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.
Peeled Out Too Late
Chavez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drown out what's been gained can't be too soon
In our pools we're all done
All wretched hives
While we wait out the law
Bound to break the party plans
Peeled off the last shot all wrong
Peeled off the last shot all wrong
We can't hear you giggling in the stalls
All wretched hives
Giving names to the cause
Peeled out too late
Peeled out too late to hear us giggling in the stalls
In Chavez’s song Peeled Out Too Late, the lyrics are abstract and open to interpretation. The song tells the story of someone who feels like they have missed the boat, and they’re now stuck in a bad situation. The opening line “Planets stop revolving in the room” could imply that the singer is experiencing a feeling of disorientation or a sense that things have come to a standstill. The subsequent line, “Drown out what’s been gained can’t be too soon” may suggest that there is no redemption, that whatever has been gained is no longer of any importance.
Throughout the song, the singer uses a metaphor of all wretched hives, which could be interpreted as representing the negative aspects of society, or perhaps a group of people who are miserable because they know they have missed out on something important. The line “While we wait out the law, bound to break the party plans” adds to the sense of being stuck, unable to move forward, and waiting for something to happen.
The line “Peeled off the last shot all wrong, you must have guessed that we just missed all wrong” offers a sense of regret and disappointment. The imagery of “giggling in the stalls” implies that the singer feels like they are being mocked or left behind by others who are having fun and living life to the fullest.
Overall, the lyrics of Peeled Out Too Late paint a picture of someone feeling lost and left behind, unable to move forward or find happiness, and filled with regret for past mistakes and missed opportunities.
Line by Line Meaning
Planets stop revolving in the room
The overwhelming feeling of stagnation and lack of progress, like everything around us is stuck and not moving forward.
Drown out what's been gained can't be too soon
The idea that sometimes it's necessary to forget what we've learned or achieved in order to move on and grow.
In our pools we're all done
The comfort and safety of staying in a familiar and known place, but at the cost of never exploring or challenging ourselves.
All wretched hives
A bleak and negative view of society or the world, portraying it as filled with pain, suffering, and despair.
While we wait out the law
The frustration and helplessness of waiting for change or progress to happen, rather than actively taking steps to create it ourselves.
Bound to break the party plans
The realization that our current ways of living or thinking are unsustainable and must be changed, even if it means disrupting our comfortable routines and lifestyles.
Peeled off the last shot all wrong
Making mistakes or missteps despite our best efforts or intentions, leaving us feeling disappointed or frustrated with ourselves.
You must have guessed that we just missed all wrong
The acknowledgement that others may see our flaws or struggles even when we try to hide or ignore them ourselves.
We can't hear you giggling in the stalls
Feeling isolated and disconnected from others who may be judging or laughing at us, even if we try to ignore or avoid them.
Giving names to the cause
The importance of identifying and understanding the root causes of our problems or struggles, rather than just treating the symptoms or surface issues.
Peeled out too late
Realizing that we missed an opportunity or made a mistake, but it's too late to fix it or change the outcome.
Peeled out too late to hear us giggling in the stalls
Once we realize our mistakes or missed chances, we may also see how we were perceived by others during that time, adding to the feeling of regret or disappointment.
Contributed by Alex N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.