No Effects?

I once read an article somewhere on the interweb about how music can determine personality and affect human behavior. I was intrigued, so I sat down and listened to some of my favorite artists objectively and tried to discover what immediate effect they had on me. At the same time I attempted to understand how this music has contributed to my character and its influence on the type of person I am today. Here are my decidedly unscientific findings:

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Photo by Glen E. Friedman

Fugazi
The Artist: Washington, DC area band formed from classic early 80's hardcore bands Minor Threat and Rites Of Spring. Fugazi incorporates reggae rhythms mixed with an erratic punk sound that has often been imitated by their peers, but never mastered as they have done. No other band has embodied the "Do It Yourself" ethic better than Fugazi. They release all of their own music, avoiding the greed and mass commercialism of the major record labels and they charge no more than $10 for CDs and $5 for their amazing live shows. No t-shirts or stickers can be purchased either as their music is the only thing Fugazi cares to market and they do it on their own terms.

The Effect: There's no doubt Fugazi has influenced me musically but it's their morals and ethics that have made more of an impression on me. They have proven that you don't have to follow the rules in music or in life with their unapologetic actions. Their compassion and respect for others is evident in their frenetic live shows when the audience's dancing gets a little rough. They'll stop the show mid-song and ask everyone to respect one another and won't resume until consideration towards others is shown.

It's amazing to me that an aggressive punk band has this level of compassion and at the same time has such fiercely extreme principles. There's no way I can apply all of their techniques to my everyday life, but they do make me want to try a little harder. And that's a good thing, right?

Selected Songs: Merchandise, Public Witness Program, Blueprint

Check out the Fugazi Store on Amazon!

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Archers Of Loaf
The Artist: A 90s four piece indie band from the same Chapel Hill, NC music scene that spawned bands like Superchunk, Southern Culture On The Skids and Ben Folds Five. Archers Of Loaf enjoyed moderate success on late night MTV shows like 120 Minutes and their song Web In Front was featured on the soundtrack to the Kevin Smith film "Mallrats".

The Effect: As a musician, the Archers taught me that you can write songs about relationships that aren't drowned in sorrowful bleakness or sappy, over-the-top optimism. Songs like Wrong where singer/guitarist Eric Bachmann expresses his joy in getting out of a loveless relationship with the lyrics, "You've got it all wrong, you can't get it right. Why don't you come down from off my back. And won't you get yourself a job somewhere away from me? Cause I don't want you to see your face anymore. Cause I don't want you on my case in the morning." or Fat where he mean spiritedly attacks his significant other's weight gain by singing "I'm not as happy as I once was to see you, You're fatter around the side. You're not as thin as you used to be. You've gotten fatter around the thighs."

It's all about unhappy relationships we've all been in and the Archers Of Loaf's upbeat style and jangly guitars accompanied by brutally direct lyrics have given me a a pessimistic confidence that makes me feel sorry for any girl who might one day break my heart.

Selected Songs: Wrong, Lowest Part Is Free!, Harnessed In Slums

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Prince
The Artist: Yes, that Prince. Probably the one musician I've listened to my entire life from youth to adulthood that still holds my interest. The Purple One", "His Royal Badness", "That Crazy Symbol Dude", call him what you will, he's one of the greatest singer/songwriters in the world. His music faltered somewhat after the early nineties, but his catalog before "the name change" is one of the strongest in history.

The Effect: It's funny in this day and age to think about how controversial Prince was in his heyday. In his prime his sexual over-, under- and inner- tones ruffled about every conservative feather there was to ruffle. As for me, the music doesn't necessarily make me want to rush out and have a ménage à trois, but it undoubtedly causes a twinge in my nether regions. If nothing else, it makes me feel a little less uptight. If a guy like Prince is out there living life and writing music the way he wants, you can't help but be excited to hear it in the honesty of his songs and apply that kind of honesty in your life.

Selected Songs: I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man, Pop Life, Dirty Mind

Visit the Prince Store on amazon.com

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NOFX
The Artist: Like Fugazi, NOFX has largely released their own albums throughout their 26 year career. With song subjects ranging from humorous stories about band members and lesbians to unregretful and smartly left-leaning political songs, NOFX makes it hard for any liberal with a crass sense of humor to not pump his fist along with their super fast brand of punk rock. More recently their legendary live shows and raunchy banter prompted the FUSE television network to produce a documentary series about their adventures on a worldwide tour.

The Effect: Since I've been listening to them since my early teens, there's no doubt that NOFX has influenced me politically but it's their sense of humor that has probably affected me more. NOFX destroyed boundaries and taboos I had with their upbeat, sing-a-long punk songs. Their songwriting has grown along with me into adulthood, changing from songs about drinking and promiscuity to more adult-themed tunes about growing older and sobriety. It's difficult to listen to NOFX without a smile on your face and a nodding head no matter what they are singing about. And for some reason it's making me want to chug a beer.

Selected Songs: Bob, Kill All The White Men, All Outta Angst, Soul Doubt

Check out the NOFX Store on Amazon.

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Sonic Youth
The Artist: America's premier noise/art rock band. Since forming in 1981, Sonic Youth has released a catalog of albums that may be one of the most eclectic and prolific in American music history. Aside from the occasional concept or experimental noise album, their records are always strong and some would argue they've just gotten better with age.

The Effect: Sonic Youth is certainly not for everyone but for me there has always been a strange beauty in their noise. One moment it may be a relaxing clamor that has me sipping a glass of bourbon and reading a book. A short moment later the music will prompt me to smash my computer monitor in with a toaster. It's kind of like living next to a fire station or train tracks. At first the sounds may be abrasive to the ears but after you grow accustomed to it you can hardly sleep without the commotion. Sonic Youth has taught me that art is not something confined to the physical and that you can sometimes find something amazing in a substance that may not seem pleasing aesthetically. Art can be a totally intangible concept and Sonic Youth creates some of the most gorgeous abstract art there is.

Selected Songs: Bull In The Heather, Teenage Riot, Sunday

Visit Amazon's Sonic Youth Store.

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Now that I've sat down and considered it, I suppose there is something to the theory. Music has definitely been a substantial influence in my life. Nothing extreme — as in I don't think listening to Ghostface Killah makes me want to purchase a firearm and open fire on anyone. Nor do I want to worship Satan when I listen to Slayer. To each his own I suppose. I do recommend doing this little experiment yourselves. It's fun and you may be surprised how much music has an impact on us all.

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