The Flobots

AUGUST '08

Harder Beat Magazine Online

The Flobots
Saying no to neo-liberal globalization

By Shane Epting

The Flobots - a hit song and “building a movement”

When was the last time you listened to politically-charged hip-hop that questions hegemony, racism and globalization? Well, amigo, that is just too long. The Flobots properly bring those subjects - and many others - back to the front burner of your mind. They cook up some controversial issues and add some needed flavor and insight with their latest album, Fight with Tools.

At a recent show at Dallas’ House of Blues, lead rapper, Jonny 5 (who attended Brown University), let everyone know that The Flobots are more than a band with distinct beats and crafty lyrics. In between songs, he announced with nonchalant force, “we are building a movement.”

They invite the audience to make a difference and actually do something about societal ills. The composition of the audience included many popped-collar guys and Coach bag girls, but many bright-eyed youths were listening with the intensity of gun-toting Zapatisas. The band’s single, “Handlebars,” is noteworthy on both sides of the revolutionary coin: On the surface, it’s charming and fun, but underneath there’s a deep message. Beat-master and drummer, Kenny O explains, “[Handlebars”] starts off saying you can do something as simple as riding your bike with no hands, and how that creative side can be funneled or channeled toward something that can create change in the world. It’s all about power. Sometimes, you know, power is misused. We all have a creative side. We all have the power to do great things in this world.”

Besides discussing heavy issues with original insight, The Flobots keep an organic feel with their music. Unlike most hip-hop, they actually play instruments instead of using computers to simulate music. Go figure. On both their CD and live show, there’s a guitar, drums, bass and a...viola? Yeah, a viola. This type of line-up keeps everything crisp.

“Music is a way to decree and inspire change,” Kenny elaborates, “and I think that is what Flobots is about. It’s about trying to open minds and look at things in a different way. We’re not trying to beat people over the head. We’re just trying to communicate how we feel. Whether or not you agree with the politics, hopefully, it is funky enough to keep you listening.”

Flobots don’t keep their message limited to music. Fightwithtools.org, an online community set up by the band, is creating the means for like-minded individuals to work together. Some might doubt if that strategy can be effective. But, hey, they have a coast-to-coast network and teams working out of Dallas and Denton.

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