"Christian Militia"....Where Is The "Muslim Militia" Song?

[Space]

OK, touchy subject, try to be adult.

One of the great things about NMA was their venom. Venom unleashed against deserved institutions/ideas/social mores.  Oh, man, was "Christian Militia" a very timely and appropriate song. Loved it then. Still love it.

But considering world events post 9/11 (from New York City to Mumbai to London to Madrid to....), why hasn't Mr. Sullivan ever penned a song in the vein of "Christian Militia" regarding those religious fanatics? Has Mr. Sullivan ever commented on the above events either in song or in interviews?

I believe in vengeance. I believe in justice. I believe in getting the bastards, getting the bastards.... Is that only for the Christian Militia?

[Magnus]

In some way...Yes, i feel that i also want some of that venom back in Justins songwriting. Not sure if the religious wars in the middle east and/or Islamist fanatics/terrorists are subjects i want to hear more of though. New song Angry planet also cover the most of all crazy shit we humans do to each others and to our world. And i believe that Justin are writing about this subject, but in a more..conciliatory and understanding way; One of the Chosen is good example.

For me, i´d love a new Courage or; The Hunt. A song that addresses social insecurities, maybe some venomous new song about how corporations use people and...I don´t know :-) Many things to problematize and be angry about.

[Master Ray]

Space, the only NMA tune I can think of that might address the issues you mentioned is 'Flying Through The Smoke'... but I suppose that is generally about someone committing an atrocity, not specifically a Muslim issue, it's just that the middle-eastern sounding music coupled with the lyrics makes it sound so...

I'm sure there are others, let me think about it...

[Space]

Oh, yes, I did think of "Flying Through The Smoke." With its middle-east musical flourishes, subject matter...no doubt it addresses a form of modern terrorism. Thing is, well, it lacks the venom which NMA were really great at delivering. Justin used to spit out such hate to the Christian militia, wall street money men, Reagan/Thatcher, liberal education, neo-Nazis....why the lack of such direct condemnation of the modern terrorist?

Very odd thing about that "Flying Through The Smoke" song. You can listen to it now and 100% think it was written about the 9/11 attacks. The song mentions "towers like Cathedrals," "the graphics curling on the screen" (didn't we all see it live on TV?), "the numbers counting on and on" (the huge number of dead?), "tell me what it was you were trying to say," and of course the eerily prescient "flying through the smoke." Very strange to see the song was released in 2000, a full year before the Twin Towers attack.

[Pol]

Maybe Justin has mellowed over the years just like the rest of us
Yes i get your point i loved the vengeance lp back in eighties. I also remember when tiagd came out and wishing most of the songs were similar to the title track or they would make a album like that. But no point in wishing for what you can't have, life is too short to live by its buts n maybe's. Just enjoy the records that nma do bring out.

[Shush]

Maybe its a case of JS does not have any strong personal views on the subject. Or views strong enough to inspire a song.

[Rusco]

One of The Chosen

It's quite clear to see being a song about religious fanaticism? But that's only one view and there are others for sure. Often the meaning (a would-be-meaning) isn't underlined too much if there is some.

[Guillaume]

But considering world events post 9/11 (from New York City to Mumbai to London to Madrid to....), why hasn't Mr. Sullivan ever penned a song in the vein of "Christian Militia" regarding those religious fanatics?

Maybe because Mr Sullivan and NMA don't like to write the same songs and lyrics twice!
I remember that Justin said in a french interview that NMA didn't play "Vengeance" for some time in their gigs because there were enough vengeance and violence in the world at the time (post 9/11)...and "Navigating by the stars" the album was also an answer full of beauty against the world which became ugly and violent (post 9/11 era).
My opinon is that NMA's songwriting is more subtle and low key now, more mature, they can still talk about difficult topics in their songs but Mr Sullivan's point of view is maybe slighty different than the one he had in his 20's!

[Rusco]

Good topic.

