Die for Oil, Sucker
1991 · Alternative Tentacles VIRUS 90 · San Francisco, California
- Artist
- Jello Biafra
- Title
- Die for Oil, Sucker
- Release
- Die for Oil, Sucker / Pledge of Allegiance
- Year
- 1991
- Label
- Alternative Tentacles # VIRUS 90
- Format
- 7" · Single
- Language
- English
- Country
- San Francisco, California, USA
- Songwriter
- Jello Biafra
- Genre
- Spoken Word · Spoken Word
- Primary theme
- Post-War
Annotation
Jello Biafra, from Colorado, US, known for his satirical, spoken-word and punk records throughout the 80s and 90s, including membership of the well-known Hardcore Punk group Dead Kennedys. He released two spoken-word tracks as a solo artist regarding the Vietnam War: "Vietnam Never Happened" (1987) and "Die for Oil, Sucker" (1991). He also released the song "Wish I Was Back in El Salvador" (1989) which referenced the Vietnam War, in collaboration with Hardcore Punk group D.O.A.. With the Dead Kennedys, he released the Vietnam-related songs "Holiday in Cambodia" (1980) and "We've Got a Bigger Problem Now" (1981). On this single was the spoken-word track "Die for Oil, Sucker" (Alternative Tentacles # VIRUS 90), about the First Gulf War, under President George H. W. Bush, which, as stated in the title, focused on the oil economy, politics, and war. The narrator argued that the country had forgotten the Vietnam War: "Vietnam just a time life book memory, the mask is off again". The song also discussed the Vice-President, Dan Quayle, who had avoided the Vietnam War draft by joining the Indiana National Guard, which he served from 1969 to 1975, arguing that it was a form of draft…
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
About the artist
Born 17 June 17 1958, Boulder, Colorado, USA. Currently San Francisco, California, USA.
Themes
Draft · Anti-War · First Gulf War · Disabled Vet · Cold War · Saddam Hussein · Film · George H. Bush