Phallocentric came out of a conversation I had with a female friend about how uninspiring most of our experiences of sex with men were and how much our sex lives had improved the more we rejected heteronormative approaches. I really don't think thats a reflection on those men as individuals, but more to do with our whole society's attitude to sex. Everything from sex education in school to representations of sex in mainstream culture seems to focus on male pleasure in heterosexual sex. The definition of phallocentric is, “focussed on or concerned with the phallus or penis as a symbol of male dominance,” and this can be seen in art, architecture, advertising – all over the place. Culture doesn't just reflect our values, it also produces and maintains them, so this song, as part of the counter culture, is literally saying “fuck what they taught us,” ridiculing conservative attitudes and celebrating the full rainbow of sex. “I can't get no” is also a deliberate play on the Rolling Stones song 'Satisfaction.' Mick Jagger definitely used his sexuality as part of his performance, and this song is also partly claiming my right to do the same. Whilst the song is mostly celebratory and irreverent, it also points out that “I take the shame take the blame take the pain and its not right” which comes from my experiences as a woman in a society that still judges women for their sexual behaviour in a much more negative way than men, but I think can also be claimed by most people who aren't typical straight men.
lyrics
I got no devotion,I got no
I got no devotion, no devotion
Unleash disorder, fuck what they taught us
Unleash disorder, I can't get no
Unleash disorder, fuck what they taught us, Unleash disorder
Erect shaft-like monuments for your wars
Splatter canvas, paint the fucking walls
Place us on plinths, fetishise the female form
Exalt virgins, frustrate yourself more
Unleash disorder, fuck what they taught us
Unleash disorder, I can't get no
Phallocentric, we're not done when you are
Pallocentric, I'm bored of your art
I want to play not perform a routine
I want pleasure not just here to please
Liberate us from these limited constraints
I take the shame, take the blame, take the pain
And it's not right, not right
I got no devotion,I got no
I got no devotion, no devotion
Unleash disorder, fuck what they taught us
Unleash disorder, I can't get no
Phallocentric, we're not done when you are
Pallocentric, I'm bored of your art
This benefit album for the NEFOC Land Trust by Erica Dawn Lyle (Bikini Kill) and Vice Cooler features an array of punk superstar guests. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 7, 2022
