Erik started making music at a young age, but it wasn’t until age 16 that he started playing shows with his punk band, The Orphans. Influenced by “Fresh Fruit”-era Dead Kennedys and “Worlds Apart”-era Subhumans, the band had released a 7” (“Anthems for Doomed Youth,” 1996) before half of them were even old enough to drive. They officially disbanded in 2000 and Erik continued to make music…digging into the past for a more traditional sound to mix with punk ideals. The result was “Mirth,” a demo of acoustic punk influenced by medieval danses and raucous Romany dust-raising ditties (2000). The tape was rough and scratchy - yet it was clear that there were solid anthems buried under that hiss, which was evident by the scope of the tape, spanning city and state. Logically, a live show was expected – and despite the drums and extra instrumentation on the tape (all layered on a four-track recorder), there was no band. Over the years, seeing “Mischief Brew” on a flyer meant you were just seeing Erik Petersen with an acoustic guitar or mandolin. There was no PA in the beginning, just a roomful of West Philly’s finest rabble-rousers singing along to the “Mirth” songs. And for quite some time, this is how things stayed until it was necessary to deliver a proper recording.
“Bellingham & Philadelphia” (2003) is a split LP/CD with Washington state’s roving songcrafter Robert Blake. Meanwhile, Fistolo Records (the label Erik co-founded and runs with his wife Denise) released the “Bakenal” CDep. It was hard to believe that all the songs were recorded in the same session and split between two releases, as they were completely different experiences soundwise. “Bellingham” was more Phil Ochs/Bob Dylan-style political folk, while “Bakenal” delivered gypsy-punk swing, Poguesy drinking songs, and even a drunken tango. Two years of touring followed, from punk bars to basement shows. Meanwhile, Erik visited the studio here and there to record a few acoustic tracks for the Orphans discography (“Raise the Youth,” 2004), and the Mischief Brew “Oh Sweet Misery b/w All About the Class War” single (2005).
For an official full-length, Mischief Brew needed a non-traditional studio (by punk standards), since the songs required a more varied instrumentation to bring forth the gypsy melodies and circus beats. Impressed by the work of Israeli producer Tamir Muskat (Balkan Beat Box, Firewater, Big Lazy…), Erik visited the Brooklyn studio that he runs. Vibromonk has produced records by such festive acts as Gogol Bordello, World/Inferno Friendship Society, Firewater and more…the kind of place that knows how to mic a marimba. For this record, a backing band was assembled consisting of bass, drums, accordion, clarinet, and junk percussion. Guest appearances by Sturgeon (Leftover Crack), Peter Hess (Guignol), and Franz Nicolay (World/Inferno, The Hold Steady) bring the album even more character. “Smash the Windows” (2005) includes the folk-punk anthems “Nomads Revolt” and “Roll Me Through the Gates of Hell” – but also the epic tale “The Gypsy, The Punk, and The Fool” and the klez/ska rendition of “A Liquor Never Brewed.” The album closes with “Departure Arrival,” a sweet folk lament about leaving the comforts of home for uncharted cities and towns. “Departure” was also featured on “Up the Stairs and Through the Hall,” a 2xCD compilation of independent artists and bands from Philadelphia.
But wait, there’s more! Meanwhile, Mischief Brew released a split 7” with David Dondero (an influence on Bright Eyes) and another with -Bread & Roses (Boston-based labor folk at its best). The newest recording, “Songs from Under the Sink,” is a batch of anarcho-folk songs written between 1997-2002…finally put on LP and CD once and for all. If it had to all fit under one banner, it would read, "Carnivalesque!"
Thanks Bastards!
Mischief Brew Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thank you Mr. Officer, great, for all the things you said to me, for all the good that you have ever done
Without you, what would I be? All the gas upon my flames, my love and rage all roll up into one
For every time your gun goes off, a new rebel is born
So when there's 41 bullets, there's 41 thousand thorns in your side
Well take a ride down to precinct 29, and we'll sing and dance and break the code of silence
Thank you governor
To the mayor and
The commissioner
Your monster is alive now
She's taken to the streets
Crashing through your opera house and tearing at the seats
For all the times you sign your name, someone out there dies
Found a wallet, not a gun
And mother's wiping tears
From her eyes
We despise
Your hollow truths and honest lies
Now you can't sing the monster into slumber
THANKS BASTARDS!
You made me what I am
THANKS BASTARDS!
I took the goods and ran
THANKS BASTARDS!
You made me what I am
THANKS BASTARDS!
I took the goods and ran
I took the goods and ran X3
Homeland security vs civil liberty
I'm studying in the shadows of our state
I've seen the bones they try to hide
Cutthroat living's other side
The flood of US bath water displaced
The funeral march of all the victims of your power war
Rob the right to steal the night and rebels shall be born for ever more
you're the storm, we shall play after it pours
And joy is sure to come after your silence. X2
THANKS BASTARDS!
You made me what I am
THANKS BASTARDS!
I took the goods and ran
THANKS BASTARDS!
You made me what I am
THANKS BASTARDS!
I took the goods and ran
I took the goods and ran X3
The song "Thanks Bastards!" by Mischief Brew is a protest song that expresses frustration towards the government and authority figures for their abuse of power and oppressive actions. The lyrics are directed towards police officers, governors, mayors, and commissioners who are believed to be responsible for creating an unjust society. The song suggests that in the face of oppression, rebellion is born and those who have been oppressed will not remain silent. The lyrics convey the idea that all forms of rebellion, big or small, are a form of resistance to authority and power that should be celebrated.
