Political Folk Ain't Dead!

For a long time I loved listening to the folk music and folk-rock of my parents generation. The political message was raw and rang true, weather it came from Bob Dylan or Pete Seegar. However until recently I didn't realize that there's pickers, strummers, and freight train riders right here and now that offer a much more contemporary message. Some of the music contains curses so if your listening around easily offended folks, pop on some head phones and enjoy the tunes!

Andrew Jackson Jihad is mainly a two-piece, but has plenty of other players who come and go. Sean Bonnette and Ben Gallaty make up the Acoustic Guitar and Stand-Up Bass core of the group. Covering a whole wealth of topics from Hypocrisy to Self Loathing to the Catholic Church, Andrew Jackson Jihad has proven their musical talent with 3 studio albums and 22 (yes, twenty-two) EP's, Splits, and Compilations.

Andrew Jackson Jihad- Little Prince (youtube)

I got into Ghost Mice after getting their Split with Andrew Jackson Jihad, so I thought it fitting to put them after. Ghost Mice is also a two piece, featuring Chris Jonston on Guitar and Hannah Jones on Violin. Critics claim that Chris' vocals aren't tolerable, but I beg to differ. Everything from this band comes straight from the heart and you can hear the smiles on every track. Ghost Mice also touches on very varied topics, from Childhood adventures in the woods, to Food Not Bombs, and Dungeons and Dragons.

Ghost Mice-Please Quit Smoking Mom (youtube)

This is one of the bigger bands in the Folk/Folk-Punk scene. Defiance, Ohio is a fiercely political ~5 Piece from the town Defiance, located in Ohio (who knew?!) Certainly drawing on influences from the Punk Scene, the band can get loud and angry, but just as easily bring things down for a personal story (the most touching of which is Grandma Song). They have put out 4 studio albums, and 6 Demo's/EP's/Splits, but the band tours extensively as well.

Defiance, Ohio-Oh, Susquehanna (youtube)

More of an Acoustic-Punk Band than a Folk Band, but I'll still give them a place on this list. TBIAPB is loud, dance-able, and simply put, awesome. A whole cacophony of sounds are utilized to create their wonderful music, which is something like Country mixed with Punk and a clear Folk-Rock layer underneath it all. The band often sings about the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's, but also touches on personal experience living in Florida and being ostracized by Yuppies, as well as finding love in the most unexpected of places!

This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb-Black Panther Song (youtube)

Pat the Bunny originally released songs with his folk band Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains, then began playing songs as Wingnut Dishwashers Union, and finally, after a stint in Rehab and quitting Heroin, Ramshackle Glory. The progression of sounds is like this, Johnny Hobo makes you depressed, then you listen to Wingnut Dishwashers Union and cheer yourself up, then you listen to Ramshackle Glory and feel triumphant and ready to face the world. Here's one song from each! Notice the progression of the sound/style and lyrical content.

Johnny Hobo and the Freight Trains-New Mexico Song (youtube)

Wingnut Dishwashers Union-My Idea Of Fun (youtube)

Ramshackle Glory- From Here Till Utopia (youtube)