Swallowing Shit's last show occurred June, 1997, at the West End Cultural Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Picketed and stormed by nearly 300 Christians angered by their smash radio hit "Pro-Abortion, Anti-Christ", the show signaled the end of an era in Winnipeg, as the band were subsequently banned from public performance by city council, citing an obscure and hitherto unenforced 103-year old civic ordinance criminalizing challenges to the authority of the Church within city limits.
Many of the ever-changing membership are still active in the Winnipeg music scene. Todd (guitar) plays bass for Propagandhi, Mike (vocals) sings for Putrescence and books shows in Winnipeg, Jahmeel (bass) is now based out of Vancouver and plays bass in numerous projects including the Black Halos and Cory (drums) is currently playing in a black metal project with other former members of Malefaction in Of Human Bondage.
Lyrics That May Offend the Honkys
Swallowing Shit Lyrics
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The lyrics of Swallowing Shit's song "Lyrics That May Offend the Honkys" touch on themes of police brutality and systemic inequality, particularly as they affect marginalized communities. The opening lines, "Bloodthirsty thugs trained to serve the rich / protected by gun and badge," describe the often-violent behavior of law enforcement officers who are supposed to be protecting their communities. The song argues that this behavior is enabled by a "racist culture of poverty" that relies on intimidation and force to maintain the status quo.
The next line, "we are not disadvantaged, we are targeted for destruction," challenges the idea that marginalized communities are somehow inherently inferior or deserving of their struggles. Instead, the song suggests that these communities are intentionally targeted by a system that enriches the powerful at their expense. The final line "community policing is a fucking lie" drives home the point that true justice and equity cannot be achieved through superficial reforms or empty slogans – real change requires a fundamental shift in power dynamics and a willingness to confront and dismantle systemic oppression.
Overall, the lyrics of "Lyrics That May Offend the Honkys" are a powerful critique of a society that prioritizes wealth and power over justice and equality. By exposing the violence and exploitation that are often hidden beneath the rhetoric of law and order, the song challenges listeners to reconsider their own assumptions and take action to create a more just and equitable world.
Line by Line Meaning
Bloodthirsty thugs trained to serve the rich protected by gun and badge,
The police force is full of corrupt individuals who were trained to protect the wealthy and are armed with weapons.
and a racist culture of poverty maintained by intimidation and force.
There is a system in place that oppresses and intimidates the impoverished and reinforces racist ideals.
we are not disadvantaged. we are targeted for destruction.
We are not naturally disadvantaged, but rather are purposely targeted for harm and destruction.
violence and theft is the result of a system which steals from the poor, non-hetero, non-white and anybody else who threatens the rich.
The societal structure is responsible for the high levels of violence and theft that occurs, as it robs the underprivileged and promotes the interests of the rich.
community policing is a fucking lie.
The idea of community policing, where police and civilians work together, is false and a sham.
Contributed by Kaylee A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Quintin Treat
grr, grr, grind!!!