“Write because you have to, because you
have no other alternative. Otherwise, it’s just absurd
ego-masturbation and a slap in the face to sweet mother
dignity.” Ñ Otep
Well, let’s start with that and see
where it goes. It’s a quote from a poet named Otep (scramble
those letters, boys) who also happens to front a hardcore
heavy-metal band by the same name.
According to the group’s Web-site
message board, more than a few fans in Chicago are disappointed
that the band chose to play Springfield and not the bigger city.
(In fairness, one kind fan did say that it was OK because smaller
towns needed the chance to see this group.)
That’s the thing about Otep: They
inspire people. Many of the messages are expressions of gratitude
from elated fans who have been somehow enriched by the band. E-mail
addresses such as “Fornication of BLOOD,”
“metalchick409,” “suicide hurts,” and
“MISTER-FILTHEE” suggest that Otep fans have a
particular bent, but they aren’t all that way.
What is it about this group that excites folks
in a way others do not? Here’s a description from their Web
site of how she (Otep the poet) feels about the upcoming tour:
“we leave for the Alliance of Defiance tour . . . roughly 40
shows in 49 days . . . a blistering, dissident cabaret . . .
celebrating uniqueness . . . destroying popular culture . . . with
violent storms of cathartic emotion . . . & waves of
pious, poetic, pagan revelry.”
Wow, if they succeed at half of that, perhaps
they’ll deliver the revolution they so desire. With other
slogans such as “Art is war — expect
casualties,” “Destroying popular culture one mind at a
time,” and “Your suffering will free you,” the group
is obviously on a mission.
Whether that mission is successful (or even
necessary) is another story. But I’m thinking that the
all-ages show might be a good place to take the kids, perhaps
bringing new understanding to the dinner-table talks. But remember,
Dad: No mosh pits or crowd-surfing. Not only is it embarrassing to
the kids, but the concert promoters have also prohibited it.
Budweiser True Music Live & WQLZ (92.7 FM)
present Otep — with American Head Charge, Candiria, and
Autumn Offering — in an all-ages show at the Warehouse Events
and Convention Center, 2548 S. First St., at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9. Tickets, which
cost $15, are available at Penny Lane, Shaner’s
Tire, the Rockshop, and the House of Brews.
This article appears in Feb 3-9, 2005.
