Alien Sex Fiend recorded a cassette (The Lewd, the Mad, the Ugly and Old Nick) with Youth of Killing Joke, which brought them to the attention of the UK music press, along with the appearance of their track "R.I.P." on the Batcave club compilation, The Batcave: Young Limbs and Numb Hymns 1983, released by London Records in 1983.
They signed to the Cherry Red sub-label Anagram Records, releasing their first single, "Ignore the Machine", in August 1983. The single was immediately successful on the UK Independent Chart, reaching No. 6. Their debut studio album, Who's Been Sleeping in My Brain, was released by Anagram on 1 November 1983, followed by Acid Bath in 1984. They released the world's first 11" single, "E.S.T. (Trip to the Moon)", that October.
The band also recorded two BBC Peel Sessions in 1984. At the May session, they recorded "Attack!!!", "Dead and Buried", "Ignore the Machine" and "Hee Haw"; at the August session, "In God We Trust", "E.S.T. (Trip to the Moon)" and "Boneshaker Baby".
In October 1985, their third studio album Maximum Security reached No. 100 on the UK Albums Chart and remained there for the week of 12 October. They also had two top 100 singles with "Dead and Buried" in August 1984 (No. 91) and a reissued "Ignore the Machine" in March 1985 (No. 99). Throughout the early 1980s, their work was frequently in the UK Indie Chart and remained a fixture on American college radio.
The band also became popular in Japan, and in 1985, they released a live album recorded there, Liquid Head in Tokyo. Freshwater left later in 1985, and the band continued as a trio, supporting Alice Cooper on his "The Nightmare Returns" tour in 1986 and releasing "It" the Album that October. The band was reduced to a duo of the Wades when James left following the release of 1987's Here Cum Germs.
In early 1988, the band, as the Dynamic Duo, recorded a one-off 12" single "Batman Theme" with recording and live engineer Len Davies, before continuing as Alien Sex Fiend, incorporating electronics and sampling even more into their sound on the album Another Planet, released in November 1988. They reverted to a four-piece with the 1989 addition of two prior guest collaborators, drummer/guitarist Andrew Wilson (a.k.a. Rat Fink Jr., formerly of the Turnpike Cruisers) and keyboardist/guitarist Simon "Doc" Milton, who made their official debut on that year's Too Much Acid? double-live album. Their seventh studio album, Curse, was released in October 1990.
Fink and Milton departed in 1992, following that year's Open Head Surgery album and its subsequent tour (documented on The Altered States of America live album).
The Wades then became a duo once again and provided the soundtrack for the Digital Image Design game Inferno in 1994.
In the mid 1990s, the band's video for "Zombified" appeared on the MTV show, Beavis and Butthead, subjected to their usual commentary.
In 1996, the Wades launched their own 13th Moon label, issuing three further albums: Nocturnal Emissions (1997), Information Overload (2004) and Death Trip (2010).
On 9 November 2018, Alien Sex Fiend released Possessed, their first album in eight years, on Cherry Red.
Music style
Alien Sex Fiend has been described as gothic rock, deathrock and industrial. Glenn Danzig has cited the group's sonorous and echoing sounds as having influenced the mixing for several of the recordings for his group Samhain.
Later projects
Fink published a book in 2000, Once Upon a Fiend, recalling his experiences in the band. He later drummed for Blackpool bands United States of Mind and Dog Food before joining Uncle Fester in 1999, who changed their name to UFX in 2006. Fink currently serves as frontman of Vince Ripper and the Rodent Show, a duo also featuring Vince "Ripper" Cornwall. They perform Alien Sex Fiend and the Cramps material, and have released two albums, It's Fun to Be a Monster and Boneyard a Go Go!!!.
Albums
Who's Been Sleeping in My Brain (1983)
Acid Bath (1984)
Maximum Security (1985)
"It" the Album (1986)
Here Cum Germs (1987)
Another Planet (1988)
Curse (1990)
Open Head Surgery (1992)
Inferno (1994)
Nocturnal Emissions (1997)
Information Overload (2004)
Death Trip (2010)
Possessed (2018)
Ignore the Machine
Alien Sex Fiend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sun arise come every morning
Bringing back the warmth to the ground!
I live in Siberia,
Through no fault of my own.
We're a blank generation,
In the danger zone
Only the blind follow me.
Abyssinia in the morning,
Breakfast in Berlin.
Oh!
You leave me dying...
'Cause everybody wants what everybody's got
And everybody's got what everybody wants
Soldier lies bleeding where a church once stood
Ignore the machine
Ignore the machine.
Couldn't get to sleep this morning
I watched the sky
I couldn't see
There weren't no warning
I watched you burn last night.
