1. Dead Flowers are an A… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists using this name.
1. Dead Flowers are an Alternative-rock-pop band from Auckland, New Zealand that released material through Wildside records in the 90's.
Dead Flowers were signed by Wildside records in 1992, they released their first single 'Lisa' which reached 27 on the New Zealand charts. Later in the year they released their debut album 'Skin of A Stone' which was recorded at Phil Rudd's (AC/DC) recording studio in Tauranga, NZ. In December '93 they released their second album 'Sweetfish'. Their third and final album was a self titled album that was released early 1998.
2. Now defunct, Dead Flowers were for many years Newcastle's kings of acid rock. Their career began inauspiciously enough with the privately pressed TV single which, to be honest, was not especially good, consisting of two grungey hard rock tracks with little hint of the psychedelic mayhem to come.
After four years of local obscurity, they were picked up by Brian Sutton's Mystic Stones label for one of its earlier releases. The resultant album Smell The Fragrance does not capture the band at their best by any means. It contained plenty of good songs - Absolution, Crackdown and the drug anthem Piece Of Sky - but one had to ask "Where's the psychedelia?". The band sounded at this time like an updated, druggy Black Sabbath or an English Monster Magnet. If the idea sounds tempting, then go for it, but there was better to come. The track Crackdown also appeared on the Underground Newcastle compilation in an exclusive "grunge" mix.
1992's Moontan is something of an acid rock classic. It opens with the storming Chocolate Staircase which uses the riff from Pink Floyd's Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun A powerfully contrasting track follows in the spacey, almost ambient, Spiral Eye before the band turn the amps up to eleven again for Filling In Time. The heavy riffing of Thought World brings side one to a close. Side two begins with another near ambient track Gaia's Love Hole which despite the awful title is an awesomely beautiful piece of music; the word "ambient" should hold no negative connotations here: this is layers of liquid guitar and brushed cymbals with pulsating bass, and delicate flute (provided by Teapot from Cheops). There follows three tracks more in the heavy, doom-laden style of their first LP. Moontan is strongly recommended. A different version of Chocolate Staircase also appeared on the Delerium compilation Fun With Mushrooms which brought the band to the attention of a wider audience.
Moontan had turned Dead Flowers into one of the hottest properties on the psychedelic scene, and Delerium scooped them for their third LP Altered State Circus which was recorded at Dave Anderson's Foel studios. This contains all the elements which made Moontan so indispensable, but there was a noticeable improvement in the production and musicianship (not that it was bad before by any means). The music was even druggier than previously and the sleeve artwork amongst the most spectacularly psychedelic ever. The music showed the band developing the ambient textures of the previous album in six slow burning, extended tracks. Highlights are The Elephant's Eye Was Eerie (eh?), the title track Altered State Circus and Slouch Factor 9. The only half way weak track was Free the Weed a rather unfocused protest song. The CD contained an extra track, the excellent thirteen minute Vodafone In Oz. Although not an improvement on Moontan the band had instead tried a slightly different musical direction and the album is recommended. The deeply laid back Warmth Within (Chemical Binoculars) was featured on the Pick 'n' Mix Delerium sampler album.
The band split following the release of Altered State Circus. Steev Swayambhunath branched out into ambient dance music, forming a band called Cubic Space Collective. (Chris Williams)
Encounters
Dead Flowers Lyrics
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I've been in the rain for way too long
All wet 'n cold makes a low down fellow
In a state of mind of growing up
Have some to say have still some to deliver
I feel the hunger and I still got thirst
Would you turn around and reconsider
Learn to take it all for what it is worth
I've been there
I've seen it all before
I'm strength
I'm weakness
Still only long for more
We drag the past out in a final future
A well known river to an unknown sea
Painting colors in a grayscale picture
When any where is a better place to be
This is all the whole it's the entire
No more reaching for the higher high
In a blast of gasoline on fire
We turn to more than just encounters you and I
I've seen it all before
I'm strength
I'm weakness
Still only long for more
I know
I've been there
I've seen it all before
I'm strength
I'm weakness
Still only long for more
The lyrics of Dead Flowers's song "Encounters" evoke a sense of weariness and longing for change. The singer in the song is longing for protection from the metaphorical rain that has been pouring down on them for too long. They feel cold and low-spirited, indicating a sense of hardship and struggle. The mention of needing a coat or umbrella symbolizes a desire for comfort and shelter from the hardships they are facing, both externally and internally.
The lyrics also suggest a sense of introspection as the singer reflects on their past experiences and mistakes. They acknowledge that they have things to say and deliver, indicating a sense of unresolved issues or unfinished business. The hunger and thirst mentioned could symbolize a desire for fulfillment and growth. The plea for someone to reconsider and take things for what they are worth reflects a sense of longing for understanding and acceptance from others.
As the song progresses, the singer seems to come to terms with their past and present realities. They mention dragging the past into the future and painting colors in a grayscale picture, suggesting a struggle between optimism and pessimism. The reference to any place being a better place to be indicates a lack of satisfaction with the current circumstances and a longing for change. The mention of a blast of gasoline on fire could symbolize a desire for transformation or a breaking point.
The repeated lines "I know, I've been there, I've seen it all before, I'm strength, I'm weakness, still only long for more" convey a sense of resilience and vulnerability within the singer. They have experienced hardships and challenges before, yet they continue to long for more in life, suggesting a desire for growth and fulfillment. Overall, the lyrics of "Encounters" by Dead Flowers paint a poignant picture of struggle, introspection, and a longing for change and growth amidst difficult circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
I need a coat or just a wide umbrella
I am seeking comfort and protection from the storm I have been weathering for too long.
I've been in the rain for way too long
I have endured challenges and hardships for an extended period of time.
All wet 'n cold makes a low down fellow
Feeling damp and chilled to the bone tends to bring down one's spirits.
In a state of mind of growing up
Finding myself in a mental space of maturing and evolving.
Have some to say have still some to deliver
I have words to express and messages to share that are yet to be conveyed.
I feel the hunger and I still got thirst
I have an insatiable appetite for more experiences and a desire for knowledge.
Would you turn around and reconsider
Will you change your perspective and rethink your stance on the situation?
Learn to take it all for what it is worth
Understand the value in every experience, no matter how challenging or rewarding.
We drag the past out in a final future
We carry the baggage of our past into an uncertain future.
A well known river to an unknown sea
Navigating familiar territory towards uncharted waters.
Painting colors in a grayscale picture
Adding vibrancy and depth to a dull and monotonous existence.
When any where is a better place to be
Finding solace and contentment in any location or circumstance.
This is all the whole it's the entire
Embracing the entirety of the situation, not just selective parts.
No more reaching for the higher high
No longer chasing unattainable highs and instead accepting reality as it is.
In a blast of gasoline on fire
Surrounded by chaos and destruction, a poignant metaphor for turmoil.
We turn to more than just encounters you and I
Our connection goes beyond fleeting meetings, it is deeper and more meaningful.
I've seen it all before
Having witnessed similar situations or experiences in the past.
I'm strength
I possess resilience and inner fortitude.
I'm weakness
I have vulnerabilities and areas where I falter.
Still only long for more
Despite all I have endured, I still desire additional growth and development.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Joar Aksnes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind