Invalid Litter Dept.

At the Drive-In

About Invalid Litter Dept.

"Invalid Litter Dept." was the third single released from At the Drive-In's album Relationship of Command. The CD release in March 2001 came in a variety of international formats, including the standard two CDs in the United Kingdom. The Australian release included the United Kingdom b-sides from the two CD releases. The song's lyrics and music video deal with the Juárez murders, a series of rapes and murders in Cd. Juárez of young women who worked in factories called maquiladoras. Cd. Juárez is located just across the U. S.-Mexican border from El Paso, Texas, At the Drive-In's home town. The song explicitly criticizes the federales, or Mexican police, for their lack of response to these cases. "Lamacq version" tracks originally broadcast on BBC Radio 1's The Evening Session with Steve Lamacq, week beginning 11 September 2000, and produced/mixed by Simon Askew. 


Year:
2000
6:05
82 
#1

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At the Drive-In

At the Drive-In is an American post-hardcore band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 1993. Consisting of singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala, guitarists Jim Ward and Omar Rodríguez-López, bassist Paul Hinojos, and drummer Tony Hajjar, the band released three studio albums and five EPs before breaking up in 2001. Their final album, 2000's Relationship of Command, received a number of accolades and is cited as a landmark of the post-hardcore genre. Following the breakup, Bixler-Zavala and Rodríguez-López formed The Mars Volta while Ward, Hinojos, and Hajjar formed Sparta. At the Drive-In reunited in January 2012 and played the 2012 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, as well as the 2012 Lollapalooza Festival, but have no plans to record any new material in the future. more »

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20 facts about this song

Song Genre
"Invalid Litter Dept." falls into the post-hardcore and progressive rock genre, marking a significant shift in At the Drive-In's musical style from their previous punk rock-inspired work.
Album Appearance
The song is featured on the band's third and most commercially successful album, "Relationship of Command," which was released in 2000 by Grand Royal Records.
Song Length
"Invalid Litter Dept." is one of the longer songs on the album, running for approximately 6 minutes and 5 seconds.
Song Theme
The lyrics of "Invalid Litter Dept." are abstract and poetic, typical of At The Drive-In's work. They are open to interpretation, but many fans believe the song is a critique of society's lack of concern about certain issues.
Music Video
The music video for "Invalid Litter Dept." was directed by Josh and Xander. The video is mainly composed of footage from the band performing live, interspersed with abstract images.
Vocal Style
Vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala showcases his signature style of alternating between melodic singing and impassioned screaming on "Invalid Litter Dept." This dynamic sense of vocal performance contributed significantly to the band's unique sound.
Related Bands
After At the Drive-In disbanded, several members, including Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, formed The Mars Volta, which continued to explore similar themes and musical styles as seen in "Invalid Litter Dept."
Band Reunion
At the Drive-In reunited in 2012 for a series of festival dates and again in 2016 when they released their fourth studio album "Inter Alia," however, "Invalid Litter Dept." still holds a significant place in their discography.
Live Performances
"Invalid Litter Dept." has been known to have highly energetic live performances, with members often employing chaotic and passionate stage antics.
Critical Reception
"Invalid Litter Dept." and its parent album, "Relationship of Command," are often hailed as influential works in the post-hardcore genre. The song's complexity and emotive delivery have contributed to its positive reception.
Song Details
"Invalid Litter Dept." is a song by American rock band At the Drive-In from their third album "Relationship of Command". The album was released in 2000 and is considered one of the most influential post-hardcore albums of the decade.
Musical Style
The song showcases the band's unique blend of punk rock, post-hardcore, and experimental rock. Its aggressive guitars, complex rhythms, and emotive vocals were key aspects of At the Drive-In's sound.
Lyrics and Themes
Lyrically, the song addresses the theme of female homicides in Ciudad Juarez, a city near the US-Mexico border. The lyrics speak out against the apathy and lack of action surrounding these crimes.
Use of Effects
The song features heavy use of delay and reverb effects, which contribute to its chaotic and dense sonic landscape.
Music Video
The music video for "Invalid Litter Dept." was directed by Marcos Siega and features performance footage of the band intercut with scenes depicting the crimes addressed in the lyrics.
Live Performances
During live performances, "Invalid Litter Dept." became notorious for its intensity, with band members often destructing their instruments at the end of the song.
Breakup and Reunion
At the Drive-In disbanded a year after the release of "Relationship of Command". However, they have since reunited multiple times and still perform "Invalid Litter Dept." as part of their setlist.
Critical Acclaim
Despite its unsettling subject matter, "Invalid Litter Dept." has received critical acclaim. Many reviewers praised its compelling lyrics and powerful performances. The song is frequently listed as one of At the Drive-In's best songs.
Influence
"Invalid Litter Dept." has influenced numerous bands in the post-hardcore genre. Its fusion of punk energy, experimental soundscapes, and politically charged lyrics set a new standard for the genre.
Cultural Impact
The song has been widely discussed for its portrayal of gender violence, helping to raise awareness about the ongoing crisis in Ciudad Juarez. It's a testament to the band's ability to tackle serious issues through their music.

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