The song highlights the violence that is often inflicted by the police by referencing the number of bullets that are fired during confrontations. It also points out the systemic nature of oppression that exists in the government by mentioning the governor, mayor, and commissioner in the lyrics. The lyrics also address the concept of homeland security and civil liberty, suggesting that one cannot exist without the other. The song speaks to the idea that the government is responsible for creating the very rebellion and resistance that it seeks to suppress.
Line by Line Meaning
Thank you Mr. Officer, great, for all the things you said to me, for all the good that you have ever done
I am being sarcastic when I thank the police, because they have been abusive and violent towards me. However, I acknowledge that they have inadvertently given me strength through their actions, and I cannot deny the passion that I feel as a result of their oppression.
Without you, what would I be? All the gas upon my flames, my love and rage all roll up into one
I recognize that my identity and my cause have been shaped by the police; they have given me a reason to fight and inspired me to be who I am today.
For every time your gun goes off, a new rebel is born
Every time a police officer uses violence against someone, it creates a new enemy of the state, someone who will resist and rebel against their oppressive tactics.
So when there's 41 bullets, there's 41 thousand thorns in your side
The more police brutality there is, the more opposition they will face. Every bullet they fire creates more anger and resistance in the community.
Well take a ride down to precinct 29, and we'll sing and dance and break the code of silence
I am inviting others to join me in protest and resistance against the police. We will gather at the police station and make our voices heard, breaking the silence around police brutality.
Thank you governor
I am being sarcastic when thanking the governor, who is responsible for the policies that lead to police violence and oppression.
To the mayor and
I am also directing my anger towards the mayor, who has failed to take action to stop police violence.
The commissioner
I am calling out the police commissioner for being complicit in the violence and abuse perpetuated by the police force.
Your monster is alive now
I am referring to the resistance movement that has risen up against the police and the state. This is the monster that they have created through their oppressive actions.
She's taken to the streets
The resistance movement is not afraid to take to the streets and make their voices heard. They are fighting back against the violence and oppression of the state.
Crashing through your opera house and tearing at the seats
I am using opera house as a metaphor for the seat of power that the governor, mayor, and commissioner occupy. The resistance movement is tearing down their power structure by challenging it and forcing change.
For all the times you sign your name, someone out there dies
The governor, mayor, and commissioner may think that they are doing good by signing policies and laws, but in reality, their actions are leading to death and violence for countless people in the community.
Found a wallet, not a gun
The police often use the excuse that they feared for their lives when using excessive force against someone, but in reality, they are often targeting innocent people who pose no threat. This line refers to an innocent person being killed by the police.
And mother's wiping tears
The violence and death that the police inflict on the community has ripple effects, impacting families and loved ones of victims.
From her eyes
The mother is crying because her child has been killed by the police.
We despise
The resistance movement has no illusions about who their enemy is. They despise the governor, mayor, commissioner, and police for their violence and oppression.
Your hollow truths and honest lies
The state and the police often try to justify their actions with manipulative half-truths and outright lies. The resistance movement sees through these lies and refuses to be fooled.
Now you can't sing the monster into slumber
The resistance movement is too strong and too determined to be silenced by the state. They will continue to fight until they see real change and justice for the victims of police violence.
Homeland security vs civil liberty
This line sets up the theme of the last verse, which deals with the tension between national security and individual freedoms in the US.
I'm studying in the shadows of our state
The artist is an observer of the US government and society, studying the dark corners and secrets that the state tries to hide.
I've seen the bones they try to hide
The artist has witnessed the abuses and atrocities that the US government has committed in the name of national security.
Cutthroat living's other side
National security is often used as an excuse for cutthroat, unethical behavior by the US government and military.
The flood of US bath water displaced
This line is a metaphor for the idea that the US is so focused on national security that it is losing sight of what really matters. Other issues, such as social justice and civil liberties, are being ignored or forgotten.
The funeral march of all the victims of your power war
The resistance movement stands in solidarity with the victims of US government and police violence, including those who have been killed in unjust wars.
Rob the right to steal the night and rebels shall be born for ever more
The state and the police cannot take away the people's right to resist and rebel against oppression. As long as there is injustice and violence, there will always be those who stand up and fight back.
you're the storm, we shall play after it pours
The state and the police are the ones creating the chaos and violence, but the resistance movement will stand strong and continue to fight, even in the midst of the storm.
And joy is sure to come after your silence. X2
Although the resistance movement is fighting against oppression and violence, they also recognize that there is hope for a better future. They believe that things can and will get better, especially when the state no longer has the power to keep them silent.
Thanks Bastards! You made me what I am
This chorus is repeated throughout the song. It is a sarcastic thank you to the state, police, and anyone who is complicit in their oppression. The resistance movement has been formed through the fires of injustice and violence, and they will not stop fighting until real change is achieved.
THANKS BASTARDS! I took the goods and ran
This line reinforces the idea that the resistance movement has taken what they need from the state and run with it. They have turned their anger and passion into a movement that cannot be stopped.
I took the goods and ran X3
This is a final affirmation of the resistance movement's power and determination. The state may have created a monster, but they cannot control it, and the resistance movement will continue to fight until justice is served.
Contributed by Ryan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.