Barring the apocalypse, 2020 America rivals the political whirlwind of 2016 where the fate of the nation practically sits on a coin toss. The Los Angeles punk band, Dirtycakes, highlights this likeness with the re-recording of their anthem, “Resist 45,” a track originally released in 2017.
If the title of this track doesn’t yell its intent out, “Resist 45” is another aggressive dish from Dirtycakes that stays on its toes with deep rhythmic riffs and engrossing activity. The instrumentation here does not falter nor stagnate, but evolves and compels the song forward.
The lyrics are simple but effective, as they chant a message of resistance which the roots of punk, rock, and metal all connect to. Especially the political resistance which Dirtycakes even acknowledges here, as they begin the track by calling out the fading characteristic of truth in rock n’ roll.
The mantra of “Resist 45” resonates today as much as it did three years ago, and this re-recording greatly focuses the direction of the original’s instrumentation and length. In a year full of protests, resistance, and tension, Dirtycakes reminds us the larger enemy of America’s future — 45.
