THE POP FILTER MIXTAPE

PSYCHING UP TO PULL A MAJOR HEIST

The Rake’s Song – The Decemberists

This song is incredible, and I know what you’re thinking; The Decemberists couldn’t pump me up to get out of bed, let alone pull some sort of major heist. Well, that’s why it’s very important that this song is first. It starts out mellow, turns rocking and all the while the main character of the tune becomes more and more hideous. The man gets married, hates all his kids, his wife dies, he kills all of his kids and then says in no uncertain terms that none of this bothers him at all. If you think you’re a tough, heist-pulling badass, compare yourself to this asshole. Did you kill all three of your kids and burn one of their bodies because he tried to fight back? Oh, you didn’t? Hmm…enjoy robbing your “bank”. Pussy. – JRN

Boiled Frogs – Alexisonfire

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Bank Robbin’ songs are tricky.  This isn’t just a quirky heist so soft indie is out.  This isn’t Bottle Rocket – it’s a fucking bank.  These are the big leagues.  It also can’t be be too intense.  That’s how customers get shot and this whole thing turns into a hostage situation.  You need something that’ll get your guys into the right frame of mind.  Sort of a smooth, frothy readiness.  That’s why I submit to you ‘Boiled Frogs’.  Not only is it all about how the man’s been screwing you, it’s a screamy pump-up jam with lots of singing and slower parts to make sure Craig doesn’t go overboard. That guy just seems…off.  Sure, Jerry vouches for him but he’s only here because Frank’s on parole and you need another pair of eyes.  It’s not like Jerry’s all that trustworthy himself – you know must of his share is going straight up his nose.  You know what?  Let’s dump Craig.  And Jerry while we’re at it.  We’ll be working short handed but that money splits a lot nicer three ways than it does five.  Keep the song though. – DT

A Poor Man’s Memory-Explosions in the Sky

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This isn’t the kind of song you’d instantly think of to listen to while getting pumped for a heist, but hear me out. A heist is a stressful situation, especially when it’s a major heist. That mean’s it’s probably not  some Mom and Pop credit union you’ll be robbing, but a full blown gargantuan Wall Street style bank with vaults that have lasers and robots and shit. I don’t know much about the banking world, but I’m pretty sure that’s an accurate description of their security system. A clear head is key in any stressful situation, but when you have a small window of time to get in and out, while making sure no one gets heart, your adrenaline is gonna be pounding. The last thing you need need is someone screaming in your ears. A Poor Man’s Memory starts mellow, time to breathe in and out- go through the plan a final time, perfectly visualize how everything’s going to fall into place. As you exude calm, it’s going to spread to your crew as you make steady eye contact with each member on the drive to the bank. YOur calmness spreads, calming the tempers, the itchy trigger fingers, halting the beads of sweat on the new kid’s brow before it begin. You are zen, you are a master. And then it build up to the end so you have a manic energy to battle the focus, a ying and yang of crime flooding your system. No one can stop you, you’ve already seen the outcome. -MG

Hey Man Nice Shot – Filter

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Even before this assignment landed in my e-mail folder, I had already assembled a “Heist” playlist, just in case some out-of-the-blue opportunity came my way that I felt I should get hastily involved in.  Hey, it happens.  So it should come as no surprise that I feel confident in my recommendation of this song, that will get you totally pumped up to pull off something brazen, dangerous and potentially very lucrative. Like any heist, this song starts out slowly…but with a bit of an edge.  It seems to promise something, but you have no idea exactly where it’s going.  As the tension builds, you realize there’s got to be some pay-off…just as one would probably realize just after entering the downtown branch of Bank of America wearing a ski mask and kevlar, while wielding a shotgun.  You realize that at this point, something’s about to go down.  Before you know it, BAM!  The chorus totally kicks in and this turns out to be the heist that dreams are made of.  Is it dangerous?  Of course.  Violent?  Sure.  Sex as Hell?  Absolutely.  And if that bothers you, I really have to wonder if you’re up to the job. – BH

Bat Country – Avenged Sevenfold

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Major heist huh? Generally I try to avoid these types of things. So, based purely off this knowledge I know I would be terrible at one. I would fumble around with my gun, not know what to say, be kind of shy, just really muck the whole thing up. Unless…. Unless, I had just the right song to make me go balls to the wall. Just run into a room and take command! Now, I’m not the biggest fan of Avenged Sevenfold, but this song hits me on a level that makes me want to do some evil shit. I don’t know why, but while listening to this song I know a major heist would seem like a walk in the park. -KM

Bad Habit – The Offspring

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I know what you’re thinking; this is more of a road rage song than one to psych you up to pull a major heist. Well maybe I’m the getaway driver alright? You don’t know my life! The way I look at it there is no quicker way to get your blood boiling than to think of all the fuckers who have cut you off, flipped you off and generally pissed you off while driving at 80 mph.  The Offspring aren’t particularly hardcore but every time Bad Habit leaks into my ears it makes me feel like a total badass.  From the first low and slow note you’re on edge, then the drums kick in with a gradually increasing beat, there’s a shriek and the song jumps into full pop-punk gear making it impossible not to jump around or bob your head or whatever you do.  After two minutes of getting worked up and screaming along with the chorus I’m full of adrenaline that needs an outlet, which just makes yelling the obscenities of the bridge that much more satisfying. If you can refrain from shouting “you stupid, dumb shit, goddamn, motherfucker!” at the top of your lungs then you are the model of self-restraint …and probably a cop so we’re going to have to kick your ass while searching out the wire just to be safe.    - AS