Dive into a collection of blistering musical snippets perfect for igniting the spirit of competition – or just soundtracking your day with raw, unadulterated energy. These aren’t your typical polished stadium anthems; these are Fight Songs in their purest, most primal form, born from a legendary indie rock lineage and infused with a healthy dose of wry humor. Originally conceived in the hazy days of the 90s for a Nike commercial that ultimately took a different path, these tracks are now unleashed for your listening pleasure. Think high-energy bursts of sound designed to pump you up, whether you’re facing down a rival team or just tackling your to-do list.
The Unexpected Origin of Gridiron Glory
The story behind these “fight songs” is as unconventional as the music itself. Picture this: the 1990s, a decade of grunge, alternative, and a certain DIY ethos. Legendary advertising agency Wieden + Kennedy approached the one and only Big Steve (Stephen Malkmus) with a proposition: create a series of football fight songs for a Nike commercial. The response? A resounding “fuck yeah,” delivered with the characteristic nonchalance and artistic curiosity that defines Malkmus and his collaborators.
This wasn’t about selling out; it was about sonic exploration, about twisting the concept of a fight song into something unexpected and undeniably cool. As Tim Midyett recounts with typical dry wit, the allure wasn’t fame or fortune (at least not initially), but the promise of free shoes and some much-needed cash. This was before the internet truly exploded, before “Search and Destroy” (presumably a reference to a later creative endeavor) and certainly post-Burroughsian influence. The motivation was pure, artistic mischief with a dash of pragmatism.
Sonic Scoreboard Blasts: A Genre-Bending Medley
What emerged from these sessions were not traditional marching band tunes, but sonic “scoreboard blasts” – short, sharp bursts of musical energy that defy easy categorization. Imagine a blender filled with diverse musical ingredients: a dash of skinhead ska’s infectious rhythm, a nod to grunge’s raw power (described with tongue-in-cheek as “everyone’s favorite kind of music”), and even a hint of Interpol’s and Joy Division’s darker, more atmospheric side. This genre-bending concoction is then “coated in Crust panko,” a playful reference to a gritty, textured sonic finish.
The result is a collection of tracks that are both familiar and utterly unique. They capture the energy and spirit of fight songs while subverting expectations, offering a soundscape that is as intellectually stimulating as it is viscerally exciting. Each track is a miniature sonic adventure, packing a punch in mere seconds.
From DAT Tapes to Digital Playlists: Rediscovering Lost Gems
Despite their undeniable awesomeness, these fight songs were ultimately passed over for the Nike commercial in favor of the more mainstream (and controversially, pedophile-associated) “Rock and Roll Part Two.” These sonic gems were relegated to the vaults, existing only on DAT tapes, until recently.
Serendipitously, while digging through these archives in search of material for reissues of Silkworm’s Firewater and Developer records, these forgotten fight songs resurfaced. Like ping-pong balls bobbing to the surface, they were rediscovered, ready to be unleashed upon a new audience.
While the teams name-checked in the track titles – Houston Oilers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions – might not all be Super Bowl contenders in 2023 (and in the case of the Oilers, no longer even exist under that name), the energy and spirit of these songs are timeless. They transcend specific teams or seasons, embodying the universal drive to compete, to celebrate, and to simply rock out.
So crank them up, embrace the raw energy, and let these fight songs fuel your own personal victories, big or small. Download them now and add a dose of indie rock irreverence to your game day – or any day that needs a shot of pure sonic adrenaline.
