there was something very exciting about being in a band then. there were places to play, and people would come out to see bands. in the time since then we've grown more jaded. maybe. it could be that there's less to get excited about now. the more i think about it, actually, that seems the most plausible reason for everything to have stagnated the way it has. if we were just starting out at what we do now, our enthusiasm and certainly our patience would be less. it's pretty doubtful we would have even tried, actually. the deck is pretty thoroughly stacked these days.
if you want to find grounds for criticism, it's there all right. we were trying to figure it all out. we still are, actually. time puts everything into weird perspective. what sounded wild then sounds timid now thanks to the numbing effect of the myriad trends we've been subjected to since. we were proud of this shit though. it was pretty good then. honest. we still like it. just don't expect 1986.
the people we owed our thanks to then, we probably still owe now. that's laziness for you. none of them have been forgotten, but the process of thanking has been. sorry about that, it's the best we could do at the time.
well look, it's really pointless for me to go on any more like this. i mean, fuck, this is all old news, right? the record's there. we hope you like it and everything, but it's after midnight and i'm still at work. real big rock stars, man. we've got straight jobs that would make you slit your goddamn wrists and we're still always broke.
you can write to us, and we'll read your letters and some of them are really great, and we usually make mental notes to answer them because well, shit, you did take the time to write, and that's more than any of us ever did, but shit, you know, there's bills to pay and the eight to five thing going on all the time and there's just no friggin' way we're gonna be able to. sometimes we get to two or three, and sometimes i'll get fed up and spend a whole weekend answering mail, and there's still a goddamn laundry bag full of it sitting there when i'm done. but really, honest, we're not assholes. we've just got other shit to do most of the time. the address is post office box 442 evanston, illinois 60204. we especially like getting packages of things. hint hint.
The only good policeman is a dead one, the only good laws aren't enforced
I've never hung a darkie, even a big one I've never seen an Indian on a horse
And I live like this 'cause I like it, and seen too much to pretend
You can't ignore the beauty in the things that you love
Like you can't stand the hatred and the lies
Have you always hunted with your hands? Can you show me what you've done?
Have you always hunted with your hands? If you catch it, can you kill it?
You don't understand, see you don't understand
See, I'm like a murderer, see, I'm like a murderer
And I could rip you limb from limb, and I could rip you limb from limb
Great big thing crawlin' all over me, great big thing crawlin' all over me
See, I'm like a murderer, I kill what I eat
See, I'm like a, I'm a hunter-gatherer, see, I kill what I eat
See, I'm a steelworker, I kill what I eat
See, I'm, I'm a bricklayer, I kill what I eat
See, I'm a, I'm a murderer, I kill what I eat
See, I'm a, I'm a hunter-gatherer, I kill what I eat
See, I'm a steelworker, I kill what I eat
I'm a, I'm a bricklayer, I kill what I eat
Great big thing crawling all over me, great big thing crawling all over me,
great big thing crawling all over me
Have you always hunted with your hands? Can you show me what you've done?
Have you always hunted with your hands? If you catch it, can you kill it?
I live like this 'cause I like it
And I've seen too much to pretend
You can't ignore the beauty in the things that you love
Like you can't stand the hatred and the lies
See, see, see I'm a murderer, I kill what I eat
See, I'm, I'm a bricklayer, I kill what I eat
See, I'm a steelworker, I kill what I eat
It's a great big thing crawlin' all over me, great big thing crawlin' all over
me, great big thing crawlin' all over me
No! Huh! Live in a room An empty room Four walls White walls I live in a hole Huh! No! I live in a hole Not some trailer park I won't die In a chip-to-lie?? home I live in a hole Huh! I live in a hole Huh! Hoh! Huh! Hoh! Every day I get less civilized It's a lot of work To dig in that hole Hunh! No!
Hey little girl in U.S. dress Come and give daddy kiss To Dead Billy, U.S. soldier in green Little lady, napalm butt Come and give head to, to Dead Billy make you boom boom boom Dead Billy Dead Billy make you happy Dead Billy make you crawl Dead Billy put your hand in his hole Dead Billy show you what it's like to die This is not a love song And this is not a kiss For Dead Billy Dead Billy make you happy Dead Billy make you crawl Dead Billy put your hand in his hole Dead Billy show you what it's like to die This is not a love song And this is not a kiss For Dead Billy No Viet??
