BackWordz

BackWordz is an American rap metal band from Dallas, Texas. The band is noted for its politically-charged, libertarian lyrics drawn from frontman Eric July's anarcho-capitalist views. The band is most famous in its political activism for their opposition to taxation, which the band considers to be theft. The band has earned acclaim from Fox News and Glenn Beck.

BackWordz formed in 2014 after July left a previous rap metal band, Fire from the Gods, and has developed significant media coverage for its style and political views. In 2017, the band released its debut studio album, Veracity, on Stay Sick Recordings.

Biography

Formation of BackWordz and popularity (2014 onward)

Toward the end of his tenure as frontman of the band Fire from the Gods, Eric July began to incorporate his new anarcho-capitalist libertarian philosophy into his lyrics, particularly in the song "The Capitalist", which drew the attention of Kevin Kerestes and Marcello Garcci, who, along with July formed BackWordz in 2014 after July left Fire from the Gods. Soon, BackWordz recorded "Grindstone", which became the band's debut single.

BackWordz began releasing a series of music videos through YouTube, including a cover of Eminem's "Till I Collapse."

July and BackWordz began to increase in prominence, and July made an appearance on Fox & Friends in August 2015, where he was invited to discuss economics. Since March 2015, July has participated in the activist group Minorities Seeking Solutions. The band also earned acclaim from Fox News and Glenn Beck.

Veracity (2017)

In 2017, BackWordz signed with Stay Sick Recordings, a record label formed by Chris Fronzak, singer of the metalcore band Attila, who boosted BackWordz' profile by appearing on their single "Self Ownership".

After a successful GoFundMe campaign, BackWordz released its debut studio album, Veracity, on March 31, 2017. The album spread across multiple Billboard charts, debuting at #2 on New Artist (Heatseekers), and #5 on the Hard Rock chart, as well as #1 on Alternative New Artist, #5 spot on the Hard Rock chart, the #11 spot on Rock chart, and the #14 on Top Independent Albums. It also received favorable reviews from KillYourStereo and Rock Rage Radio.

Band members

  • Eric July - rapping, harsh vocals
  • Alex James - bass, harmonic vocals
  • Kevin Kerestes - guitar
  • Marcello Garcci - guitar
  • Robbie Rosales - drums

Style

Music

Eric July has described BackWordz' style as "street hop". Journalists have described the band's sound as rap metal and metalcore. Allmusic compares the band's sound to Nas, Lauryn Hill, Korn and Pantera.

July's vocals combine rapping and metal screaming. July shares vocal duties with a second vocalist, Alex James, who provides harmonic singing.

Lyricism and political views

BackWordz has been described as "the libertarian Rage Against the Machine", but July says, "We don't really sound like Rage, but it's the default we get compared to because they are political and they mix rap with rock and metal. I don't rap like Rage. Musically we are more hardcore than Rage is. Those guys are [[Noam Chomsky|[Noam] Chomsky]] types and that ain't us." However, July has admitted having some agreements with the views of Rage guitarist Tom Morello.

July's lyrics are derived from his libertarian anarcho-capitalist views. The most prominent political position BackWordz is known for is its opposition to taxation, with July being famous for wearing a baseball cap reading "Taxation is Theft" while performing concerts.

The lyrics of "Utopias Don't Exist" criticizes Black Lives Matter and blames black-on-black crime for police brutality.

The band has used music videos to express political viewpoints, such as the video for "Self Ownership", which, according to Reason, "depicts a disillusioned government employee telling protesters outside city hall that politicians won't save them."

Asked by Reason if the rest if the band shared July's political views, July explained, "We're like-minded. We have our disagreements but, for the most part, we want the same thing." July credits the band's other vocalist, Alex James, with helping him "better articulate my arguments and my stances".

According to July, the band has helped increase interest in libertarianism among college students, telling Reason, "If I can perform in front of 4,000 statists and even if one of those people turns around two months from now and says, 'Man, I remember this loud, bearded black dude on stage saying all this stuff and now it's clicking,' I feel like I won."

Discography

  • Veracity (2017)