In 1979, Eve Libertine of Crass proved by her memorable reading of Reality Asylum that a controlled spoken word rant could be as cathartic, venomous and controversial as any shouted slogans by rabid punk singers.
In the recession-filled post-punk nineties, there was still plenty to be angry about beyond the narrow focus of this Christian-baiting diatribe.
This partly explains why dancer Michael Clark commissioned Josie Jones and Jake Walkers of Liverpool's Big Hard Excellent Fish to write a state of the nation address for the Phoenix Dance Company in 1990.
Jones was once a member of Pete Wylie's Mighty Wah! and she worked with Wylie to compile an 'Imperfect List' of 64 least favourite people and things.
In deadpan Scouse accent, the resultant hate list (from Hitler to Hillsborough) was given wider publicity by being played by Morrissey before his shows as can be heard on Mozza's Who Put The M For Manchester DVD.
One Little Indian deem that the time is right for an update and, when you listen, it is immediately clear that, in the 23 years between then and now, the more things have changed the more they've remained the same.
Bigoted Tories still rule the roost in the UK while greed, hypocrisy and injustice continue to plague the world.
Jones delivers a few more of her least favourite things this time co-compiled with Ian C.
Aside from the 'original' version, the single comes in two alternate forms by Eric Legrang & Nina Walsh (the Silver Bullet version) and a Rootmasters mix with music by Ian C and James Clancey.
|
This time the venom is directed towards people like Rupert Murdoch, David Cameron Jeremy 'wanker' Clarkson, Rosemary West as well as more mundane irritants including "early morning street drillers....dog shit leavers.....phone music
Rage is vented on British political issues that range from the specific (the sneaky privatisation of the NHS") to the general ( the betrayal of the working class").
Other targets include invisible weapons of mass destruction; war mongering politicians; fucking know-alls; arsehole city boys; homophobia and paedophile priests"
Backed by a melancholy synthesized drone with mournful chorus, it's all enough to reduce you to tears, which is exactly what we see in the video rendition.
It is arresting and quite brilliant and the question that still remains is "where were you"?
|
