According to Empire, "Digital Hardcore initially meant the final questioning of everything, of the whole. The next step was a shorter one. The absolute negation, even to answer one's own existence with a "No". If "No" is true, then suicide can be as much as an event as pressing the buttons on your remote control." (MEAN Magazine, July 1999)
The group was founded as an attack on the increasingly neo-Nazi influenced German techno scene and consisted of three Berliners - Alec Empire, Hanin Elias and MC Carl Crack. ATR's early releases (which included songs like "Hetzjagd Auf Nazis!" / "Hunt Down the Nazis!") were surrounded by controversy in Germany due to the prevailing "no politics on the dance floor" attitude.
After signing to Phonogram, a major European label, in 1993 the band received an unusually large financial advance which they duplicitously used to set up their own record label: Digital Hardcore Recordings or DHR. ATR never delivered a commercially viable demo to Phonogram.
In 1997 ATR was joined by Nic Endo, a Japanese-American noise/soundscape artist during the Beck tour.
In 1999 ATR released 60 Second Wipe Out, an album that phased out all use of sampling and brought on board New York City rappers the Arsonists. According to Magnet Magazine, "Empire's guitar-playing values speed-thrash malevolence, and when paired with Endo's painful skronkage, the album is decidedly denser than its predecessor."
The group decided to effectively disband in 2000 and to not consider the band's future until 2003. Carl Crack died a few months later of a drug overdose. His death caused Empire some anguish and made any reformation less likely. Since the collapse of ATR the surviving members have all pursued separate and successful careers. Nic Endo and Empire have collaborated since but relations between Elias and Empire appear to remain strained despite their mutual business interests. This is because, as she states in interviews, Hanin Elias decided to set up her own record label, where she did not feel oppressed by the mostly male artists. Her record label is named Fatal Recordings.
In March 2002, ATR's album Future of War (1997) was banned in Germany. According to Alec Empire, Future of War was noteworthy because of its "left-rooted critique of the 'modern' high-tech-war, as we had seen it all some years previously during the Gulf War."
In July 3rd 2006, ATR released greatest hits compilation called Atari Teenage Riot (1992-2000).
ATR reformed in 2010 with CX Kidtronik joining the line-up for live dates and a single Activate! scheduled for release in May.
P.R.E.S.S.
Atari Teenage Riot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is a story that must be told...
You tell lies! you tell lies!
P.r.e.s.s.! p.r.e.s.s.! (x5)
Sell your units!
Others do and you just follow!
Never act! always react!
The industry pays you...
You suck their dicks on and on!
Your need is always to control!
90% of you is fucking shit!
Spread your lies!
When you write you destroy what others create!
You live of other lives...
Your comments do not count for us!
Which side are you on?
To ignore - that's the only real power that you have
You never understand! you never try!
And what you don't understand - you can't describe!
P.r.e.s.s.! p.r.e.s.s.! (x3)
Come on alec fuck the shit up.....
Press - fuck you!
Most of you don't have any opions!
You are not interested in the truth!
Sometimes it's better not to describe!
Never take a stand - always react!
Which side are you on?
P.r.e.s.s.! p.r.e.s.s.! (x6)
This is a story that must be told...
The lyrics of Atari Teenage Riot's "P.R.E.S.S." appear to be a scathing criticism of the media industry and the journalists working within it. The song seems to assert that many journalists are complicit in promoting lies and sensationalism in order to sell units and gain their own personal power and control over others. The lines "sell your lies all over and over again" and "when you write you destroy what others create" suggest a harmful and exploitative approach to journalism. Additionally, the repeated refrain of "which side are you on?" seems to imply that there is a moral choice at stake in this system - either you are aligned with the industry and its practices, or you are fighting against it.
Despite its harsh tone, the song ends on a more resigned note. The lines "to ignore - that's the only real power that you have" and "sometimes it's better not to describe" suggest that it may be impossible to change the media industry and the problems within it. Rather, the only way to maintain some level of power is to disengage from it entirely. Overall, "P.R.E.S.S." appears to be a call to arms against a corrupt and self-serving media system.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a story that must be told
This is an important message that needs to be communicated.
You tell lies! you tell lies!
You spread false information and propaganda.
P.r.e.s.s.! p.r.e.s.s.! (x5)
The press is being criticized and mocked.
Sell your units!
You prioritize financial gain over authenticity and integrity.
Sell your lies all over and over again!
You continue to propagate false information for profit.
Others do and you just follow!
You lack originality and blindly follow the actions of others.
Never act! always react!
You fail to take initiative or demonstrate leadership, constantly reacting to events after they occur.
The industry pays you...
You are financially influenced and motivated by the industries you work for.
You suck their dicks on and on!
You consistently flatter and please those in the industries you work for.
Your need is always to control!
You crave control over the narrative and information that is presented to the public.
90% of you is fucking shit!
The vast majority of you are terrible at your jobs and contribute little value to society or the media landscape.
Spread your lies!
You deliberately disseminate false information.
When you write you destroy what others create!
Your writing and reporting is destructive and disrespectful to the work and efforts of others.
You live of other lives...
You rely on the experiences and lives of others to create content and make a living.
Your comments do not count for us!
Your opinions and feedback hold no value or merit for us.
Which side are you on?
Are you on the side of truth and integrity or on the side of lies and manipulation?
To ignore - that's the only real power that you have
The only power you possess is to ignore and abstain from supporting and believing in the media and press.
You never understand! you never try!
You consistently fail to comprehend and make an effort to understand the issues and topics at hand.
And what you don't understand - you can't describe!
Your inability to understand and comprehend issues makes it impossible for you to report them accurately and effectively.
Come on alec fuck the shit up.....
The artist is inciting Alec to disrupt and challenge the media and press.
Press - fuck you!
The artist is openly hostile and aggressive towards the press, blaming them for the problems and issues at hand.
Most of you don't have any opions!
The majority of the press is devoid of unique perspectives and independent opinions.
You are not interested in the truth!
You prioritize ratings, profit, and sensational headlines over accurate and truthful reporting.
Sometimes it's better not to describe!
Sometimes it's better to omit information and not report on certain topics to avoid creating a false or misleading narrative.
Never take a stand - always react!
You lack conviction and principle, consistently reacting to events and opinions instead of taking a firm stance.
P.r.e.s.s.! p.r.e.s.s.! (x6)
The press is continuously condemned and mocked.
This is a story that must be told...
The message is reiterated and reinforced as a crucial and significant story that needs to be communicated.
Lyrics © CACOPHONY LIMITED
Written by: ALEC EMPIRE, ALEXANDER WILKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind