Track By Tracks: CLUSTERFUX - Defy (2024)

1. Charlie Foxtrot Stomp:

This is an instrumental opener that was originally written to give us the opportunity to on-the-fly sound checks at shows. I’d jump down in the crowd and listen for balance, volume levels, etc. At most smaller shows you don't get a soundcheck or if you do the sound person might need some suggestions. It’s a great opener and gets the blood pumping.

2. Blood:

This is our skateboarding song. All the injuries but the busted-out teeth are mine and probably shared by most skaters! It’s also just an ode to basic rebellion. Fuck the jocks, fuck the cops… Stuff that most rockers can identify with.

3. Defy (the Tempter):

The theme behind this song is that of personal reflection and growth. Life will tempt us with distractions from leading a life of virtue. It's never too late to make a better decision. You always have a choice, unless of course, you subscribe to the idea of determinism. Ha! You do not need to be defined by your past, you owe it to yourself to evolve and grow.

4. Panic!:

The media, social media, and the like is all about fear-mongering and keeping people at odds. Hate and fear make for great clickbait. Keep the people in a panicked and fearful state and they are easier to manipulate. It’s a great political tool. Make up the boogeyman and then tell everyone you can save them if they vote for you.

5. Bomb Blast, Anthrax, Gas Attack:

I started versions of these lyrics when my kids were younger. When you are a new parent you do some second-guessing about bringing innocent life into such a violent world.

6. With Intent:

This one is way different than anything else on the record. It’s got an Exploited ‘Horror Epics’ or Killing Joke vibe to it with peace punk lyrics. This is a song about being intentional with your energy. When you are focused and determined you can achieve almost anything. Approach life with positivity and compassion and you feel better. You will make others feel better. The universe will reward you.

7. Letters:

We’ve recorded this song a few times and each version is about someone else. This version is about the well-to-do dentist that drunk drove his car through the front of the store Justin and I own and then tried to deny it. He was caught because of the fresh tire tracks he left in the snow. He backed out and tried to drive home but crashed into a ditch. The police followed the tracks and the trail of merchandise to find him passed out in his car. It was about 20 below zero that night so being arrested for DUI probably saved him from freezing to death in his car.

8. Flat Tire:

4 of the 5 of us were in a band together in the early 90’s called FIA and we wrote this song back then! The lyrics were written by this dude Chester and are just your basic punk rock, pissed at the system-type lyrics. It's a pretty fun song.

9. Rawhead:

I’d seen the movie several times back in the 80’s but as a teen, I just accepted it as a basic monster flick. Crazy monster from hell kills people. I watched it again a few years ago and picked up on all kinds of stuff that I didn't as a kid, but was also very confused. So I read the short story by Clive Barker to get a better understanding and was surprised at the theme of toxic masculinity that ran through it. The monster was a representation of misogyny and ultimately could only be defeated by a female. I thought the monster was a great way to tackle that subject in a song.

10. Lies:

I rewrote the lyrics of this one to focus more so on politicians. I would be surprised if this election cycle did not boast more lies from a candidate than any other cycle. It just blows my mind how someone can bald-faced lie at that velocity and be taken seriously as a presidential candidate. Lies have impacts and consequences. Gangs are not taking over Aurora, no one is eating your cat. Lunatics actually started showing up in Aurora to save the day but there were not any gangs holding anyone hostage anywhere. It's so fucking ridiculous. The misinformation being spread about the aid efforts in North Carolina has now instigated some nut jobs to threaten federal aid workers. Lies have consequences.

11. Air Raid:

Just a basic hardcore song, “war is bad”. Its about US foreign policy I guess you could say. Our leaders like dropping bombs on people. Look at what is going on in Lebanon and Israel. How many innocent people are burning in the streets so military and government leaders can compare dick sizes?

12.DBAD:

DBAD is the opposite of ‘With Intent’. When you allow yourself to be led by negative energy you think the world is out to get you. Everyone is going through something. Exercising just the smallest amount of compassion could really change your day and that of someone else too. This was written after an interaction with someone who once was a good friend. Their inability to share any compassion for someone else was baffling. They were inconvenienced and that was all that mattered to them. They were dragging around their bullshit and insecurities and acting like a total dick. Don't be like them, don't be a dick.

13. Trained to Kill:

Originally I wrote this after reading ‘East of Eden’ and it was more about losing your soul to military brainwashing. Losing your humanity to be rebranded as a killing machine for the military-industrial complex. Some of that was lost in getting the lyrics to fit the music but the general theme is still there.

14. RFHC:

Change is inevitable and nothing is permanent. We lost some folks over the years, the gangs not all here. But here we are as a band doing this shit still. And doing it better than ever. We haven't forgotten where we came from and we are absolutely appreciative of the opportunities we have. To be doing this with dudes that I’ve known since grade school is unreal. This is a celebration for everyone from “back in the day” and for us!