Say, John, shut me up Just my dad He is weak Tried to shut me up I just want a way To keep me quiet When I'm away Shut me up The only way To keep me quiet I can be killed I can be killed Come on Go ahead, come on, do me in Come on, face the dark Gotta knock me off Come on, come on, come on, shut me up Try to keep me quiet That's the only way To shut me up Come on I can be killed I can be killed Come on
I have never been so happy in my whole life I've been denied this so long, I'm sure it's right Finally, this is working Finally, this is life Finally, this is working Finally, this is life In comes the crack And everything falls apart In comes the bowl, nice ?? Then comes the crack And everything comes apart Then comes the night Then you die I still can't believe this This is something I've done I've never been so broken I've never hurt so much This is like a slap in the face, this is like an amputation This is like a slap in the face, this is like an amputation Then comes the crack And everything falls apart Then comes the bowl Then you die Then comes the crack And everything comes apart Then comes the night Then you die I still can't believe this This is something I've done I've never been so broken I've never hurt so much This is like a slap in the face, this is like an amputation This is like a slap in the face, this is like an amputation This is like a slap in the face, this is like an amputation This is like a slap in the face, this is like an amputation This is like a slap in the face, this is like an amputation This is like a slap in the face, this is like an amputation Then comes the crack And everything falls apart Then comes the bowl Then she dies And then comes the crack And everything is torn apart And then comes the night And then she dies
That man's shirt is worth more than your life And I'd rather kill him than insult you He hasn't the sense to know we're fighting He hasn't the fear to run We have to rip this up It doesn't look quite right People like that, too dirty to save Better watch out, friend He's gonna get torn When I poke my fingers in it I tear him apart Cover your ears They make a lot of noise We have to rip this up It doesn't look quite right
Well, I don't know why we come here Guess I just needed the bang We watch 'em beef, and then we pull on the rope And then the, then the hammer comes down Cables, cables, cables So I guess they know I'm not no company man But I can pull on a rope, I can kill a cow Fast as any other fucker can Cables, cables, cables
cDc #84:
The song "Cables" -- was there any specific incident that inspired that?
Steve Albini:
There are these guys that I used to know in [Hellgate] high school, in
Montana -- they just really got off on going to the slaughterhouse for
entertainment. Just go to the slaughterhouse and watch the cows get
killed. That was like TV for them. It was that or go home in the trailer
park and get drunk. Sniff glue. There was nothing else to do. One time I
remember specifically this guy telling me about this guy who let him drag
a cow into the stall. The way they do it is pretty cool. They take a
pressurized gun and drive a bolt through the snout of a cow, and they clip
a cable to either side of the bolt. And then there's this winch that
hauls the cow into the stall, and then there's a compression hammer that
crushes the cow's skull.
This guy thought this was just about the coolest process -- all this machinery and technology. It's just another example of what people do for fun.
Oh This is our land We got a right Got a lot of birds Got a lot of corn I'm on a kill This is our land We got a right And those are my kids Kill every one AwWwWw, oh momma
Oh, honey I'm a mess Oh, a useless set of legs Oh, honey I'm a waste Oh, honey I'm a wreck But I will maintain Time to spend In the reading truck ?? That always runs slow Oh, oh, honey I'm a mess Oh, honey I'm a wreck Oh, honey I'm a waste Aw, honey you're a bitch What a useless set of legs But I will maintain Time to save In the leading truck ?? That always runs slow I will maintain Time to sing ?? In the leading truck That always runs slow I will maintain Time to sing ?? In the leading truck That always runs slow Bitch
This is Texas This is redneck This is Lone Star This is wetback I am Texas, I am Texas, I am Texas, I am Texas This is Texas This is badass This is chain-gang This is mustache I am Texas, I am Texas, I am Texas, I am Texas I am Texas, I am Texas, I am Texas, I am Texas
Bit me Bit me 'cause he thought I was black -- bit me, musta thought I was black Looks like a rat, looks like a rat Seth is just a racist dog I don't know why he's so mean, I don't know why she's so screwed-up ?? I don't know why he's so mean, I don't know why she's so screwed-up ?? Bit me 'cause he thought I was black -- bit me, musta thought I was black Blast me in the shack, then he sent off his dog Seth is just a racist dog I don't know why he's so mean, I don't know why she's so screwed-up ?? I don't know why he's so mean, I don't know why she's so screwed ?? I don't know why he's so mean, I don't know why she's so screwed-up ??
Something angry in me doesn't like the me in you Something angry in me doesn't like the me in you One look in your window I spit in your mouth I cut up what I don't like Don't turn around I'm buying a knife
Regular guy, Rex got a need Rex, Racer X Brother of Speed, brother of Speed, brother of sex Shut up, Pops Rex, Racer X ok Got a big white X on the top of his car Rex keeps his speed in a little glass jar Racer X on the road, Rex on the track Little cartoon Nips -- Racer X on attack OK Just a man in a car, Racer X got a need The Mach Five -- I need a little more speed He's just a regular guy Racer X got a need Come on, Pops -- I need a little more speed Just a goddamn job, just a goddamn job, just a goddamn job, just a goddamn job Just a goddamn job when you're hauling Trix Just a goddamn job, Rex needs his fix OK! OK Rex is the man He's the brother of sex Aw, shut up Pops Here's to Rex, Racer X OK
Got a foot and a half of unregistered steel Shake that sis, we got a street to deal Got an inch and a half of number nine shot Pumped up your ass in the parking lot Sawed-off -- shotgun Sawed-off -- shotgun Got an inch and a half of number nine shot All pumped up your ass in the parking lot Got a foot and a half of unregistered steel Shake that sis, we got a street to deal Sawed-off -- shotgun Sawed-off -- shotgun (Space Invaders videogame sounds) Bang bang bang bang
I am the ugly American -- I hate what I am I am the ugly American -- I hate what I am I take a picture of your founding father I hate a picture of your local color I take a picture of your founding father I take a picture of your local color We're so ugly, we're so ugly We're so ugly I am the ugly American, I am the ugly American, I am the ugly American I hate what you are Take a picture of your declasse Take a picture and you only say Take a picture of your ugly country Take a picture and you only say I am the ugly American, I am the ugly American, I am the ugly American I hate what you are Take a picture of your declasse, take a picture of your declasse Take a picture and you only say, take a picture and you only say We're so ugly, we're so ugly We're so ugly I am the ugly American -- I know what I am I am the ugly American -- I am what I am Say you're cultured 'cause you had a king? Your little boys sleep with their sisters I am the ugly American -- I know what I am I am the ugly American -- I love what I am
Yeah!
