CSUSB student composes album inspired by January insurrection

California State University, San Bernardino, student and musician Andy Paisley wrote and composed an album inspired by the January 6, 2020 insurrection. Paisley embarked on a two-year journey that led him to compose a rock album for those fighting for social justice.

the rat was symbolic for some of the individuals involved in the insurrection.

“I also found it a fitting description to describe the rats in congress/governments-many of whom advocated for the overthrow of government and reversal of election results on January six and were antimaskers riding the virus like a surfboard, while also getting rich off stocks, and many of whom are also rumored to be secret Russian puppets,” said Paisley.

During his writing process, Paisley used parts of former President Trump and his son, Donald Trump Jr.’s, speeches that encouraged rioters to storm the capitol building.

“In some songs, I used snippets from the Trump and Trump Jr. speeches on the White House Ellipse to demonstrate how they advocated for violent rebellion and overthrow of the government by inciting their followers. I used it as evidence of the reasons why they are not true leaders and why it was imperative for us to seek non-violent words and expressions (in essence music) to seek change,” said Paisley.

Paisley focused some songs on the environmental impacts that stem from capitalism.

“I talk about how capitalism and the thirst for luxury, convenience, and wealth (and the hoarding of these resources) has led the world to a breaking point,” said Paisley.

The song “Diesel Eyes” references oil spills caused by desires to seek wealth and resources at the cost of others.

“I specifically reference the giant “fire in the ocean” that occurred a couple summers ago. Oil spills happen quite frequently and people are always in a rush to drill, without worrying about the potential impact,” said Paisley.

Paisley also included other incidents of environmental violence in the inspiration for his album.

“Looking back at the Dakota Access Pipeline which people so desperately wanted to build

(and which has since spilled), we can see how people don’t care. They only want convenience and money,” said Paisley.

Paisley related these issues to an environmental crisis that he believes is growing in the world today.

“Yet these things are leading us to our demise with the pending ecological disaster, climate weirding, etc. Our endless pursuit and accumulation is going to destroy us all. Further, capitalism demands that there is a disparity between the rich and the poor. This is not a sustainable model,” said Paisley.