Readers recommend: Cruel songs | Music | guardian.co.uk
Devious ditties ... we want songs that like to kidnap puppies for their fur. Photograph: Everett Collection/Rex Features
What a great week. Every one of my adolescent phases was revisited, from pretending to be a "mod" aged 11 – even though I had no idea what a "mod" really was – through metal, up past a serious goth stage before heading into hip-hop and acid house. Pop music's ability to demarcate tribal lines, then write songs so good no one notices the boundaries any more is a continual pleasure.
What I wanted more than anything this week were voices from within the scenes themselves, unselfconscious expressions of wonder from those who had a stake in what was actually going on. And I really wanted someone to nominate the Professionals' epochal Mods Skins Punks. Heartbreakingly, no one did. But happily, the following all got the nod ...
The B-list:
The Who – The Kids Are Alright
Well, they are, aren't they? "I don't mind other guys dancing with my girl," Roger Daltrey sings, rather decently. "That's fine, I know them all pretty well." That, literally, is the attitude we are looking for. Extra points for having one of pop music's finest ever middle-eights.The Dovells – Bristol Stomp
Blame Darts – this sort of joyfully innocent doo-wop just gets me right in the guts. Written by a pair of record company executives for an a cappella group from Pennsylvania, it's about cult teen dance, the stomp. And it's 2.19 mins of total pleasure.The Specials – Do the Dog
"All you punks and all you teds, National Front and natty dreads, mods, rockers, hippies and skinheads, keep on fighting 'til your dead …" There's not that much needs adding to that, is there? Do the dog, then, "not the donkey".Blossom Dearie – I'm Hip
Incapable of making a bad record, this Dearie classic comes from a live LP recorded in 1966. It remains powerfully cool while taking the piss out of those who attempt to be exactly that. "I don't blow but I'm a fan," she sings. "Look at me swing, ring a ding ding, I even call my girlfriend man, I'm so hip …"Tony Joe White – Soul Francisco
In 1967 wah-wah fan White notices a "thing" has happened down in SF, now he's hearing about "all them childuns with flowers in their hair". Whatever it is they want, he's pleased to hear that some of them even have "things to say". A lovely record that could never have existed at any other time.Merle Haggard – Okie from Muskogee
Two years later, Haggard hit back at the hippies with this timeless tirade against marijuana, sandals, free love, LSD, the burning of draft cards ("on Main St") and letting your hair grow "all shaggy". In Muskogee, they wave Old Glory "down at the courthouse" and the kids "still respect the college dean". You're right, it sounds bloody awful.Fela Kuti – Highlife Time
More properly accredited to Fela Ransome-Kuti and His Koola Lobitos, this burst of beautiful energy was recorded in 1965. Highlife music was then the sound of young Nigeria, though Kuti was soon to tear it all to pieces and invent Afrobeat.
Minor Threat – Straight Edge
"Laugh at the thought of eating 'ludes," the grim-faced punk ascetics sing, "laugh at the thought of sniffing glue, always gonna keep in touch, never want to use a crutch." No sex, no drugs, no smoking, no booze – a discipline that never really caught on in the UK, to be honest.Television Personalities – Part-Time Punks
This is more our cup of tea. A brilliantly gentle satire on suburban wannabe punks – which is nearly all punks, really – and their quirks. "They play their records very loud," they sing, "and pogo in the bedroom, in front of the mirror, but only when their mums gone out …"Shy FX & UK Apachi – Original Nuttah
Scientists have recently proved that the bit in this record where the drums drop in – about 1:05 – is, without doubt, the single most exciting moment in pop history. This, like D-Mob from the A-list, was such a perfectly rounded evocation of the junglist scene that, almost immediately, it was being parodied.This week's topic is cruel songs, songs that really go for someone – or something – and don't let go. Extra points will be awarded for songs that include particularly sharp lyrics or themes, the more imaginatively vicious and pointedly personal, the greater the chance it'll make it the cut. Random nastiness about whole groups won't do it. We all know pop music can be a generous friend – but what about when it's an absolute bastard?
Your tools await: A-Z, archive, index and Spill. Collaborative playlist here. Now get to it you shower of buggers.
July 19, 2009
Readers recommend: Cruel songs | Music | guardian.co.uk
Turning Japanese: Tokyo's indie-rock showcase | Music | guardian.co.uk
Turning Japanese: Tokyo's indie-rock showcase | Music | guardian.co.uk
Girls aloud ... Mariko from Japanese wonders Midori. Photograph: PR
Make no mistake about it: gig-going in Japan is only for the most dedicated fans. An act of borderline self-flagellation, it often seems that shows in Japan justify their worthiness by the amount of discomfort you have to go through to experience them. Take the Cupid Recordings showcase and compilation launch party, an all-day mini-festival in the underground venue Unit in Ebisu. There's no re-entry and you're not allowed to bring your own food or drink. It becomes a mad game of perseverance for those eager fans straight through the door at midday, as there's no food available inside and, at ¥600 (£4) for less than half a pint of beer, getting refreshed can be an expensive business. By 4pm the venue's stairs are crowded with fashionable (and famished) fans.
