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
Monkey God
Chemlab Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
1-2-3-4
1 - the bruise
2 - the fuse
3 - abuse
4 - let it loose
Let it loose...
Get your neck out of that noose
The noise is less
The stink is more
The need remains
Scratch your brains until they’re sore
Cruising from snoozing to bruising
Light it up
Get it hot
The fireworks are taking off
And you get gunshot
Cruising from snoozing to bruising
I got no monkey, I got no monkey
I got no monkey god on my back
Talking to you from the top of the dial
Unjam rebuke refuse denial
The lyrics of Chemlab's song "Monkey God" appear to be about breaking free from the constraints and expectations placed upon us by society. The countdown in the beginning seems to signify a release of energy and a call to action. The first verse lists the things weighing us down, the bruise and abuse, and urges us to let loose and get our necks out of the noose. There is a sense of urgency and rebellion in these lyrics, with the need to scratch our brains until they're sore and break free from the monotony of life.
The chorus continues the theme of breaking free, with the noise becoming less and the stink becoming more as we venture into new and unknown territory. The fireworks are taking off and there is a sense of danger with the mention of gunshot. The second verse repeats the first with the additional line "I got no monkey god on my back", suggesting a rejection of religious or societal pressures.
The final line "Talking to you from the top of the dial, unjam rebuke refuse denial" reinforces the rebellious tone of the song, urging the listener to resist the pressures placed upon them and to stand up for themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Count down
Starting a countdown
1-2-3-4
The countdown is numbered 1-2-3-4
1 - the bruise
First step of the countdown represents struggle and pain
2 - the fuse
Second step represents an impending explosion or ignition
3 - abuse
Third step represents oneself experiencing hardships or unkindness from others
4 - let it loose
Fourth step represents release or unloading
Let it loose...
Encouraging oneself or others to let go of the burden they are carrying
Get your neck out of that noose
Advising someone to get out of a difficult situation before it's too late
The noise is less
The situation is becoming calm
The stink is more
Unpleasant things continue to happen or arise despite the calmness
The need remains
The desire or motivation to act remains, despite the unpleasantness
Scratch your brains until they’re sore
Thinking or trying hard to find solutions for the problem at hand
Cruising from snoozing to bruising
Moving from a resting state to a state of discomfort or pain
Light it up
Get things started or take action
Get it hot
Enthusiastically engage in the action
The fireworks are taking off
Things are getting messy or explosive
And you get gunshot
Getting caught in the crossfire or experiencing unintended consequences
I got no monkey, I got no monkey
Not carrying any burdens or being free of attachments
I got no monkey god on my back
Not being oppressed or influenced by any external or internal forces
Talking to you from the top of the dial
Sending a message or communicating from a powerful position
Unjam rebuke refuse denial
Breaking free from negative patterns or habits and rejecting them
Contributed by Kaitlyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.