Adrenalin O.D. formed in 1981 from the ashes of late 70's punk band The Eas… Read Full Bio ↴Adrenalin O.D. formed in 1981 from the ashes of late 70's punk band The East Paterson Boys Choir. A.O.D.'s first recordings saw release on the widely distributed New York Thrash cassette compilation released on ROIR cassettes in 1982. The compilation also featured the first recordings of the Beastie Boys, as well as prominent NYC punk bands like the Bad Brains and Kraut. The comedic and speedy "Paul's Not Home" became an instant college radio hit.

A.O.D.'s first vinyl record, a 6 song 7" EP entitled Let's Barbeque, was released on their own Buy Our Records label in 1983. Because the budget was so tight, the band could only afford 15 minutes of studio time. They recorded all six tracks in one take with no overdubs. Buy Our Records became one of New Jersey's largest indie punk labels and springboarded the careers of many bands including Flag Of Democracy, Raging Slab, and Pussy Galore.

Adrenalin O.D.'s first album entitled The Wacky Hijinks of Adrenalin O.D. showcased the band's use of blazing speed-punk and sarcastic lyrics, taking aim at the suburban experience with songs like "Middle Aged Whore", "Trans Am" (the inspiration for the Dead Milkmen's "Bitchin' Camarro"), and the crowd favorite "Rock n' Roll Gas Station". The album contains an untitled and blatantly obvious backmasked track. When played backwards, it is the band members saying in unison; "God is very, very nice. Be kind to animals. Satan sucks."

Adrenalin O.D. toured nationally and created a loyal following via their live shows (described by some as an experience somewhere between Minor Threat and Don Rickles.) The band's quick wit and on-stage banter was at times as much of an improv stand-up comedy act as a hardcore punk band, and fans coined the term "funny-punk" to describe their performances. Tracks that exhibit the band's quirky sense of humor include a punk rock cover of Henry Mancini's "Baby Elephant Walk", a surf rock version of "Hava Nagila" entitled "Surfin' Jew", and a track entitled "Masterpiece" which is a punk reworking of Jean-Joseph Mouret's 'Rondeau" from "Symphonies and Fanfares for the King's Supper" (which the band knew only as the theme from the PBS TV series Masterpiece Theatre).

By their third release Cruising With Elvis In Bigfoot's UFO, the band brought in producer Daniel Rey (who had worked with the Ramones, Misfits and Iggy Pop) to help the band's translation from hyper-speed to mid-tempo melodic punk. With songs like "Bulimic Food Fight", and "My Mom Can't Drive", Stereo Review Magazine ranked the album among the funniest records of all time, and the album was formative in the development of the pop punk sound of Fat Wreck Chords.

Sightseeing
Adrenalin O.D. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Not my idea of a vacation
I want rest and relaxation
Don't wanna go out and see the streets
Sightseeing really bites

Marvel at the land formations
And the antique restorations
I don't care what happened here

Rather sit back and drink a beer than

Walk around in Bermuda shorts
Stay in overpriced resorts
And buy some stupid souveniers

Stop off at a place of interest
Walk around and take some pictures
Stroll around like a jerk
Sightseeing's for the birds

Driving around on a crowded bus
With smelly people really sucks

Don't want to sleep in tourist traps
Don't want to sleep with bugs and rats or

Overall Meaning

Adrenalin O.D.'s song "Sightseeing" is a commentary on a common activity that tourists engage in while vacationing, but one that the singer despises. The lyrics begin by expressing the singer's preference for rest and relaxation over the traditional vacation activity of sightseeing. The singer then goes on to list various reasons why he finds sightseeing unappealing, highlighting the importance of rest and relaxation over the distractions of crowded buses, walking around in Bermuda shorts, and staying in overpriced resorts. The singer also emphasizes the point that while sightseeing may be interesting to some, it's not enjoyable to him. He'd much rather sit back and have a beer, rather than walk around like a jerk, taking pictures of land formations and ancient restorations.

In this song, Adrenalin O.D. expresses a distaste for the common tourist activity of sightseeing. By emphasizing the importance of rest and relaxation and the unappealing aspects of sightseeing, Adrenalin O.D. is making a statement about the need to slow down and enjoy the present moment. The song highlights the importance of personal preference and the need to make time for the things that bring us joy, rather than following the crowd.

Line by Line Meaning

Not my idea of a vacation
Going out to sightsee is not my idea of a relaxing getaway

I want rest and relaxation
I desire a vacation where I can unwind and take things slow

Don't wanna go out and see the streets
I am not interested in exploring the local area

Sightseeing really bites
Visiting tourist attractions is not enjoyable

Marvel at the land formations
Gaze in wonderment at the natural geographic features

And the antique restorations
Marvel at the restored historical structures

I don't care what happened here
I have no interest in learning about the history of this place

Rather sit back and drink a beer than
I would prefer to relax and consume alcohol instead

Walk around in Bermuda shorts
I do not want to wander around in casual clothing

Stay in overpriced resorts
I do not want to stay in expensive accommodation

And buy some stupid souveniers
I have no desire to purchase tacky memorabilia