Then, of course, there's the complete disregard for audience eardrums that live venues across Tokyo have cultivated. They crank up the volume a few thousand decibels higher than even Spinal Tap would tolerate, creating a strange division between the fans who remembered to bring earplugs and the poor sods cowering at the back who didn't.
However, this aural assault is worth suffering as tonight's show is a triumph for Tokyo's alternative music scene. Cupid Recordings is the project of Yudai Hirano, the Japanese answer to Tony Wilson. As the host of Fuji TV's FACTORY music show (wonder where he got that idea from?), Hirano offers a rare opportunity for Japanese and international alternative artists to be heard on one of the nation's main TV stations by huge audiences. Away from broadcasting, Hirano is known as a rock producer and Cupid Recordings is his next step in bringing indie music to a wider audience.
While many of the bands, like shaggy-haired lad-rock wannabes Quattro, simply ape the less appealing aspects of the western indie world, a handful of acts offer something more vital. London-based British/Japanese combo Levelload are tonight's only overseas act and, like a sparring brother and sister, Tony Wade and Mariko Doi take turns to see who can thrash the loudest across frenetic, electro-tinged drumposiums. Meanwhile, Bugy Craxone are introduced by a hyperactive man dressed like Jimmy Savile and offer more femme-fronted indie in the manner that Japan does so well, with lead singer and pin-up Suzuki Yukiko managing to maintain a look of innocence despite her band's cacophonous wail.
The highest praise is reserved for Midori. Like many Japanese artists they have little web presence beyond their official site and no audio for fans to enjoy. Which means you'll have to take my word that these genre-bending, jazz-enfused, scatter-punk harbingers of danceable doom are currently the best thing in Japan. Ferocious frontwoman (it's always the girls!) Mariko, dressed in school uniform, spits and fights with the crowd, climbs the stage rigs and cavorts on top of speaker stacks, punching herself in the head as she goes. Mariko destroys much of the set and hits any photo pit cameramen that get too close. This is surprising behaviour for a band that don't play guitars, just piano, upright-bass and drums. They've been offered international tours on several occasions before, but apparently getting them all on a plane at the same time is too much to deal with. So, for now at least, these wonders of contemporary Japanese music will have to remain as a myth for anyone outside the country.
New King James Version - count tier feet \'gaunt-er-fit\: to imitate or copy closely especially with intent to deceive.
New King James Version COUNTERFEITNew King James Version
. . . COUNTERFEIT
by Terry Watkins
count tier feet \'gaunt-er-fit\: to imitate or copy closely
especially with intent to deceive.
The greatest method of deception is to counterfeit.
And the master of counterfeit and deception is Satan.The Bible in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 warns of Satan's counterfeit: "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness;. . ." Isaiah 14: 14 tells of Satan's ultimate counterfeit: ". . . I will BE LIKE the most High."
And among his greatest counterfeit's is the New King James Bible (NKJV). Christians that would never touch a New International Version (NIV), New American Standard (NASV), Revised Standard (RSV), the New Revised Standard (NRSV) or other per-versions are being "seduced" by the subtil NKJV.
And though the New King James does indeed bear a "likeness" to the 1611 King James Bible, as you'll soon see, there's something else coiled (see Genesis 3:1) "underneath the cover" of the NKJV.
WHAT ABOUT THAT MYSTERIOUS MARK?
Symbols are used throughout the occult. Harpers' Encyclopedia of Mystical & Paranormal Experience (p.594) says, "Symbols are important to all esoteric teachings, for they contain secret wisdom accessible only to the initiated."Many people have asked about the mysterious symbol on the NKJV.
Thomas Nelson Publishers (publishers of the NKJV) claim, on the inside-cover, the symbol, ". . .is an ancient symbol for the Trinity." But Acts 17:29, clearly FORBIDS such symbology: ". . . we ought NOT to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, GRAVEN BY ART and man's device."
And why does The Aquarian Conspiracy, a key New Age "handbook", bear a similar symbol? New Agers freely admit it represents three inter-woven "6"s or "666".
