One of the original pillars of emo’s second wave—back before the genre wasn’t shameful or riddled with “suicide cults”—Chicago’s Joan of Arc have always been a tough act to pin down. It’s hard to ignore their bulletproof pedigree (namely the wildly influential Cap’n Jazz), and the fact that the lone true member of the band (the enigmatic Tim Kinsella) has a voice that will either draw you in, or send you running to the hills.

Most likely the second one.

But Joan of Arc’s memorable legacy is not solely based on the fact that Kinsella can’t sing worth a damn. The band was one of the first smalltime indie bands to utilize lush recording methods alongside a solid base of math-rock leanings (Minus the Bear thanks you for this), which worked perfectly alongside the approachable nature of Kinsella behind the mic. They were the know-it-all art-rock kids slumming it in the punk rock landscape, and because of this Kinsella’s wake is littered with as many enemies as it is friends.

Their earliest records (by my rough estimate, there are about 24 releases) showcased a more polite band that wasn’t a grand departure from the adorable Midwestern charm of their pals, and then labelmates, the Promise Ring.

MP3:
Joan of Arc - Post Coitus Rock
(from 1997’s A Portable Model Of. Buy it!)

And while the band hasn’t quite mellowed over the past decade-plus, their latest Boo Human possess a clarity not seen on their past few recordings. But things aren’t all that clear, since the song I am posting is called “A Tell-Tale Penis.” Um, yeah. Have fun shouting that request out at tonight’s show.

MP3:
Joan of Arc - A Tell-Tale Penis
(from 2008’s Boo Human. Buy it!)

Kinsella, never one to avoid controversary—he once named a record In Rape Fantasy and Terror Sex We Trust and has a new song titled “9/11 2”—has staked his reputation on being one of the most painfully honest, and often hilarious, figures in the indie music scene. His 2006 guest essay for Alternative Press is downright genius (you can read it here), as he makes a pretty compelling case for every single band in the magazine to break up for the greater good of our country.

So my point - I do have one - is that in our world, the most basic requirement we share is kept in balance only if it’s shaken in many directions at the same time. And what can any of us do to help rectify the situation? We must integrate our politics into our lifestyle, acknowledge that every bridge, hook, melody and sales strategy has political dimensions.

In short, I am asking that every band that appeared in the August 2006 issue of Alternative Press break up.

Sorry.

Joan of Arc perform tonight at Holocene. You can read our interview with Kinsella right here.