Nazi symbolism in 1980s music
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Nazi symbolism in 1980s music.
Industrial music flirted with fascism.
Take German electro pioneers Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft and their "Der Mussolini" (1981). Take band names Joy Division (borrowing their name from the sexual slavery wing of a Nazi concentration camp) and New Order, taking their names from Nazi origins (although in the case of New Order the group has stated that the name New Order does not draw a direct line to National Socialism or Fascism.)
Take the stage personae of Laibach, of Front 242 leading to official statements.
In the case of Front 242, an official disclaimer:
- "The group Front 242 would like to reaffirm that its members are totally opposed to any extreme right-wing ideas, doctrines or ideologies. Front 242 refuse to be associated with fascism, nazism or neo-nazism or any other anti-democratic, extremist tendency of whatever leaning. Front 242 claim their right to freedom of artistic expression and week to explore the moral grounds of their surroundings and our world with integrity and dignity. Points taken out of context can often be misleading; the editing of statement band-members have made in the past and the misinformation presented by certain journalists have contributed to the formation of an untrue and biased image of Front 242. Such intellectually dishonest practices have, amongst other things, lead to concerts being cancelled and damaged the reputation of the band."
In the case of Laibach:
Take the dicta (ironic or not) of Consolidated "and you preach to everybody about anti-fascism in america" "if you don't like it here, don't live here you know" "if you don't like fascism, don't play industrial music, because that's what it's all about guys" in "Industrial Music Is Fascism" from Play More Music.
Take "(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang" as an ultimate criticism of it all.