Based in Austin, Texas the band members were Randy 'Biscuit' Turner on vocals, Tim Kerr on guitar and Chris Gates on bass. Over the years the group played with four drummers in all; Steve Collier, Greg Murray, Fred Shultz and Rey Washam. The band also featured a horn section on some recordings and at many of their shows.
The hardcore punk style, a development from the earlier punk sound, arose spontaneously in various cities, but in Austin it was represented by MDC, Big Boys and The Dicks. The bands often played with each other, and Big Boys and The Dicks released a split single and an LP, Live At Raul's, together. Big Boys shows were legendary, frequently involving food fights, 'Biscuit' in a tutu, or dress, and invitations to the audience to come up and sing along, which often occurred. At the end of early shows the band was famous for yelling, "OK y'all, go start your own band". The Big Boys are credited as well with the introduction of funk rhythms to hardcore, producing funkcore, an innovation influential on later bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers. They were also one of the first bands involved in the skate punk scene, appearing in Thrasher skateboarding magazine and in Thrasher's videos, and had their own Big Boys skateboard. After a Bad Brains show in Austin that ended in controversy involving Biscuit (and later inspired the song "Pay to Come Along" by MDC), conflicts began to arise within the band, specifically between Biscuit and Chris. The Big Boys played their last show very unexpectedly. Biscuit and Chris never spoke to each other again.
Tim Kerr went on to play with many bands, including Poison 13, Bad Mutha Goose, Monkeywrench, Jack O Fire, Lord High Fixers and, in 2004, The Total Sound Group. He has also been involved with the recording of bands. Chris Gates was also with Poison 13, Junkyard and Charter Bulldogs. Chris can currently be heard fronting Big Chris Gates and Gatesville, a southern fried country group based in Austin. Of their drummers, Rey Washam has played consistently with such groups as Jerry's Kids, Scratch Acid, and Ministry. Randy Turner has performed with The Slurpees, Cargo Cult, and Swine King, the latter band contributing the song "All Broke Down" to Outpunk Records' Outpunk Dance Party compilation. In 2004 the queercore band Limp Wrist released the song "Ode", a homage to Randy 'Biscuit' Turner and Gary Floyd of The Dicks as well as Joshua Plague of Mukilteo Fairies, as inspirational openly gay men in the hardcore punk scene. Big Boys were innovative in many ways and were influential in the direction music and music scenes would take in their wake. Randy Turner was found dead from Hepatitis C complications in his home on August 18, 2005.
Killing Time
Big Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is killing me
It's killing you
It's killing me
It's killing time
Is killing me
Is killing me
It's killing time
The lyrics to "Killing Time" by Big Boys represent the monotony and boredom of life. The phrase "killing time" refers to the act of passing time with no purpose or productivity, and the repetition of the phrase emphasizes the weight of this feeling. The use of "it" in the lyrics shows that this feeling is not specific to one person, but rather a universal experience. The repetition of "it's killing me" serves to show how detrimental and draining the act of killing time can be, leading to a feeling of emptiness and dissatisfaction with life.
The song can also be interpreted as a commentary on the capitalist society that values productivity and efficiency over leisure and relaxation. In a world where time is money, the act of "killing time" is looked down upon and deemed a waste of valuable resources. However, the lyrics of the song call into question the true value of constant productivity and encourage listeners to question whether their lives are fulfilling or simply a means to an end.
Line by Line Meaning
This killing time
The act of waiting or having nothing to do is detrimental and frustrating.
Is killing me
This inactivity is causing emotional and physical distress to the singer.
It's killing you
The same inactivity is also causing distress to the person being addressed in the song.
It's killing me
Reiterating the fact that the lack of activity is troublesome and exhausting.
It's killing time
The expression 'killing time' is taken literally here, as in waiting for time to pass that feels like slow torture.
Is killing me
Continuing to express the negative effects of being unproductive and passive.
Is killing me
Restating the impact the situation is having on the singer.
It's killing time
Repeating the title of the song to emphasize the agony of waiting aimlessly.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BRIAN BAKER, CHRIS GATES, DAVE ROACH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SLAPnPOP726
Big Boys aren't my favourite group, but this is one of my favourite songs. EVAR.
@Alltoofinite
These guys were so fucking amazing… Original guitar sound amazing Basslines… And super fucking cool drums as well as subject matter