Michelle Kaplan

Every generation throws down a band or two that prescribes to the ideals that set each apart from the other. Youth, politics, freedom, independence and raising your voice, these are some prevalent themes in this band’s music.

Taking some elements of 80’s hard-core and 77-style punk rock, Prescription Death takes this concoction and mixes it together to turn

out some high-energy original tunes.

“It’s a mixture of the two styles said Wilhelm F, 21 of Port St, Lucie. “ It’s slower, more rock and roll influence. It’s something more electronically based. I thought electronic was the future.”

A typical performance is comprised of songs written by the band.

“ All we do is originals…once in awhile, covers…. Human League, Duran Duran.”

The name takes its form from what Wilhelm describes as what we’re getting from our leaders.

“Our government is prescribing to us, in the political sense…it’s about the individual not trying to stand up…it’s politically based music not the sappy love songs… we don’t write songs about kissing girls…. our existence is too important. We do what we do to spread the message that people should do what they want to do …that you don’t have to be bound by what your bound by…. we write about hope.”

One song that Wilhelm talks about in this genre of fighting for individualism is Fury said to a Mouse. The song is all about government, lies and the little guy.

“It’s about questioning how happy can you be in this lie…. the government is the fury…the generalized population is the mouse, the government is the ‘furor’…it’s all about the individual uplifting themselves – not to be bound by anything regardless of the repercussions.”

Looking within the lyrics one can see hints of two issues that are eating away at the next generation, the war in Iraq and the ever widening gap between rich and poor.

There is no way we can remain onlookers to what we have seen its time to smash the system from where we stand in the streets Its time to question everything more than we’ve questioned anything before. I’m sure its helping and if enough people stand up we can surely knock this paper thin wall down…we’ve got many more mistakes to correct for the sake of the people who never get a “break” except for the steel bars and brick walls…Fury said to a mouse, how happy can you be? How happy can you be with this life? Fury said to a mouse, how happy can you be? How happy can you be in this lie? I’d rather burn in flames, than ever go quietly…Every time you let the wealthy chose they will choose against you because the Poor’s a commodity they can afford to lose.”

The three band members include Wilhelm, T. Escobar, 21, of Ft. Pierce who plays guitar, keys and vocals and Mike B., 21 of Port St. Lucie, who plays guitar.

Wilhelm said the band pretty much started out of his bedroom.

“We met in elementary school, Longwood, Elementary in Ft. Pierce, we were 8 years old. I started the band in middle school…we were 12…we liked the Sex Pistols, the Clash…revivalist bands…77-style bands.”

The band also likes to do something a little unusual called a gorilla show. It’s where they show up unannounced in a strange place and play until someone calls the police and they get shut down.

“It’s a good way to explain who we are… gorilla shows, are shows on the spot. We pick the city that we’re in, make flyers that we’re gonna play… and video tape them …it’s good way to get cops called out.”

Although Wilhelm’s music is about rebellion and the little guy, he does live in the real world. Even still he can’t help but see what goes on around him. Within his ‘real’ job he recognizes the ever-day injustices taking place around him. It is perhaps another source of material he uses to craft lyrics.

“I have a real job. I work for an insurance company…these people shouldn’t have to fight kick and scream for every pill they need.”

Although playing announced until they’re kicked to the curb is fun way to spend a day, so are the paying gigs. On Friday March 9^that 8 PM, the band will be performing with the Livid Kittens, out of Fort Lauderdale, at the Atomic Garage, (formerly, Bada Bings) 3401 South US 1 in Fort Pierce. For more information visit their web site: www.myspace.com/prescriptiondeath.

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