He was a plug-ugly son of a bitch, with a fist where most folks get their face
He was a plug-ugly son of a bitch, with a fist where most folks get their face
Me and a half dozen of us would've done him in, but he was never around except
when we were drunk
And he's not like we are, see he doesn't know his place and he thinks he's
some kind of big cheese
A buck knife, a saw blade, a lead pipe, a twelve gauge -- would've done him
in, could've put him by
A buck knife, a saw blade, a lead pipe, a twelve gauge -- I could've deep-
sixed him, wouldn't bat an eye
Well, he's not like we are, see, he drinks his Jack straight, and he sleeps
with his wife and he pays his whores
And he's not like we are, see, he drinks his Jack straight, and he sleeps in
his cab and he pays his whores
But I'm God's gift to women, they always want my dick, except for that girl
thinks I'm trash
And I'm God's gift to women, always want my dick, except for that college girl
-- I'll kill her
A buck knife, a saw blade, a lead pipe, a twelve gauge -- I would've done him
in, could've put him by
A buck knife, a saw blade, a lead pipe, a twelve gauge -- I could've deep-
sixed him, wouldn't bat an eye
A buck knife, a saw blade, a lead pipe, a twelve gauge -- could've done him
in, could've put him by
A buck knife, a saw blade, a lead pipe, a twelve gauge -- I could've deep-
sixed him, wouldn't bat an eye
A buck knife, a saw blade, a lead pipe, a twelve gauge -- I could've done him
in, could've put him by
A buck knife, a saw blade, a lead pipe, a twelve gauge -- I could've deep-
sixed him, wouldn't bat an eye
My head on the ground with my mouth full of dirt Your foot in my face is what keeps me alive When it's over, when it's over, when it's over When this is over, I want sleep Opened the door with a gun in his hand Sometimes I think I'm gonna catch it in the back Feed me a line, I've had a few Clean my clock, guess I had it coming When it's over, when it's over, when it's over When this is over, I want sleep Hey hey hey Hey hey hey Hey hey hey Hey hey hey
Hit it! Hit it! Ha! I'm mad Revenge I'll cut your throat I'll make amends Ha! Ha! I'm mad That's a fact Get ready, dog For the big payback I'm mad Revenge I'll cut your throat I'll make amends Take a walk We'll have a talk mm?? And my 12-gauge friend I'm mad That's a fact Get ready, dog For the big payback Hit it! Ha! Hit it! Ha!
THIS COMPACT DISC, COMPILED TO EXPLOIT THOSE OF YOU GULLIBLE ENOUGH TO OWN THE BASTARDLY FIRST-GENERATION DIGITAL HOME MUSIC SYSTEM, CONTAINS ALL-ANALOG MASTERS. COMPACT DISCS ARE QUITE DURABLE, THIS BEING THEIR ONLY ADVANTAGE OVER REAL MUSIC MEDIA, YOU SHOULD TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO SCRATCH THEM, FINGERPRINT THEM AND EAT EGG AND BACON SANDWICHES OFF THEM. DON'T WORRY ABOUT THEIR LONGEVITY, AS PHILES WILL PRONOUNCE THEM OBSOLETE WHEN THE NEXT PHASE OF THE MARKET-SQUEEZING TECHNOLOGY BONANZA BEGINS.
Look it up, numbskull. None of the parents got locked up, only the guy who finked on them.
This is Jordan, we do what we like This is Jordan, we do what we like Stay with me, my five year old Stay with me, play hide and seek Stay with me, my five year old This is Jordan, we do what we like And this will stay with you until you die And this will stay with you until you die And I will stay with you until you die And this is Jordan, we do what we like And this will stay with you until you die And this will stay with you until you die This will stay with you until you die And I will stay with you until you die Suck daddy, suck daddy, suck daddy, etc.cDc #84:
Steve Albini:
It's not like we're trying to make any great statement or anything. I
think it's just pretty obvious -- people shouldn't be fucking their kids.
I mean that's a pretty manifestive world. That's just a subject for a
song like any other. We're all pretty interested in ridiculous extremes
that people go to for no real reason, just because they have nothing
better to do. That's a pretty extreme situation, where you have a whole
town of people who are actively involved in kid fucking.
cDc #84:
Is that fictitious, or is it...?
Steve Albini:
Oh no. You ought to look it up. Jordan, Minnesota [1985] there were 26
indictments handed down by a district attorney for this group of people,
which is literally about a third of the adult population of this town,
Jordan, Minnesota, who were involved in this elaborate kid fucking ring.
They would play these weird games, they'd play spin the bottle, they'd
get to fuck each other's kids, and they'd take each other's kids home
and things like that. It was really absolutely staggering, right?
