Remember when you were a kid and your favorite tune would come on the radio, so you’d crank it up to level ten and rock out in your room? Soon enough, mom would be pounding on your door yelling, “Turn down that racket!” Well, the members of the L.A. based industrial band Rakit sure do remember that, and they wanna make sure to provide the music for future generations to piss off their moms. With the release of their self-titled six-song EP, the boys have definitely succeeded in that goal.
Rakit’s music possesses the industrial punch of Apartment 26, the creativity of God Lives Underwater, and the angst and sorrow of Nirvana, all in one loud package. The first song on the EP, named “Lethargic,” is an ode to the lazy and sessile people of the world. The vocals on this track have the passion, and the pitch, of the late Kurt Cobain. The Los Angeles club hit “No Pain” is an infectious groove that deals with gross desensitization. One of my favorite pieces on the CD is called “Man In A Box.” It is a slow and haunting song about the homeless, but if you think this is a Phil Collins cover tune, you’re dead wrong. In the middle of the track, lead singer/guitarist Vinnie Rakit fervidly blares the following to the indigents of the world: “Fuck you, take your god damn signs and shove ’em up your ass, you fucking piece of shit!” I guess it’s just another day in paradise for Vinnie and the boys.
Another scintillating song on the disk is “Hate,” which recalls a beautiful relationship that has gone south, way south. To his lover-come-hater, Rakit announces, “I hate you, my love.” Yet another one of my favorites is the tune “Stab,” which is about scandalous detractors and back-stabbers. Amongst the reverberating drums and percussions is the raw emotion and disgust embedded in Rakit’s seething sound.
What I like most about the band is that they are obviously not afraid to tackle important and pertinent hot button issues. The tune “Rage Power” is an example. With lyrics like, “Rage power…White power… Black power,” it is sure to raise a few eyebrows when it is released this September on the soundtrack to Artisan Entertainment’s film Soul Survivor. I recently met up with the band at the House of Blues Sunset, where I got to experience Rakit’s undeniable stage show. Bassist Wolfe explained to me, as he does to several people, that “Rage Power” is actually about reverse racism.
Rakit’s talent has not gone without accolades. They were recently named “Best Industrial Rock Band” at the L.A. Music Awards and The Rock City Music Awards. With such a fulminating sound and stage presence, it is only a matter of time before moms all across the nation are yelling, “Turn down that Rakit!”
-Rikk eLhaj
Rikk@UnEarthed.com
