Beach Party Vietnam
1987 · Restless 72131-1 · USA
- Artist
- Dead Milkmen
- Title
- Beach Party Vietnam
- Release
- Eat Your Paisley
- Year
- 1987
- Label
- Restless # 72131-1
- Format
- LP · Album
- Language
- English
- Country
- USA
- Genre
- Rock · Punk Rock
- Primary theme
- Post-War
Annotation
The Dead Milkmen formed in 1979 - an American punk rock band from Pennsylvania. They had a revolving line-up. This album, Eat Your Paisley!, released in 1986 featured Joe Jack Talcum (guitar, vocals), Dave Blood (bass), Dean Clean (drums), Rodney Anonymous (vocals). The song "Beach Party Vietnam" (Fever Records # 72131-1) took a comedic and tasteless approach to the conflict. It told the story of a boy who "got a letter from his Uncle Sam" and ended up in Vietnam "surfin' with the Viet Cong, cookin' hot dogs with napalm". His girlfriend wanted to give him her ring, but he lost both his arms in the war. This song also featured as the B-side of the single The Thing That Only Eats Hippies released in 1987 - the only single from this album.The reference to surfing, napalm, and a beach party displays the influence of Vietnam War films on American culture. In the film Apocalypse Now (1979), directed by the political liberal and dove Francis Ford Coppola. Captain Kilgore (Robert Duvall) of the Air Cavalry attacks a Vietcong held village while playing Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" on the loud speakers of his helicopter. Once on the ground, Kilgore strips of his shirt and scarf and prepares to go surfing with explosions and gunshots all around. As fighter jets bomb the forest behind the Vietcong village, Kilgore says happily "I love the smell of napalm in the morning….smells like victory". A similar theme is found in the song "Charlie Don't Surf" by The Clash on the album Sandinista! (1980), and "Napalm in the Morning" by Sodom on the album M-16 (2001).
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Annotation — Punk Songs
The Dead Milkmen formed in 1979 - an American Punk Rock band from Pennsylvania. They had a revolving line-up. This album, Eat Your Paisley!, released in 1986 featured Joe Jack Talcum (guitar, vocals), Dave Blood (bass), Dean Clean (drums), Rodney Anonymous (vocals). The song "Beach Party Vietnam" (Fever Records # 72131-1) took a comedic and tasteless approach to the conflict. It told the story of a boy who "got a letter from his Uncle Sam" and ended up in Vietnam "surfin' with the Viet Cong, cookin' hot dogs with napalm". His girlfriend wanted to give him her ring, but he lost both his arms in the war. This song also featured as the B-side of the single The Thing That Only Eats Hippies released in 1987 - the only single from this album. The reference to surfing, napalm, and a beach party displays the influence of Vietnam War films on American culture. In the film Apocalypse Now (1979), directed by the political liberal and dove Francis Ford Coppola, Captain Kilgore (Robert Duvall) of the Air Cavalry attacks a Vietcong held village while playing Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" on the loud speakers of his helicopter. Once on the ground, Kilgore strips of his shirt and scarf and prepares to go surfing with explosions and gunshots all around. As fighter jets bomb the forest behind the Vietcong village, Kilgore says happily "I love the smell of napalm in the morning….smells like victory". A similar theme is found in the song "Charlie Don't Surf" by The Clash on the album Sandinista! (1980).
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Lyrics
English: It's a beach party Vietnam, surfin' with the Viet Cong / Cookin' hot dogs with napalm, a beach party Vietnam / Frankie and Annette were layin' on the sand / When Frank got a letter from his Uncle Sam / It said: Get Moon Dog and all your friends / You're all invited to a beach party Vietnam / 'Hey Frankie, aren't you gonna give me your class ring?' / 'Oh I'm afraid I can't do that, Annette' / 'Why not?' ''Cause I don't have any arms!'
About the artist
American satirical punk band formed 1983 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [Source: Wikipedia]