Constance Cumbey, author of The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow and a notable authority on the New Age Movement, said, "On the cover of the Aquarian Conspiracy is a Mobius, it is really used by them as triple six (666). The emblem on the cover of the New King James Bible is said to be an ancient symbol of the Trinity. The old symbol had Gnostic origins. It was more Gnostic than Christian. I was rather alarmed when I noticed the emblem..." (The New Age Movement, Southwest Radio Church, 1982 p.11)
The three esoteric "6"'s separated.
Plainly displaying the interlocked "666".
The Triqueta is used as the centerpiece for the logo for The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (ITP). The ITP is a new age school following the Jungian Psychology [occultist Carl Jung]. One of their stated goals is ". . . to reach the recognition of divinity within" www.itp.edu/about/tp.html) (see Genesis 3:5, "...ye shall be as gods...")
The same symbol (with a circle) is displayed by the rock group Led Zeppelin. Members of Led Zeppelin are deeply involved in Satanism and the occult. Guitarist Jimmy Page, so consumed with Satanism, actually purchased Satanist Aleister Crowley's mansion. Most believe the symbol is from the teachings of Aleister Crowley and represents 666.
The following picture is "The Hierophant" taken from the Tarot card set designed by Satanist Aleister Crowley. The "Hierophant" is a priest in the occult and Eleusinian. Notice the "three circles" at the top of the wand or rod in the Hierphant's hand. Inside the the three intertwined circles is the "NKJV symbol".
To the right is the top of the wand enlarged. Notice the "NKJV symbol" (upside down) inside the three circles.
One of the most occultic television shows ever aired is "Charmed". "Charmed" details the spells and occultic practices of three witches. The "NKJV symbol" is the show's primary symbol of witchcraft and is splattered throughout the series. Notice the "NKJV symbol" displayed on "The Book of Shadows". The Book of Shadows is commonly used in witchcraft and Satanism:
Book of Shadows: Also called a grimoire, this journal kept either by individual witches or Satanists or by a coven or group, records the activities of the group and the incantations used. (Jerry Johnston, The Edge of Evil: The Rise of Satanism on North America, p. 269)
THE NKJV & WITCHCRAFT?
The Craft: A Witch's Book of Shadows
The Witch's Book of Shadows or Grimoire is a book of spells, enchantments, and rituals. Includes Rituals, Spells, and Wicca Ethics
The Craft Companion: A Witch's Journal
By Dorothy Morrison, a high priest of Witchcraft.
NOTE: We circled (in YELLOW and RED), and also enlarged to the side The NKJV symbol.
Here's some examples of Satanic and Pagan Jewelry which includes the NKJV logo.
LEFT BOX: Notice the satanic pentagram ring in the top right corner. The ring with the NKJV logo is the fourth down on the left, we highlighted it with a yellow circle.
BOTTOM BOX: Notice the very satanic Baphomet Goat.
We broke out and colored the NKJV symbol found in the other two satanic pieces of jewelry.
LEFT: The image on the left is from the rock group Deicide's album "Once Upon the Cross". It is a triquetra (the NKJV logo) with pentagrams and upside down crosses. The group Deicide members are very serious Satanists. Lead Singer Glen Benton has an upside down cross branded on his forehead. The inside cover of the album "Once Upon the Cross" has the Lord Jesus Christ, sliced up the middle, with his insides removed. The name Deicide means the death of God.
RIGHT: The triquetra (the NKJV logo) is also the logo for the Rap / Metal band P.O.D.
The book "Blood on the Doorposts" by former Satanists, Bill and Sharon Schnoebelen, also documents the "trio of sixes (666)" in the "NKJV symbol" and goes so far as claim it is "symbolic of the anti-christ":
"A disguised interlocked trio of sixes, symbolic of the anti-christ. Also symbolizes the triple goddess of Wicca (three interlocked vesica pisces together). Commonly used in Catholic liturgical iconography, and has recently found its way into the logo of the New King James Bible." (Bill and Sharon Schnoebelen, Blood on the Doorposts, p. 150)
Dr. Cathy Burns writes in her book, Masonic and Occult Symbols Illustrated, concerning the "NKJV symbol":
"Marilyn Ferguson, a New Ager, used the symbol of the triquetra (another name for the triskele) on her book The Aquarian Conspiracy. This is a variation for the number 666. Other books and material have a similar design printed on them, such as books from David Spangler, the person who lauds Lucifer, and The Witch's Grimoire. As most people know, the number 666 is the number of the beast (see Revelation 13:18) and is evil, yet the occultists and New Agers love this number and consider it to be sacred.
As stated earlier, many organizations, such as the World Future Society and the Trilateral Commission, incorporate this symbol into their logo. I think it is quite interesting to see that this same symbol appears on the cover of the New King James Bible as well!" (Dr. Cathy Burns, Masonic and Occult Symbols Illustrated, pp. 242-243)
Would God "mark" His word with a symbol in the occult?
