Taking their name from the number of Susans in the line up, Band of Susans released one EP - Blessing and Curse - on Poss's own Trace Elements label before being signed to Mute Records's Blast First imprint for their first album Hope Against Hope. After the release, Rogers, Lyall and Tallman quit to be replaced by Karen Haglof (guitar) and Page Hamilton (guitar). After a second album - Love Agenda - and a Peel Sessions EP the two new members quit (Hamilton to form Helmet) and were replaced by Anne Husick (guitar) and Mark Lonergan (guitar), forming the line up which made three more albums and one EP. On the band's final U.S. and European tours a young Jay Braun filled in for Mark Lonergan. The band's final production was a version of Wire's Ahead for a collection of Wire cover versions called Whore, released in 1996.
Musically, BoS organised their three guitarists into providing an overwhelming wail of feedback and guitar noise layered under more conventional song structures (Poss had worked with guitar enemble composer Rhys Chatham and was a big fan of The Rolling Stones - the latter resulting in covers of Child of the Moon and Paint it Black). Although pretty much unconnected with it, Band of Susans are generally included in the New York No Wave scene that produced Sonic Youth and Glenn Branca.
After the dissolution of the band, Poss and Stenger performed with Bruce Gilbert of Wire as GilbertPossStenger. Poss then concentrated on production and solo work whilst Stenger played live with The Creatures for a period. An open-ended promise to reform under a new name has yet to happen.
Plot Twist
Band Of Susans Lyrics
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With the melting ice in your glass
The soldiers have returned from their crusades
And landed on the coast
Drawn by a spotlight like moths to a flame
Betrayed by the kiss of fame falling to the stage
We never fell for fakes or television rage
Are the things you'll never say
When you see the close-ups of the emperor's new clothes
The seventh veil has lifted
They've opened up the gates
And now the price of doing business is the broadcast light
I'm busy channel switching myself to sleep
They're dancing on a stage or bleeding in the streets
But the truth of it all is the only things you want
Are the things you'll never get
When you see the close-ups of the emperor's new clothes
In Band of Susans' song "Plot Twist," the lyrics paint a picture of a society that has become disillusioned with the trappings of fame, as they see through the veneer of the entertainment industry. The opening lines speak to the passage of time and the fleeting nature of experiences, describing how the weeks pass "hand in hand" with the melting ice in the listener's glass. The soldiers who have returned from their crusades serve as a metaphor for those who have been consumed by celebrity culture, drawn to the spotlight like "moths to a flame."
The lyrics then shift to a critique of the entertainment industry, where the pursuit of fame often leads to betrayal and disillusionment. The reference to the "emperor's new clothes" suggests that the industry's superficiality and lack of substance have been exposed, as the public becomes increasingly aware of the industry's tendency towards fakery and fabrication.
The final lines of the song speak to the yearning for something more authentic and genuine, with the acknowledgement that such things may be unattainable. The repeated line, "the only things you want / are the things you'll never get," suggests a sense of hopelessness or despair in the face of an industry that values image over substance.
Line by Line Meaning
The weeks pass by hand in hand
Time passes consistently, just like how you hold onto your drink, that gradually empties as the ice melts.
With the melting ice in your glass
Comparing the passing of time to a drink being consumed as ice melts.
The soldiers have returned from their crusades
A metaphor for something coming to an end, similar to how soldiers end their missions and return home.
And landed on the coast
This line is unclear in its context, but may be related to the soldiers arriving back on familiar territory.
Drawn by a spotlight like moths to a flame
People are attracted to fame and attention like moths to flame, and often lose themselves in it.
Betrayed by the kiss of fame falling to the stage
When one becomes famous, the pressure of public scrutiny can be overwhelming and cause them to lose touch with their true selves or values.
We never fell for fakes or television rage
The singer did not succumb to false images or manufactured emotions seen on TV.
But the truth of it all is the only things you know
We may believe we know what's true, but the reality is that we only have limited knowledge.
Are the things you'll never say
There are some things we know to be true that we are too afraid or hesitant to express.
When you see the close-ups of the emperor's new clothes
When we see the truth clearly exposed or revealed, it's often a shock or surprise.
The seventh veil has lifted
The final layer or illusion has been removed, revealing the truth.
They've opened up the gates
This line is unclear in its context, but may refer to people opening up emotionally or revealing their true selves.
And now the price of doing business is the broadcast light
Being in the public eye or on camera comes with a cost, such as loss of privacy or pressure to maintain an image.
I'm busy channel switching myself to sleep
The singer is so overwhelmed by the constant exposure to media that they distract themselves with television until they fall asleep.
They're dancing on a stage or bleeding in the streets
People are either performing for others or suffering in reality.
But the truth of it all is the only things you want
Despite our desires, we may never attain what we truly want.
Are the things you'll never get
There are some things we desire but are unattainable or forbidden to us.
When you see the close-ups of the emperor's new clothes
Again, the truth is shocking or surprising when it is exposed.
Contributed by London L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ibelieveicansoar
A brilliant collision of Social Distortion, Hendrix, Sonic Youth, Dick Dale, and Hüsker Dü. I wish BOS had done more badass riff-fest songs like this one.
Twelve Gates
Great song when working out on the crosstrainer at my gym.
steven wonder
My fave Susan's track. Damn it's fine. It's sex u Al.... 🙏