Rich Howells

Scranton punk band The Menzingers record timely new version of ‘America’ to raise money for community bail funds

Scranton punk band The Menzingers record timely new version of ‘America’ to raise money for community bail funds
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Last summer, Scranton punk band The Menzingers released a politically charged song called “America (You’re Freaking Me Out)” that continues to resonate nearly a year later.

“We’re living in a pretty insane time, where all you can think about every single day is, ‘What the hell is going on with this country?’” vocalist/guitarist Greg Barnett said in a press release at the time.

“But as I was writing that song, I realized that it’s kind of always freaked me out, especially coming-of-age during the Iraq War. I love so much about America, but I think you can’t deny that there are some people in power who are absolutely evil.”

The song debuted with a music video that features an alien life-form traveling across the United States, enjoying himself but becoming increasingly troubled by the way things are until the Department of Homeland Security takes him away.

Today, the band released a timely new version of the song called “America Pt. 2” that is available now on Bandcamp for $1.

“All money ever made from this song will be donated to community bail funds (via Act Blue) and Campaign Zero to help ensure an end to police violence,” The Menzingers posted on social media.

“Today, Bandcamp are waiving their revenue share. Epitaph and Red Scare have opted to do the same, so every dollar you spend on one of our albums on Bandcamp will go to these causes. Now is the time to support. Black Lives Matter.”

Currently based in Philadelphia, which is now under curfew, the band is right in the middle of these massive demonstrations in response to the killing of George Floyd. While the reworked song initially sounds lighter and happier, its new lyrics are even darker, reflecting the current state of the country as protests continue around the world.

“America Pt. 2” lyrics:

On the lonely end of history
Swinging and swaying to the murder mystery
Rhyme and reason fled the crime scene
Of new penthouses next to tents in the streets

Courtesy of the land of the free

Well George Floyd was murdered by a cop
The whole world saw the video and watched
Now justice is long over due
Grab your pitchforks we’re heading to Pennsylvania Avenue

Cause enough is enough is enough

I hope the Devil and Donald and Mitch McConnell rot in hell for all tomorrows

To sing alongs of siren songs
To oohs to ahhs to big applause
With all of my anger I scream and shout
America I love you but you’re freaking me out

Well the president gassed protesters
For a photo op in front of a church
He waved a Bible all around
Said “come on God even you better fear me now”

Oh but God’s gonna have the last laugh

Cause all of your money and all of your power
Won’t mean much in your final hour

To sing alongs of siren songs
To oohs to ahhs to big applause
With all of my anger I scream and shout
America I love you but you’re freaking me out

Watch the original music video below:

The Menzingers’ last show in Northeastern Pennsylvania was an acoustic set in Wilkes-Barre last fall for their hometown fans to celebrate the release of their sixth studio album, “Hello Exile,” which opens with “America (You’re Freaking Me Out).” Soon after, they decided to take a break from their annual Holiday Show at the Scranton Cultural Center and plan something special for 2020, but then the coronavirus pandemic put the entire music industry on hold.

As vocalists/guitarists Greg Barnett and Tom May noted on Oct. 6 during their acoustic show at the Gallery of Sound in Wilkes-Barre, they always enjoy coming back to the area, seeing family and friends, and writing songs that reflect NEPA’s past and present.

“It’s so fucking awesome to be home. Thank you so much for having us back. And we wanted to do this show last of all the in-stores. Being from this area is pretty great, and I really like a lot of the quirks that we have that you don’t realize when we get to travel everyone else, like, ‘You mean every restaurant isn’t an Italian restaurant?’ and things like that,” May told the crowd.

“I think it’s kind of an interesting place to grow up in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton with all the coal miners and the flood that happened in the ’70s and stuff like that and those kind of things that we still see the effects of today, but we still have such a cool, fun, and positive cultural place to be in.”

“This is a really, really big deal for us to put out this album. It really means a lot to us, and it means so much to have everybody in our hometown come out and support us like this for all these years,” Barnett added. “It’s been amazing.”

See NEPA Scene’s photos and video of The Menzingers’ acoustic in-store appearance here, photos of them playing the 2019 Vans Warped Tour in New Jersey here, and check out our review and photos of the band’s 2018 Bethlehem concert here.