All these parents got big-ass lawyers, and the district attorney was afraid that these kids would collapse under cross examination, like have nervous breakdowns. With domineering adults screaming at them that they're lying, of course these kids are going to flip out. So, they dropped all the charges. Which means all these kids are going back to their houses, and the exact same shit has got to be going on. Nothing has changed, basically. I mean, you guys hadn't even known it had happened -- that shows you how much publicity there is about stuff like this. And now all these kids are back in their houses.
cDc #84:
And it's all the kids now, because the parents are the people they're
supposed to respect.
Steve Albini:
A four year old kid, he has no cognizance of his own personality yet.
He doesn't even know he's a distinct person from everybody else in the
world, and here he is being taught, basically, that the way people
interact is by fucking each other's kids.
Nowadays we can see talk show panels composed of people who have to tell people they're black because they're pale, don't look like the "black" archetype, and therefore miss out on all the racism they're entitled to. If someone can be "black" by proclamation, then the term is as meaningless now as it was in the 1920s.
She was his She would take his children Black and white Right to her own breast There were times When he could mix With ordinary white company And if the subject never came up No one would notice He had what they call passing complexion He had what they call passing complexion He had what they call passing complexion He had what they call passing complexion He'd been white, he'd been black They asked him, black like that? Yeah!
cDc #84:
We are wondering exactly what the song "Passing Complexion" is about.
Steve Albini:
I couldn't tell you exactly... I could tell you what specific
things in it are. There's the line, "She would take his
children, black and white, to her own breasts" -- there was an
Amelia Jackson interview on
the radio that I listened to once,
and she was talking about how her mother would nurse these
white parents' children, literally wet nurse them.
So here's this woman who is good enough to take their babies and raise them and feed them off her breast, but she wasn't good enough to sit in their living room.
There was basically a whole third class of citizens who were black people who were pale enough to be accepted into gentile company if they were entertainers, if they were businessmen in town or something like that. They had passing complexion -- they weren't so dark that people had to think of them as black people, they could sort of construe in their mind that they were white people if it were convenient. If there was some reason to, they could think of them as white people.
There were only two divisions in society -- the rich, upper-crust white class or just another darkie, and the divisions were so obvious, so they all tried to fit into white, gentile society. That's where the whole industry developed for hair straightening and skin lightening. Like Porcelana Fading Cream was originally developed to lighten negro skin.
He got dowager's hump, he got a gimp He been walking this beat, you little punk While you were still swimming in your daddy's balls Got a nightstick, got a gun, got time and a half Got hazard pay, just the fuck what you would do We just want, we just need We just want, we just need big money
While the band was active, much ado was made about the "pork roast" nature of the subject of this song. The lyrics were an afterthought, actually, and were originally about either race car driving or frog gigging, I forget which.
I was born in this town, live here my whole life Probably come to die in this town, live here my whole life Never anything to do in this town, live here my whole life Never anything to do in this town, live here my whole life Probably learn to die in this town, live here my whole life Nothing to do, sit around at home Sit around at home, stare at the walls Stare at each other and wait till we die Stare at each other and wait till we die Probably come to die in this town, live here my whole life There's Kerosene around, something to do There's Kerosene around, she's something to do There's Kerosene around, she's something to do There's Kerosene around, we'll find something to do Kerosene around, she's something to do Kerosene around, set me on fire Set me on fire, Kerosene Set me on fire, Kerosene Set me on fire, Kerosene Set me on fire, Kerosene Set me on fire Kerosene around, something to do There's Kerosene around, find something to do There's Kerosene around, find something to do Kerosene around, find something to do Kerosene around, she's something to do Kerosene around, set me on fire Set me on fire, Kerosene Set me on fire, Kerosene Set me on fire, Kerosene Set me on fire, Kerosene Set me on fire Kerosene around, she's something to do Kerosene around, now what do we do? Jumped Kerosene, now what do we do? Jumped Kerosene, now what do we do? Kerosene around, nothing to do Jumped Kerosene, now what do we do? Never anything to do in this town Never anything but jump Kerosene Never anything to do in this town Never anything Jump Kerosene Set me on fire, Kerosene Set me on fire, Kerosene Set me on fire, Kerosene Set me on fire, Kerosene Set me on fire
One, two, three, four Lately I have been frequenting bad houses Places no respectable man would be seen I hate myself for my weakness My past sickens me I tell myself I will not go Even as I drive there I hate myself for my weakness My past sickens me
Feel my hand, feel my hand, feel my hand Feel it, feel it Feel my hand, feel my hand, feel my hand Feel my arm, feel my arm Feel my fist, feel my fist Fists of love, fists of love, fists of love Fists of love, fists of love, fists of love Fists of love No fuck mm
Go! Been so long Forgot what it's like Like swimming, like sex, like taking a bang ?? Like fistfight Think it's time got stinking drunk Think it's time Been so long Who brought me to this? Been so long Forgot what it's like Like fighting, like sex, like taking a bang ?? Think it's time got stinking drunk Think it's time You shut up! Go! Get drunk, get drunk, get drunk Get drunk, get drunk, get drunk Get drunk, get drunk, get drunk Get drunk, get drunk, get drunk Get drunk, get drunk, stinking drunk
