Surveying the musical climate of today, it seems few topics are off limits lyric-wise. From failed relationships, going to clubs, and something about milkshakes, nothing in music is taboo anymore — unless you’re talking politics. Political leanings and diatribes spark controversy, something most artists of today shun like the plague.

Unless, of course, you’re veteran punk band The Suicide Machines.

The Detroit-bred punk staple has been around almost fourteen years and has survived numerous line-up changes and brushes with the mainstream, but the band’s members have never strayed from their inspiration of politics, says guitarist and founding member Dan Lukacinsky.

“We’ve always been pretty political,” Lukacinsky says. “A lot of bands write stuff about girls … you need to write about stuff that matters.”

The band was taking a much needed break from its tour when Lukacinsky took time out to talk about the Suicide Machines’ most recent record, “A Match and Some Gasoline.”

So what does a member of a seminal punk band do on his day off?

“Drive,” says Lukacinsky, laughing. “I’m actually driving the truck right now to the next stop, so if I lose your call, I’ll just call you back.”

Then, as if on cue, the line goes dead. Lukacinsky takes this in stride.

“The tour is going really well,” says the guitarist, calling back, explaining of the band members’ decision to make their show more visual by adding television screens onstage blaring anti-war and anti-Bush material, a controversial decision in today’s music scene.

Lukacinsky says the majority of bands are apathetic in addressing, or even caring, about political issues.

“Either the bands don’t care, or they think it will eliminate their fans,” Lukacinsky says. “The truth is, a lot of people don’t vote. You’ve got to go out and exercise your rights.”

Lukacinsky says he believes this sentiment carries over into the newer pop-punk scene of today.

“The punk ethic is not there anymore,” he says.

“A lot of bands just say, ‘Hey, we’ll try this band thing out for a while, and we’ll just go back to college if music doesn’t work out.’ Pay your dues, man, seriously.”

Paying their dues is one thing the members of The Suicide Machines have done since Lukacinsky and vocalist Jason Navarro formed the band in March of 1991.

The current lineup, which also includes Ryan Vandeberghe on drums and bassist Rich Tschirhart, will swing through Hairy Mary’s, 2307 University Ave., Des Moines, Tuesday with openers Against All Authority and The Code as part of the band’s “Silence = Your Death” tour.

“The name of the tour means not voting, not caring, not standing up,” Lukacinsky explains.