The group dates back to September 1986. The very act of setting up the band took place an hour before Iron Maiden concert in Poznan, when Tomasz "Titus" Pukacki (vocal, bass guitar) met Robert "Litza" Friedrich (backing vocal, guitar) and they decided to sell the entrance tickets. The money they got was in no time spent on cheap Polish wine known locally as "kwas" (English "acid") The line up was then enlarged by Dariusz "Popcorn" Popowicz (guitar) and Maciej "Ślimak" Starosta (drums.) Soon they created a few song such as Barmy Army or Del Rocca which are performed live even these days. Unfortunately, after two months of blissful existence, the band suffered the loss of Titus - the leader, who had been called up to the army. Titus stayed there two years while the rest of the band performed with other bands. Popcorn joined Wolf Spider and Litza became a member of legendary Turbo and later Creation of Death. When Titus was finally released from the army, ACID DRINKERS was reactivated.
They first appeared on stage on 26th August 1989 in Wroclaw at a fairly big metal festival called "Metal Madness". They played three songs during which they remained completely still on stage, which was a pretty shocking idea as for a metal band at that time. The audience was absolutely taken aback. The same year they played only one more gig together with Turbo, Wolf Spider and Gomor.
In the meantime ACID DRINKERS recorded their first demo including Nagasaki Baby, Del Rocca and I Mean Acid. The demo noticed by Tomasz Dziubinski (Metal Mind Productions) was presented at Midem Fair in Cannes. A month later ACID DRINKERS signed a deal with Music for Nations. In 1990 ACID DRINKERS performed at Metalmania Festival in Katowice, which has been the largest metal festival in Eastern Europe for many years. The show was so excellent that not only fans but also critics and journalists regarded it as a triumph. In a blink of an eye the band gained popularity across the whole country. It was even called "Guns'n'Roses at Metallica's speed".
In October 1998 Litza left ACID DRINKERS, soon replaced by Przemyslaw "Perla" Wejmann. The same year the band was awarded "the Best Rock Band of the Year" by Polish Public Television. ACID DRINKERS also received "Fryderyk", the Polish equivalent of Grammy Award in category of "hard’n’heavy" in 1998, 2000, 2004. In 2003 Perla left the band. The place emptied by him was soon taken over by Tomasz ‘Lipa’ Lipnicki, the leader of another famous Polish band – Illusion. When Lipa left the band in march 2004, next guy joined the band. His name is Aleksander “Olass” Mendyk, guitar player from great hardcore band called None.
Acid Drinkers has always been one of the best and the most live-impressive Polish heavy metal bands. It has been estimated that so far they have played over 700 concerts in Poland and abroad. From 1996 to 2003 Acids headlined 7 tours and their audience reached a million of people. They headlined all the important Polish rock and metal festivals. The band supported many international stars, such as Deep Purple (in Katowice 03.06.1996 and 24.06.1998 and 27.06.2004 Legia Stadium-Warsaw), Ian Gillan ("Toolbox In" tour in Poland and Czech Republic December 1991), Megadeth, Bruce Dickinson, Sepultura, Paradise Lost and Slayer. The band has been recognized as the best Polish band of the 90s’ by Polish journalists, readers of Polish rock and metal magazines and, of course, BY FANS.
Line-Up
Tomasz "Titus" Pukacki - lead vocals, bass guitar
Wojciech "Jankiel" Moryto - guitar, bkg vocals
Darek "Popcorn" Popowicz - lead guitar
Maciej "Ślimak" Starosta - drums
Andrew's Strategy
Acid Drinkers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They said heaven howls and cries
Europe′s had a heart attack
Like it did in Stalingrad
Andrew having random fun
Firing his machine gun
Andrew having random fun
Through god sure can live with it
It embarassed him a bit
Can't believe this sorry sod
He′s removed his fear of god
That's one surgery from hell
He performed upon himself
The island's burning like a torch
Black sky is falling like a wall
The island′s burning like a torch
The monster′s eating their dreams
Born in shackles - that's his view
He wants to go out and cure
Throw the chains off, start his game
Monster surgeon is his name
Andrew having random fun
Firing his machine gun
Andrew having random fun
Andrew having random fun
Firing his machine gun
Andrew having random fun
Firing his machine gun
(People dropping like flies
People dropping like flies)
Said his path was straight and cruel
Said his consistence told him to
Hanging women and men
Been his dream time and again
Been his dream time and time again
The island′s burning like a torch
Black sky is falling like a wall
The island's burning like a torch
The monster′s eating their dreams
The island's burning like a torch
Black sky is falling like a wall
The island′s burning like a torch
The monster's eating their dreams - mniam, mniam...
The song "Andrew's Strategy" by Acid Drinkers, tells the story of a character named Andrew who is on a rampage, firing his machine gun and causing chaos around him. The opening lines of the song describe the scene of people dropping dead around Andrew, with a reference to Stalingrad, a city in Russia which saw one of the deadliest battles during World War II. The song then goes on to describe Andrew's twisted perspective on life, where he believes that he is a surgeon who can remove his own fear of God and cure people of their problems. He is fueled by his desire for power and control, and sees himself as a monster with a mission to brutally eliminate anyone who stands in his way.
The island referred to in the song is symbolic of society, and the "black sky falling like a wall" describes the sense of impending doom and destruction that Andrew is bringing upon it. The chorus, which repeats the line "Andrew having random fun, firing his machine gun" emphasizes his violent nature and lack of regard for human life.
Overall, the lyrics of "Andrew's Strategy" are a commentary on the dangers of unchecked power and the destructive consequences that can arise when individuals pursue their own selfish desires without regard for the well-being of others.
Line by Line Meaning
People dropping just like flies
Many people are dying rapidly and in great numbers
They said heaven howls and cries
There is a belief that even heaven is mourning the deaths
Europe's had a heart attack
Europe is experiencing a major crisis or disaster
Like it did in Stalingrad
Referring to a past historical event where Europe faced similar devastation and loss of life
Andrew having random fun
Andrew is enjoying himself in a spontaneous and unpredictable manner
Firing his machine gun
Andrew is shooting his gun rapidly and continuously
Through god sure can live with it
Although he may have some guilt, Andrew believes that God will forgive him
It embarassed him a bit
Andrew feels slightly ashamed of his actions
Can't believe this sorry sod
Andrew is surprised and disappointed in himself
He's removed his fear of god
Andrew no longer has any fear or reverence for God
That's one surgery from hell
Andrew's drastic change of beliefs can be seen as a traumatic and painful process
He performed upon himself
Andrew was the one who brought about this change in his own beliefs
The island's burning like a torch
The entire island is on fire and in chaos
Black sky is falling like a wall
The darkness and despair seem to be overwhelming
The monster's eating their dreams
An unseen force is destroying the hopes and aspirations of the people
Born in shackles - that's his view
Andrew sees himself as being born into a life of restriction and limitation
He wants to go out and cure
Andrew desires to help others and heal their wounds
Throw the chains off, start his game
Andrew wants to break free from the limitations he perceives and pursue his own goals and ambitions
Monster surgeon is his name
Andrew sees himself as a powerful and skilled agent of change
Said his path was straight and cruel
Andrew believes that his approach to achieving his goals is direct and harsh
Said his consistence told him to
Andrew feels that his unwavering determination is guiding him towards success
Hanging women and men
Andrew has a dark fantasy about violence and control
Been his dream time and again
This desire for control and domination is a recurring and persistent theme in Andrew's mind
Writer(s): Tomasz Pukacki, Maciej Starosta, Dariusz Piotr Popowicz, Wojciech Moryto
Contributed by Ryan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.