The Joe man is back When Joe comes back Joe's head will crack When Joe's head cracks, when that big head cracks It's "Welcome back, Joe. Welcome back, Joe." You don't have to be alone Joe, you don't have to be alone Joe Hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe You don't have to be alone Joe, you don't have to be alone Joe The Joe man is back When Joe man comes back Joe's head will crack When that big head cracks It's "Welcome back, Joe. Welcome back, Joe." Hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe Oh, you don't have to be alone Joe, you don't have to be alone Joe Hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe Hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe Bazooka Joe, Bazooka Joe It's been a long time Joe, been a long Joe, been a long time I know You don't have to be alone Joe, you don't have to be alone Hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe Say it ain't so Joe, say it ain't so Joe, say it ain't so Joe You don't have to be alone Joe, you don't have to be alone Joe Place for us Joe, there's a place for us Joe We'll do all the things that you used to do, we'll do all the things that you Just the way it was Joe, just the way it was Joe, just the way it was Joe Hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe Show you the ropes Joe, I'll show you the ropes Joe, show you the ropes Joe Hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe Bazooka Joe, Bazooka Joe It's been a long time I know, been a long I know, been a long time I know You don't have to be alone Joe, you don't have to be alone Joe Place for us Joe, there's a place for us Joe We'll do all the things that you used to do, we'll do all the things that you There are people that need us, people that need things that we know how to do Joe Hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe Place for us Joe, there's a place for us Joe You don't have to be alone Joe, you don't have to be alone Hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe, hang with me Joe Bazooka Joe, Bazooka Joe Bazooka Joe, Bazooka Joe Bazooka Joe, Bazooka Joe Bazooka Joe, Bazooka Joe Bazooka Joe, Bazooka Joe Welcome back, Joe
[liner notes from the Heartbeat 7"]
NO LOVEY-DOVEY SHIT!
DILUTE! DILUTE! OK!
I feel old, I feel cold I feel old, I feel cold I'm sublime, I'm sublime And is there something there behind me Like a movie, like a movie I am mesmerized by my own beat Like a heartbeat, like a heartbeat, like a heartbeat I feel old, I feel cold I am mesmerized by my own beat Like a movie, like a movie It's behind me like a heartbeat Like a movie, like a heartbeat By a own beat, by a heartbeat By a own beat, like a heartbeat Like a heartbeat, like a heartbeat Like a heartbeat, like a heartbeat Heartbeat, like a heartbeat Like a heartbeat, heartbeat Like a heartbeat, like a heartbeat Like a heartbeat, like a heartbeat Like a movie, it's behind me I am mesmerized by my own beat Like a heartbeat, like a heartbeat Like a heartbeat, like a heartbeat Like a heartbeat, like a heartbeat Like a heartbeat, like a heartbeat Like a heartbeat, like a heartbeat
Buy a pack of squares Arrive at the apartment Confront the investor Explain the situation Have him sign the documents Bind him to a chair Handcuff him Place him face down on the bed Shoot him once Remember gloves Scan apartment Kill the dog, kill the dog, kill the dog, evidence Kill the dog, kill the dog, kill the dog, evidence Kill the dog, evidence, kill the dog, evidence Kill the dog
You are not mine You ugly thing You ugly thing You are not mine Not my face Not my seed Not my child You are not mine You are my monster You are not mine You are a monster I take your blame ?? Essential mine ?? Look at the monster Look at the monster You are mine It's my disco, it's my disco, it's my disco, it's my disco (fireworks sounds) I take a little step I do a little dance I take a little step I do a little dance It's my disco, it's my disco I mm the bitch? I show a little mercy You are not me You are a monster You ugly thing A special me ?? It's my disco, it's my disco, it's my disco, it's my disco I take a little step I do a little dance I take a little step I do a little dance It's my disco, it's my disco, it's my disco, it's my disco
A man is known by his tools I earn my keep with my tools Fools, you fools, you fools, you fools You will not touch my tools I want to know what you do with my grinder A man is known by his tools I earn my keep with my tools Fools, you fools, you fools, you fools You will not touch my tools I want to know what you do with my grinder
We got some unions All I got are these molls And I want to use them What do you say, boss? Your boss, my boss You are my job I am a gun thug You are my job You've got your principles I've got bills to pay You've got your lovers I've got mouths to feed Your boss is my boss You are my job I am a gun thug This is my job We are the ready men We are the strong Men who are lovers Men who drink wine We are the ready men We are the strong We are the smart ones You are wrong We are the ready men We are the strong Men with our lovers Men who drink wine We are the ready men We are the ready men
I'm tough as dirt, I'm mean as blood Where, where I blow out comes spiders, where I step a weed dies No smokes with diapers for Pete, King of All Detectives Fall down on your knees, fall down and worship King Dick King Dick! My business walked out with the broken man My business walks out with the colored man I have no shame, I'm a hard working man I have my pride, I'm a straight-standing man I am Pete When I find that man, I ply my trade I use my wits, I use my hands I am no drunkard, I am no colored man I am king, I am king, I am king, I am Pete, I am Pete I find that house, I find that chick I find that man, I find my bitch My name and my size, I'm back with a bang I'm peaking, I'm peaking, I'm peaking, I'm peaking I'm Pete Peak, yeah, I'm Pete I'm Pete Peak, yeah, I'm Pete I'm Pete Peak, yeah, I'm Pete Pete Peak, yeah Yeah!
t'anks fer da laffs: corey, lisa, justin, paul, pat, nate, the pals we made, the pals we didn't, jochen, carlos, byron, jimmy, bands who don't write love songs. joel, get your shit together.
if you're ever in chicago, don't stop in, it's a small place we've got.
big black:
the future belongs to the analog loyalists. fuck digital.
