Chokebore released their debut single Nobody/Throats and their first full-length Motionless later that year. Their changing tempos and moody outbursts were unlike many other Amrep bands at the time, but their more furious and quicker paced moments aligned themselves just enough. They toured with Guzzard and Today Is The Day as well as with other more well-known likeminded bands, including the Butthole Surfers, Samiam, Girls Against Boys and Nirvana.
They earned a strong following in Europe, in support of 1995's Anything Near Water and A Taste For Bitters, which were recorded and engineered in France. 1998s Black Black, was a portrait of the band's darker side; lonliness, depression, death and sadness recurring themes. This LP is widely accepted in the rock underground to be a true masterpiece. The album was released on AmRep's European Boomba Records, but wasn't released stateside for another year, finally finding a home on Unwound's Punk In My Vitamins label.
The band released It's a Miracle in 2002, which saw the band slightly less concerned with strict-cohesion of the aethetics and some songs were looser than on past releases (i.e. Ciao L.A. is perhaps the most straightforward 'rock' track the band has ever put to tape). The live album A Part From Life was released in 2003 and the band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2005. The singer/guitar player Troy recorded a solo album and it was released in early 2006.
Chokebore came together late 2009 after several years a part for a European tour early in 2010.
Prior members
Johnee Kop (1993 - 1995)
Mike Featherson (1997 - 1999)
Official Website: http://www.chokebore.net
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Alaska
Chokebore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But, I'm down, what do you want from me?
Don't you know what counts?
You sound like falling airplanes and you scream at me to watch you, as you fall through stained-glass windows into other peoples houses, but my knees are weak, my knees are weak.
Well you smell of burning laundries, like fires on the hill side. You remind me of Alaska and all the places I've been to. But my knees are weak, but my knees are weak.
And I'm down, what do you want from me?
Don't you know what counts?
The lyrics to Chokebore's song Alaska depict a sense of disorientation and confusion in the midst of social conformity. The opening line "you smell like burning luggage" sets the tone for the song, evoking a sense of chaos or upheaval. The singer of the song is struggling to maintain a sense of normalcy while being bombarded by the multitude of noises and expectations of others.
The reference to Alaska suggests a sort of refuge or escape from the social pressures, a place where the singer can be themselves without judgement or scrutiny. However, even in their interactions with the person who reminds them of Alaska, they still feel the weight of societal expectations on their shoulders. The imagery of falling airplanes and stained-glass windows speaks to the danger and fragility of trying to maintain appearances; the singer wants to break free but is unsure of how to do so.
The repetition of "my knees are weak" throughout the song underscores the vulnerability and instability of the singer's situation, while the refrain of "what do you want from me? Don't you know what counts?" speaks to the frustration of feeling like their efforts to please others are going unnoticed or unappreciated. Overall, the lyrics to Alaska paint a vivid and poignant picture of the struggle to find oneself in a world that demands conformity.
Line by Line Meaning
You smell like burning luggage, lighting fires on the hillsides, you remind me of Alaska and other places I've been to, but I've been swimming in the noises of all these other people, trying to hold it all together and pretend like everything's like normal.
You emit a distinct odor resembling burning luggage, setting fires ablaze on the hillsides, and it takes me back to my memories of Alaska and other places I've visited. However, I am surrounded by the boisterous clamor of others and struggling to maintain composure while pretending that everything is fine.
But, I'm down, what do you want from me?
I feel defeated and disheartened - what can I possibly do for you?
Don't you know what counts?
Don't you know the significant aspects of life?
You sound like falling airplanes and you scream at me to watch you, as you fall through stained-glass windows into other peoples houses, but my knees are weak, my knees are weak.
Your voice bears a resemblance to that of falling airplanes, and you implore me to observe as you plunge into the windows of other individuals' homes, shattering their stained-glass panes. However, I am unable to remain steadfast as my legs wobble due to your actions.
Well you smell of burning laundries, like fires on the hill side. You remind me of Alaska and all the places I've been to. But my knees are weak, but my knees are weak.
You emit an aroma reminiscent of burning laundry and fires on the hillside. You take me back to my time in Alaska and other places I've visited, yet my legs are unsteady and weak whenever you are around.
And I'm down, what do you want from me?
I am feeling defeated - what is it that you require of me?
Don't you know what counts?
Don't you understand what really matters in life?
Contributed by Amelia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Anna Kelman
Dark and strangely beautiful, syncopated heaven.