“Weapon” by The Bottom Dollars – A Song Feature

      “Weapon” merges present-day headline happenings with a much-missed song practice. The Bottom Dollars feature a guitar during a 45-second bridge. The question of “Is Rock guitar dead?” does not revolve around whether the instrument still has a role in Rock ‘n Roll (or Post Punk). It does. Instead, the issue is whether the guitar commands a stage on par with lead vocals, or even the synthesizer in some bands. Up until the 1990s, many bands generated music that answered the question in the affirmative. Today, “Weapon” is an ever-shrinking affirmative answer.

Artwork by Ana Asnes Becker

      At the 2:30 mark of the single from The Bottom Dollars, it’s the guitar that pushes its way to center stage. But “Weapon” is more than its bridge. The start of the song is rhythm driven. Percussion and a strong bass riff grab the attention of a listener, until a brief keys’ hook runs just prior the vocals. From that point, the combination of the instruments and vocals establishes an inertia that would not tolerate a change in momentum.

     The lyrical content is indeed timely. Although the lyrics were written for the 2014 death of Eric Garner in New York, “Weapons” embraces the circumstances surrounding the death of George Floyd while being retained by the Minneapolis Police. The song was released four days prior to Floyd’s death. The Bottom Dollars explain that the chorus of "I can't breathe, I can't please" is directly (and formerly sampled from marches we personally attended) from the mouth of Eric Garner, his dying words.”

     The Bottom Dollars are based in Brooklyn, New York. “Weapons” is a single from “Marvelous,” an LP released by the band after a three-year hiatus. The six members are Brian “Cherch” Cherchiglia (vocals, guitar), Evan “Buffalo” Berg (percussion), Mick Greenwood (guitar, vocals), Jeremy Kolker (percussion, vocals), Sean Spada (keys, vocals), and Chris Urriola (bass).

     “Weapon” by The Bottom Dollars

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Lyrics of “Weapon” by The Bottom Dollars

Man, the whole block smelled like electrical fire

There were ConEd trucks and a spindle of wire

Then the lights flickered off, all the kids got excited

Then a string quartet of police sirens

So I looked for my smokes & saw the pack on the ground

My last 27, she was bleeding out

So I lifted up a Spirit and pretended to like it

Simple little pistol, just a bullet we’re firing

1

2

3

4

There was close to an eighth, a Pax vaporizer

A c’est les bon temps plastic novelty lighter

She said “I’m not armed officer, I can’t find my license

I swear on your god. I swear on my life, man.”

I can’t breathe

1

I can’t, please

2

I can’t breathe

3

I can’t, please

4

I can’t breathe

5

I can’t, please

6

I can’t breathe

7

I can’t, please

8

I can’t breathe

9

I can't, please

10

11

[Guitar-driven bridge]

Hold me like a weapon

I don’t think I can stand up

Hold me like a

Hold me like a

Hold me like a

Hold me like a

Hold me like a weapon

I don't think I can stand up

Hold me like a

Hold me like a

Hold me like a

Hold me like a

Hold me like a weapon

Baby, that goes without question

Hold me like a

Hold me like a

Hold me like a

Hold me like a

Hold me like a weapon

Baby, that goes without question