Ask the DJ/production duo DESIGNER DRUGS how many air miles they’ve logged over the past year and the answer requires more than a bit of calculating. “Over 300,000,” Michael Vincent Patrick referencing numerous spots around the world where the group has performed. “I have a really nice apartment in New York City, but I’ve only been there three days this month.”
It’s a testament both to the duo’s popularity and work ethic that that number may become the annual norm. After nearly 50 remixes for everyone from Mariah Carey to Annie to Thieves Like Us, the diverse electronic group, comprised of Patrick and Theodore Paul Nelson, is set to release their debut album HARDCORE/SOFTCORE on Ultra Records in February 2011.
Where past productions and remixes have been on the poppier end of the musical spectrum, Hardcore conjures up a darker, edgier vibe – think the throbbing, industrial-heavy opening club scene in “The Doom Generation” – yet still retains a melodic center on many of the tracks. “I think we’re making music for the apocalypse,” says Michael, only half-joking. “The state of society is at a place where people just don’t give a fuck and that’s what inspires our music.”
School hasn't stopped the group from putting on memorable live sets as much as possible. Spend a few minutes at one of DESIGNER DRUGS’ live shows and you’ll see the normally humble pair, spurred on by the intense energy of their music, transform into a different beast. “It gets pretty wild,” admits Michael. “Even though we’re mellow, there’s lots of stage diving and almost slam dancing. It’s next level dance club shit that almost morphs into that ‘90s hardcore/punk vibe.”
Designer Drug’s Hardcore/Softcore will be released February 2011 on Ultra Records
More to Know:
Website: http://www.designer-drugs.net
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/designerdrugsclubmusic
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Designer-Drugs/21951474675
Twitter: http://twitter.com/designerdrugs
Hometown: East Village, New York, United States
Label: http://www.ultrarecords.com
Back Up In This
Designer Drugs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Desireless
Shooting Up In Vain
Waking up as the sun goes down
Body all in pain
Straight out the door to the worst part of town
Shooting up in vain
Here we go again... here we go again
Got bags of mercy in the palm of his hand
Shooting up in vain
CHORUS:
So he heads for the closest rooftop
And now he's free with the skyline begind
But it won't be long until his high will drop
Then you know what he'll try to find
Such a shame
Now he's back on that hunt for more
Body all in pain
Wanting to get back to where he was before
Shooting up in vain
So now he goes and sells his wedding ring
Here we go again... here we go again
But now he's sold exactly everything
Shooting up in vain
CHORUS
Such a shame
Down to the bed as the sun goes up
Body all in pain
Now he swears he's going to stop
Shooting up in vain
He's Dr. Jekyll and he's Mr. Hyde
He's got to listen to that voice deep inside
Got a one-way ticket on a derailed train
Got a one-way ticket on a derailed train
Shooting up in vain
Such a shame
Such a shame
Got a one-way ticket on a derailed train
Got to stop shooting up in vain...(REPEAT)
The song "Back Up In This" by Designer Drugs featuring Sarah Ruba opens with a sample from Eagle-Eye Cherry's "Desireless," featuring the lyrics "Shooting Up In Vain." The song tells the story of the struggles of drug addiction, with the singer waking up as the sun goes down, feeling the pain in his body from previous drug use. The lyrics detail the singer's desperation as he heads straight to the worst part of town to shoot up drugs, even though he knows that it's all in vain.
The chorus describes how the singer searches for a place to escape and, eventually, finds solace on a rooftop. However, the song makes it clear that this high won't last long, and the singer will soon be searching for more drugs. The verses go on to describe how the singer sells his wedding ring to fund his habit and how he promises himself to stop shooting up, though he inevitably fails to keep his promise. The final lyrics liken the singer to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and the chorus repeats the line "Got a one-way ticket on a derailed train," underscoring the devastating consequences of drug addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
Eagle-Eye Cherry
The artist who sang this song
Desireless
An allusion to the musician's song 'Voyage Voyage'
Shooting Up In Vain
The act of taking drugs without being able to achieve a satisfying high
Waking up as the sun goes down
Feeling disoriented and confused due to drug use
Body all in pain
Physical discomfort and illness brought about by drug addiction
Straight out the door to the worst part of town
Going to the unsafe and dangerous area of the city where drugs are readily available
Slips all his money to the man
Giving all his cash to the dealer in exchange for drugs
Here we go again... here we go again
A sense of weariness and frustration at the repetitive nature of drug addiction
Got bags of mercy in the palm of his hand
Referring to the drugs that will provide temporary relief from the pain and desperation of addiction
So he heads for the closest rooftop
Finding a place to take drugs in peace and solitude
And now he's free with the skyline behind
Enjoying a sense of release and freedom while being high
But it won't be long until his high will drop
Knowing that the effects of the drugs will wear off soon
Then you know what he'll try to find
The addict will soon be searching for another fix
Such a shame
A critical commentary on the consequences of drug addiction
Now he's back on that hunt for more
Returning to the search for drugs
Wanting to get back to where he was before
Desire to recapture the initial high experienced
So now he goes and sells his wedding ring
Resorting to desperate measures to obtain more drugs
Down to the bed as the sun goes up
Exhaustion and physical discomfort after drug use
He's Dr. Jekyll and he's Mr. Hyde
The duality of the addict's personality, a reference to a novel by Robert Louis Stevenson
He's got to listen to that voice deep inside
Encouragement to listen to his better judgment
Got a one-way ticket on a derailed train
A metaphor for the addict's life, which is heading towards disaster
Got to stop shooting up in vain...
The urgent need to break free from drug addiction before it's too late
Contributed by Grayson R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@the1produkt
easily one of my favorite live DJ sets ive ever seen was these guys at BFD in... 08? i think it was 08 lol...
@Eon_621
EARGASM!!!! The Don Rimini Lock Up Remix is pretty good as well.
@linq1988
that tune blown my head off :D... good job :)
@AnaEscarcega
fuuuuuuckin amazing!
@btytrthfrdmlv
I really like this :D!!
@yarinkacollucci
this song is fkn bomb
@djbookie909
this would be a sick ass shirt i want it!!!
@IrishSk8bOaRd
dat sounds class idk wat yous ar talkin bou
@tical2222
wow what a tuuuuuuuuune, the alarm sound on the begining iz sssssoooo lol
@JerryLara
still backing up