In 2003 lead singer Barney Murray left the band. Vocal duties were taken over by guitarist Dugs Mulhooly. Untill 2005 they underwent alot of line up changes, leaving Dugs and Chris (drums) as the only original members. In 2005 they released their third album Cashed Out On Culture, which had more of a punk-edge than their former two.
In 2006, whistle player Alan Confrey died from a heart attack tragically after the band returned home to Dublin after a UK tour with Stiff Little Fingers.
Early 2007 saw the departure of bassplayer and second vocalist Beano.
In december of the same year they supported The Pogues on one of their christmas shows.
Official Website
No Answers
Blood or Whiskey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
for the chemical dancers
their checking on the race now (x3)
on their hi-fi stereos
their checking on the race now (x3)
causing us to be wary of
turning us into dilapidated folls, how?
forces us to play ya
trouble at noon (x4)
we don't feel now
their working hard in camden
their burning up in capetown
their forcing it in trenchtown
we're moving into range now
call up the people
smash up the steeple
smiles like treacle
burn up the picture / tearing up the posters
we don't follow no set of rules now
forcing us to march for the truth
we're forcing them to listen
causing an infection (x3)
seething with reflection
we're selling out our culture
we really think so
The song "No Answers" is a socio-political commentary on the current state of society that decries the lack of answers for the problems that plague us. The lyric starts with the line, "There's no answer for the chemical dancers," implying that the societal ills are causing huge damage, and still, there is no solution to it. The next few lines suggest that people in positions of power are busy checking the race situation, which is creating division and causing trouble. They are turning people into dilapidated fools, hence forcing them to follow their own set of rules.
The song then goes on to say that there is trouble at noon, which suggests that the disturbance is present all around us. The third verse while reflecting on the current state of the world, highlights that people in different parts of the world are struggling with similar issues. The lines ask to call the people, tear up the posters, and burn up the pictures as a cry for a revolution to overthrow the ruling class that has taken away the voice of the common people.
Overall, "No Answers" is a strong condemnation of the apathy of those who hold the power and a rallying cry for the people to take action and make some noise.
Line by Line Meaning
there's no answer (x3)
No one can provide an answer to the problem at hand.
for the chemical dancers
For those who use drugs excessively and in a dangerous manner.
their checking on the race now (x3)
They are listening to a radio broadcast about a race.
on their hi-fi stereos
On high-quality audio systems.
causing us to be wary of
Making us cautious of something.
we don't see their grey point of view now
We do not understand their ambiguous perspective.
turning us into dilapidated folls, how?
Making us become worn out and foolish, how did this happen?
forces us to play ya
Compels us to participate unwillingly.
trouble at noon (x4)
Problems occurring in the middle of the day.
we don't feel now
We are emotionally numb.
their working hard in camden
They are putting in a lot of effort in Camden.
their burning up in capetown
They are experiencing intense heat in Cape Town.
their forcing it in trenchtown
They are imposing something on Trenchtown.
we're moving into range now
We are getting closer to something.
call up the people
Contact the people and gather them.
smash up the steeple
Destroy the church spire.
smiles like treacle
Looking too sweet and sugary.
burn up the picture / tearing up the posters
Destroying photographs and posters.
we don't follow no set of rules now
We do not adhere to any particular regulations now.
forcing us to march for the truth
Compelling us to fight for the truth.
we're forcing them to listen
We are compelling them to hear us out.
causing an infection (x3)
Spreading something harmful.
seething with reflection
Full of intense thought and contemplation.
we're selling out our culture
We are betraying our cultural identity.
we really think so
We strongly believe this to be true.
Contributed by Noah C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wethand
Zaufn!
He Vi
ooh