Pissed - Pissed EP

Pissed – Pissed EP

Profane Existence, 1992

Acquired: Half Price Books, Used, 2012

Price: $.75

In the Hold Steady’s “Stevie Nix,” Craig Finn sings “When we hit the Twin Cities/ I didn’t know that much about it/ I knew Mary Tyler Moore/ And I knew Profane Existence.” I had to look it up to find out Profane Existence is a Minneapolis based anarcho-punk collective founded in 1989 and, apparently, still kicking. This seven-inch from Pissed was the collective/label’s 9^th release, and it’s more on the sludgy metal spectrum than I would have suspected. It’s still got some rollick to it, but the vocals always feel like they’re two second away from delivering a guttural groan. Kudos to the punks for getting organized enough to run a record label! More impressive still that Profane Existence has released over a hundred 7-inch records, albums, and CDs. Despite only containing four songs, there’s a pretty substantial booklet of liner notes, etc included with this seven-inch. Most of it is classic over-explaining (which I am a fan of). I.e. “‘Purge’ seems to be about personal anguish of the stagnant life we are meant to lead as human beings in 1992 ‘civilization.’ It is the human spirit crying out of the rejection… The desire to destroy what destroys you,” “‘Uprising” is revolt. It is turning political ideas into action. It is physical action we put into effect with the courage and confidence we’ve instilled in ourselves through mutual support of others. It is marching down Pennsylvania Avenue, flaming torch in hand, onwards to freedom. When the world is turned upside down and tyranny is stomped out forever, then maybe the sun will rise in the western sky…” etc. It’s all positive ideals with good intentions, but overblown bordering on parody. Still, it’s the thought that counts.

Purge from Pissed on Myspace.

Sunrise in the Western Sky from Pissed on Myspace.