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
Bonfire
Beat Happening Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drum stop heart and start the rites of mating...
What's it gonna be? (Bonfire...)
Is it him or me? (Bonfire...)
Keep throwing the wood on 'til one is gone...
Bonfire, flames reach higher.
Drum beat crying, embers dying.
Broken line and ever-endless waiting...
Blood and sinew pull away past fating...
Who's it gonna be? (Bonfire...)
A boy like him or me? (Bonfire...)
Keep beating the drums until one is gone...
Bonfire, bonfire, bonfire, oh, bonfire.
There's two bid to be hers, (Bonfire...)
But only one can serve. (Bonfire...)
Bonfire, oh, bonfire...
Sweat and smoke and watch the embers glow,
My heart starts beating faster now, I know.
She made up her mind like that,
She's dressed like a jungle cat.
Now this jaguar queen will be my own...
Bonfire, flames reach higher.
Drum beat crying, embers dying.
Bonfire, oh, bonfire...
Bonfire, oh, bonfire...
Oh... bonfire....
The lyrics of Beat Happening's song Bonfire are a poetic representation of the complexities of love and passion. The imagery of "drums along the beach at night" and "broken line and ever-endless waiting" create a sense of urgency and desperation in the pursuit of love. The repeated questioning of "what's it gonna be? Is it him or me?" highlights the struggle of choosing between two potential partners.
The bonfire itself serves as a metaphor for the intense emotions involved in this decision. The lyrics suggest that the bonfire is a site of sacrifice, with the beating of the drums and the throwing of wood indicating a ritualistic element to the decision-making process. The repetition of the phrase "keep beating the drums until one is gone" reinforces the idea that the pursuit of love can be a brutal and competitive endeavor.
The final verse of the song takes on a more triumphant tone, with the singer celebrating their victory in the competition for love. The imagery of "sweat and smoke and watch the embers glow" suggests a sense of physical and emotional release. The reference to the "jaguar queen" being "dressed like a jungle cat" creates a sense of primal energy and animalistic desire. Overall, the lyrics of Bonfire paint a vivid picture of the lengths people will go to in the pursuit of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Drums along the beach at night keep pacing...
The sound of drums on the beach at night reflects the anxious and restless feelings that the person has.
Drum stop heart and start the rites of mating...
The rhythm of the drums has the power to evoke strong emotions related to passion and love.
What's it gonna be? (Bonfire...)
There is a sense of anticipation and uncertainty regarding a decision that needs to be made.
Is it him or me? (Bonfire...)
There is a feeling of competition for someone's affection.
Keep throwing the wood on 'til one is gone...
The fire will only last as long as there is enough fuel to keep it burning.
Broken line and ever-endless waiting...
The person feels stuck in a situation where they are waiting for something to happen, but it seems like it never will.
Blood and sinew pull away past fating...
The natural instincts and desires of the body are conflicting with a predetermined destiny or fate.
Who's it gonna be? (Bonfire...)
The question of who will ultimately win someone's affection is still unanswered.
A boy like him or me? (Bonfire...)
The competition for someone's affection is between two males.
Keep beating the drums until one is gone...
The competition will continue until one person is chosen and the other is left behind.
There's two bid to be hers, (Bonfire...)
Two people are competing for the affection of a woman.
But only one can serve. (Bonfire...)
Only one person will be chosen to have a romantic relationship with the woman.
Sweat and smoke and watch the embers glow...
The person is physically engaged in the competition and is observing the aftermath of the bonfire.
My heart starts beating faster now, I know.
The person's emotions are heightened as they realize the outcome of the competition.
She made up her mind like that,
The woman has made her decision regarding who she will have a romantic relationship with.
She's dressed like a jungle cat.
The woman is portrayed as being confident, alluring, and untamed.
Now this jaguar queen will be my own...
The person has won the competition and will be in a romantic relationship with the woman.
Bonfire, flames reach higher.
The bonfire is symbolic of the emotional intensity and excitement of the competition.
Drum beat crying, embers dying.
The end of the competition is reflected in the sound of the drums and the fading of the fire.
Bonfire, oh, bonfire...
The bonfire is a symbol of the intense passion and desire of the competition.
Bonfire, bonfire, bonfire, oh, bonfire.
The repeated chorus emphasizes the power and significance of the bonfire as a symbol.
Oh... bonfire....
The final line of the song is a reiteration of the importance of the bonfire as a symbol of intense passion and desire.
Contributed by Connor Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
uuarman
@vedefyren Hah, yeah it's beat happening. I promise.
Din Mor
is this by Beat Happening? Sounds different...