The Seditionists & Scontro Inspire You with Their Split 7″ EP [Premiere]

With their brand new split 7″, The Seditionists and Scontro are spitting some facts. Not in some kind of overzealous, preachy kind of way, but some realistic and worthwhile observations on our current socio-political state. The punk bands premiere their new release, featuring two new songs from each band. The record is the first release on Resistenti Records, a label started by Scontro.

Fitting in nicely with their messaging, the label’s name was inspired by the Italian partisans who fought Fascism in their own country during World War II. The release makes a lot of sense when you consider the similarities between the two bands. Each has earned a reputation in their native Portland, Oregon, for some of the most explosive punk rock shows in the city. Given their similar socio-political views, doing a release together made just too much sense.

Framing the central concept behind the release, Scontro lead singer and guitarist Damon DiCicco tells us:

“Nostalgia can be really poisonous at an individual, personal level. Once you’ve decided that some past era was ‘the best days of my life,’ you’ve foreclosed any possibility of experiencing something equally meaningful, powerful or joyful. At that point, why even try? Getting caught in that trap seems so sad. I don’t know what the future holds, but I don’t ever want to live like that.”

That frame of mind is one of the main focuses of this split release. Both bands are alarmed at the current state of American politics. Politicians are out there selling the people a bill of goods that many are falling for. A small group of old white men presently control most of the political influence in the country. Their political leanings are heavily influenced by the simpler, traditional times they grew up in, and they are selling the public on these bygone eras being “the good old days.” But even at that time, these ideas of America were misconstrued and exaggerated. Nostalgia may gain votes for greedy politicians, but it’s not making anyone’s life better in the present.

These four new tracks are two punk bands’ attempt at making sense of our present state of affairs. The songs are meant to make you think and maybe consider other points of view. But they are also meant to inspire enthusiasm and activism. Punk rock is about lifting people up and giving everyone something to unite around. The Seditionists and Scontro have done a very good job of that with this stirring new release.

The Seditionists “All Leftists Unite” single artwork

Scontro “Toxic Nostalgia” single artwork