DAVE ACKERMAN (VOX): I think my creativity is higher than it was in my younger years. I can credit that to reading a ton and the sheer volume of information we have at our disposal in this day & age.
Featuring 12 photos by Rob Coons.
Personally, the more time I’ve spent being a vocalist, the tougher it’s been to write lyrics I feel like I haven’t already written before in some way. I’ve had the same gripes with the state of the world since I was a teenager, and the division in this country has only gotten worse. We’re in a time when instincts and hunches carry weight equal to data. And you have to question the data anyway, because sources are cherry-picked to support one side. I’m not a doomsday prepper. But it always feels like we’re just steps away from martial law or the rise of a militia.
I’ve made attempts at other styles of writing. But I’ve always looked at the world a certain way.
I grew up with punk in New Jersey but was a little disillusioned with the looks aspect of it. Not that I’m opposed to self-expression, I kind of just wanted a shaved head so I didn’t have to think as much about appearances. To me, punk was music first – a way for me and my community to speak our minds & have a voice. If I were to show myself at 15 who I’d be 30 years later, I think I’d be happy that I’m still doing what I want and making decisions for myself.
Brian (guitar) started off by sending me lots of riffs & sections to songs. We never really talked about a name, the first folder he sent over was titled Planet On A Chain. It fit the sound & my approach to lyrics. We were familiar with each other’s discographies so it didn’t take long to get on the same page. I think the songs are fast and the riffs aren’t the ones you’ve heard 1000 times before.
I consider us more of a Bay Area band since everyone but me is out there. We’ve only played Texas once. It’s just easier for the singer to jump on a plane than the 4 of them to fly out here with gear. Distance does make it a challenge to play often, but we still get to perform 1-off Bay Area gigs. This year (2024) had more touring so we actually didn’t play California until September, which is pretty wild.
Brian’s always writing. The rest of the band practices without me regularly, but I take notes for lyrics all the time. Sometimes I wish I had more of a view on the progression of tracks as they’re being fleshed out, but I also have more time to read & write. That’s the trade-off. But I’ve never been disappointed with the final product.
I do like that there isn’t pressure to come up with lyrics on the spot, as I would when playing in bands locally. I like to learn about world events and how systems work, so the space lets my thoughts breathe and grasp of topics widen. I think my lyrical themes have been able to develop deeper, having a shade of creative isolation from everyone else. Often times the books I read let me speak up about different events happening in the world.
ANOTHER GENERATION – DOING WHAT YOU’VE ALWAYS DONE. YOUR WHOLE LIFE UNDER THE SUN. YOUR WHOLE LIFE UNDER A GUN.
THE WORK THAT YOU DO MAKES ANOTHER MAN RICH. CAN’T RISE AGAINST. TOO DANGEROUS.
WHAT THEY MAKE IN A WEEK YOU WON’T GET IN A YEAR. DIFFICULT LABOR. LIVING IN FEAR.
YOUR CULTURE’S BEEN STOLEN FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO GAIN. NEVER AN OPTION TO RESIST OR COMPLAIN.
THE MINIMAL PAY TO KEEP YOU ALIVE. BLIND OBEDIENCE. OR PAY WITH YOUR LIFE.
YOUR WHOLE LIFE. UNDER THE SUN. YOUR WHOLE LIFE. UNDER. A F*CKING. GUN.
I wrote this song after reading a book about the illegal gold trade in South America and the parallels to the cocaine trade. The coca leaf farmers live in poverty. They are under the thumb of the cocaine traffickers to grow the most they can, but also frequently the target of enforcement efforts. They receive the risks of the drug trade without the rewards.
-Dave Ackerman on Cocalero. Liner notes.
I do have my issues with what I see as a distance from hardcore, and the DIY ethos I think it used to carry. Yes, we are on a record label, but the ‘music business’ isn’t something I’ve really experienced or gotten to know. Seems like a lot of bands right now are striving to hit the supposed ‘next level,’ rather than focusing on the music and letting the fans make their call.
I think being straight-edge sort of keeps you at a distance. I hang out less since I don’t go to bars. Not that POAC is an entirely straight-edge band, but some of us do take it seriously. We also have 3 vegan members. These aren’t really topics I address lyrically, they’re largely personal choices. At this point being vegan straight edge isn’t something I think about too often, but I don’t shy away from those facts either.
I just want to be in a band that sounds good live and puts out good music. I love being in a group where we all get along. We did 2 weeks in Europe & didn’t come home hating each other <haha>. I enjoy having a creative outlet for how & what I think about as well as a physical outlet when playing live. I know myself & the rest of the band want to keep moving forward with uncharted song structures and new ideas.
POAC will have another 12” out at some point in 2025. Feel free to message us and we’ll try to play where you’re at.
