Chemlab broke up in 1997, and reformed in 2004 with Jared as the only original member. Working with the members of Acumen Nation, old touring guitarist Greg Lucas and Julian Beeston (Nitzer Ebb, etc), he recorded and released an album entitled "Oxidizer". Recently, after a massive seven year hiatus from the stage, Jared and a backing band comprised of the members of Electro-Industrial group Mindless Faith has taken Chemlab back on the road again. They have performed around the country at a number of festivals and are planning tours for 2007. The album "Rock Whore vs Dance Floor", a varied collection of remixes from "Oxidizer" by Die Warzau, 16Volt, Cubanate and many others, was released in late spring, 2006.
Jared Louche announced on stage during a performance on September 7th 2012 in Chicago, that it would be the band's final show
In the spring of 2018, it was announced that Chemlab would return for Cold Waves VII in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles to perform Burn Out at the Hydrogen Bar in its entirety to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the album's release. The band also performed at Cold Waves VIII, along with a number of other standalone shows. The band later released the compilation Tape Decay in 2019. This release includes unreleased tracks from the East Side Militia, Burn Out at the Hydrogen Bar and 10 Ton Pressure cassette demos as well as new songs. The band performed at the Oriental Theater in Denver with Pop Will Eat Itself and Scifidelic from September 21 to 22, 2019. '
For more in-depth information go to: www.hydrogenbar.com as well as: www.myspace.com/chemlab
Elephant Man
Chemlab Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The monster attacked, the demon alone,
(Hide your face)
Broken flesh that lies within
Trapped inside the demon skin,
(Hide your face)
Madness throwing evil glances
Inside is where the horror dances,
Hatred's pliers tooth extracting
Hostile environment discriminating
(Hide your face)
Genetic downpour corrodes my spleen
So much less than what I seem,
I don't think you know,
You couldn't understand,
What it feels like
To be the Elephant Man
Madness burns a ragged hole
Into the core of the demon soul,
The meek will never inherit the earth
They'll be beaten and bandaged and
Drugged and fucked up and cursed
(Hide your face)
Mob voices lashes skin from bone
The monster attacked the demon alone-
(Hide your face!)
The meek will never inherit the earth
They'll be beaten and bandaged and
Drugged out fucked up and cursed-
(Hide your face)
Help me, I'm the Elephant Man!
The first verse of Chemlab's song Elephant Man speaks about a monster that has attacked, leaving broken flesh and trapping someone within a demon skin. The lyrics evoke images of fear and madness, calling attention to the horror that lies within. The lines "so much less than what I seem, I don't think you know, you couldn't understand, what it feels like to be the Elephant Man" highlights a sense of alienation and isolation, emphasizing that the person who's trapped within the demon skin feels misunderstood - like an outsider in the world.
The second verse continues to explore the themes of madness, violence, and discrimination. The "meek" will never inherit the earth, and instead, they'll be subject to abuse and mistreatment. The lyrics call attention to how people who are different from the norm can be ostracized, vilified, and demonized, leaving them feeling trapped and powerless to change their situation. The repeated chorus of "hide your face" emphasizes a sense of shame and fear, as the person who's trapped within the demon skin feels like they need to hide from the world.
Overall, Elephant Man is a powerful and evocative song that speaks to the pain of feeling like an outsider. The lyrics draw on horror movie imagery to create a sense of fear and unease, highlighting the sense of isolation and alienation that can come with being different. The song is a powerful commentary on the ways that society can be cruel to those who don't fit in, and it calls for empathy and understanding for those who are struggling.
Line by Line Meaning
Mob voice lashes skin from bone
The monster attacked, leaving deep scars and wounds. The violence inflicted was merciless and brutal.
Broken flesh that lies within
The person inside is trapped, unable to escape their monstrous exterior. Who they truly are is hidden.
Madness throwing evil glances
The inner turmoil and insanity is evident by the hateful and disturbing looks on the monster's face.
Hatred's pliers tooth extracting
The hostile treatment is like pulling teeth; it's painful, relentless, and never-ending.
Genetic downpour corrodes my spleen
The physical and emotional damage caused by a genetic disorder is overwhelming, and the monster is left feeling like less than a human being.
I don't think you know
The monster doesn't believe others can truly understand the pain they endure.
You couldn't understand
Despite others' best efforts, there is no way they can comprehend what it is like to be in the monster's shoes.
What it feels like
The monster is unable to put into words the depth of their feelings and experiences.
To be the Elephant Man
Living with physical deformities and the resulting judgement and cruelty from others is a harrowing experience.
Madness burns a ragged hole
The monster's psychotic episodes leave a lasting imprint and deep hole in their soul.
Into the core of the demon soul
The monster's innermost being is twisted and tormented by their affliction and the world's disdain.
The meek will never inherit the earth
People who are meek and humble will not be rewarded in this world; instead, they will be subject to abuse and mistreatment.
They'll be beaten and bandaged and drugged and fucked up and cursed
Those who are perceived as weaker will be subjected to physical and emotional trauma, leading to further suffering.
Help me, I'm the Elephant Man!
A desperate plea for aid and understanding in a world that seeks to harm and shun the monster.
Contributed by London N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.