Nicky Cheese

Remember the punk/ska movement of the late ’90s? I was in high school and it was a pretty big deal. Definitely the trendiest music-wave I’ve ever lived through and I, yes, I embraced it…with blind, groundless elitism.

An odd psychology, indeed…one that celebrated its underground quality, its exclusiveness, in a totally ostentatious manner. I mean, I went of of my way to advertise the punk and ska bands I liked, only to condemn them when they achieved commercial success (i.e. Green Day, Goldfinger, Blink 182)

…as if money corrupted the creative process or purity or whatever, I’m not sure. I said “sell out” and “poseur” a lot though–I was dumb and in high school.

Anyways, in 1994, the Santa-Barbara based punk band Lagwagon put out the album Trashed and the song “Know it all” quickly became a fan favorite. It’s a song made fun of this music-snob attitude–it’s stupidity, it’s hypocrisy.

A few lyrical excerpts:

And alot of the bands on the college charts are great bands
Until they get signed. Then you hate them
It’s such bullshit - you used to love them you hypocrite…

I remember you and I listening to bands that we liked
Only the songs mattered to you
But now you’re a D.J. and preaching that hype
“Corporate Rock Sucks”…

The bands are good ’til they make enough cash
To eat food and get a pad
Then they’re sold out and their music is cliché
Because talent’s exclusive to bands without pay…

Why am mentioning this? And, moreover, why is this song apart of my libertarian dance party mix?

Because I think this song speaks to the belief that the exchange of money corrupts integrity and creativity, that commerce negates morality. That getting paid for one’s talent diminishes the value or meaning of that talent. (It doesn’t.)

And you can’t say that this attitude doesn’t exist. All to often it finds its way into our public policy, obfuscating legitimate issues like organ transplants or prostitution and making debate on their merits a pipe dream.

I don’t think that’s a stretch.

In any case, it’s a great song. Enjoy.

Lagwagon - Know it all