The band formed iteratively around Sweeney between '92-'94. They released Gone Glimmering in '95 followed by Ride The Fader in '96, both on Matador.
Sweeney, a longtime friend of Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan, has also played in Corgan's side-project, Zwan, and more recently in a duo with Will Oldham on their Superwolf album.
Pitchfork recently reviewed the new Chavez compilation which also contains some nice observations about their sound and its context.
After a lengthy hiatus between 1999 and 2006 they have recently begun playing extensively around the New York area.
Break up your Band
Chavez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In Chavez's song "Break Up Your Band", the lyrics convey a sense of frustration and dissatisfaction with the music industry. The first few lines suggest that the singer feels like they've been duped by people who benefit from their weakness. They continue to comment on how they themselves have a skill for drumming and can navigate the piles of material that come with being a musician. The chorus emphasizes the idea of breaking up the band, and finding joy in the coldness or harsh reality of the industry.
The second verse expands on the idea of making arrangements and trying to find success within the industry, but ultimately acknowledging that the process of pushing through "shit" is not worth it. The singer seems to want to leave behind the sexless and dull qualities of the industry in order to find success and enjoyment elsewhere. The repetition of "finger through the piles" emphasizes the physical and mental challenge of navigating the industry and the creative process of creating music.
Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on the struggles of the music industry and the idea that breaking up the band or leaving behind the traditional path to success may be the best solution.
Line by Line Meaning
I made it up to the fool the wax-faced lap dogs
I deceived those who follow blindly and without thought, the ones with blank and expressionless faces.
Who set the traps and when you're weak they finally paid you
They are the ones who set traps to lure you and make you vulnerable, then they take advantage of you when you're helpless.
Crave rapid hands
Long for skilled and nimble hands that can create music with great speed and dexterity.
With pride and finesse
With a feeling of satisfaction and elegance in the way music is played.
And you could finger through the piles
You have the ability to effortlessly navigate through the collection of instruments and music.
Let all the drummers come to meet the champions
Invite all skilled and talented drummers to come and compete against the best.
Break up your band
Disband your group and move on to something better.
And blast with the cold next to joy
Play music that is both powerful and melancholic, representing both happiness and sadness.
Make it stop so you can
Make the music stop so you can take a break and think.
I'll make all arrangements
I will take care of all the logistical details and planning.
It has been approved
It has been agreed upon and given the green light.
Clip your dreams and push shit through
Compromise your artistic vision and creativity in exchange for commercial success and profit.
Stale sexless loud and vague
The music has become dull, uninspiring, and lacking in emotion and meaning.
So stop while you can
Quit while you're ahead and before your music becomes even more lackluster and unfulfilling.
Contributed by Sophie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tyson Allan
Maybe the greatest music video. Underrated band.
kidcoastless
I'm glad Matador ended up reissuing Gone Glimmering, never would've found this otherwise
Sam Spooky Rice
Were it not for Beavis and Butthead I probably never would have discovered this band.
Ken Fehling
@charlie Oh yeah you're right, wrong guitarist!
charlie
@Ken Fehling Clay Tarver, the guitarist, not Matt Sweeney
Ken Fehling
You know what's interesting. Guitarist Matt Sweeney was co-showrunner and an executive producer of Silicon Valley, which featured one of Chavez's songs (New Room). Mike Judge created both Beavis and Butthead and Silicon Valley.
C S
They played good vids actually
deanyy
not the type of music i expected of the Guitar Moves guy, but this is fucking awesome
Jeff
I loved Chavez in the 90s and have been watching Guitar Moves over the last year or so and just made the connection today.
Literati Crux
This song literally broke up my band. But we reformed and are currently covering this song on the cover band circuit.