Beanbag a… Read Full Bio ↴There has been more than one artist using the name Beanbag
Beanbag appeared with two tracks on the 1984 compilation LP, 'Bands That Could Be God', compiled by Gerard Cosloy of 'Conflict' fanzine. The compilation has become sought after as one of the better and more interesting compilations of US underground music of the time. The album pertained to be a selection of quality, though lesser-known underground music from Boston, Massachussetts, so presumably they were a Boston band or from thereabouts. The tracks had a 'lo-fi', though kind of 'new wave/synthpunk' sound. Two of the better-known artists on the compilation were Deep Wound and Moving Targets.
Beanbag was an Australian band that formed in 1995 and broke up in late 2002.
The group comprised core members vocalist Hans Van Vliet, guitarist Michael Mullins, bassist Phil "Hirvy" Hirvela, and drummer Phil Usher. Steven Lewis-Driver assumed the bass position when Hirvy left the band in early 2002. Jesse Palmer also filled in on guitar after Michael returned to Australia a couple months before the band's demise.
Beanbag released three albums. Guttersnipe was released independently in 1998. They also had two albums on American label Inpop Records, Free Signal (2000) and Welladjusted (2001). During their time in the United States, Beanbag toured extensively, were nominated for two GMA Awards, and had songs featured on several television soundtracks.
The band broke up after a van accident that occurred while driving back to Nashville. The driver swerved to avoid a deer on the interstate. The van and the trailer filled with their gear ended up in a ditch. Hunz was taken to the hospital where he stayed for three days with lung damage. With no vehicle, no gear, and no vocalist, they had very little choice except to disband.
From their Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beanbag_(band)
Angst by Numbers
Beanbag Lyrics
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talking with love she knows it
she walks in the room looking for reality then opens the door to escape it
she is fixed on peoples emotions
she needs to care for their notions
searching for flaws in a person's head
she stitches them up but with the wrong thread
she thinks she is doing no damage
but caught in her ego like a fly in a web she can't see past it she must be fed
I feel it inside, I know see, I feel it inside, I know see.
the stitches are coming undone
the wound has just become worse
remembering how she is she searches her eyes
she thinks she is making a difference
I know she is making a difference
and time will tell if the answer she gave has made things better or opened the grave
I feel it inside, I know see, I feel it inside, I know see.
her whispers are louder than yelling
her whispers are louder than screaming
her whispers are louder than yelling
her answers are just the questions(2x)
wlking with love she finds it
talking with love she kows it
she walks in the room looking for reality then opens the door to escape it
she is fixed on peoples emotions
she needs to care for their notions
searching for flaws in a person's head
she stitches them up but with the wrong thread
I feel it inside, I know see, I feel it inside, I know see
The lyrics of Beanbag's song Angst by Numbers explore the complex nature of human interaction and the impact that we have on each other. The singer of the song is a person who walks with love and talks with love. She is very attuned to other people's emotions and constantly seeks to care for their notions. However, despite good intentions, she often ends up doing more harm than good. She searches for flaws in a person's head and tries to stitch them up, but she uses the wrong thread. In other words, she is trying to help, but her efforts are misguided.
The song suggests that this person is caught in her ego like a fly in a web. She is so consumed with her own sense of importance and self-righteousness that she can't see past it. It is as though she is trying to show off how much she knows about other people's emotions rather than genuinely wanting to help them. Perhaps the saddest part of the song is when the stitches come undone, and the wound becomes worse. It is a metaphor for the damage that we can cause when we try to help but end up doing more harm than good.
Overall, the song explores the tension between our desire to help others and the potential harm that we can cause when we don't truly understand their situation. It is a powerful message that encourages us to be more mindful of our actions and words.
Contributed by Jasmine R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.