One of the long-time Illtet roadies, Even Wolf used to play death metal cassettes in the van; Slayer, Cannibal Corpse. He also turned us on to the speeches of conspiracy theorist, John Judge. Both influences somehow flourish in this track.
The semi-chromatic line that the bass and guitar play on Vote-No was originally composed for a Mutiny Zoo client (and very cool guys named Dan something) who was making a techno track and the line was sequenced on a Juno synthesizer. Bad Brains influence is apparent, and although we were never active Cromags listeners, their influence - they are known for inventing the nyc punk-metal sound - on Illtet via our peers can also be heard here. "If Voting Could Change the System, It Would Be Against the Law" was a popular slogan on the 1980's LES revolutionary scene and in this text, Zef expresses frustration with imperial and capitalist society in a typically elusive poem that includes, "history repeats itself, disorder in the court, no to reeducation, vote with a bullet", and "no to the bullshit".
We kind of pulled the song together for a demonstration/performance at Central Park with Missing Foundation and Lex Grey & the Urban Pioneers, with our childhood mentor Dan Burkhart playing drums.
This was a track where Pervis was totally in his comfort zone, shredding on the drums. The bass line is played using the slap and pop technique - uncommon for this type of line - and Boo was a fish in water on his blurringly-fast-but-totally-accurate solo. Vote No was a favorite of the slam-dancers who definitely claimed the dance floor for it's entirety.
-Mike iLL
from
Live At CBGB'S,
released January 12, 2013
Boo Reiners: Guitar, Vocals, Banjo
Claudio "killaudio" DiZefalo: Samples, Percussion, Vocal
Mike Mitolo A.K.A. "Pervis": Drums
Mike Ill: Electric Bass, Vocal
Emilio "ZefNoise" China: Lead Vocal, Electric Violin, Guitar
Basics recorded at CBGB'S, NYC, Friday night 6/9/95
Engineer: Joe Marno
Assistant: Hank Fury
Crew: Evan Wolf, Jonathan Ballard
Overdubs; Water Music, Hoboken, NJ
Engineer: John Sowle
Mix: Sound On Sound, NYC
Mixed by John Siket
Assistant: Susie Hollander
Mastered by Scott Anthony at The Viewing Room
Cover Art: Seth Tobocman
Design: Deborah Allen
Produced by Mark Wilson and Calvin Gaines
Additional production: Mike Ill and Zef Noi$e
Executive producers: Boo Reiners, Zef Noi$e, Mike Ill
Special Thanks to Hilly Kristal and Louise Parnassa