Shortly after forming they enlisted Milo Aukerman and made what started out a surf band into a full fledged punk unit. Descendents have diverged from their punk peers, perhaps because of the Beach Boys influences, and sang about topics that touched many young punks' lives like parents, food, girls and being rejected.
This band separated due to Milo actually going to college (he attended the University of California, San Diego) just like the title of their debut. This and other constraints have made them famous for their long hiatuses, which are sometimes a decade span in length. The band has now spread out across their country of origin and their future is somewhat uncertain.
Lead singer Milo Aukerman currently resides in Newark, Delaware. He was a biochemist for the internationally known DuPont Chemical company, which is based out of Delaware. However, whenever the end of Descendents seemed to be approaching, Milo popped up again and the band released a new record. Aukerman then later returned to his academic duties in teaching biochemistry. He then quit his academic life to pursue a career in music fulltime.
Blast Off
Descendents Lyrics
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Unless you want to get blown away
Treat the spider with a little respect
You take the heat – it's gonna bite back
Blast Off at Cape Canaveral
Toilet seat is your launching pad
Blast Off at Cape Canaveral
Capsaicinoids are a thing to avoid
Unless you want to burn in that ‘roid
We'll be laughing and rolling on the floor
When we hear you screaming through that door
Blast Off at Cape Canaveral
All Systems Go!
Blast Off at Cape Canaveral
4-3-2-1 Blast Off!
Jalapeño, habañero
Burning all yo' hair down there-o
Picinu, vindaloo
They're gonna getcha, they're gonna getcha, too
You know those red things in the Kung Pao
Don't say I didn't warn you now
Take the time to pick them out
Or the spider gets grouchy
And it's time to countdown!
Blast Off at Cape Canaveral
Houston, we have a problem…
Blast Off at Cape Canaveral
4-3-2-1 Blast Off!
The lyrics to Descendents' song Blast Off are a humorous warning against the dangers of spicy food. The first verse advises listeners to stay away from chili verde, a spicy Mexican stew, unless they "want to get blown away." The second verse references the heat of capsaicinoids, the compounds that make chili peppers spicy. The chorus encourages listeners to "Blast Off at Cape Canaveral" with a toilet seat as their launching pad, a nod to the absurdity of the song's subject matter. The third verse continues with warnings about spicy peppers, including jalapeño and habañero, before ending with a reference to the red chili peppers in Kung Pao chicken.
The song's title and chorus also reference NASA's Cape Canaveral, a launch site for space missions. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy chorus make it a fun and lighthearted addition to Descendents' punk rock catalogue. The song's humorous take on a relatable subject has also helped it become a fan favorite and a staple of the band's live shows.
Line by Line Meaning
Stay away from the chili verde
Don't eat the chili verde because it'll cause you problems.
Unless you want to get blown away
Unless you want to experience unpleasantness.
Treat the spider with a little respect
Be cautious when dealing with the spider.
You take the heat – it's gonna bite back
If you mess with it, the consequences will come back at you.
Blast Off at Cape Canaveral
Launch into space from Cape Canaveral.
Toilet seat is your launching pad
Your toilet seat is your makeshift launching pad.
4-3-2-1 Blast Off!
Countdown to lift off.
Capsaicinoids are a thing to avoid
Avoid capsaicinoids if you don't want to experience discomfort.
Unless you want to burn in that ‘roid
Unless you want to feel the burning sensation of the capsaicinoids.
We'll be laughing and rolling on the floor
We'll be amused to see what you'll do.
When we hear you screaming through that door
When we hear you screaming from the bathroom.
All Systems Go!
Everything is ready to go.
Jalapeño, habañero
Spicy foods to avoid.
Burning all yo' hair down there-o
Causing an unpleasant burning sensation in personal areas.
Picinu, vindaloo
Other spicy foods to avoid.
They're gonna getcha, they're gonna getcha, too
The spiciness will affect you as well.
You know those red things in the Kung Pao
The red peppers in Kung Pao are to be avoided.
Don't say I didn't warn you now
I warned you beforehand.
Take the time to pick them out
Take the time to remove the red peppers.
Or the spider gets grouchy
Or you will experience discomfort.
And it's time to countdown!
And it's time to prepare to blast off.
Houston, we have a problem…
Something unpredictable has occurred.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BRIAN ROBERTSON, NICOLAS SCAPA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind