Nation Of Ulysses - "The Shape Of Punk To Come To Come"

I had to post this as someone responded to the Angel Hair post saying NOU was lame. I personally think there isn't anything NOT to like about this band, but more about understanding the band. It's a bit like understanding the truth of how Scientology started or about the interconnections of Freemasonry in America. This is inspired and dangerous DC noise-punk and a band that created a sound and visual approach that completely stylistically changed the underground music world. They brought visual cultural influences of Beatlemania imagery, jazz imagery, soul imagery, topped with Cold War paranoias and mish-mashed it all into a cacophony of noisy guitars and manic vocals. Thier urgent music and band propaganda made them seem more like a secret society with dark yet important intentions. It created an illusion of a movement which in itself actually created a movement.

If it wasn't for this band white belts and dyed black hair would have never happened in San Diego, Refused wouldn't have dressed in Beatles suits in the context of a "punk band" (see Nation Of Ulysses), and Dennis Lyxen wouldn't be blabbering pseudo-political bla bla in the Refused "shape of punk to come" cd in a very calculated typewriter font. Not to continue to uncover Refused thematic (ahem) influences... but NOU also had a song "The Sound Of Jazz To Come" on their 2nd album which I am extremely positive influenced the naming of aforementioned record.  But I digress... I am only here to give credit where credit has long been overdue... The shape of punk to come?? This was the shape of punk to come to come! This inspired Frodus Conglomerate International™ and every band with an "Order of..." before their name... or a "Union of..." and their second album "PLAYS PRETTY FOR BABY" was released in 1992 (the band formed in 1988)! Responsible for a whole approach to punk music and imagery. This is one of those rare cultural artifacts/occurances that changes the way large groups of people think and act. In a way Nation Of Ulysses were The Beatles of a certain cross-section of underground "post-punk". 

As a general Nation Of Ulysses primer to those who are first experiencing this band: First: open your ears... Second: read all liner-notes and view all artwork.  The images and music together is the way one will truly "get" this band.

Pictured is their 2nd Album, but I will post one song off the first and one off the second because they are just that damn good.

(Download "N-Sub Ulysses")

(Download "Target U.S.A")

BUY NOU MUSIC FROM INSOUND

Comments

[Oliver]

Most likely was Ornette Coleman's 'The Shape of Jazz to Come' LP that influenced them both.

[shelbot]

most definitely!!! all a part of the co-opted imagery that NOU took from, but in the punk context.. these were the first lads.

[Craig]

Is it uncool to note that 3 members of Nation Of Ulysses went on to form Make Up? You went pretty deep in your anal-y-sis and no mention of their afterlife. Make Up was either dug or hated in similar fashion to Nation Of Ulysses.

Nice selections and good job of bringing NOU into the fold!

[Jon]

Actually, I am pretty sure Refused - The Shape of Punk to Come was named after Ornette Coleman's album The Shape of Jazz to Come which is a fucking classic, I mean they sample an outtake from that album I am pretty sure on the song "THE DEADLY RHYTHM" but I could be wrong, but usually I am not.

[shelbot]

hmm... maybe, but if you note 'songs to fan the flames' and their stylistic approach (big pants, victory style mid 90s) to becoming überfashionable with manifestos and what not.. I think NOU was the catalyst. It comes from knowledge and personal first-hand observations. But not that it's a bad thing to borrow.. everyone does in music, but there is one thing to borrow and not openly give your props. Or maybe the press just ignored the props.

I will comment on Make*Up soon... another band fronted by Ian Spiv (post NOU) that was more focused on soul/garage as you may know... smells like a... conspiracy.. though not to totally flame said "conspiracy" did find their own voice on their later albums which I did honestly enjoy for their energetic approaches.

[jeff]

you cant go wrong with a band that shows you how to remove your own fingerprints...

[Ben Edge]

NOU SUCK. They're responsible for yet another generation of hipster elitism (picking up where Television left off in the mid 70s, and no wave in the late 70s). I'm shocked these lightweights weren't from Manhattan. What's up with San Diego? They were barking up the wrong tree. If that scene had ripped off any other Dischord band, it would have been better.

[Andy The Panda]

well then Ben Edge... why don't you not download their songs and check out the other bands on this site MR NEGATIVE!

[King Kerching]

Anyone who likes this should check out "The Make Up" good good good band, unlike the ramones who were really really really bad band according to some.

Also Travis I fink u should get some MUMMIES on this Blog, edukate the yoof on top hammer horror stylee garage LA, Cisco style. And get some CRIME on here....

[shlshkd]

hmm... could you possibly mean...

order of the dying orchid..?
union of a man and a woman..?

those bands ruled and are well worth checking out! oh and frodus, too.