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State of the Nation
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State of the Nation is a band with a cause. They are pissed
off at the U.S. and other governments because of the racial and
environmental injustices that have been committed by such
institutions. This isn't just a gimmick to sell records. State
of the Nation really care. They've played numerous benefit shows
that I've attended and they made sure the audience was aware of
what the show was for and how they could make a difference.
However, State of the Nation appear to be so involved in their
fight for justice that their music suffers. Their self titled
release on Revelation is good, but it is not brilliant. It makes
me wonder if music to them is just a vehicle to get their point
across. Brothers Rob and Mark Haworth have some musical history
behind them. Working with bands like Farside, Gorilla Biscuits and
Inside Out which also featured Rage Against the Machine's frontman
Zach De La Rocha. As in the case of Rage however, the music does
fall short of the cause that drives it.
Wade Chamberlain
Wade Chamberlain
© 1996, Rational Alternative Digital