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.
Harnessed in Slums
Archers of Loaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Standing over your common ground.
Snuff the leader with the bad assed plan.
Take what you want from the palm of his hand.
We're running joke, running jokes, running dry.
Strip the color from the meat of my eye.
Lick the loser, just don't make him stick.
I want waste.
We want waste.
They want waste.
Slaves want waste.
Too harnessed in slums, to rock you wrap your throat.
Standing over your common ground.
We're running joke, running jokes, running dry.
Strip the color from the meat of my eye.
I want waste.
They want waste.
We want waste.
They want waste.
Side to side, with the tired smile
Cut into your face.
They let me down for the second time straight.
With thugs and scum and punks and freaks,
They're harnessed in slums but they want to be free.
Snuff the leader with the bad assed plan.
Take what you want from the palm of his hand.
Lick the loser, just don't make him stick.
Lay it on heavy and make the wrong size fit. (? )
I want waste.
We want waste.
They want waste.
Slaves want waste.
Side to side, with the tired smile
Cut into your face.
You let me down for the second time straight.
With thugs and scum and punks and freaks,
They're harnessed in slums, but they want to be free.
(repeat)
The song "Harnessed in Slums" by Archers of Loaf is a commentary on the state of society and how people are too trapped in their situations to make a change. The lyrics "Too harnessed in slums, to rock you wrap your throat. Standing over your common ground" describe a feeling of being stuck in a certain place, unable to break free from the hardships that one faces. The line "Snuff the leader with the bad assed plan. Take what you want from the palm of his hand" suggests a desire for rebellion and a sense of wanting to take control by destroying the old power structure. The refrain of "I want waste. We want waste. They want waste. Slaves want waste" seems to imply that people have given up on achieving anything of real value and instead settle for pointless or destructive activities.
The second verse continues with the theme of feeling stuck and uninspired, with the lines "Strip the color from the meat of my eye. Lick the loser, just don't make him stick. Lay it on heavy and make the wrong size fit" suggesting a lack of creativity and a sense of going through the motions. The bridge of "Side to side, with the tired smile Cut into your face. They let me down for the second time straight. With thugs and scum and punks and freaks, They're harnessed in slums but they want to be free" seems to be a reflection on the disillusionment and disappointment that comes with trying to break free from one's circumstances.
Overall, "Harnessed in Slums" is a powerful commentary on the frustration of being stuck in a particular situation and the desire to break free, even if it means taking drastic measures.
Line by Line Meaning
Too harnessed in slums, to rock you wrap your throat.
We are stuck in the struggles and hardships of our poverty-stricken neighborhoods, unable to free ourselves and pursue our artistic passions.
Standing over your common ground.
We are all united in our shared experiences of hardship and oppression.
Snuff the leader with the bad assed plan.
Destroy those in power who seek to exploit and oppress us with their devious schemes.
Take what you want from the palm of his hand.
Seize control and take what is rightfully ours from those who have kept it from us.
We're running joke, running jokes, running dry.
We are tired of being laughed at and mocked, and we have nothing left to give.
Strip the color from the meat of my eye.
Our spirits have been drained of all vibrancy and life, leaving only a dull, colorless existence.
Lick the loser, just don't make him stick.
We will do whatever it takes to survive, even if it means betraying our fellow struggling individuals, as long as it doesn't risk getting us caught.
Lay it on heavy and make the wrong size fit.
We will use force and aggression to assert ourselves and make our mark, even if it means misrepresenting who we truly are.
I want waste.
I am desperate for a way out of this hopeless cycle of poverty and oppression.
They want waste.
Others are also seeking an escape from their struggles any way they can find it.
We want waste.
Together, we are united in our desire to break free from our oppressive circumstances.
Slaves want waste.
We feel trapped and oppressed like slaves, and we long to break free and pursue a better life.
Side to side, with the tired smile Cut into your face.
We are stuck in this struggle together, our faces marked by the exhaustion and hardships of our daily lives.
They let me down for the second time straight With thugs and scum and punks and freaks, They're harnessed in slums but they want to be free.
