The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Erase the Command,” an anthemic track off Jersey Shore-based The Azures’ sophomore LP, “Among the Deranged.” PHOTO BY THE AZURES
One of my favorite photos is folk legend Woody Guthrie holding his acoustic guitar that reads, “This Machine Kills Fascists.” That’s antifa AF!
Also antifa AF are The Azures, a Jersey Shore-based mashup of Beat Poetry, psychedelia, grunge, Delta blues, progressive rock and punk. Their antifa anthem, “Erase the Command,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week and one of 10 great tracks on their recently released sophomore album, “Among the Deranged.”
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Erase the Command” can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Nov. 14 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin, Mixcloud and RadioJersey.net.
“‘Erase the Command’ is a call to revolution, a harbinger of the uprising against fascism,” lead vocalist-lyricist Gia Rose said. “It highlights the need for a shift of power from the hands of monarchs to the everyday people who deserve true freedom to live and prosper.”
The song is a change-of-pace for the four-piece band and includes an array of instruments and guests, including a horn arrangement by Gabe Gilch, a multi-part keyboard performance by Jacob Jauregui, and a full percussion ensemble by Brian Corliss that gives the tune its Funkadelic vibe.
Throughout “Erase the Command,”various themes of the desert and natural forces are interwoven with the idea of rebellion. The tune begins with an ultra-groovy bass line by the band’s Clarissa Kerlin. Other instruments follow on the “America Eats Young”-like track. Guitarist Ashton Millman shows a different side to his skills, along with Gia, who shows off smooth jazz and funk vocals that differ from her usual Jim Morrison-like intensity. Drummer Eric Brody shines with intricate rhythms and immeasurable control. Eric also recorded and mixed at Secret Guitars in Toms River. Johannes Lang of Lang Audio mastered.
Another of my favorite tracks on “Among the Deranged” is the horn-drenched Lizard King-like lunacy of “Detective Lucid.”
You can see The Azures on Nov. 21 at Bond Street Basement in Asbury Park, which follows the band’s first West Coast tour. Sharing the bill will be Starikova, Phil Spector’s Gun, and Ma’am.
Check out “Among the Deranged” on Spotify and Apple Music.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and Instagram and contact Bob at [email protected].
