend J. Robbins Says Techno Fascism Isn’t ‘Inevitable,’ Resistance Can Win

Posted in Interviews with tags , , , , , , , , , on 05/25/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Among those who belong on indie-rock’s Mount Rushmore, J. Robbins – Jawbox frontman, hardcore godfather and one of the most prolific rock producers of all time – is an undeniable front-runner. Respected by all and disliked by none, the workaholic legend graciously carved out some time to participate in The Bad Penny‘s On Tyranny series.

He touched on what a bummer it is to share the same birthday as Donald Trump; how tech bros are aiding and abetting – if not puppeteering – the fascist takeover of America; and, in true hardcore DIY fashion, reminded musicians and fans alike that the war can be won if we empower ourselves to rise up and topple those terrorizing this country.

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On Tyranny: LAPêCHE Bassist Calls Making Music ‘An Overtly Political Act’ of ‘Radical Compassion’

Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny, Videos with tags , , , , , , , , on 05/08/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Brooklyn, New York, has no shortage of bands – specifically, ones considered to be of the indie-rock or post-punk persuasion. But while it’s tough to stand out among the crowd, LAPêCHE do so with catchy, addictive songs matched with impressive intellect. That goes for vocalist Krista Holly Diem – who initially incepted LAPêCHE as a solo project 10 years ago – guitarist Drew DeMaio, drummer Colin Brooks and bassist Dave Diem (Krista’s husband).

Enthusiastic about participating in The Bad Penny‘s On Tyranny series, Diem’s critical thinking skills were on full display in a Zoom conversation that took place a month ago. The interview began with Diem providing some background on LAPêCHE and commenting on the band’s their third LP, the recently released Autotelic (Tiny Engines). (The album title implies having a purpose in and not apart from itself, according to Merriam-Webster.)

The interview then segued into Diem waxing philosophical and sharing his profound-yet-crystal-clear beliefs about art:

“Music and art connects us, brings us together, so I think that creating art is an overtly political act, a form of radical compassion,” he said. ” ‘Radical acceptance,’ to me, is being mindful and responsive to a situation rather than being reactive. Acceptance … is really being honest and truthful about the situation, and then taking [the next right] action [that] keeps in mind yourself and how you impact others.”

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On Tyranny: Anarcho-Punk Band Gottlieb Say They ‘Don’t See ICE Coming to Our Shows’

Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny, Videos with tags , , , , on 05/07/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Of all the musicians that have participated in The Bad Penny‘s ongoing On Tyranny series, two musicians with whom we spoke on Thursday seemed to be the most informed, smartest and amped-up when it comes to fighting fascism. If you’re seeking the most educational videos in this 125-plus-part series, don’t miss this interview with Gottlieb.

After forming in L.A. way back in 2000, the anarcho-punk band finally released their first full-length, The Far Fallen Fruit, on Friday via Quiet Panic. Gottlieb continuously prove they’re not going to be intimidated by the authoritarian forces who now have a stranglehold over the American citizenry. They’re also not afraid to share their political beliefs; in fact, discussions about fascism and other political matters surface in virtually every song on The Far Fallen Fruit.

Vocalist Andrew Pescara and bassist Dylan Marquez carved some time to talk with The Bad Penny for On Tyranny – and boy did they ever. The Gottlieb bandmates didn’t mince words, placate or pull punches during the wide-ranging conversation, which included discussion of fascism, socialism, ICE atrocities and the economic disaster facing all of us who aren’t in the top 1 percent of richest Americans.

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On Tyranny: Nixil Insist Black Metal Bands Are Fighting Harder Against Fascism Than Veteran Punks

Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny, Videos with tags , , , , , , , , , on 05/06/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Could there be a band better-suited to participate in The Bad Penny‘s ongoing On Tyranny series than one that prominently states on their Bandcamp page that they “detest fascism, white supremacy and nationalist ideology. NO GODS, NO MASTERS, NO BOOTLICKERS”?

The answer is no.

Meet Nixil, a melodic black-metal band that hails from Baltimore and is still pretty young at approximately five years old. When The Bad Penny learned that they. Nixil also distinguish themselves from just about every other extreme-metal band by incorporating atmospheric elements, French avant-garde flourishes, occult psychedelia and crust punk into their sound.