Those who claim to be on our side have failed us yet again, and we are left alone to fight against the oppressive forces that surround us.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: ERIC EMIL BACHMANN, MARK ANDREW PRICE, MATTHEW PETER GENTLING, WILLIAM ERIC JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wholesome Punk
Too harnessed in slums, to rock you wrap your throat
Standing over your common ground
Snuff the leader with the bad assed plan
Take what you want from the palm of his hand
We're running joke, running jokes, running dry
Strip the color from the meat of my eye
Lick the loser, just don't make him stick
Lay it on heavy and make the wrong size fit
I want waste
We want waste
They want waste
Slaves want waste
Too harnessed in slums, to rock you wrap your throat
Standing over your common ground
We're running joke, running jokes, running dry
Strip the color from the meat of my eye
I want waste
They could waste
We want waste
They want waste
Side to side, with the tired smile
Cut into your face
You let me down for the second time straight
With thugs and scum and punks and freaks
They're harnessed in slums but they want to be free
Snuff the leader with the bad assed plan
Take what you want from the palm of his hand
Lick the loser, just don't make him stick
Lay it on heavy and make the wrong size fit
I want waste
We want waste
They want waste
Slaves want waste
Side to side, with the tired smile
Cut into your face
You let me down for the second time straight
With thugs and scum and punks and freaks
Are harnessed in slums, but they want to be free
Side to side, with the tired smile
Cut into your face
You let me down for the second time straight
With thugs and scum and punks and freaks
Are harnessed in slums, but they want to be free
Shawn Norton
I did sound for this band the first time they played in Cincinnati. To this day I still am impressed. I’ve met Eric and later Matt at the Historic Southgate House were I worked as the main soundman and provided P.A. for the ballroom and parlor. Seriously some badass dudes. Incredible memories.
man doodoo man oops
Nice! always love hearing the stories of people who were there when all of this magic was being made, sadly I wasn't even born during their entire career pretty much.
gsboss
i love these guys. bought their vinyl and it turned out to be waved which made the needle jump. i understood that this happens when they press some vinyl, and they said they would replace it. got it back with a poster signed by the band and a sampler cd from the label. thats the stuff i love
Pokey Soggybottom
I find them absolutely unique. Eargasmic noise that never loses its lustre.
Braden Mason
"The thugs and scums and punks and freaks! Are harnessed in slums but they want to be free!" Brilliant song writing. This is punk rock and grunge at its best
Deep Green
I'd been listening to lots of pop punk in the 90s and when my friend make a mix tape and put this song, might, and wrong on it, I was completely blown away. Saw Archers a couple times in the 90s and they never disappointed. Such a great live band. Still love them, especially this era.
Luke Rogers
Archers of Loaf always had awesome guitar work, catchy and infectious as hell too.
Captain Beefheart
This may be the best band I had never heard of. What a shame that I lived this long before discovering the amazing talent. "Harnessed in Slums" is an incredible song, as is every other one I have listened to. Phenomenal!
Danny Thompson
This is one of those songs that everyone who likes rock's mind is just blown... It's just so good..
Wholesome Punk
Too harnessed in slums, to rock you wrap your throat
Standing over your common ground
Snuff the leader with the bad assed plan
Take what you want from the palm of his hand
We're running joke, running jokes, running dry
Strip the color from the meat of my eye
Lick the loser, just don't make him stick
Lay it on heavy and make the wrong size fit
I want waste
We want waste
They want waste
Slaves want waste
Too harnessed in slums, to rock you wrap your throat
Standing over your common ground
We're running joke, running jokes, running dry
Strip the color from the meat of my eye
I want waste
They could waste
We want waste
They want waste
Side to side, with the tired smile
Cut into your face
You let me down for the second time straight
With thugs and scum and punks and freaks
They're harnessed in slums but they want to be free
Snuff the leader with the bad assed plan
Take what you want from the palm of his hand
Lick the loser, just don't make him stick
Lay it on heavy and make the wrong size fit
I want waste
We want waste
They want waste
Slaves want waste
Side to side, with the tired smile
Cut into your face
You let me down for the second time straight
With thugs and scum and punks and freaks
Are harnessed in slums, but they want to be free
Side to side, with the tired smile
Cut into your face
You let me down for the second time straight
With thugs and scum and punks and freaks
Are harnessed in slums, but they want to be free