I'd see that the background gave challenges to confront themes concerned "religious" at some age. I mean, at some age when you're younger most people turn against their parents views or whatsoever.

I also think sometimes Justin talks about people in third persons or something.

[Amandistan]

I think that he writes what he is feeling at the time.  Plus the same song has been already written. IT's just about a slightly different set of beliefs. It's still the same God in both faiths. He is a sexist, homophobic, bigot psychopath in both books.

I am not sure but i also have heard when you reach 40 or so you become less angry. I can't speak from experience as I am younger and very angry.

[Anna Woman von NRW]

It's still the same God in both faiths. He is a sexist, homophobic, bigot psychopath in both books.

Touch 

Muslim Militia would be a bit obvious wouldn't it? And maybe with a vocal part of the western population shouting for that, not something that needs another voice adding to the bloodlust? That's not to say I'm being an apologist for extremism (I think my approval of Amanda's comment demonstrates that) just that maybe the chaps don't feel they have a new take on things to put forward after all murder, torture, human trafficking, sexual slavery and barbarism kinda speaks for itself surely?

P'raps Christian Militia should just become Religious Militia?

(I should own up to the fact that I'm currently in a very anti religion frame of mind)

[Master Ray]

I think that he writes what he is feeling at the time.  Plus the same song has been already written. IT's just about a slightly different set of beliefs. It's still the same God in both faiths. He is a sexist, homophobic, bigot psychopath in both books.

I am not sure but i also have heard when you reach 40 or so you become less angry. I can't speak from experience as I am younger and very angry.

Just had to rub it in, didn't you..? 

      

Yes, Amanda, you do mellow out and it's quite relieving.  It doesn't mean you don't care anymore, quite the opposite ( I still find myself fuming in view of the knowledge I've gained in the intervening years), it's just that you go from 'I'm so angry with the world and I ******* HATE it' to 'well, me and the world are stuck with each other, no use denying it, so how can we get along because I'm sick of metaphorically banging my fists against a wall that will never break?'

[Space]

P'raps Christian Militia should just become Religious Militia?

That's a great suggestion.


And to those that are suggesting that one mellows with age.....I say HOGWASH!

I have put on some years in recent times and I am not mellow. Go read my responses on the other thread to those that say Justin Sullivan is a better songwriter than John Lennon. To them I say, "You have no brain!" Not exactly mellow.

It is said that as one gets older one becomes more conservative. That may be true, but the idea that one mellows with age I don't think is true. You want proof? Paul Weller is still the same angry prick he has always been.

[Pol]

Paul Weller pmsfl the worlds scariest man. The proof of most people mellowing with age is if you had wrote some of your comments say 20 years ago a few others on the site would have threatened you now im not saying that's right but it would have happened. As for John Lennon and the Beatles if someone turned up at my door with the full back catalogue i would give it to the local charity shop. I've never owed any of their music and never will it just sounds crap to me that is my opinion, millions may disagree.

[Semmelnknödöln]

I seem to remember JS speaking out quite frankly about religious fanaticism post 9/11... and his experience in Bradford as well as with his sister living in Cairo. As stated above... he seems to be very keen to not repeat anything... and everything has been said in earlier songs  on this matter indeed. Which is why the perspective changed in songs such as One of the Chosen, to me much more powerful content than repetitive condemnations...  Also Navigating by the Stars seems to have been an intended reaction to the horrors of 9/11.

Lyrics written in Angry Planet most recently:
And all the angry gods are back, gathering strength as the continents collide....
As the monkey tribes advance, all in a rush of blood, the jet stream blowing

Not unrelated, eh? Also Qasr El Nil Bridge speaks of fanaticism... just a matter of perspective. Which is one of the many reasons why I think JS is a supreme songwriter, see other thread. How dull to just replace christian by muslim...

Signed, by someone who mellowed with age while on a continuous drift ever further away from conservatism