Out of the Dungeon IX

Welcome to Out of the Dungeon, a many part series detailing a decade of NSFTM noise, hip hop, 'n' adventures from top No Sunlite for the Media scholars, historians, fans, 'n' collaborators. Medians share their thoughts on the absolute values of various NSFTM rekkerds, while we provide free audio streaming 'n' hi-quality file purchase of all the albums at our bandcamp page.

Out of the Dungeon IX: I Entered the Dungeon
Dungeon Records, Just Some Girl's Perspective
By Kelly Key

[Dungeon Records, minus the handstamped artwork, can be downloaded here]

The first time I saw an NSFTM shirt was my freshman year at UMW, in the Catholic Student Center. One auspicious Thursday night, I was standing in line to get food, when I noticed Math (this funny kid from choir) wearing a tee that said “No Sunlite for the Media” on its back. Tilting my head in full-on stupefaction, I soon spotted another person with a shirt that said, “Who’s in Charge?” with a picture of a rhino on it. The back of that shirt said “No Sunlite for the Media” too! Is this some sort of inside joke? I wondered. No it wasn’t.

I actually hadn’t really listened to any No Sunlite songs until after I’d kind of started singing with 'em. I got a Rhino shirt (pictured below) and a copy of Dungeon Records (NSFTM’s latest CD circa Fall 2006) from Math one day, after recording “Rain” (later to become one of Media Tricks' "Stations") in Bushnell Hall, and I rushed back to my dorm to give the CD a good listenin’ to.

[Being in charge is fun!]

“Rhino” started playin and poundin to get out of my boombox, and I wondered how the band had inserted all those kooky intro sounds. The next time I went home, I played the CD for my dad and he said “I like em. They sound kinda like Zappa and kinda like Beck.” I guessed that was sorta accurate.

Dungeon marked the beginning of a more organized sound (not to mention packaging) for NSFTM. Moving a notch even further away from pure noise and moving a good bit closer to the ladiez, Dungeon offers more melodic tunes like “Vanity.” (Maybe the most melodic NSFTM song at this point in the history lesson?) The first time I heard that song, I had to declare, “I love Jana’s voice.” And I stand by it. I think this was her first album with the band? Instantly helped with the folk-style appeal, which she has down to a science. Another prominent lady featured in the album is none other than L!z Horne, herself – NSFTM-er for life. Tellin people not to go to bed and whatnot. No time fer sleepin when yer delving into the underground! With these two ladiez giving the band a more maternal vocal vibe, how could NSFTM’s steering go awry with their pro-life messages and feminist pumpin?!

Also, I had no idea Catholic ideas could translate into RAP HOOKS (I mean, ok I’ve heard of Father Stan, but girl please). Shoot, I didn’t even know what a rap hook was! The more I listened to the CD, the more I filled with rage and excitement and adrenaline and compassion and activist-worthy thoughts. And a newfound respect for the power of screaming. I wanted to conquer the media too!

This is me before I’d heard of NSFTM, much less Dungeon Records:

(wholesome, boring…alone)

This is me after:

(tons more friends, an NSFTM pin, balloons, cake…better!)

Some of the songs at first listen (“Dentist”) can be kinda shaken off as goofy, and truly some of them are nearly pure goof, BUT the band is CREATIVE with their goof. I mean, “Wolf Within” mentions Quail Man! But, Dungeon also/mostly delves deeper into the underground, exposin’ hos n’ sendin positive messages. Talking about girls who sell themselves short and give into media messages, Jana fights em back with “Liberating? No, that’s woman-hating!” You go girl.

“It’s Either Thee Media or Thee Bullet” offers a clean sound (not to mention Malcolm X) and a forward march for the Medians in getting those issues they care about out of the underground n’ heard. Innovative style is what’s up. “Straight from the Underground” is hip hop at its finest. “Thirst” winds the album down, lengthy-style with a soothing-ness to it that still makes you wanna jump up and fight. Now that is skill. (Obviously, I’m not doing these tracks justice, but I’m limited in space n’ energy).

The album is also notable for its givin’ a face lift to fan favorites like “Point of Thee Song,” “Break Yr Legs,” “22nd Century Paranoid Man” (one of my favs EVER) etc. These songs are still bein rock’d and revamped at NSFTM shows, and the crowd is still rushin to Andrea Ave to find the original source for that lovable, yet scary Dungeon.

-KK
Charlottesville, VA
Oct. 2k9
Dungeon For Life: