They began their career in 1991, cutting their first 7" record later that year with the lineup of Joey Vindictive (vocals), Johnny Personality (bass), Billy Blastoff (guitar), Dr. Bob (guitar), P.J. Parti (drums) and Erik Elsewhere (drums). The band would end up releasing 12 albums until July of 1996, when Joey Vindictive revealed that his health issues would prevent the band from going on. Luckily for him, he overcame his ailments to re-form the band in 2000, cutting a new album and overseeing the re-release of a significant part of their catalog. Dr. Bob died in 2003 due to a heroin overdose. Their song "The Invisible Man" was featured in the Ubisoft game Watch Dogs, where it attracted attention to restart the band once more in 2013, releasing a new EP titled Mono-Flexi, and to remaster most of their previous songs as Songbooks coming in volumes starting from I to III.
The Vindictives' website is currently down indefinitely.
Commando
The Vindictives Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They do their best, they do what they can
They get them ready for Viet Nam
From old Hanoi to East Berlin
Commando - involved again
They get them ready for Viet Nam
First rule is: The laws of Germany
Second rule is: Be nice to mommy
Third rule is: Don't talk to commies
Fourth rule is: Eat kosher salamis
[Repeat All Once]
The Vindictives's cover of the Ramones's song, "Commando," sheds light on the military and political conflicts of the Vietnam War and the Cold War. The lyrics suggest that soldiers were trained relentlessly and sent to fight in war zones, like Vietnam, where the situation was extremely tense and chaotic. The use of "commando" in the song suggests that soldiers were trained in guerrilla tactics and were expected to do whatever was necessary to achieve victory.
The second half of the song mentions the "laws of Germany," which refers to the strict regulations and sociopolitical atmosphere of East Germany during the Cold War. The message behind the "rules" is ambiguous but can be interpreted as highlighting the absurdity and arbitrary nature of these regulations, as well as the propaganda and security measures deployed by the government.
Line by Line Meaning
They do their best, they do what they can
Despite the situation, they give their best effort
They get them ready for Viet Nam
Preparing soldiers for war
From old Hanoi to East Berlin
Referring to the Cold War and communist countries
Commando - involved again
Using undercover tactics in the name of their country
First rule is: The laws of Germany
Following the rules and regulations of the country they're in
Second rule is: Be nice to mommy
Respecting parental figures and authority
Third rule is: Don't talk to commies
Not conversing with those who hold opposing political beliefs
Fourth rule is: Eat kosher salamis
Adhering to dietary restrictions based on religion
Contributed by Aiden S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cheetah Thunders.
the intro was a little long, but once it kicks in... sweet guitar solo over the opening chords. i always think that bands that are able to do that should when covering a song like this. i think "electric ferrets" or something was a band that did the same thing with their cover of this song on the Gabba Gabba Hey tribute album... and it was a good idea.
Gluesniffer16
@NASTY138 thanks for the comment.this is acually my favorite ramones cover album my favorite song on the album has to be I Remember You because its sounds so different than the original and IMO better than the original. pinhead and babysitter are also my favorites but i love the whole album