Five Iron Frenzy started as a local side-project of Reese, Keith, Micah, and Scott's band Exhumator. Although the original intent was for the band to stay local and help support the local music scene, Five Iron Frenzy (FIF, or Five Iron) signed to Frank Tate's 5 Minute Walk records in 1995 and was touring nationally within a year. They reached the peak of their fame around 2000, with the release of All The Hype That Money Can Buy. They were known for dressing up in wacky costumes and fundraising for social causes. In December 2002, they announced that they would be breaking up after a final tour. They played the final show of the tour on November 22, 2003 at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, which was recorded for The End Is Here (disc 2) (this disc features that show in its entirety and was sold with the band's album, The End is Near). This show had an attendance of over 4,000 people.
On November 22, 2011, they announced via social media outlets and a week-long online scavenger hunt that they were recording a new album. The entire project was crowd funded in under an hour and met with a reunion show and touring. The results of the endeavor, Engine of a Million Plots, was released on November 26th, 2013. All members of the 2003 lineup participated in the project, with the exception of bassist Keith Hoerig, who was replaced by original guitarist Scott Kerr (who had left the band in 1998).
Get Your Riot Gear
Five Iron Frenzy Lyrics
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A time-bomb ticking to explode,
Something passive, something not.
Billy clubs out, call the S.W.A.T.
Rabid dogs without a leash,
Is this how you keep the peace?
You want riots? Wear your riot gear.
You want violence?
It is written on your badge,
'To serve and protect',
It seemed you only served yourselves,
Protecting your own neck.
Controlling with fear, menacing and threatening.
You want my respect?
You better start respecting me.
Go and get your riot gear,
Swing your girlie all around,
We'll be dancing on the cinders,
As the town is burning down.
Swing her around, burn it all down.
Something smelled of power tripping,
Crowd control was rank.
Tear gas everyone downtown,
What you did really stank.
Legislation, never made you judge and jury.
Marshal law now,
Beat the kids down with no worries.
The song “Get Your Riot Gear” by Five Iron Frenzy is a commentary on police brutality and government oppression. The lyrics suggest that the authorities have become too aggressive and have lost sight of their mission to serve and protect the public. The lines “Something passive, something not. Billy clubs out, call the S.W.A.T.” suggest that the authorities have become more violent, and more willing to resort to force to control protest and dissent. The song also touches on protesters' reactions to police tactics. The lines “You want riots? Wear your riot gear. You want violence? Then shoot some tear gas in the air” suggest that protesters feel they are pushed to violence by the police and their aggressive tactics.
The lyrics also suggest that the police are not being held accountable for their actions. The lines “Controlling with fear, menacing and threatening. You want my respect? You better start respecting me,” suggest that the police are using intimidation and fear to control the public, rather than earning their respect through fair and just actions. The song suggests that the police are not living up to their motto “to serve and protect,” and instead are serving their own interests and agendas.
In the chorus, the lines “Go and get your riot gear. Swing your girlie all around. We'll be dancing on the cinders, As the town is burning down. Swing her around, burn it all down,” have been interpreted as a call to action for protesters to fight back against police brutality and government oppression. The lyrics suggest that the protesters are not afraid to challenge the authorities and are willing to burn down the town to achieve their goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Something stirring in the air, a victory?
Is there a sense of triumph building up in the air?
A time-bomb ticking to explode,
Is there an inevitable explosion that looms ahead and threatens to disrupt peace?
Something passive, something not.
Is there someone or something that appears harmless but may not be so?
Billy clubs out, call the S.W.A.T.
Are the police or the Special Weapons and Tactics team called in to control the situation?
Rabid dogs without a leash,
Are there uncontrollable elements creating chaos?
Is this how you keep the peace?
Is this the way to maintain harmony and stability?
You want riots? Wear your riot gear.
If you want violence, you should be ready for it and protect yourself accordingly.
You want violence?
Do you really desire conflict and unrest?
Then shoot some tear gas in the air.
Will using pepper spray make things better or worse?
It is written on your badge,
Isn't it a part of the police force's motto?
'To serve and protect',
Aren't the police responsible for serving and safeguarding the public?
It seemed you only served yourselves,
But do you think you're using your authority to benefit just yourself?
Protecting your own neck.
Are you safeguarding your own interests at the cost of the others in society?
Controlling with fear, menacing and threatening.
Do you use techniques like intimidation and duress to assert power and influence?
You want my respect?
Don't you think the police need to earn the respect of the public?
You better start respecting me.
If you want to be accorded respect, then you need to treat others with dignity and honor.
Go and get your riot gear,
Aren't you bracing yourself for violence that you expect will occur?
Swing your girlie all around,
Are you feigning nonchalance and trying to be indifferent while the world is burning around?
We'll be dancing on the cinders,
Is there a sense of joy and celebration amidst destruction?
As the town is burning down.
Is there a degree of apathy and indifference towards the plight of others?
Something smelled of power tripping,
Was there a whiff of a power trip that was corrupting the police force's integrity?
Crowd control was rank.
Did you use inhumane and crude measures to control a situation?
Tear gas everyone downtown,
Did you use harmful substances to subdue the public?
What you did really stank.
Don't you feel ashamed of what has happened?
Legislation, never made you judge and jury.
Don't you think you need to follow the rule of law instead of passing judgments?
Marshal law now,
Are you advocating for a suspension of civil liberties and an imposition of military rule?
Beat the kids down with no worries.
Aren't you using excessive force, even against minors in the society who are powerless?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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