Carter Bentley Interview first published online in Sporkette Gazette – November 10, 2009 – Volume 4, Issue 12. Also, the interview was published online at SporkBinge, November 18, 2009. SporkBinge is devoted to Texas musicians.
Interview Excerpts:
Carter Bentley resides in Tyler, Texas, and is the rhythm guitarist for the East Texas band LIVESTOCK. He is also the band’s vocalist and songwriter…and driver of the Winnebago. Carter believe’s his band is “100% different, and not defined by any one “genre” of music” and feels their sound is “similar to Green Day meets ZZ Top“. He states, referring to Livestock, that the band is “not a country band,” but is “Hard Corn“.
Livestock mainly practices and records in Dallas, Texas. As for the band’s music, Carter states: “…some of the music may be unsuitable for small children and certain family functions. It is 100% politically incorrect, yet quite relevant in many ways.” (Carter is referring to songs, Livestock’s “Chlamydia“, which placed 26th in a www.OurStage.com competition. He feels “Chlamydia is one of the fastest spreading STDs in America and this song brings awareness in an entertaining way.“)
Carter Bentley’s biggest influence is Frank Zappa. His other interests include instrumental jazz, classical, reggae and old school punk. As for his songwriting, Carter states: “When I write music or lyrics, I don’t subscribe to any one genre, but ‘protest song’ is a good place to start. There’s plenty of inspiration and material to work with!” His major goal as a songwriter and musician is “…to have a message and not rely on mainstream commercial potential.”
Listen to one of my favorite songs by Livestock, entitled “Form One Line“:
More interview excerpts:
SPORKETTE: How did the band and band name “Livestock” originate?
CARTER BENTLEY: The name is ‘tongue in cheek’ description of the way that our mass of humanity is basically lumped together as one group. ‘Sheeple’ is so cliché…but I have this mental image of ‘cattle cars’ full of people…’livestock’…would live their very controlled lives being herded from here to there, always doing what they are told, eating what they are given, or allowed to graze on, and never really looking up to see what is happening. It’s my overall perception of humanity.
SPORKETTE: As a songwriter, why do you lean toward writing radical, anti-government songs – protest songs, such as “Form One Line” and “Calling Wall Street“?
CARTER BENTLEY: I don’t consider myself ‘radical’ or ‘anti-government,’ but I am 100% opposed to government having too much of a role in the average citizen’s life. Government is good, as long as it is kept in check ‘by the people, for the people, and of the people‘. Our constitution allows for free speech, and that is what I am exercising. If that is ‘radical,’ then we are in way more trouble than I thought. I am only a messenger who wants to open eyes and ears to what is really happening in the USA. We are being driven into economic ruin, becoming a military police state and our constitution is being trampled on everyday.
The constitution does NOT give the federal government authority to dictate healthcare for me or my family. Yet, now they are trying to pass a massive healthcare ‘reform’ bill that NOT ONE person has read. The amount of apathy in our country is appalling…from voting to even basic understanding of how our government works, the lack of interest, and most importantly, the complete lack of any action is astonishing, and frightening. As Jefferson said, “it is not the evil that men do that is the most danger, it is the lack of good men willing to do anything about it”. When you watch Leno “Jay Walking” it truly is an accurate reflection of the state of America, and instead of anyone reacting, it is simply viewed as ‘entertainment’.
No, I am not radical or anti-government, but perhaps perceived as such by people who don’t know any better. I would prefer to be known as ‘pro-citizen’.
LIVESTOCK
Listen to LIVESTOCK soundtracks!
Listen to more LIVESTOCK soundtracks!
***
About