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.
Sunnshine Green
Bongzilla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Imploding, imploding change
Haze, haze of life
Chaos, chaos reigns
Scum, scum depths
Warriors, warriors rise
Smoke, smoke clears
Sunnshine, Sunnshine green
Sunnshine green
In Bongzilla's song "Sunnshine Green," the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a psychedelic experience, likely induced by drugs. The first line, "Blood, blood red eyes" suggests that the singer's eyes are red from smoking marijuana or using another substance. The second line, "Imploding, imploding change" suggests that the singer is experiencing a profound shift in their consciousness - perhaps something akin to an altered state of mind or a sudden revelation. The "haze of life" that follows only adds to this impression, as does the imagery of "chaos reigning" and "scum depths." These are all negative connotations that suggest the singer is trying to escape the harsh realities of life through drugs.
However, the last two lines, "Warriors, warriors rise / Smoke, smoke clears," suggest a kind of catharsis or transformation. Perhaps the singer has used the drugs to overcome their sense of powerlessness or to confront their own demons. The repetition of "Sunnshine green" at the end reinforces this idea of a new dawn or resurrection. While the song's meaning is not entirely clear, it seems to be a reflection on the ways in which drugs can be used to cope with and even transcend life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Blood, blood red eyes
Eyes that are bloodshot in appearance, possibly as a result of drug usage or sleep deprivation.
Imploding, imploding change
A change so profound that it feels as though one's very identity is collapsing in on itself.
Haze, haze of life
A sense of confusion or disorientation that pervades one's experience of existence.
Chaos, chaos reigns
The world is in a state of disorder and turmoil, with no clear indication of how to restore order.
Scum, scum depths
The lowest depths of society, filled with people who are immoral, unethical, and generally undesirable.
Warriors, warriors rise
People who are willing to fight for what they believe in are emerging to take a stand against injustice and corruption.
Smoke, smoke clears
The fog of confusion and uncertainty is gradually lifting, allowing people to see more clearly and understand the world better.
Sunnshine, Sunnshine green
The light and warmth of the sun is bringing new life and energy to the world, symbolized by the color green.
Sunnshine green
Reiteration of the idea that new life and energy are emerging in the world, drawing upon the natural beauty and vitality of the earth itself.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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