There is an interesting irony that is tough to ignore as Swedish punk stalwarts Refused make the final go round on their farewell tour.
For one, the music remains as fiery and convincing as ever. Selecting songs for the comprehensive set list that stretch back three decades to the band's first releases, entries like the "Blind", "Soft" and "It's Not OK" we're as effective, explosive and still ever so relevant given the country's current state of affairs - something frontman Dennis Lyxzén articulated well between songs.
From Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent to the seminal The Shape of Punk to Come, the entirety of Refused's presentation underscored the staying power of their songwriting. Each song prompted a bigger pop the one before it, with the standards like "Refused Party Program", "Summertimeholidays Vs. Punkroutine" and "The Deadly Rhythm" (which included a killer Slayer "Raining Blood interlude) each earning some of the most electrifying responses of the night.
Yet for as potent and contemporary as Refused sounded, the message that has long fueled the band's drive is what underscored the evening. Performing in front of a backdrop that read, "This Is What Our Ruling Class Has Decided Will Be Normal", fans were instantly reminded of everything that Refused has stood and shouted for throughout their tenure. It's built into their name... Refused.
Advocating for equality and being unafraid to address the divisive political elephant in the room, Lyxzén spoke in certain terms about his continued support for marginalized communities, despite how they seem to be currently portrayed. "If you think immigrants are the problem, transgender people are the problem, the LGBTQ-community are the problem, then maybe you are the problem."
When Refused released The Shape of Punk to Come in 1998, the band's use electronic elements in their sound and non-traditional approach to hardcore punk proved a shock to the system and well ahead of it's time. It took years for fans to fully grasp the importance of the record in terms of evolving the genre and moving the culture forward. It's now regarded as a classic, but it was well ahead of the curve at the time, so much that it took people time to catch up to it.
As the band close the book on their storied career, not only are they reminding fans of their prowess as songwriters and performers, but reminding everyone of they collectively value in punk music. Less about non-conformity, Refused emphasized the importance of community, common sense and providing a voice for those that didn't have one. That message has been at the very root of the band for the last three decades and remains to this day - as evidenced in the band's explosive live set.
Refused are completing their victory lap, shouting that message of advocacy one last time. The irony is, we could all probably benefit if Refused stick around to emphasize that message just a little longer.
See images from photographer Justin Nuoffer the band's recent tour stop in Chicago on the Refused Are Fucking Dead And This Time They Really Mean It Tour below. See the remaining North American dates as well as the recently confirmed final EU/UK dates below.
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