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
Justify Me
Acid Drinkers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For something that wasn't mine
You know what, what that means
You've been there, there with me
You know what, what that means
You've been there, there with me
When you're empty, empty inside
You don't think if it's wrong or right
I know that wasn't too very smart
It was there so I went for it
Again no one saw us do it
It was there so I went for it
Again no one saw us do it
They couldn't even, even catch s
We were being very careful this time
You don't have to be angry in me
Oh, sweet lady, please, set me free
And justify, justify, justify, justify me
The lyrics of Acid Drinkers' "Justify Me" tackle the concept of temptation and the consequences of giving in to it. The first lines portray regret, highlighting the singer's awareness that they should not have reached out for something that was not theirs in the first place. The next verses suggest that the song is about stealing, as the singer reveals their intentions, "I really wanted so I took it," and how they managed to get away with it. However, the singer realizes that what they have done was not smart and feels the need for justification or redemption.
The chorus, "justify me," is repeated several times throughout the song, which suggests that the singer is pleading for someone to acknowledge their wrongdoing and absolve them of the guilt they feel. The phrase "you've been there with me" also implies that the singer is talking to someone who has shared similar experiences, possibly someone who is also struggling with the residual guilt from the past. The song's bridge suggests that the singer is particularly keen on being released from the agony of guilt, even if it means losing someone whom they hold dearly, "Oh, sweet lady, please, set me free."
Overall, "Justify Me" is a song that tackles and untangles the themes of guilt, justification, and redemption. It tells a story that many can relate to, about giving in to temptation and the subsequent need for absolution.
Line by Line Meaning
I shouln't have reached my hand out
I regret attempting to take something that wasn't rightfully mine
For something that wasn't mine
For something that I had no right to take or claim as my own
You know what, what that means
I believe you can relate to my mistakes and my regret
You've been there, there with me
You have gone through similar experiences with me and have supported me through them
When you're empty, empty inside
When you feel a lack of fulfillment or meaning in life
You don't think if it's wrong or right
You act impulsively and without considering the consequences or morality of your actions
I really wanted so I took it
My desire for something made me act selfishly and take it without consideration for others or the consequences
I know that wasn't too very smart
I recognize that my actions were foolish and not well thought-out
It was there so I went for it
The opportunity was present, and I acted on my impulses without thinking it through
Again no one saw us do it
We acted in secrecy to avoid the consequences of our actions
They couldn't even, even catch us
We were careful to not get caught in our wrongdoing
We were being very careful this time
We were making an effort to cover our tracks and avoid scrutiny
You don't have to be angry in me
I hope that you won't be upset or angry with me for my mistakes
Oh, sweet lady, please, set me free
I am asking for forgiveness and release from the guilt and consequences of my actions
And justify, justify, justify, justify me
I am pleading for justification or excuse for my irresponsible actions
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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