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)
Limit of Shunt
Beanbag Lyrics
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You rise and then I can't pretend
Why can't you help me out. I can't stop feeling down
Honorable intension sigh distorted by this chilling
You may take me down but is your spirit willing
You rise and then, I can't pretend
Why can't you help me out, I can't stop feeling down
The earth has broken you
It buries hate in you
Resides like mildew
Poured out my love but it trickled in your pool
I swim with certainty, but I am sinking just for you
Chores for your laugh boring me to
Tears bring me to my knees
But that is oh so typical
A few too many eyes
A feeling that is local
You rise and then I can't pretend
Why can't you help me out, I can't stop feeling down
The earth has broken you
Now it's going to hinder you
It buries hate in you
Resides like mildew
The lyrics of Beanbag's "Limit of Shunt" explore themes of struggle, frustration, and lamentation. The singer is reaching out to someone who they feel can't seem to understand their pain. The first stanza describes a deep sense of imbalance, with the deep end needing to rise and be filled. The singer feels that they can't pretend that everything is okay in the face of this imbalance, and they need help to overcome the feelings of being down.
The second stanza shifts the focus to the person the singer is reaching out to. They describe this person as having honorable intentions, but those intentions are being distorted by something chilling. The singer questions whether the person is willing to rise above this distortion and help them. The third stanza brings in the imagery of the earth breaking and burying hate like mildew. The singer has poured out their love, but it seems to have trickled away. They swim with certainty but feel like they are sinking just for this person. The final stanza describes the feeling of being bored with the routine of trying to make the other person laugh, being brought to tears, and feeling like their pain is not unique to them. The song ends on a somber note, with the earth hindering and burying hate.
Line by Line Meaning
The deep end is still to rise it needs a filling
The situation is still evolving and requires attention.
You rise and then I can't pretend
Your actions affect me and I can't ignore them.
Why can't you help me out. I can't stop feeling down
I need your support to feel better, but I don't see it coming.
Honorable intension sigh distorted by this chilling
Even when trying to do good, we can be derailed by negative influences.
You may take me down but is your spirit willing
You might be able to hurt me, but is that really what you want?
The earth has broken you
Adversity has defeated you.
Now it's going to hinder you
This obstacle will continue affecting you.
It buries hate in you
Resentment is building up inside you.
Resides like mildew
Negative emotions are lingering and growing like a fungus.
Poured out my love but it trickled in your pool
I gave you my affection, but it didn't have the impact I hoped for.
I swim with certainty, but I am sinking just for you
I am devoted to you, even if it means going down with you.
Chores for your laugh boring me to
I'm tired of trying to please you just for the sake of hearing you laugh.
Tears bring me to my knees
Emotions overwhelm me and make me feel powerless.
But that is oh so typical
These struggles are common and predictable.
A few too many eyes
There is too much scrutiny and judgment from others.
A feeling that is local
This situation is specific to our current environment.
You rise and then I can't pretend
Your actions still affect me and I can't hide my true feelings.
Why can't you help me out, I can't stop feeling down
I need your support to get over this low point, but it seems like you're not there for me.
The earth has broken you
Adversity has defeated you.
Now it's going to hinder you
This obstacle will continue affecting you.
It buries hate in you
Resentment is building up inside you.
Resides like mildew
Negative emotions are lingering and growing like a fungus.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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