> Dear Editor, Soldier of Fortune,
>
>
>
> Long time reader/fan, second time correspondent,
>
>
> So…. Just the other day, I was sent a rather impressive picture of an
> insurgent firing an AK47 – presumably fighting against the oppressive Man,
> regaining the dirt of his forefathers with his blood. And, I was asked to
> forward this onto you good people at Soldier of Fortune (myself being the
> liaison, if you will, between one circle of my friends – the liberal hippy
> young urban professionals; and another circle of my friends – the group who
> realise that the only way to feel safe is to prepare oneself, in order to
> defend one’s family and legacy against any threats – visible, unforeseen, or
> otherwise.
>
>
> But, I felt it would be an injustice to send this picture, even with stats
> provided by my fellow self-protection enthusiast Cobby, to you
> unaccompanied. I realised that without the proper context, it probably
> would not be published – and this would be a great shame for all people
> interested in mercenary activities, and warfare in general. Thus, I figured
> that it would be worthwhile to write an accompanying piece – in order that
> you would feel it was appropriate to publish the art, and facts – all within
> the appropriate context of a (if I do say so myself) well written article.
>
>
> Therefore, I have attached a classic Compare/Contrast piece. Unfortunately,
> I have mislaid Cobby’s facts on the AK47 – but I’m sure that you chaps have
> even better research facilities for straight numbers and what-not even than
> heavily armed hermit farmers.
>
>
> Yours truly,
> Kruse.
>
>
> P.S. – keep up the good work guys.

Urban Warfare Insurgent vs Rock Band Louis XIV

In todays global environment, it is almost impossible to not contemplate the various aspects of urban warfare – especially in the context of fighting against an ingrained governing force. It is equally difficult to not be aware of what has come to be known as the ‘New Breed’ of rock bands – surfing on the wave of ‘retro’ popularity into Top 20 charts worldwide. At first glance, the two ideas seem completely separate. However, there are more similarities between the ‘New Breed Garage Rock Band’ and the ‘Desperate Insurgent Fighting Against The Man’ than many people realise. There are certainly differences between the two – but also enough resemblance to make a comparison relevant, if not necessary. However, comparing two such complex concepts would be unwieldy at best. Therefore, I have selected one suitable example of each, to use in the following discussion. Representing the Insurgents, we have the chap in the accompanying picture (courtesy David Irwin) – henceforth referred to as Mr Insurgent (real name withheld for obvious reasons). And for the Modern Garage Rock Band – upcoming Louis XIV will do the honours.
Firstly – the most striking similarity between Mr Insurgent and Louis XIV. The uncompromising In-Your-Face approach, coupled with a Never-Say-Die (unless in a catchy tune) attitude. Mr Insurgent displays this mindset through his unapologetic use of other peoples property. He doesn’t care if you’ve just white-washed your picket fence. He will dive behind it, and use it as cover from any fire which may be coming his way from a squad of National Guard or Domestic Terrorism Response Unit. You try and tell him that he’s not welcome… “Get inside to your TV, picket-fence-boy, before your sweater gets dirty, or somebody blows your f***ing head off.” No apology. Simple, straight talking, no nonsense. Don’t even think about pointing out that he’s standing on your wife’s newly planted flowerbed. The same way you wouldn’t think of hassling Mr Insurgent about such issues – you wouldn’t dare ask Louis XIV to tone down their lyrics, or stage antics. Louis XIV, if asked by Joe Yuppie to “please don’t have a naked woman on your CD cover”, would reply “Wait until I get off your wife, and we’ll negotiate”. By which, of course, they mean that they will tell you again that there WILL be a naked girl on the cover, and it is probably going to be your daughter. This example covers any aspect of their operation. Lyrics such as those in ‘Finding Out True Love Is Blind’ – which has been described as “offending every race and type of woman imaginable” are par for the course for these young self-confident musicians. And, like Mr Insurgent, this is highly unlikely to change.
The second similarity may seem arbitrary and irrelevant at first. However, it is more apt than one may think – as it can be claimed as the root cause for many other similarities. This, of course, is the actual demographic category of the insurgent, and of Louis XIV band members. Generally speaking, garage rock bands are comprised of young males – men anywhere between 15 and 25. Exactly the same statistics apply to insurgent guerrilla warriors. This is not a coinicidence. It is this aspect which contributes to the aggressive attitudes mentioned above, as well as many other similarities – including the eagerness to embrace new ideas and concepts, along with the seemingly contrasting attribute of constantly being influenced by their predecessors. Their youthfulness testosterone also explains their kindred symptom of over-confident bravado. The ‘young-dumb-full-of-cum’ syndrome.
One major difference between Louis XIV and Mr Insurgent – is the death toll. Louis XIV has a negligible number of kills to their name, compared to your average desperate insurgent fighting for his homeland. Louis XIV can, at best, count a small number of disillusioned teenage suicides on their tally – although even this is questionable, as their particular brand of garage rock celebrates life and sex, rather than glorifying death as some predecessors. Our insurgent, however, probably has a respectable amount of blood on his hands, or if not – soon will. Mr Insurgent’s AK47 is designed to fire chunks of hot lead into the bodies of his oppressors – creating pain and death. Louis XIV’s Fender Stratocaster is designed to fire darts of unorthodox rock and roll into the ears of their fans – creating simple and catchy riffs.
In conclusion, I think it is safe to say that garage rock bands and insurgent warriors are very similar in many ways – but it would be wrong to shove them into the same pigeonhole. Each has attributes peculiar to their own chosen path, and therefore need to be treated in different ways. With Mr Insurgent, an 18 year old girl may prefer to duck below some sturdy cover, rather than run screaming towards him offering a bared breast for autograph. A twenty-something male who works in a government department would probably ‘rock out’ when he sees Louis XIV live, rather than ordering in a Special Forces Response Unit to eradicate them. Such subtleties can only be fully comprehended when one understands each individual concept, and studies the similarities between the two, as well as the differences. Only then, can we all live together in understanding – singing along to the ‘New Breed’ rockers, while blasting away at fascist police forces with our trusty Russian-built Kalishnakov rifle.