Poster Children Ready Political Covers EP
Take chances that CD may not play in no-spin zone

It ain't just The Dixie Chicks no more; you can add the Poster Children to the growing list of artists pissing all the Bush/Cheney parade. On September 21st, the veteran Illinois indie rockers will release On the Offensive, a mini-album featuring covers of political rock songs that reflect the group's outrage at the current American leadership. Stylistically, song selection features something for everyone, ranging from late 70s/early 80s punk to... late 70s/early 80s post-punk. Whatever, there's something to be said for cohesion, too, okay? This tracklist kills fascists:

01 Clampdown (The Clash)
02 We Don't Need This Fascist Groove Thang (Heaven 17)
03 Let's Have a War (Fear)
04 The New World (X)
05 Divide and Conquer (Hüsker Dü)<br> 06 Complicated Game (XTC)

While the Poster Children could hardly be called newcomers to politically charged rock songs (most of their albums feature at least one or two of 'em), lead singer/axe-wielder Rick Valentin told Pitchfork via e-mail that the band set out to "make a more obvious statement" with their upcoming CD, putting the message ahead of the music. "We thought of the EP as a mixtape, or as if we were curators, collecting disparate songs together to illustrate a larger theme." He continues, "It's my feeling that the more people speaking their opposition to the current administration, the better."

The band didn't set out to exclusively cover songs from the Reagan years, but found that the era's political music remained strikingly relevant. "The songs we're covering come from the dawn of an era when the government divested itself of its responsibility for the security and well-being of the majority and began to operate in the interest of the very rich and powerful," says Valentin. "Most people focus on the superficial aspects of 80s music, hair, synthesizers, and ignore the strong political undercurrent that was present at the time."

Valentin is honest about his lofty-but-noble aspirations: If he's inspired even a small selection of otherwise apathetic voters, he's done his part. "It's my hope that if enough of us express our views loudly, those who have given up on democracy will wake up and vote. If you've got a bunch of right-wing lunatics constantly nattering away in the ears of the undecided and uninterested without any opposing voice to balance the field, things are going to continue towards the far-right agenda. Michael Moore alone isn't going to knock people off the fence and into the voting booth." True, but motherfucker can do some serious damage on a see-saw.

Poster Children: http://www.posterchildren.com