Surviving Life: A Weekly Mixtape — Cannibalism

CANNIBALISM

You may be thinking, “What a strange theme!” Not necessarily the most popular topic amongst civilized society, but believe it or not, the practice of humans eating the flesh of other humans has been around, at least according to the archeological records, since Homo antecessor, Europe’s first known human species. Why would people do this? It may have developed due to food shortages, or it could have been predator control. In some more modern cultures, human flesh was considered somewhat of a delicacy for special occasions. The Maoris of New Zealand would feast on the flesh of their enemies after a battle. Some tribes in Africa would cook specific organs as rites in magical ceremonies because witch doctors believed certain virtues and strengths could be transferred through the digestion. And in Australia, some Aboriginal groups ate their dead relatives as a sign of respect, also known as endocannibalism. Whatever the reason, possibly due to its taboo nature in today’s world, cannibalism is fascinating. So here is a mixtape for eating a census taker’s liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.

Listen to the mix in order as you read about all of these hot hot tracks, via Mixcloud embed:

SIDE A

1. RAYMOND SCOTT “DINNER MUSIC FOR A PACK OF HUNGRY CANNIBALS” (1937)

While you may not know who Raymond Scott is, you’re more than likely familiar with his compositions, which have been adapted and used in cartoons such as Looney Tunes, Ren & Stimpy, The Simpsons, & Animaniacs. His descriptive jazz style yielded such titles as “New Year’s Eve in a Haunted House,” “Bumpy Weather Over Newark,” and, of course, this song that opens our cannibalism playlist. Despite the tribal nature of this composition, Scott was actually a revolutionary in electronic music and was, much like Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, often found in the control room innovating recording technologies. 

2. THE CADETS “STRANDED IN THE JUNGLE” (1956)

Alternately known as The Jacks for a different label, The Cadets may have been the second group to record this novelty hit (the first being the Jay Hawks), but they were the first to climb up the chart with it. They broke up later that year when bass singer William “Dub” Jones joined the Coasters and lead singer Aaron Collins formed the Flairs. Great googa-mooga!

3. AEROSMITH “EAT THE RICH” (1991)

A gem from this Boston group’s late-‘80s-‘90s resurgence period, “Eat the Rich” seems like a silly and hypocritical statement opening their best selling album worldwide, “Get a Grip” which has sold upward of 20 million copies. The sentiment makes sense in a world of growing economic divide, even if the ‘take your Grey Poupon, my friend, and shove it up your ass!” line doesn’t really hold up into the 2020s, as maybe rich people’s defining trait may no longer be their choice in condiment.

4. IGGY POP “EAT OR BE EATEN” (1982)

This man rarely wears a shirt and used to smear peanut butter all over himself. Would that make for a more delicious dining experience once his remains are digested? We’ll have to wait and find out. From what is widely considered a failure album of the godfather of punk, “Zombie Birdhouse,” this track has a B-52’s vibe with some interesting free association. Nowhere near the level of “I Wanna Be Your Dog” or “The Passenger,” but still an interesting and fun track. 

5. THE MISFITS “BLOODFEAST” (1983)

A string of sold out reunion shows in 2016-2019 featuring original members Glenn Danzig, Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, and Jerry Only (joined by Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo), showed that people have been influenced and affected by the horror-punk style and iconic logo of this Lodi, New Jersey group. This song, like most of their compositions, was inspired by a horror film of the same name from 1963 where a psychopathic food caterer kills women to include their body parts in his recipes and is largely considered the first splatter film. 

6. MOTÖRHEAD “EAT THE RICH” (1987)

Another song inspired by a film, but this time written for the British black comedy of the same name, “Eat the Rich” is a pretty straight-forward idea. The film features Motörhead bassist/singer Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister and has a plot that makes about as much sense as you’d expect. 

7. MUDHONEY “WHERE THE FLAVOR IS” (2002)

Recorded after bassist Matt Lukin left, “Since We’ve Become Translucent” may not be the most memorable Mudhoney record, but it holds its own. A mix of muddy distortion and horns makes one feel upbeat about getting put into a vat and eaten.

8. SCRATCH ACID “CANNIBAL” (1984)

Pioneers of Texas noise-rock, this Austin group’s debut EP was consistently mentioned by Kurt Cobain as one of his favorites. Dubbed “the American equivalent of The Birthday Party” by journalist Will Lerner, this group holds their own against fellow groups Big Black, Sonic Youth and Butthole Surfers.

9. AT THE DRIVE-IN “ARCARSENAL” (2000)

The opening track from their third album, “Relationship of Command,” this post-hardcore group from El Paso, Texas, was recorded after their stint opening for Rage Against the Machine. The album (and subsequent singles) artwork focused mainly on the Trojan War, so it’s only fitting that the members of the band split to form groups The Mars Volta and Sparta.

10. RADIOHEAD “KNIVES OUT” (2001)

With Smiths-inspired guitars, this track from Radiohead’s fifth album “Amnesiac” took 373 days to complete recording, according to Ed O’Brien. Tom Yorke has claimed the lyrics are about cannibalism. The video was directed by Michel Gondry, best known for the film “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and a slew of other music videos, not least of all Björk’s “Human Behaviour.”

11. SILVERSUN PICKUPS “CANNIBAL” (2014)

The only new track on a singles collection released as a celebration of their 10-year relationship with Dangerbird Records, “Cannibal” is a driving track from this group of alt-rock vets. Frontman Brian Aubert told Rolling Stone that “we have a band amnesia that keeps us from looking at the past.” This philosophy can be a motivating factor in always building on where you’ve been and constantly moving forward, which is a necessity for any artist looking to create authentic and original pieces versus stagnation and predictable repetition. Silversun has yet to repeat themselves.

