Although the word "revolution" often conjures up stark images offierce rebellion and violent, dogmatic clashes between opressor and opressed, it is, I believe, in reality practiced on a much more personal level; at least in the context of one's involvement in the punk/hardcore scene. As humanity races inexorably towards a new century and punk, as a relevant social movement, winds down ist second decade, I find myself wrestling with the inevitable hardships inherent in remaining steadfast in my ideals at a time when adherence to the principals is frowned on by others my age. As someone, who has invested close to fifteen years in this lifestyle I can attest, that being punk at 29 is much different to being punk at 17. In todays world of alienation, avarice and despair it seems to be increasingly tempting for us to throw up our hands, overwhelmed by it all, and admit defeat - submitting ourselves grimly to whatever fate the powers that be have in store for us. As we grow older the pull to somehow conform, to normalize, to "outgrow" punk and hardcore becomes quite strong. I've watched more than a few friends who once claimed, that they would "never sell out" trade in their spikes and their Crass lp's for a more "acceptable" existence. Only by constantly reinventing my own personal definition of revolution have I survived to fight another day. I still believe that we can change the world but I am convinced that this battle will be won or a lost on a more personal front depending on our ability to change and evolve as people; to experience our own inner-revolution. This might, in turn, affect those around us the communities we live in and, ideally, the world. It is from this more practical revolt that this collection of songs is born; from such "revolutionary" notions as the belief that we are intrinsically linked together - that we must treat those, with whom we share this fragile planet with benevolence and compassion, from the idea that we can affect more positive changes by uniting in a common purpose than by dividing hatred, and that the extent that we value and nurture our own interpersonal relationship will be invariably enrich our own lives and those around us. The real revolution lies in questioning the once unquestionable. Blind acceptance of somebody else's status quo and the age-old idea, that we can't make a difference will be our downfall if we let it. We must never stop trying to better ourselves and the world around us. Remember, that in a revolution if ideologies there can be no more potent weapon than the combination of values, sincerity and conviction. - Russ Rankin October 1997 commenting "Ballads from the revolution"

Avail Ammoniak (R.I.P) Bad Preachers Death By Stereo Dillinger Four Good Riddance Kid Dynamite Kill Your Idols koncept Lifetime Midtown Noir Désir Rancid SickOfItAll Strike Anywhere The Sons of Saturn The Sainte Catherines Tom Waits Venerea Tiny-Y-Son Tragedy