The backbone of this country is the independent truck The power of the trucker comes from his truck The best thing in those trucks is the cab-over bed That's where those truckers generate their Backbone, backbone, backbone, backbone mm mm mm mm mm mm fist in my face mm mm mm Backbone, backbone, backbone, backbone Move you move like an animal Making a noise like an animal Fornicate and fornicate Sing a song about fornicate Make you move like an animal Making a noise like an animal Bake a chicken and pluck an eye We're gonna talk about mm mm Sing a song about fornicate Sing a song about fornicate Fornicate and fornicate Sing a song about fornicate Backbone
boy, don't we all look smashing in red.
She's a model and she's looking good I'd like to take her home with me, that's understood Playing hard-to-get, she smiles from time to time It only takes a camera to change her mind Posing for consumer products now and then I even saw her on the cover of a magazine She's going out to nightclubs drinking just champagne She is looking good, I want to see her again
Ought to know what a liar I am, ought to know me by now Don't curse me for my nature, don't bless me for my luck Just a bad penny, I always come back to you Just a bad penny Just a bad penny, I always come back to you Should have known you couldn't trust me far as you can throw me, throw me Couldn't throw me too far Just a bad penny, couldn't throw me too far I think I fucked your girlfriend once... maybe twice, I don't remember Then I fucked all your friends' girlfriends -- now they hate you Just a bad penny, just a bad penny Just a bad penny, just a bad penny Such a bad penny, such a bad penny Bad, bad penny, bad, bad penny Ought to know what a liar I am, ought to know me by now Such a bad penny Ooh bad, bad penny, bad, bad penny Ought to know what a liar I am, ought to know me by now Ought've known you couldn't trust me as far as you can throw me, throw me Such a bad penny, such a bad penny Such a bad penny, such a bad penny Slap my hand
That Oliver Sacks has been portrayed by Robin Williams in a saccharine mass-market tearjerker movie in no way invalidates his life's work: documenting the entertaining behavior of people with severe brain anomalies.
I got a sickness sweet as a love note I got a headache like a pillow Called me Daisy, called me Daisy, called me Daisy, that one Called me Daisy I am a sweetheart, I am a prom queen, I am some puppies Not Daisy Not Daisy Are we here now? I am a horror This is an old one Not Daisy L Dopa fixed me, all right
I would like to wrap your hair round your neck like a noose I would like to wrap your legs around my neck like a lock You are my precious thing, thing of speed and beauty You are my precious thing, as long as you remain beneath me I will hold you down, I will hold you down, I will pin you down I will hold you down, I will hold you down, I will mm mm down you You are my precious thing, you are my precious thing, you are my precious thing I will hold you down, I will hold you down, I will pin you down I will hold you down, I will hold you down, I will pin you down I will hold you down, I will hold you down, I will mm mm down you You are my precious thing, thing of speed and beauty, you are my precious thing You are my precious thing, thing of speed and beauty You are my precious thing, long as you remain beneath me
Gotta get loaded, I gotta go off Don't call her to save me Don't call her hack off More like an ashcan, more like a time bomb, more like a stovepipe Columbian necktie I don't want to die, I just wanted to give her the works Don't call her to safety ?? Don't call her to report More like an ashcan, more like time bomb, more like a stovepipe Columbian necktie I don't want to die, I just wanted to give her the works When I get loaded, gotta go home Don't call her to safety Don't call her hack off More like an ashcan, more like time bomb, more like a stovepipe Columbian necktie I don't want to die, I just wanted to give her the works
The Emperor makes his rounds, Master of all Cats Fat in the Midwest, Emperor rolls his little balls -- Catland Says hi to his pal Walter, Fred's loaded in the backyard The neighbors do not understand, he's an aberration Even makes a funny noise He plays great hunter with a ball-point pen When the cat's away, ah, it's a regular rat day When the rat's away, ah, King Cat, King Cat can play day I jump around with my wang in the wind It flops around, you admired it I am your neighbor now You can't stop me now If he saw a snail, I would eat it mm mm mm mm mm ?? If not, then all I want is something else You will ask them for me In exchange, I'll piss on everything you value I am the Emperor of Cats I do what I want now, cats I do what I want now, cats I shit outside if I want to All a part of my, ow, kitty empire
Out No mm mm mm mm mm my head mm mm mm mm mm bread mm mm mm mm mm my head mm mm mm mm mm bread Do you see that? I will run mm mm mm mm mm head Must've had some wheat bread mm mm mm mm mm head mm mm mm mm bad bread mm mm mm mm I will run mm mm mm It makes you want to mm Can't you feel the cold hand mm ?? I see mm mm mm mm mm I can hear the sound of mm I fell in the roach bed ?? Bad bread
Saw something go wrong today when a long black car went by Red car blew up today when a long black car went by Never thought it really happened that way Never thought it really happened that way Never thought it really happened that way Drew a rod and they blew him away Down on the south side, out on Pulaski There were pieces of a man all over the skyway Well I suffered real bad today, just like in the movies Why did mm get an mm mm like that? I even felt a little sick I never thought it really happened that way I never thought it really happened that way I wouldn't want to check out in that way Drew a rod and they blew him away There were pieces of a man all over the skyway There were pieces of a man mm bone in the ashtray What are you trying to prove now, Benny? What are you trying to call me, Benny? Better stay out of it, Benny Stay out of my wayski
The decline in popularity of drive-in movies is doing tremendous damage to the sexual development of adolescents. When the drive-ins are all gone, there will be no place where teenagers can practice and observe sexual technique in large numbers with ready access to popcorn, fresh air and Coca-Cola douche.