12. THE ROLLING STONES “TOO MUCH BLOOD” (1983)

Not the most memorable Stones release, but anytime you can get a recording of Mick Jagger rambling about The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and commenting on violence in the media, you’ve just got to dance. Wait… really? Yes. There’s even a dance remix of this funky tune. Maybe it’s the tribal connection to cannibalism that really makes so many of these songs make you wanna move, or maybe it’s just the fire under the cauldron in which you’re being cooked.

SIDE B

1. SLEEPER AGENT “EAT YOU UP” (2014)

The band went from being a Rolling Stone band to watch, opening for Cage the Elephant, and playing a cruise ship with Weezer, to breaking up and their singer Alex auditioning for The Voice and being a part of Team Gwen. Quite the ride. But the music made still remains, and this track, which I kept thinking was a Grouplove song when it was released, is a great opener for Side B.

2. ALKALINE TRIO “EATING ME ALIVE” (2010)

Off the first release on their Heart & Skull label, this entire album has a theme of love, often described through metaphor. The use of synthesizer on this track throws a little glam on the gothic rock vibe, which can be refreshing, unless you’re Alternative Press critic Scott Heisel, who called the use of the instrument “awful.” Personally, I’d rather be eaten alive to synthesizers than, say, bagpipes or a banjo, but that’s me. 

3. REEL BIG FISH “CANNIBAL” (2007)

A lot of band’s deep cuts here on this week’s mix, proving that cannibalism isn’t necessarily a relatable theme. But this six-minute plus Layla-esque opus from Reel Big Fish’s “Monkeys for Nothin’ and the Chimps for Free” proves that you don’t need to sell out or be trendy to make great music. This song also has a dance remix available, but I felt the drawn-out ending of this original really made the track.

4. TOTO COELO “I EAT CANNIBALS” (1982)

A new wave band called “Total Coelo” in the U.S. to avoid confusion with “Africa” singers Toto, these one-hit wonders (surprisingly the follow-up single “Dracula’s Tango (Sucker for Your Love)” was not a commercial success) named their group after the Latin phrase which means “by the whole extent of the heavens.” Their whole extent was basically this song, but the video makes it all worth while, like a cross between Zoobilee Zoo and G.L.O.W.

5. NOFX “EAT THE MEEK (DUB MIX)” (2002)

Another cannibal song that got a remix, this one being originally from the “Wankin’ In The Pit” compilation album, this mix later appeared on the “45 or 46 Songs That Weren’t Good Enough to Go on Our Other Records record.” Possibly a later career exploration of the “Kill All The White Man” esthetic, “Eat the Meek” was played in concert by NOFX many times in their late career as a bit of a break so the crowd and band could catch their breath. Featuring Swiftian lyrics (Jonathan, not Taylor) that explore eating the meek as a way to solve the problem of overpopulation and lead vocals/trumpet work from guitarist El Hefe, 

6. HALL & OATES “MANEATER” (1982)

Purveyors of blue-eyed soul, this duo of Daryl Hall and John Oates both were raised in the Philadelphia suburbs and spent the late-‘60s joining doo-wop groups in the Philadelphia ghettos. They met when their groups performed in a battle of the bands at Adelphi Ballroom and both were students at Temple University. This number one hit was originally a written as reggae tune, but turned into a Motown vibe with the bassline. The lyrics initially were supposed to touch on the themes of greed, avarice and spoiled riches that were prevalent in 1980s New York City, but were changed to be about a girl, since that’s more relatable. Would love to get Patrick Bateman’s take on this one.

7. BILLY IDOL “FLESH FOR FANTASY” (1983)

Guitarist Steve Stevens has this hypnotic palm-muted riff that just takes you to another planet while Billy curls his lip, tightens his fist and demands “FLESH!” This song was featured in episodes of Miami Vice and American Horror Story and was apparently inspired by the episodic anthology film “Flesh and Fantasy” from 1943 starring Edward G. Robinson and Barbara Stanwyck. While this song isn’t necessarily about cannibalism (*cue nerd voice* I think it’s actually about sex, you guys!), it fit perfectly on this mix and if Billy Idol ever becomes a zombie, he’ll compel millions of women to give up their mortal coil with one Elvis-inspired lip twinge and sweaty leather vest (or, hell, even a leather sweater-vest. Dude can make a fashion statement).

8. THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION “MR. GREEN GENES” (1969)

While Mr. Green Genes is also the name of a character on Captain Kangaroo (spelled Greenjeans), a kale and spinach smoothie and the world’s first glow-in-the-dark cat, here it is referring to a song by Frank Zappa & The Mothers from the album “Uncle Meat.” The more famous variation was “Son of Mr. Green Genes” off Zappa’s album “Hot Rats.” It only mentions on instance of cannibalism, eating a garbage truck driver (with his gloves), which seems less than nutritious, despite Zappa’s claims to the contrary.

9. GENESIS “THE LAMIA” (1974)

Conceived by original lead singer Peter Gabriel, “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway” was his final stint with the group before leaving in 1975. Later, other band members admitting to being unsupportive of Gabriel at this time, possibly because they wanted to do a concept album based on “The Little Prince,” rather than what Peter was proposing. This track buried on Side Three of their double album proved only fitting as a penultimate track here.

10. SWEENEY TODD “A LITTLE PRIEST” (1979)

From an artist of big risks, someone who redefined the Broadway musical, Stephen Sondheim adapted “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” the children’s boogeyman who slit throats and made meat pies. Nellie Lovett and Sweeney Todd sing this (also known as “The Pie Song”) talking about what they’re going to do with the bodies of the barber’s customers. The character originated in Victorian “penny dreadfuls,” which were the equivalent of cheap paperbacks or, dare I say, TikTok, today. The songs ends our flirtation with cannibalism this week. 

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