War not healthy for Living Things

But politics do help fuel this band’s music

 When we ask the Living Things singer Lillian Berlin why his band doesn’t have more songs about girls and partying, he laughs at our snarky inquiry.

Berlin fully recognizes that the Living Things have turned their political knobs to 11.

“When I sit down and am inspired to write, it’s usually about the abuse of something whether it be religion, power or love,” Berlin says at the mention of songs like “Mercedes Marxist,” “Dirty Bombs” and “The Kingdom Will Fall.”

Their sophomore disc, “Habeas Corpus” — stacked with swamp-glam boogie and cunning garage-pop romp — was recorded in Berlin at Hansa Ton Studios, home to output by David Bowie, U2 and Iggy Pop.

“There’s an eclectic music scene in Berlin. It’s like punk rock meets an electronic, Eno-type thing. It was the opposite of an Americana record,” he says.

“If you don’t make bold gestures or do something compelling, nobody will listen.”     Selene Angier/metro

Living Things
with Electric Six and Human People
Tonight, 9 p.m.
Johnny Brenda’s
1201 N. Frankford Ave.
215-739-9684, $13-$15
www.johnnybrendas.com