Hosin' out the cab of his pickup truck He's got his 8-track playin' really fuckin' loud The one who went down on his brother is dead She's wearin' his bootprint on her forehead Saw her at the picture show out on the highway After the fish fry, late last Friday Havin' a fish fry, number one fish fry Havin' a fish fry, keep it in the family Havin' a fish fry, number one fish fry The fish fry out by Frenchtown They say they saw you out there at Frenchtown They say they saw you out by Frenchtown Now I fuck you and I hit you with my shoe And I huck your bloody body into Frenchtown pond Sometimes you know you want to fuck somebody up Sometimes you just want to fuck
The male-female relationship, as a subject for song, is thoroughly bankrupt.
She went through me like a pavement saw And I feel stupid 'cause I was so stupid about it She went through me like a pavement saw And I feel stupid 'cause I was so stupid about it She smokes so self-contently Makes me sick But she's so pretty that I can't resist She likes to suffer, she's has nothing to do Can't hate the chick 'cause she's got no sense She went through me like a pavement saw And I feel stupid 'cause I was so stupid about it She went through me like a pavement saw And I feel stupid 'cause I was so stupid about it
I started out drinking, I stays that way mm mm all in me And I killed another day On the wall there's another there I hacked through another night By the look of mm my hand I'm adrift and I can't mm I started out hating myself and when I'm through I've gotta have something to hate, and I guess it's you Man's gotta have something to hate, guess I'll do And when I'm through with myself, I'll start on you Everything I do, it's do-or-die I started out drinking, I wonder why I started out drinking, mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm all in me And I killed another day On the wall there's another there I hacked through another night Another wrinkle in my skin Another trip that I can't make Man's gotta hate someone, and I guess I'll do And when I'm through with myself, I'll start on you I started out hating myself, now that I'm through I'm looking for someone to hate, guess you'll do
every good vegas act has an opening theme, some appropriately triumphant fanfare to welcome the delight of the audience. it helps convince them the show was worth their thirty bucks or so.
I see the face Got a face you could stop a clock With that face I'm sure to let it stop To look her in the eyes Dead mother's mm?? Like jewels so un-mm?? She's still so close to my reach If I call, if I call at all Any time at all, any time at all, any time at all, any time at all So the story goes If thou take her for a ride With his moneybag by my side She'd be knowin' it's the only way to go So I show my face And I can hear her face smile But I left her inside of a mile 'Cause I can tell she's a joke, she's a joke, she's a joke Any time at all, any time at all, any time at all So the story goes He's a whore -- I'll do anything for money He's a whore -- With the things you like to eat He's a whore -- Well, the stories I could tell He's a whore -- And I'm a moron as well I'm a whore -- He'll do anything for money I'm a whore -- Because he goes anywhere I'm a whore -- He'll do anything for money I'm a whore And so the story goes I think I'll take her for a ride With his moneybag by my side And she'd be knowin' it's the only way to go Ohh, whoa, ohh
THIS RECORD IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THE BAMBINO, IL DUCE BENITO MUSSOLINI, WHOSE LIFE HAS BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL.
THIS RECORD WAS PRODUCED & ENGINEERED BY BIG BLACK AND IAIN BURGESS IN THE FAIR CITY OF
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA.
BIG BLACK IS:
DAVE RILEY, BASS
SANTIAGO DURANGO, HORIZONTAL
GUITAR
STEVE ALBINI, VERTICAL GUITAR &
VOCALS
ROLAND, ROLAND
JEFF PEZZATI PLAYED BASS ON IL DUCE
HOMESTEAD RECORDS
DISTRIBUTED BY DUTCH EAST INDIA TRADING
BOX 570 ROCKVILLE CENTER, NY 11570 USA
(c) 1985 BIG BLACK
(P) LSR RECORDS
MADE & PRINTED IN ENGLAND
WRITE BIG BLACK PO BOX 442 EVANSTON, IL. 60204 USA
MILO KICKS BUTT.
