They self-released an album called Bliss in 1993 and the gay? EP in 1996, one year after moving to Minneapolis.
12 Rods signed with V2 in 1996 and re-released gay? while they recorded a new album. Split Personalities, which many consider their best album, was released in 1998.
After two strong releases, despite the departure of drummer Christopher McGuire, 12 Rods looked set to make some sort of an impact on the charts with their next album, the Todd Rundgren-produced Separation Anxieties, but it was not to be. The album failed miserably, both critically and commercially, and 12 Rods were dropped by V2.
They struggled on for one more album, 2002's self-released Lost Time, but ceased to be as of 2004.
Currently, Ev plays keyboards for Halloween, Alaska. Ryan performs as FoodTeam using circuit-bent keyboards as a part of the band Mystery Palace on ZOD Records.
RED
12 Rods Lyrics
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'Cause I'm both your friend and foe so don't
Buy, sell, or trade anything from me
I know you feel as good as I feel
Too bad it wasn't yesterday
'Cause we'd feel twice as good right now
Undress me now stay while you can
Seduction can be oh, so nice
I'm not as sick as you might think
'Cause your thing has that awful stink
Of that shit you use
I'm not the only one who
The only one who knows
The only one who knows
The only one
Take these hands and run along with me
Doing this I know would set us free
Only if you weren't such a fucking tease
Somehow you'd always drag me to my knees
This disease I call it abstinence
I'm like your pistol in your hand
Undress me now stay while you can
Seduction can be oh, so nice
I'm not as sick as you might think
'Cause your thing has that awful stink
Of that shit you use
I'm not the only one who
The only one who knows
The only one who knows
The only one
The lyrics to 12 Rods's song Red come across as a plea to a friend with whom the singer has a complicated relationship. He asks the friend to write him a note and tell him how he feels, as he is both a friend and a foe. He advises the friend not to buy, sell, or trade anything from him, which sounds like a warning about the complicated nature of their relationship. The singer then confesses that he knows how good the friend feels, but unfortunately, they missed the opportunity to enjoy that feeling yesterday. He suggests that they would feel twice as good if they had enjoyed the feeling together.
The singer then reiterates the comparison he has drawn between himself and a pistol in the friend's hand. He suggests that the friend could undress him at any time and enjoy the seduction that follows. He insists that he is not as sick as the friend may think, and attributes the awful stink to the friend's use of something terrible. The singer emphasizes that he is not the only one who knows about the complicated relationship he shares with the friend.
The song then takes a turn towards a lament, as the singer begs the friend to run along with him and be free. He suggests that their abstinence is a disease that is holding them back. The friend, however, seems to be a tease, always bringing the singer to his knees. The song ends with the same chorus, as the singer emphasizes that he is the only one who knows the complicated nature of their relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Write a note to tell me how you feel
Share your emotions with me through writing
'Cause I'm both your friend and foe so don't
I'm in a complex relationship with you, so be cautious
Buy, sell, or trade anything from me
Don't engage in any transactions with me
I know you feel as good as I feel
I sense that you share the same level of satisfaction as me
Too bad it wasn't yesterday
It's a pity that it didn't happen earlier
'Cause we'd feel twice as good right now
We would be experiencing twice as much pleasure if it happened yesterday
I'm like your pistol in your hand
I resemble a loaded gun that you can use
Undress me now stay while you can
Take off my cover and stay with me for as long as you can
Seduction can be oh, so nice
The act of seducing or being seduced can be extremely pleasurable
I'm not as sick as you might think
I'm not as twisted or corrupted as you may perceive me to be
'Cause your thing has that awful stink
Your mannerisms or habits are unpleasant or repelling
Of that shit you use
Referring to the substances or actions that cause the negative odor
I'm not the only one who
There are others who
The only one who knows
Hold exclusive knowledge about a particular topic or situation
Take these hands and run along with me
Let's run away together, holding hands
Doing this I know would set us free
Running away together would liberate us from our current situation
Only if you weren't such a fucking tease
If you weren't so flirtatious without delivering, we could do it
Somehow you'd always drag me to my knees
You always make me kneel or beg for something
This disease I call it abstinence
The condition of abstaining from something pleasurable feels like an ailment
The only one who knows
Referring to the knowledge or experience of feeling restrained from pleasure
The only one who knows
Referring to the knowledge or experience of feeling restrained from pleasure
The only one
Emphasizes the exclusivity of the experience or knowledge
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: EVAN FORREST OLCOTT, RYAN B. OLCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind