Errata

"Beneath the Lies" by Virus. Demo tape (1999).

Drums: Nick Weinhagen

Guitar, vocals: Mike Dupont

Guitar, vocals: Mike Dietrich

Bass, vocals: Robbie Swartwood

Vocals: Jason Swartwood

(Recorded live at Dirty Basement Studios in N. Mpls, by Virus. We were just out of high school, and YouTube wasn't even a thing. So we put out a cassette. It may sound like it was recorded in a tin bucket, but it was a good time.)

Beneath the Lies 

(Lyrics: J. Swartwood)

I've got to believe there's something there for me -- something real, something true.

I've got to believe that what ails me is not unique or new.

They tell me of their gods and angels, embellished from antiquity,

to convince me of the impermanence and purpose of my misery.

They tell me of the hellfire and the evil from its flames

and show me what pain awaits if I don't change my ways.

They tell me of their wonder drugs, synthesized and perfected,

and sell to me what industry assures me is effective.

They tell me to loosen up -- "Come on, have a drink!" -- 

as if their cheap escapes will ever change a thing.

They tell me of their laws and rules, faith, and new inventions,

cheap escape, destiny, and righteous politicians.

I tell myself it will go away and disregard the lies,

because I know that the cure we seek lies deep down inside.

Beneath the lies / I'll find the truth.

Beneath the lies / I'll be renewed.

"Faith, Pride, Genocide," by The Vaticants. Death Through Indoctrination 7" EP (1997)

Drums: Karl Hensel

Guitar, vocals: Mike Dietrich

Bass, vocals: Robbie Swartwood

Vocals: Jason Swartwood

(Recorded in Mike's basement on a DAT 8-track recorder by the Vaticants. Apologies to his parents. We funded and wrote everything and self-published this. We were teenagers still in high school. We played at a bunch of weird houses in the Twin Cities, at Extreme Noise Records, and even at some weird shows in Duluth, MN. (We even played with Detestation and Dillinger Four. I'm not sure whose mistake put us on the bills for those.) It was fun, but we were kids. So what were you expecting -- Ariana Grande?)

Faith, Pride, Genocide

(Lyrics: J. Swartwood)

Our faiths only divide us, another segregation line,

Convinced that our convictions are inherently divine.

Our faiths are vehicles for our self-indulgent pride, 

Which breeds sectarian illusions that brood in our minds.

Faith, pride, genocide.

A nationalistic mentality is built upon our faith.

No longer simple devotion, our pride spawns out hate.

Imperialistic urges bring us to foreign lands

Where we force our culture and make indigenous people bend

To adopt our beliefs, and if they won't submit, 

We take their society and assimilate it.

Glory for the victors, death for the victims.

Who knows: you might be next.

Faith, pride, genocide.

The pervasive rendition of right and wrong that you uphold

Haunts your consciousness with perceived evils.

Solidifying your visions of inferiority.

Solidifying your visions of inferiority.

Doctrines are adapted to meet our needs

Exploiting people's devotion to make them killing machines.

Dogmatic lies are engraved in our minds, 

Suffocating all compassion until tolerance is gone.

Faith, pride, genocide.

Self-ordained superiority has become a deadly plague.

Arrogance taints our consciousness.

Determined and unyielding, we strive to spread our faith

Paying little attention to the lives we decimate.