Though not officially broken up, the band has not performed together in public since the early 1990s. In 2005, they were invited by Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse to perform at All Tomorrow's Parties but respectfully declined the invitation.
The band met while attending The Evergreen State College and began recording in 1983. The band's basic lineup was drums, guitar and vocals, though when they formed their only instruments were a pair of maracas and a Sears Silvertone guitar purchased at a thrift shop. Heather once joked in an interview that the history of the band could be told through a list of the various people they'd borrowed drums from. Heather and Calvin had been members of a previous band and approached Bret, who had no musical experience at the time, saying they ought to start a band and go to Japan. Indeed, it was on a trip to Tokyo that the band members recorded Three Tea Breakfast, an EP that established the band's reputation.
Calvin Johnson was one of the founders of seminal indie rock label K Records. The label achieved modest success and continues to hold its independent integrity, claiming to have been "exploding the teenage underground into passionate revolt against the corporate ogre since 1982."
Beat Happening (1985), their full length debut, was critically acclaimed, as was Jamboree (1988). By the release of Dreamy in 1991, Beat Happening was one of the most popular bands in the indie rock community, leading to their pivotal role in the International Pop Underground Festival, which brought anti-corporate rock its earliest mainstream acceptance. Their last full-length album was 1992's You Turn Me On, which represented the band breaking many of their established conventions from earlier albums, most notably on Godsend, which runs 9 minutes in length and features blatant use of multitrack recording. The album was described by allmusic.com as "A masterpiece." Though never announcing a break-up and claiming at one point to still practice once a month, the members of Beat Happening have moved on to various other projects. In 2000 they released the Angel Gone single, their first new release in eight years.
A Beat Happening box set, Crashing Through, which collects all of the band's officially released music except for two of their tracks from a live cassette split with The Vaselines, was released in 2002. The box set included a booklet containing a lengthy essay on the history and impact of the band by Lois Maffeo, as well as rare photos of members Calvin, Heather and Bret.
http://www.krecs.com
Bad Seeds
Beat Happening Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They try to keep us from each other
We're no good is what they say
But we just see this world in a different way
We're bad, bad seeds
Bad, bad, bad bad seeds
We're bad, bad seeds
They make a lot of rules
They tell a lot of lies
If we don't wanna, we won't behave
And they can't make us, 'cause we can't be made
We're bad, bad seeds
Bad, bad, bad bad seeds
We're bad, bad seeds
Bad, bad, bad bad seeds
The new generation formed the teenage nation
This time, let's do it right
bad, bad seeds
Bad, bad, bad bad seeds
We're bad, bad seeds
Bad, bad, bad bad seeds
bad, bad seeds
Bad, bad, bad bad seeds
We're bad, bad seeds
Bad, bad
The lyrics of Beat Happening's "Bad Seeds" seem to be an anthem for the misunderstood and marginalized youth. The song talks about how society, represented by the "other kids" and the authorities, has put up walls between the singer and their friends. They are told that they are "no good" and are constantly subjected to rules and lies. However, the singer and their friends refuse to conform to the society's expectations of them. They see the world differently and are proud to be "bad seeds," defying the norms and expectations given to them.
In the chorus, the repetition of "bad seeds" further emphasizes the idea that they have been labeled and boxed into a defined category. However, they take this label as a badge of honor and identity, owning it and rejecting the society's attempt to shape them into someone they are not. The last lines of the song, "The new generation formed the teenage nation/ This time, let's do it right" suggests a message of hope and resistance - that the youth should bond together and stick to their own beliefs and ideals, without being swayed by society's expectations.
Overall, "Bad Seeds" is a loud and proud declaration of teenage rebellion, individualism, and empowerment.
Line by Line Meaning
They keep us apart from the other kids
We are separated from other children by authority figures
They try to keep us from each other
They attempt to isolate and divide us
We're no good is what they say
They say that we're worthless or immoral
But we just see this world in a different way
We have a unique perspective on the world
We're bad, bad seeds
We are rebellious and uncontrollable
Bad, bad, bad bad seeds
Our disobedience and non-conformity are extreme
They make a lot of rules
Authority figures establish many regulations
They tell a lot of lies
Those in power deceive and manipulate
If we don't wanna, we won't behave
We refuse to obey if we don't want to
And they can't make us, 'cause we can't be made
It's impossible to control and discipline us
The new generation formed the teenage nation
Young people have created a new culture and society
This time, let's do it right
We are committed to making positive change
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Bret Lunsford, Calvin Douglas Johnson, Heather Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ryan Doede
its sad that many people dont like them for their off-key vocals but thats what makes them unique because they chose it to be that way.
cappin
Bloody love this film
eli pop
i have this movie on vhs. one of my favs!
Jackie Amos
It's one of Kurt Cobain's favorite movies. :D
The World According to Tharp
The Sound of the South Puget Sound
Oderus Urungus
I like this.
patrat2000
I'm a bad seed AND it's election time
Robin S.
sorry, that's really horrible
Chris's Moto Life
That's OK. Not everyone could appreciate Garage Punk.
discochickVEVO
that’s part of their charm. They suck in an awesome way. Kids having fun.