Made in Canada
I am Benito, I am Benito, I am Benito And I like my job They gave me this house, and gave me this car They gave me the cities and streets when they gave me this job I am Benito And I like my job I am Benito And I like my job I am Benito, I am Benito, I am Benito I like my job
You just best believe I'm the only girl in your life I'll bring you sugar in the morning and the sweet stuff you eat at night You just best believe when it comes down to making love I'll satisfy your every need and every fantasy you dream of When you need some peace of mind Just call for me anytime I'll keep you happy and so satisfied My house, my house If you need some love and tenderness And it's me, baby, that you miss There's a key to unlock the door My house, my house My house My house My house Any time, day or night, when you call me I will be there Just call me up on the phone when you need someone around to care When you feel sad and low Just come and see me anytime I'll kiss away all your fears And your tears you will leave behind
Who owns the key? I do, that's right, I do And who owns the machine? I do, that's right, I do This device will make me famous This device will make me fly This device will make all holy This device defies all laws This device will make me famous This device will make me fly This device will make me holy This device defies all laws Laws that are stupid and make no sense NewManGenerator, this can rule the world I know it -- I know, I built this thing I know what she does Who owns the key? That's right, I do And who owns the machine? That's right, I do
Rema-Rema, Rema-Rema, Rema-Rema, ha ha ha ha... Rema-Rema, Rema-Rema, Rema-Rema, ha ha ha ha... Someone's in the bathroom, someone's in the hall Someone's in the kitchen, making mm mm mm?? Rema-Rema, Rema-Rema, Rema-Rema, Rema-Rema, ha ha ha ha... Rema-Rema, Rema-Rema, Rema-Rema, ha ha ha ha... Ha ha ha ha... Rema-Rema, Rema-Rema, Rema-Rema, ha ha ha ha... Someone's in the kitchen, someone's in the hall Someone's in the bathroom, making mm mm mm?? Rema-Rema, Rema-Rema, Rema-Rema, ha ha ha ha... Jimmy sleeps on junkie's back Jimmy sleeps on junkie's back Why don't you watch Jimmy's back? ha ha ha ha... Rema-Rema, Rema-Rema, Rema-Rema, ha ha ha ha...
(instrumental)
Big Black: Steve Albini, Santiago Durango, Dave Riley, Roland.
This record and its accompanying video were recorded at the Hammersmith Clarendon, London, during Big Black's final tour in the summer of 1987. The members of Big Black have often been asked why we chose to break up (the end of the band having been announced well in advance) just when we were becoming quite popular. The best answer then and now is: To prevent us from overstaying our welcome.
It was often assumed that Big Black had a dictator (and that he was me), but having actually been in the band, I can assure anyone who gives a shit that this was not the case. We would get together a few times a month and weed-out each other's ideas until only the good ones were left. Nobody ever said "I've written this song fellas, and it goes like this..."
It seems preposterous now, but at the time, people seemed overly concerned about the literal meaning of our lyrics. I know we never discussed it among ourselves. Lyrics seemed a necessity, so we had them, but the subject matter was an extension of our interests -- not part of a political or aesthetic battle plan. The lyrics were subject to change at whim once the subject had been decided on anyway. Anybody who thinks we overstepped the playground perimeter of lyrical decency (or that the public has a right to demand "social responsibility" from a goddamn punk rock band) is a pure mental dolt, and should step forward and put his tongue up my ass. What we sing about is none of your business anyway.
Organizationally, we were committed to a few basic principles: Treat everyone with as much respect as he deserves (and no more), Avoid people who appeal to our vanity or ambition (they always have an angle), Operate as much as possible apart from the "music scene" (which was never our stomping ground), and Take no shit from anyone in the process.
It meant nothing to us if we were popular or not, or if we sold either a million or no records, so we were invulnerable to ploys by music scene weasels to get us to make mistakes in the name of success. To us, every moment we remained unfettered and in control was a success. We never had a manager. We never had a booking agent. We never had a lawyer. We booked our own tours, paid our own bills, made our own mistakes and never had anybody shield us from either the truth or the consequences.
The results of that methodology speak for themselves: Nobody ever told us what to do, and nobody took any of our money.
We had a fucking blast, and blasted a few ourselves.
Special thousand-dollar cover art by LM Owen. Insert painting by Cheryl Graham. Video directed and edited by Peter "Pinko" Fowler. Crew: Jo "Gorgeous" Higson, Carl "Lungfish" Simpson and the Naylors. Fireworks, flaming band members, rocket attack and "Windy City Studs" sequences filmed by Corey Rusk at The Graystone, Detroit, during the Era of Hospitality, and The Very Loud House, Chicago 1984-1988. Playing with fire sequences filmed at The Cow house, Palatine, at a series of bonfire parties staged by Pile of Cows during the Epoch of Lawlessness 1985-87.
These people ruled our world:
Corey and Lisa Rusk, Pinko and Jo, John Loder, Jochen "Jake" Schwartz, Theo Van "Rocktje" Eenburgen,
Carlos Van Hijfte, Bruce
and Greta, "Cellblock Liz" and Pat
Naylor, Noel and Jane, Iain
Burgess, Rifle Sport, Killdozer, Sonic Youth, Bruce and Graham,
Fluss, Byron, Jimmy and many beautiful women.
Also Paul Smith, and for a while there Gerard.
Goodnight, I'm Steve Albini.
No one at the venue may look Danzig in the Eye.
Please submit corrections and comments to Reid Fleming. He likes getting email. Hint hint.