Since the seeds were planted in the mid-90s, Bongzilla have been sowing Madison, Wisconsin's rich soil with their homegrown, psychedelic sludge. Cultivating an extremely thick and heavy harvest of powerful mega-rock, Bongzilla have fertilized their sound tenfold over time, and the results of their bumper-crop harvest speak for themselves.
Releasing pounds of material over the course of the last few years, Bongzilla have raised consciousness in regards to their existence, and have kept their musical fires burning non-stop. Having toured the U.S. multiple times, playing gigs with the likes of Today Is The Day, Unsane, Noothgrush, Logical Nonsense, Dystopia, Grief, Zed, El Dopa, Cattlepress, Ire, Cave-In, and the mighty Spazz, Bongzilla love to perform live. The band's live show is not to be missed as crushing heaviness blends perfectly with tortured, intense vocals and tripped-out passages of mellowed, experimental jamming. Bongzilla support the cause of legalization, regularly playing national hemp festivals such as Weedstock (Bongzilla contributed a track to the Weedstock Vol. 1 CD) and Harvestfest. The summer of 1998 proved to be an important time for Bongzilla, as they made a highly publicized appearance at the Milwaukee Metalfest in addition to joining label-mates Unsane for a devastating tour of the Midwestern United States.
Influenced by the medicinal powers of THC and a love for wicked grooves, Bongzilla entered the infamous Austin Enterprises in 1996 where they recorded a massive demo with Today Is The Day's Steve Austin overseeing the festivities. This, along with other demos from the band, made their way to the Relapse Compound (the subject matter alone warranted multiple listens) and the band was signed shortly thereafter. 1997's Methods For Attaining Extreme Altitudes presented three opus magni for the elevating of musical consciousness, and proved to be a perfect companion to a serious bong session. Two heavy, stoner-rock anthems and a billowy sonic cloud of ethereal experimentation (aptly titled "Smoke/I Love MaryJane") lit up the senses, and produced a hazy, bleary-eyed vision of what was yet to come.
In 1999, the hemp-friendly horticulturists returned from the stratosphere once again, bringing with them some of the best THC-powered rock ever exhaled. Recorded under the influence of three ounces of Humboldt's finest, Stash presented ten fat spliffs of crystallized bliss. In the truest sense of irony, the release date for Stash fell on April 20, 1999 (4:20, 99), a release date that occurs only once every 7 years! In addition (and also by complete coincidence), the random Relapse catalog number assigned to Stash was 6420! When extreme homage is payed, the true are rewarded justly.
With a Black Sabbath-on-downers encrusted sound that blends billowing rock, clenched-teeth blues and an underground punk attitude, Bongzilla fire up thunderous mega-rock with a pronounced emphasis on the "big riff." Their next album, Gateway, showcased a Bongzilla sound simultaneously aggressive and mellow, with thunderous percussion, smoke-seared vocals and infectious, fuzzed-out riffs baked to perfection.
In 2005, the band released Amerijuanican, considered by many fans to be their best. The band has now taken a hiatus so Dixie can work with his other band, Weedeater.
Gateway
Bongzilla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wondering how far she might take me
I don't know if what they say
Is it true, I'm gonna live that way
I just need to find my way
Back on home, coming back today
Here I am, back in the zone
The zone of life, always stoned
Now I'm back at the gateway
Wondering if I'm here to stay
I've got scars that used to be veins
It's gone down, I'm insane
I can't seem to get my mind
Screwed on tight, I've got a life to find
Here I am, back in a haze
Blazing through life, always stoned
The first verse of "Gateway" by Bongzilla describes the singer sitting at the gateway, pondering how far their current state of being will take them. The uncertainty they feel stemmed from what they have heard about how they are "gonna live that way" and the consequences of their actions. The singer longs to find their way back home, perhaps indicating a feeling of being lost or disconnected from their roots. The second verse sees the singer return to the gateway, questioning if they are bound to stay in their current state. They reference their physical scars, potentially indicating drug use or addiction, and mention feeling insane. The singer seems to struggle with a lack of clarity and direction in their life, striving to get their mind "screwed on tight" and find their purpose.
Overall, these lyrics paint a picture of a person struggling with addiction and confusion, searching for a way to find themselves and return to a sense of clarity and grounding.
Line by Line Meaning
There I sit at the gateway
I am currently in a state of contemplation and reflection, pondering my next moves.
Wondering how far she might take me
I am curious about the potential extent of the possibilities and opportunities presented to me.
I don't know if what they say
I am uncertain if rumors or hearsay have any truth behind them.
Is it true, I'm gonna live that way
I am questioning whether the future of my life will be dictated by the speculation of others.
I just need to find my way
I am seeking direction and purpose in my life.
Back on home, coming back today
I am returning to a familiar and comfortable environment after being away.
Here I am, back in the zone
I have regained my sense of ease and contentment, feeling at home once again.
The zone of life, always stoned
I am accustomed to living my life in a certain state of mind, always under the influence.
Now I'm back at the gateway
I have returned to a familiar place of reflection and contemplation.
Wondering if I'm here to stay
I am uncertain if my current circumstances and environment will be a more permanent fixture in my life.
I've got scars that used to be veins
I have physical evidence of my history of self-destructive behavior and substance abuse.
It's gone down, I'm insane
My descent into madness has been gradual and ongoing.
I can't seem to get my mind
I am currently struggling with mental clarity and focus.
Screwed on tight, I've got a life to find
I need to put forth extra effort and energy to organize my thoughts and goals in order to live a fulfilling life.
Here I am, back in a haze
I have fallen back into a state of confusion and disorientation.
Blazing through life, always stoned
I continue to live my life under the influence of drugs, not fully experiencing and living in the present moment.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind