The Dead Betties might be a name you know, or they might not, but they’ve certainly been around long enough that you should probably start paying attention to them. You might remember back in 2014 when reactionary ideologue Bill O’Riley questioned the appropriateness of Dead Betties’ vocalist and bassist Joshua Ackley being hired as a spokesperson for the Girl Scouts of America due to his involvement in this “homopunk” band. A bigoted complaint steeped in false narratives about gay people being inappropriate around children, it nonetheless gave The Dead Betties some free publicity, for better or worse. But it also proved Ackley and his band to be the kind of people who stand up to bullies.
While the band just put out their latest full-length, Impossible Future, back in October, they’ve turned around and started putting out singles about another bully they’re standing up to, and it’s no coincidence that they’re doing this the Friday before Inauguration Day.
Today, we’re debuting The Dead Betties latest single, “Evolution Blues,” that the band is releasing today alongside a B-side which is a cover of Sonic Youth’s classic “Youth Against Fascism.” “It’s astonishing that these self-proclaimed defenders of decency believe they can spew the most vile, racist, misogynistic, and transphobic rhetoric without facing consequences,” says Ackley, describing the idea behind the song. “Yet, the moment they’re confronted with the truth of their ignorance, they cry foul and demand immunity from criticism. Enough of this hypocrisy. It’s time to expose their bigotry and hold them accountable, forcing them to reckon with the consequences of the destructive policies they so eagerly championed. And yes, I’ll admit—There’s a certain satisfaction in watching them squirm under the weight of their own hubris. Accountability has never felt more overdue.”
With a distinct punk sense of satire and political outrage, “Evolution Blues” puts the anxieties of a new Trump era into a swinging, raging, angry, yet supremely catchy punk tune. It’s a reminder that, while the upcoming four years may look dismal, there’s also a vibrant punk movement that will be there to speak truth to power for those four years as well.
The Dead Betties are going to be playing Queer Grunge Night at Parkside Lounge, NYC on February 7, which will be a unique night celebrating queerness. They will be playing as classic grungy riot grrrl act L7 while Tami Hart will be performing as Nirvana and Sir Baby Girl as Hole. There’s also set to be a DJ set from Desert Sharks and the whole thing is by Lily Marotta. Tickets are available here.
Photo courtesy of Jazzmine Beaulieu
