The Homeless Gospel Choir’s new album release, This Land Is Your Landfill, drops on 24th April from A-F Records (North America) and Hassle Records (UK/EU). Derek Zanetti, the songwriter behind The Homeless Gospel Choir takes a departure from his earlier work – progressing from sparse arrangements to an all-star cast of punk scene collaborators. The finished product is a full-band album, something that Zanetti has always aspired to.
The band’s sound may have changed drastically but Zanetti’s unique lyricism remains, and This Land Is Your Landfill serves up a unique balance of personal and sociopolitical issues. The Homeless Gospel Choir addresses current topics: environmentalism and the hate and ignorance fuelled by the Trump administration. In his opening track, “Global Warming”, Zanetti blends serious issues with witty lyrics, “Donald Trump thinks global warming is made up by the Chinese”.
This Land Is Your Landfill is unapologetically honest, chaotic (in a good way), with fuzzed-out guitars, driving tempo, and gang harmonies. “Art Punk” is a prime example of this, incorporating 90s rock hooks and serious punk energy, which also runs through the whole of this full-length. “Art Punk” is #4 on the album, telling the story of an inner struggle of wanting to be creative but making sure to stay true to yourself, “If it wasn’t for fear of disappointment, I’d try a whole lot less”.
After the passing of his father, Zanetti sought a new kind of comfort from music–a need for big, cathartic songs, and the solace of the community he found in the punk scene. Zanetti is joined by Matt Miller (Endless Mike and the Beagle Club, Wingnut Dishwashers Union), Maura Weaver (Mixtapes, Ogikubo Station), Megan Schroer (Boys, Kitty Kat Fan Club), and Craig Luckman (Small Pollen, Belly Boys), along with producer Chris #2 (Anti-Flag, White Wives) and more, to help create a unique addition to his discography.
“Blind Faith” was released off the album as a single, made up of honest lyrics that question the blind following of someone in a position of power, Zanetti mostly links this to religion. Speaking about the single, he said, “There’s a sparkle in the eye of those in positions of power when the people are scared, paranoid, and in need of guidance.”
This Land Is Your Landfill ends on a high with the duly named, “Punk as Fuck” – it is urgent and complete with gang harmonies – an ode to the punk scene with chants of, “We’ll die young at heart and we’ll die punk as fuck.”
Zanetti has created a protest album that is punk rock through and through. It is clever, honest, and relatable – echoing frustrations that are felt worldwide, as well as deeper personal issues.
You can stream The Homeless Gospel Choir’s new release, This Land Is Your Landfill this Friday – in the meantime, check out “Blind Faith”:
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