To the extent that Nixil have a peer group, it’s Portland, Oregon’s Drouth. That quartet stirs a stew of atmospheric death metal, black metal and blackened death metal in their proverbial cauldron. Nixil and Drouth are such a good match that the bands teamed for a split album, recorded and mixed by the revered J. Robbins, that came out roughly two weeks ago. The two bands are also heading out on tour together starting tomorrow.

The Bad Penny caught up with Nixil vocalist Ash Nix – who says he became an anarchist and anti-fascist in high school – and bassist/backing vocalist Aurora less than a month ago. During our candid conversation, they made a strong case that black metal currently occupies the fiercest role of any music genre in battling the Trump administration’s and oligarchs’ fascist takeover of the U.S.

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On Tyranny: Zach Galifianakis Nails Joe Rogan, Theo Von, Other Podcast Bros for Failing With ‘Political Comedy’

Posted in Comedy, Features, On Tyranny, On Tyranny with tags , , , , , on 05/06/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Perfectly stated:

On Tyranny: Ecce Shnak Leader Says ‘White European Plutocrat Supremacist Psychosis’ Has Gripped US

Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny, Videos with tags , , , , , , , , on 05/04/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

As marginalized Americans continue to get hammered by a new upper-class uppercut every day, at least so it seems, visionary composer/bassist/singer David Roush is turning his idealistic vision into a reality by directly helping those most in need. Roush is the frontman of Ecce Shnak (pronounced Eh-kay sh-knock), a five-piece art-rock band now in its 15th year. They describe their sound as “one part pop music, another part classical music, and a third part punk music.”

Rousch is one of the 100-plus musicians profiled in The Bad Penny‘s On Tyranny series who are taking action during the most perilous time for U.S. democracy in recent decades, if not centuries. Specifically, Roush is tirelessly trying to help get poet/philosopher Keith LaMar off death row, where he was relegated to an Ohio prison 30 years ago for crimes he allegedly didn’t commit.

Roush discusses LaMar’s case and shares his analysis about the abysmal state of America, Ecce Shnak and much more in the latest installment of On Tyranny.

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On Tyranny: Nequient Vocalist Links America’s Current Catastrophes to Obama Haters’ ‘Deep-Seated Racial Animosity’ After He Was Elected President

Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny, Videos with tags , , , , , , on 05/03/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Fans of grindcore no doubt are aware that Nequient – arguably Chicago’s greatest contribution to the subgenre – just spat out their third LP two Fridays ago on Nefarious Industries. One of the main themes on the nine-track Avarice fits in comfortably with The Bad Penny‘s ongoing On Tyranny series.

Vocalist Jason Kolkey shows no restraint in lambasting the greedy oligarchs who are stridently, shamelessly and soullessly puppet-mastering the U.S. economy into incalculable and perhaps unsalvageable economic ruin, particularly during Donald Trump’s fascist reign. It’s difficult which is more terrifying, Nequient’s unforgivable brutality or the nauseating avarice of the top 1 percent richest individuals in America.

Kolkey generously carved out some time late last week to elaborate on his highly charged and completely coherent positions with The Bad Penny. Dude knows what he’s talking about … Kolkey earned a PhD in English from Loyola University Chicago, and works as an independent scholar and writer when not declaring war on his vocal cords (and the ultra-wealthy) as the frontman of Nequient.

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On Tyranny: Germany-Born Leader of Psych/Shoegazers Lukka Sees Similar Berlin Wall Era Speech Restrictions in US

Posted in Features, Interviews, On Tyranny, On Tyranny, Videos with tags , , , , , , , on 04/02/2026 by Kurt Orzeck

Franzi Szymkowiak – vocalist, guitarist and synth player for psych/shoegazers Lukka – joins The Bad Penny to share her unique perspectives of how tyranny is taking root in the U.S. similar to how it did in Germany, where she was born before the Berlin Wall fell. In addition to remembering how the German people were “manipulated by Russian propaganda” after World War II, she recalls stories from her ancestors about even more atrocious acts committed by Hitler against intellectuals and artists.

“Hitler was going against people who could see through his whole ideology and who could think more intellectually about [his regime, philosophy and actions] and convince people that was not the way to go,” Szymkowiak states. “It was way worse at the time because people got executed for raising their opinion against the establishment.”

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