September 1993 brought the duo's debut album Antimatter, and the Metal EP followed in 1994. Controversy followed Cubanate around the British Isles during a 1994 tour with Carcass, as death threats and near riots caused the London Evening Standard to declare that the band had "provoked an outbreak of demented carnage." Late in 1994, Cubanate delivered "Oxyacetylene," the trailer single for second LP Cyberia, which appeared in early 1995. "Oxyacetylene" was a hit of some note, featuring on "Mortal Kombat II" and "Gran Turismo" soundtrack LP's.
Heal and Barry once again enlisted extra members -- this time guitarist Shep Ashton and keyboard player Darren Bennett -- for a European tour with Front Line Assembly in 1995. The duo's third album Barbarossa, was released in April 1996.
Two years later, "Interference" appeared on TVT / Wax Trax! Recordings. The album was a departure from the previous sound, featuring intense drum and bass rythyms and a more personal lyrical style. "Interference" received mixed reactions and Cubanate had disbanded by 2000.
An Airport Bar
Cubanate Lyrics
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Killing time in an airport bar
I see a tourist
With a face like a razor
Eyes like an insect
Body like cancer
All the hostesses
Feel the shame in what they do
It seems like I've been here forever
Killing time in an airport bar
I watch the waitress
I wonder when she's free
But I don't really like her
And I don't think she likes me
'cause I am part of the furniture
Part of the furniture
Body hairs on the course of women
That scream, "That's not so bad", they say
Nails form spirals, helter skelters
Thoughts, tree-lined streets wear brick houses
Suburban urges, disconnections
"I hope you find your way, sir"
Junkies, drunkies, queers, diseases
Electric hating dying eyes from
Far away, didn't I say
It seems like I've been here forever
Killing time in an airport bar
Killing time in an airport bar
Killing time in an airport bar
Wish we were here
It seems like I've been here forever
It seems like I've been here forever
Killing time in an airport bar
Killing time in an airport bar
Killing time in an airport bar
Killing time in an airport bar
Cubanate's "An Airport Bar" describes the feeling of being trapped in an airport bar for an extended period of time. The singer conveys a sense of boredom and frustration, and their observations of the other people in the bar are bleak. The opening lines, "It seems like I've been here forever / Killing time in an airport bar," establish that the singer is stuck waiting for something that they have no control over.
The lyrics are filled with vivid and often disturbing images. The description of the tourist with the "face like a razor / Eyes like an insect / Body like cancer" creates a sense of unease. The hostesses are ashamed of their jobs, and the travelers are resigned to their fate. The singer watches the waitress, wondering when she's free, but quickly dismisses the idea of liking her or being liked by her. They feel like they are "part of the furniture."
The second half of the song becomes even more surreal, with mentions of "body hairs on the course of women" and "nails form spirals, helter skelters." The singer seems to be descending into madness or despair, imagining "junkies, drunkies, queers, diseases" and "electric hating dying eyes." The final lines, "Wish we were here / It seems like I've been here forever / Killing time in an airport bar," suggest that the singer is trapped in this purgatory and can only wish to be somewhere else.
Line by Line Meaning
It seems like I've been here forever
Expressing how monotonous and uneventful the time spent in the airport bar feels.
Killing time in an airport bar
Spending time in the bar to pass the time while waiting for a flight.
I see a tourist
With a face like a razor
Eyes like an insect
Body like cancer
Describing a tourist with unattractive physical features.
All the hostesses
Feel the shame in what they do
All the travelers just say "You're welcome, sir"
The contrast between the hostesses' dissatisfaction with their job and the travelers' gratitude for their service.
I watch the waitress
I wonder when she's free
But I don't really like her
And I don't think she likes me
'cause I am part of the furniture
Part of the furniture
Observing the waitress but feeling a sense of disconnect due to being a regular customer and feeling like just another part of the furniture in the bar.
Body hairs on the course of women
That scream, "That's not so bad", they say
Nails form spirals, helter skelters
Thoughts, tree-lined streets wear brick houses
Suburban urges, disconnections
"I hope you find your way, sir"
Depicts a series of disconnected thoughts and observations, including physical features of women and several references to suburban life, all leading to a line from the bartender expressing a polite hope that the singer has a pleasant journey.
Junkies, drunkies, queers, diseases
Electric hating dying eyes from
Far away, didn't I say
A somber reflection on the darker sides of society, including addiction, prejudice, and illness, and feeling isolated from it all.
Wish we were here
A brief yearning for a different place or time.
Killing time in an airport bar
Repeating the line that suggests a sense of dullness and waiting.
It seems like I've been here forever
The final repetition of the opening line, emphasizing the feeling of being stuck and stagnant.
Killing time in an airport bar
The final line, repeating the sardonic refrain and concluding the song.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DOUG MARTIN, MARC HEAL, PHIL BARRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind