After the band's split, Bachmann moved onto multiple solo projects, including Barry Black and Crooked Fingers, and Gentling toured with Superchunk as an additional instrumentalist.
The band reunited in 2011 and scheduled multiple live dates throughout the year.
Bacteria
Archers of Loaf Lyrics
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Expecting too much from you.
And I can hardly see your face.
It's all covered with Noxema.
If you decide one day to concentrate.
Skip to take the easy way.
All certain, you think you break.
It's destroyed, by your guitar.
By your guitar,
The stereo's blaring me,
You scream, but I can't hear what your saying.
There comes a time to defeat your friends.
'Cause you make it so easy for me, easy for me.
But you know,
Everytime that I think that I've gone somewhere,
I haven't gotten anywhere at all.
I only think south 'cause I know you'd never get there to fight.
And blame me for the things I said.
Beating on something that's already dead.
Killing every part of it that's in your head,
Your....
Shove the mike slime in your brain.
Spit thoughtlets into use.
And I can kinda hear them grate
All aided by bacteria.
If you decide one day to concentrate.
(whistle)
And though I'm certain you think you're great.
You're so stupid and easy to fool!
By your guitars.
The stereo's blaring me,
You scream, but I can't hear what your saying.
There comes a time to defeat your friends.
'Cause you make it so easy for me, easy for me.
But you know
Everytime I think that I want to share.
I realize I haven't got a spare.
At least I make believe it.
Try to conceal it 'til you find.
And blame me for the things I said.
Beating on something that's already dead.
Killing every part of it that's in your head...
Your head...
Your head...
Your head...
Your head...
The lyrics of Archers of Loaf's song "Bacteria" tell a story of frustration, disappointment, and misunderstanding in a relationship. The opening lines, "Drew a line to keep your place, Expecting too much from you," suggests a sense of disappointment and frustration at the other person’s behavior. The singer seems to be disillusioned by their partner's lack of effort to concentrate and take the easy way out. The use of Noxema to cover the face further emphasizes the singer's distance from the other person.
The chorus is where the singer expresses their anger and the breakdown of their relationship. The line "There comes a time to defeat your friends" suggests the singer's realization that the other person has become their enemy. The reference to "By your guitars" suggests that the ego-driven musician is the root of the problem. This idea is further emphasized by the line "You scream, but I can't hear what your saying." The singer is not only physically deafened by the instrument, but also emotionally deafened by the other person's self-serving nature.
The breakdown of communication between the two people is made clear in the second verse: "Every time that I think that I've gone somewhere, I haven't gotten anywhere at all." The use of the word "blame" in the line "And blame me for the things I said" implies that the two people have argued, and the other person is using the singer's words against them. The desperation in the repetition of "Your head" at the end indicates the singer's hopelessness at the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Drew a line to keep your place,
Marked a line to keep your spot,
Expecting too much from you.
Hoping for too much from your abilities.
And I can hardly see your face.
Can barely see your face through the Noxema on it.
It's all covered with Noxema.
Your face is covered in Noxema.
If you decide one day to concentrate.
If you put in the effort one day.
Skip to take the easy way.
Choosing the simpler path.
All certain, you think you break.
Confident in your ability to break things.
It's destroyed, by your guitar.
Your guitar destroyed it.
By your guitar,
Due to your guitar.
The stereo's blaring me,
The stereo is blasting music to me.
You scream, but I can't hear what your saying.
You're yelling, but I can't make out your words.
There comes a time to defeat your friends.
There's a point where you need to beat your friends.
'Cause you make it so easy for me, easy for me.
Because it's effortless for me thanks to you.
But you know,
But you realize,
Everytime that I think that I've gone somewhere,
Whenever I think I've progressed,
I haven't gotten anywhere at all.
I haven't made any progress at all.
I only think south 'cause I know you'd never get there to fight.
I only consider the southern area because I know you won't be there to oppose me.
And blame me for the things I said.
Hold me accountable for what I've said.
Beating on something that's already dead.
You're hitting something that's already finished.
Killing every part of it that's in your head,
Destroying any part of it that's in your mind.
Your....
Yours...
Shove the mike slime in your brain.
Inserting the microphone's muck in your mind.
Spit thoughtlets into use.
Employing fleeting thoughts.
And I can kinda hear them grate
And I hear them irritatingly rub against each other.
All aided by bacteria.
All helped along by bacteria.
If you decide one day to concentrate.
If you focus one day.
(whistle)
The sound of a whistle.
And though I'm certain you think you're great.
Even though you believe you're fantastic.
You're so stupid and easy to fool!
You're so dull and easy to trick.
Everytime I think that I want to share.
Whenever I wish to share.
I realize I haven't got a spare.
I understand I don't have a backup.
At least I make believe it.
At the very least, I make it seem real.
Try to conceal it 'til you find.
Attempt to hide it until you come across it.
Your head...
Your mind...
Contributed by Hunter H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.