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)
Taste Test
Beanbag Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One blink can cause mass destruction.
One word and it's instant satisfaction.
Go riding on the arms of gratification.
Gravels on the road of your destination
But you've drifted into your own vacation.
Driving a car through an open shop window.
Grabbing the goods like a stressed out weasel.
Just taste test the world, just taste test the world.
Can't stop the ringing that comes from a phone.
Fantasy, reality blurs and it moans at me.
Person to person I can't seem to meet.
I'm offering my all but I can't move my feet.
And I've no answer but troubles recall.
They play like a moving picture when.
I sink, fall, sliding in and
I dine alone in my own facade.
I've got these needs and the playing cards.
Deal from the pack that I rgged before.
Received me an ace then a seven then a four.
Spinning the wheel for the magical number.
Fresh for the kid which has had no slumber.
I've really never had a day before.
I gave myself away so it's love I saw.
Life is mud when you feel like this
But soon happiness will make me forget.
Feeling real good is what counts to me.
My money has provided this security.
My body's injected so here I lie.
But meaning is something that I cannot buy
The song "Taste Test" by the band Beanbag highlights some of the negative consequences associated with the culture of instant gratification, be it through drugs or material possessions. The opening lines suggest that the world is moving too quickly, and all it takes is a single mistake to cause destruction. The next few lines imply that individuals are constantly seeking immediate satisfaction, and they are willing to indulge in destructive behaviors to achieve it. The metaphor of driving a car through an open shop window represents this destructive behavior. The following lines suggest that there is a constant ringing of the phone that blurs the line between reality and fantasy. The singer of the song is struggling to make connections with people despite his willingness to give himself to them. Instead, he finds himself indulging in various vices that he has rigged in his favor, but they are ultimately unable to satisfy his needs or provide meaning to his life. This is illustrated by the final line of the song, "meaning is something that I cannot buy."
The song's lyrics also suggest that despite the temporary highs that instant gratification provides, it ultimately leads to a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction. The use of the phrase "taste test" implies that the singer is only getting a small sample of life's offerings, never fully experiencing the richness and depth that comes with meaningful connections and experiences. This is further reflected in the repeated line, "feeling real good is what counts to me," which highlights the singer's shallow and short-sighted perspective on life.
Line by Line Meaning
Seeing how the world is a fast direction.
The pace of the world is constantly increasing and things can change in an instant.
One blink can cause mass destruction.
Small things can have major consequences.
One word and it's instant satisfaction.
Instant gratification has become the norm.
Go riding on the arms of gratification.
People are heavily influenced by the desire for pleasure.
Gravels on the road of your destination
Obstacles can arise on your path to success.
But you've drifted into your own vacation.
Sometimes we get sidetracked and lose focus on our goals.
Driving a car through an open shop window.
Reckless behavior and impulsivity can lead to bad decision-making.
Grabbing the goods like a stressed out weasel.
Desperation can lead to unethical behavior.
Alarms call the shots, even after you're gone.
Consequences will follow your actions even after you leave.
Just taste test the world, just taste test the world.
The world is full of opportunities and experiences, but we must be careful not to overindulge.
Can't stop the ringing that comes from a phone.
We are constantly bombarded by distractions and notifications.
Fantasy, reality blurs and it moans at me.
The line between reality and fantasy can become blurred and overwhelming.
Person to person I can't seem to meet.
It can be difficult to connect with others on a personal level.
I'm offering my all but I can't move my feet.
Even when we try our best, we can feel stuck and unable to progress.
And I've no answer but troubles recall.
We may not have all the answers and our past struggles can linger.
They play like a moving picture when.
Memories can replay in our minds like a film.
I sink, fall, sliding in and.
We may feel like we are losing control and heading in a downward spiral.
I dine alone in my own facade.
We may feel like we have to put on a false persona to fit in or be accepted.
I've got these needs and the playing cards.
We have our own desires and motivations that guide us.
Deal from the pack that I rgged before.
Our past experiences can influence our current decisions and choices.
Received me an ace then a seven then a four.
Life can be unpredictable and we may experience a mix of successes and failures.
Spinning the wheel for the magical number.
We can feel like we are taking chances and gambling on our future.
Fresh for the kid which has had no slumber.
We may feel like we are starting anew or beginning a new chapter in life.
I've really never had a day before.
We may feel like we are experiencing things for the first time or seeing life in a new way.
I gave myself away so it's love I saw.
When we give ourselves fully to something, we can find love and fulfillment.
Life is mud when you feel like this
Life can feel difficult and challenging when we are struggling with our emotions or circumstances.
But soon happiness will make me forget.
We may experience joy and happiness that helps us forget our past struggles.
Feeling real good is what counts to me.
We may prioritize our own happiness and well-being.
My money has provided this security.
We may rely on financial security for comfort and stability.
My body's injected so here I lie.
We may be reliant on substances or material things to make us feel better.
But meaning is something that I cannot buy.
True meaning and fulfillment cannot be found through material possessions or external factors.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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