Political Prog

siLLy puPPy wrote: There were a number of so called politik-rock prog bands in the 70s primarily in Germany and Sweden. Checkpoint Charlie, Floh De Cologne, Ton Steine Scherben, Lokomotive Kreuzbuerg, Ihre Kinder, Schmetterlinge, Oktober, Kernbeisser were some of the most blatant almost punk rock types of dissent although many progs in the Italian scene expressed their political views as well In Sweden bands like Hoola Bandoola Band, Älgarnas Trädgård, International Harvester and others Even the mainstream bands did it more subtly with albums like The Wall standing out For the most part prog was more sublte in its political jabs but some offered a punk brashness before punk existed

David_D wrote: It would be nice if telling the artist name, song and album titles, and maybe year too.

Marillion, White Russian, Clutching at Straws, 1987 :)

AFlowerKingCrimson wrote: Unlike punk most prog bands stay away from politics probably out of fear of alienating their listeners.

^On the other hand, Yours Is No Disgrace IS an anti-war song. Also there's a metric heck-ton of prog bands that have politically-charged lyrics. Though it was usually a little more subtle amongst the classic era anglo heavy-hitters on average, excepting Pink Floyd, of course. Ian Anderson wrote pretty socio-politically charged lyrics, though they were very dense and shrouded in allegory and lofty references. The US had bands that were more overt in the classic era, I find. Kansas had many a message about colonialism in North America. And Frank Zappa... well, this is a man who is quoted to have written "politics is the entertainment division of the military industrial complex." Marillion, Dream Theater, Haken, IQ have all written several songs dealing with politics, including on an international scale. And those are just the big names. Italy in the 70s was rife with prog bands decrying fascism, as did many a band from South America from the 70s onward. Mediabanda comes to mind immediately. And the aforementioned Bubblemath, and the RIO scene. Even Steven Wilson takes a break from the sad boi stuff for a socially conscious message or two. Not to mention Rush and... well, I'll stop there. The list goes on.

Twelfth Night - We Are Sane (Live)

The Waterboys - Red Army Blues (no doubt a popular song amongst Mother Russia's political commissars during The Great Patriotic War) 

Unlike punk most prog bands stay away from politics probably out of fear of alienating their listeners. I can't think of any prog band that seems to have some kind of political agenda. 

We place our faith in human rights
In the paper wars that tie the red tape tight
I know that I would rather be out of this conspiracy

In the gulags and internment camps
Frozen faces in nameless ranks
I know that they would rather be standing here besides me

Racing the clouds home, racing the clouds home
You can shut your eyes, you can hide it away it's gonna come back another day