In 1988, an Ottawa, Ontario police officer instigated a criminal investigation of the Dayglos after his daughter brought home a copy of Here Today, Guano Tomorrow.
Two albums featured in the resulting trial; the covers and the lyrical content being showcased by the prosecution. Here Today, Guano Tomorrow had a cover showing a picture of a hamster eating from a box of chocolates on nice satin sheets, along with a glass of wine. A gun points at the hamster, and the back cover shows a depiction of the resulting carnage.
The previous album, Feed Us A Fetus, was perhaps a little less graphic, with a depiction of a baked fetus on the table in front of Ronald and Nancy Reagan.
This resulted in the criminal prosecution of Fringe Product, their label at the time, for distribution and possession with intent to distribute of obscene material—the first such prosecution since the offense entered the criminal code in 1959. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.
The Dayglos had musical revenge in the title song of their next album, Two Dogs Fucking, in which the priggishness of Ottawa's public officials leads directly to the extinction of the human race.
On occasion, Dayglo albums having included political aspects, Holy Shiite is no exception with song titles such as "America Eats Her Young", "Christina Bin Laden", "Scientology", and "Where's Bin Laden?".
Old school
Dayglo Abortions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I can play, hay hay hay - Not One note!
Cuz when we started out - Out Out Out!
You didn't have to - Not Necessary!
Non uh me lyrics rhyme - They Don't Rhyme!
Cuz basically I'm illiterate - He's Illiterate
Actually I'm a bit confused - He's A Bit Confused
We are Old School - Oi Oi
Old School Old School - Oi Oi
Even if we never finished school - Oi Oi
We're still Old School - Oi Oi
We like to dress up like pirates - Pirates?
We wear funny haircuts and pins and things - Pins And Things!
Then we get drunk and stagger around - They Stagger Around!
And spit on each other and old ladies and things - Spit On Old Ladies!
The Dayglo Abortions' song "Old School" paints a picture of the punk rock subculture of the late 70s and 80s. The lyrics talk about the singer's experience as an old school punk rocker and how the punk scene has changed since then. The song opens with the line "I'm an old school punk rocker," which is followed by the refrain "Old school, old school, even if we never finished school." Here, the band is harkening back to the days when punk was still an underground movement and not yet a commercial enterprise.
The song takes a self-deprecating tone when it comes to the band's musical abilities. The line "And I can play, hay hay hay, not one note" suggests that technical proficiency was not a requirement for punk rock. This sentiment is echoed later in the song when the band admits to being illiterate and confused. The Dayglo Abortions' lyrics rarely rhyme, which is also mentioned in the song. The fact that their songs are confusing is also acknowledged, making it clear that the band uses anti-establishment lyrics as a way to express dissent.
One of the most interesting parts of the song has to do with the images it evokes. The Dayglo Abortions were known for their outrageous, punk rock aesthetic, and this is reflected in the lyrics. The band members dressed up like pirates, wore funny haircuts, and used pins and things to create a look that was both rebellious and iconic. The fact that they would then get drunk, stagger around, and spit on each other and old ladies only adds to the wildness of the image they are trying to create.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm an old school punk rocker
He identifies as a punk rocker with a traditional style.
And I can play, hay hay hay
He has the ability to play music, possibly on a guitar or other stringed instrument.
Cuz when we started out
Referring to the beginning of the punk rock movement.
You didn't have to
The musical standards were not as set or high as they are now.
Non uh me lyrics rhyme
His lyrics do not always employ rhyme schemes.
Cuz basically I'm illiterate
He may not have a formal education or may struggle with literacy.
Actually I'm a bit confused
He has some confusion surrounding aspects of his music or the punk movement in general.
And my songs are a bit confusing too
His music may be difficult to interpret or understand for some listeners.
We are Old School
He and his band members represent a specific era or genre of punk rock.
Old School Old School
Emphasizing the importance or pride in being a part of the old school punk movement.
Even if we never finished school
Education may not have been a priority or possiblility for them.
We're still Old School
Despite any changes or developments, they still maintain a connection to traditional punk rock values and aesthetics.
We like to dress up like pirates
They may incorporate theatrical elements into their style, such as costumes or props.
We wear funny haircuts and pins and things
He and his bandmates may have unconventional or quirky hairstyles, and enjoy accessorizing with pins or other unique items.
Then we get drunk and stagger around
They engage in activities that may be perceived as rowdy or reckless.
And spit on each other and old ladies and things
They behave in a manner that could be considered disrespectful or offensive to others.
Contributed by Natalie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.