On August 18, 2014, RCR held a reunion/farewell show in Lebanon, NH. All former members of the band were invited to come and play at this swan song performance. Approximately 16 members were able to attend, each playing on songs that they helped to produce or toured on, others filling in where necessary. The band has not toured or recorded official new material since then, though numerous side-projects have popped up over the years.
Drawing inspiration from the likes of The Clash, Bruce Springsteen, T.Rex, Bob Dylan, Gram Parsons, The Rolling Stones, and many others, The River City Rebels seize "The true essence of rock and roll music," and shake the shit out of the non-believers!
Military Attitude
River City Rebels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Try to take away our freedom or speech
Try to take away everything that's right
Take it away so they can fight
That's bullshit go
Fuck your ways and your military attitude [4x]
Fuck your ways [4x]
Cops that comre for fucked up reasons
Try to take away everything that's right
Take it away so they can fight
The River City Rebels's song Military Attitude encapsulates the rebellious punk ethos of protesting against authoritarian power structures. The song criticizes the military and cops who try to take away people's freedom of speech and liberty. The opening lines, "Drunken fucks who fought for our country, Try to take away our freedom or speech" refers to the paradoxical situation where the people who fought for the country's freedom are now the ones taking it away. The song insinuates that the military's training and behavior instill an authoritarian mindset, which is manifested in their domineering attitude towards civilians.
The lyrics, "Try to take away everything that's right, take it away so they can fight," convey the notion that the powerful take away people's rights so that they can maintain their control over them. It is a call to resist this oppression and fight for one's freedom. The chorus, "Fuck your ways and your military attitude," is a rebellious slogan that encapsulates the band's punk ethos.
Line by Line Meaning
Drunken fucks who fought for our country
People who enlisted in the military and resorted to alcohol to cope with their experiences and traumas.
Try to take away our freedom of speech
Military personnel and cops attempt to silence those who speak out against injustice and oppression.
Try to take away everything that's right
Those in power seek to limit basic human rights and liberties that are necessary for a just and equitable society.
Take it away so they can fight
Restricting freedoms and rights serves to distract from the real issues and allows those in power to maintain control and instigate conflicts.
That's bullshit go
Rejecting the notion that military and police actions are always justified and necessary.
Fuck your ways and your military attitude [4x]
Disdain for the toxic, oppressive mindset often associated with military and police culture that prioritizes power, authority, and violence above all else.
Cops that come for fucked up reasons
Police officers who abuse their power and use excessive force or intimidation to achieve their own agendas.
Contributed by Alexandra I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.