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I Promised Mess

from Punching Out by Johnson from Accounting

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about

When DJ NDN of A Tribe Called Red was being accused of racism for wearing a 'Caucasians' t-shirt done in the style of the Cleveland Indians logo (with the feather replaced with a dollar sign), I really couldn't believe what I was hearing. I wrote this in response, with my response being, "Are you kidding me?"

The part about 'promising Mess' comes from when Wayne Gretzky was traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings. According to former bandmate Kris Olafson, Gretzky cried at a press conference and said that he promised Mess – Mark Messier – that he wouldn't cry. I don't know if this is true, but I don't think Kris has any reason to lie to me. Anyway, this song is about making a promise to not punch someone for being a fool – for hoping that there is another way to go about it. I'm doubtful, but I remain hopeful. There are some hurtful, nationalistic lines in this song. The line about liking, loving, or leaving Alberta comes from a bumper sticker I saw one day. The others are extrapolations based on that. To avoid being misunderstood, I want you to know that they are said ironically. If this becomes some kind of nationalistic anthem I will be extremely disappointed. (Kyle)

lyrics

Eskimos, Chiefs, and Redskins / It's hard to know just where to begin / Five-hundred years of colonial greed / Memory reduced to a fucking sports team / Blackhawks, Braves, and Indians / If you don't see just what's wrong with / These logos, racists caricatures / Then you're part of the problem / Yes, we're part of the problem / I promised Mess I wouldn't do this / I try so hard to stay positive / I promised Mess I wouldn't do this / But can our words speak louder than our fists? / Welcome to the City of Champions / Where we praise sports stars and jail First Nations, so... / Gretzky Drive, Messier Trail / Doesn't matter if your land wasn't for sale / Treaty 6? Don't give a shit / Alberta: like it, love it, or leave it / We'll drain its oil and live like Kings / And your contaminated land won't mean a thing / Won't mean a fucking thing

credits

from Punching Out, released February 22, 2017

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Johnson from Accounting Edmonton, Alberta

From 2013 until early 2017, Johnson from Accounting was a punk band that was about efficiency, time management, synergy, and productivity.

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