The band produced three albums on Restless Records: "Disgraceland", "Hellbilly", and "Supersadomasochisticexpialidocious". Not really parody, and only slightly punk, they were actually a seminal American psychobilly outfit, taking cues from the likes of The Meteors and Mad Sin.
The band was active in the late Eighties, early Nineties, and has recently reformed (2005). It consists of singer Jim Leedy (a.k.a. "Elvis Hitler"), guitarist John Defever, bassist Warren Defever, and drummer Damian Lang.
Their irreverent mix of rockabilly and lowbrow humor led to them having a cult following in their day, though they never had commercial success. They then disappeared from the public spotlight for the first time. Warren DeFever (a.k.a Warn DeFever) would go on to form the dramatically-different sounding experimental rock band His Name Is Alive, and work as a record producer for underground bands. He is known for going under various pseudonyms, and is also a member of numerous other bands including The Dirteaters (The Dirt Eaters), and the avant-garde noise / performance group Princess Dragonmom (Princess Dragon-mom).
In 1998, however, Elvis Hitler reunited as a four piece band, with Rich Strock filling in on bass, and played at various locations in Detroit and in Chicago. They then faded away again. They once more reunited in 2003 at The Magic Stick club in Detroit with Warren Defever returning to the bass. They played one more concert at that club on September 4th, 2004.
Due to the resistance of having a band with the name Hitler in the title, regardless of its intent, the band released one album under the name "Splatter."
Hang 'Em High
Elvis Hitler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look like girls
But they're guys
Lots of hair with tons of gel
They sing just like
Hounds from Hell
CHORUS
Hang 'em high, hang 'em high, hang 'em high
Flying fingers, lots of notes
Where the hell did they
Find those clothes?
Arenas full of banging heads
Making noise to wake the dead
CHORUS
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The lyrics of Elvis Hitler's song "Hang 'Em High" are a sarcastic commentary on the masculinity and theatricality of heavy metal music. The "marshall stacks piled high" refer to the towering amps used by heavy metal bands, which are a symbol of power and volume. However, the line "look like girls but they're guys" is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the androgynous appearance of some metal musicians, who wear tight clothes, makeup, and long hair.
The second verse mentions the flying fingers and lots of notes played by metal guitarists, which are technical feats that are often admired by fans. However, the line "where the hell did they find those clothes?" suggests that the image is just as important as the music in the world of heavy metal. The next line, "arenas full of banging heads," refers to the raucous atmosphere of metal concerts, where fans headbang and mosh to the music.
The chorus, "hang 'em high, hang 'em high, hang 'em high, watch them die," is a repeated phrase that is likely meant to be a mockery of both the death-obsessed imagery of heavy metal and the violent tendencies of some metal audiences. Overall, the lyrics of "Hang 'Em High" are a humorous but pointed critique of a particular subculture and its conventions.
Line by Line Meaning
Marshall stacks piled high
Guitar amplifiers stacked up high
Look like girls
The band members have long hair and wear androgynous clothing
But they're guys
Despite their appearance, the band members are male
Lots of hair with tons of gel
The band's hair is styled with a lot of hair gel
They sing just like Hounds from Hell
The band's singing style is rough and aggressive, like a pack of hounds
CHORUS Hang 'em high, hang 'em high, hang 'em high Watch them die
The chorus is a call to action, encouraging the audience to punish those who are different
Flying fingers, lots of notes
The band's guitar playing is impressive and fast-paced
Where the hell did they Find those clothes?
The songwriter is questioning the band's fashion choices
Arenas full of banging heads
The band plays to large crowds of enthusiastic fans
Making noise to wake the dead
The band's music is loud and intense
CHORUS Hang 'em high, hang 'em high, hang 'em high Watch them die
The chorus repeats the call to action, encouraging the audience to be violent towards those who are different
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