'Cause everybody's got what everybody wants
Everybody wants what everybody's got
Soldier lies bleeding where a church once stood
Ignore the machine
Ignore.
Everybody wants what everybody's got
And everybody's got what everybody needs
Soldier lies bleeding
Oh you leave me dying.
Everybody's got what everybody wants
Everybody wants what everybody's got
Everybody wants what everybody's got
And everybody needs.
The song "Ignore the Machine" by Alien Sex Fiend is a reflection on the state of society and the world we live in, conveyed through powerful and evocative lyrics. The opening lines, "Sun arise come every morning, bringing back the warmth to the ground," symbolize the hope of a new day and the renewing power it brings, but this is contrasted with the bleak reality of the singer's life, living in Siberia "through no fault of my own." The line "we're a blank generation, in the danger zone" suggests a theme of hopelessness and disillusionment, with society lacking direction and purpose, teetering on the brink of collapse.
The chorus, "Everybody wants what everybody's got, and everybody's got what everybody wants," is a commentary on the materialism of society, where people constantly strive for more possessions and status, while ignoring the problems and violence around them. The line "Ignore the machine" is a call to action, urging people to look past the distractions of consumerism and see the world for what it truly is. The final lines, "Soldier lies bleeding where a church once stood," highlights the tragedy of war and violence, with innocent lives lost and communities destroyed.
Overall, "Ignore the Machine" is a powerful and thought-provoking song, capturing the disillusionment and despair of a generation that feels lost and directionless.
Line by Line Meaning
Sun arise come every morning
The repetition of this phrase signifies the commonality and predictability of daily life, as well as a desire for consistency.
Bringing back the warmth to the ground!
Sunlight provides warmth and energy to the earth, which is necessary for survival and growth.
I live in Siberia,
This line is likely a metaphor for feeling isolated or trapped in a cold, desolate place.
Through no fault of my own.
The artist emphasizes that their current situation is due to circumstances beyond their control.
We're a blank generation,
This line could refer to a lack of direction or purpose among young people, as well as a sense of feeling lost or unfulfilled.
In the danger zone
The singer feels like they are in a precarious or vulnerable position that requires caution.
Paracidal slumbers from 7 to 23...
This line could refer to boredom or lethargy, as well as a sense of feeling trapped or stuck in a mundane routine.
Only the blind follow me.
The artist is suggesting that their followers are naive or ignorant, or that they themselves are leading blindly.
Abyssinia in the morning,
Abyssinia is a reference to Ethiopia, which suggests a longing for a distant, exotic place or a desire to escape from the current reality.
Breakfast in Berlin.
Berlin is another reference to a faraway location, which could represent a sense of longing, nostalgia, or escapism.
Oh! You leave me dying...
This line signifies intense emotional pain or a feeling of betrayal from a loved one.
'Cause everybody wants what everybody's got
This line addresses the pervasive feeling of envy and competition in modern society, in which everyone desires what others possess.
And everybody's got what everybody wants
This line implies that everyone possesses something that others desire, creating a cycle of longing and discontent.
Soldier lies bleeding where a church once stood
This line suggests the destructive impact of war and violence, as well as the desecration of sacred spaces.
Ignore the machine
This refrain is a call to resist conformity and the dehumanizing effects of technology and modern society.
Couldn't get to sleep this morning
The artist is experiencing insomnia or restlessness, which could signify underlying anxiety or stress.
I watched the sky
This line could represent a desire for freedom, as well as a sense of wonder and awe at the natural world.
I couldn't see
The singer is feeling lost or confused, or perhaps experiencing disillusionment with the world around them.
There weren't no warning
The singer is caught off guard by a sudden or unexpected event, which may be causing anxiety or distress.
I watched you burn last night.
This line is likely a metaphor for a personal relationship or emotional attachment that has been destroyed or corrupted.
And everybody needs.
This line emphasizes the universal nature of human desires and needs, which are stronger than individual differences or conflicts.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHRIS WADE, DAVID JAMES, JOHN FRESHWATER, NICHOLAS WADE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ada5363
I really like that Nik is very animated (in terms of his facial features), almost cartoon-like and very expressive
@StephanieDK13Knerr-bq6sdshorts
Bauhaus688🎉
@p1ll
this was my youth in 1985. god that was long time ago
love this song!
@animafelyx
me to in Italy 80's alternative!! hay
@animafelyx
Very alternative. band i remember ...fantastic to dance some yars ago!
@manfredschmitz1285
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@andchat6241
I was going to type 'this was before '87 wasn't it ? '
I wonder if this would be played on radio now ( due to 'Rolf Harris ' beginning of song )
@Monkeyhead75
Mrs Fiend is so bloody cool
@andrewchesler2029
Monkeyhead75 she is undead
@hudson.5940
the coolest