The group's music is a novel synthesis of punk rock and new wave but their lyrics are strictly focused on science fiction themes, Atomic Age futurism, alienation and consumerism. Robots, androids, clones and nuclear weapons all figure prominently in the Epoxies' lyrics.
History
Inception (2000–2002)
Members of the Epoxies had been involved with punk bands in the Portland area since the mid-1990s. Most notably, FM played with and Roxy photographed many album covers for The Automatics.[1] FM and Viz conceived of a band wearing spray-painted refrigerator boxes and dryer hose as home-made robot costumes. This soon gave way to less restrictive (but generally just as low budget) costumes as the impracticality of wearing a box and playing a guitar became apparent. Kid Polymer soon took up the bass guitar when FM and Viz finally decided to go ahead with the idea. Dr. Grip and Roxy were the last to join the band in 2000, completing their first line-up. Surprisingly, this was the first time Roxy had considered being in a band. They were first known as the Adhesives before discovering that another group with that name existed nearby.[1]
In September 2001, the Epoxies released their first recording on Dirtnap Records, based in Seattle at the time. The self-titled 7" vinyl contained the tracks "Need More Time", "Molded Plastic" and a cover version of "Beat My Guest" by Adam and the Ants. This was the start of a longstanding association with the Pacific Northwest label and several other bands on it at the time such as The Briefs and The Spits.
Increasing popularity (2002–2006)
The first recording formed the basis for a full-length album that followed in March 2002 with extensive West Coast tours to support it. Between the release of their first album and August that year Kid Polymer left the band and was replaced on bass guitar by Shock Diode, who has the fictional persona of a clone.[2][3]
The band released a 7" single, "Synthesised", in October 2003, with a B-side cover version of Alice Cooper's "Clones (We're All)". Before their first US tour at the end of the year, the Epoxies also began making a CD EP to sell at shows that collected their previous 7" releases. Soon after the tour Dr. Grip decided to leave the band and was replaced by Ray Cathode, who claims to be a clone much like Shock Diode.
The Epoxies continued to tour the United States in 2003 and 2004 often opening for the Groovie Ghoulies. The group also toured Europe for the first time in 2004 with NOFX. "Need More Time" was released again the following year on Fat Wreck Chords' Rock Against Bush compilation.
This inclusion led the Epoxies to sign with Fat Wreck Chords for their second album, Stop the Future, released in April 2005, which included a cover version of the Scorpions' "Robot Man". It showcased more of the short, fast songs that fans had come to expect while also showing a more down-tempo and melodic style with the ending track "Toys" (their first song to last longer than 4:30).
They spent most of 2005 and 2006 touring with similarly pseudonymed bands The Aquabats and The Phenomenauts; Fat Wreck Chords label-mates Smoke or Fire, The Soviettes and Against Me!, and fellow pop-punkers Teenage Bottlerocket.
During this tour, the band re-recorded the single "Synthesised" in the fictional Simlish language for the release of The Sims 2: Open for Business computer game in 2006.[4]
Break up and later work
The Epoxies signed with Metropolis Records in June 2007 and released an EP in August entitled My New World.[5] Posts to the Metropolis website indicate that they planned an album to follow later in the year.[6] However, in a MySpace blog interview on March 17, 2008, Roxy confirmed rumors that the Epoxies were probably broken up, or at least on an extended hiatus.[7]
Lead vocalist Roxy Epoxy began hosting a radio show broadcast on Portland State University's campus radio station in April 2007,[8] and[when?] fronted the new wave/pop rock band Roxy Epoxy and the Rebound. They released their first CD, Band Aids on Bullet Holes, in March 2009 on Metropolis Records, and underwent a national tour supporting TheStart the same month. As a solo artist, Roxy Epoxy released in 2010 a 5-tracks EP called 1000 with the avant-garde French record label Rotorelief. In 2016, Roxy moved back to her home state of Massachusetts to attend the 2-year MBA program at F.W. Olin School of Business at Babson College.[9] She wrote and recorded a new album of material with Chris Pierce from Groucho Marxists and Doc Hopper at his studio, Volume IV, located in New Brunswick, NJ. Faux Replika's debut album "Presenting!" was released in January 2020 on Rad Girlfriend Records. The full line up has yet to play live due to COVID precautions. [10]
FM Static went on to briefly tour as a guitarist (under the name "Fritz M. Static") for the Oakland-based "Rocket Roll" band The Phenomenauts. He continued to be their touring keyboardist, playing on several national and international tours, through 2014. Since 2010, he also plays bass in the new wave punk band The Bloodtypes,[11] who have toured both nationally and internationally and released an album and an EP. FM Static has also started his own synth punk one man show entitled Static and the Cubes.[12]
Ryan (Shock Diode) appeared on Cecilia and the Sauerkrauts' full-length album Sauerkraut, Wurst Und Other Delights. He then founded the synth punk band Sex Crime together with his wife Cecilia (No-Talents / Operation S) as well as former Epoxies drummer Tim (Ray Cathode).[13] Sex Crime has released three 7" (on Danger Records, No Front Teeth Records and Jonny Cat Records) and one full-length album [14] on Danger Records.
Meanwhile, Tim (Ray Cathode) has also helped to form a new band in Portland called The Bourbonettes who appeared on Shower Time! A Tribute to The Punk Group. The band then renamed itself to Suicide Notes and still performs under that moniker.[15] They have released two singles and one full length on Dead Beat Records[16] to date.
On May 29, 2010, the Epoxies reunited for a one-off performance at a local benefit show in Portland. Perhaps confirming the group's permanent dissolution, FM Static announced to the audience before the show began to "go nuts now cause [a reunion] ain't gonna fucking happen again!".[17]
April 14, 2015, Roxy Epoxy posted on her Twitter about a show,[18][non-primary source needed] fuelling speculation that the Epoxies had reformed. This was then confirmed via a Tweet on April 16, 2015 stating that The Epoxies would be playing a show with the Spits at Dante's in Portland for the Project Pabst Music Festival on July 18, 2015.[19] The show sold out well before the performance and saw the Epoxies return to the stage with their old swagger and allure
Please Please
Epoxies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Epoxies' song Please Please begins with the singer acknowledging the danger of the situation and the potential for misunderstanding. The singer suggests that the addressee might be a stranger who has come from afar. The singer admits to being out of touch with their own town, and warns the addressee that they are too beautiful for the town's population - who would inevitably ruin them. The chorus then shifts to a more urgent tone, with the singer warning the addressee to run and not be caught by those who are watching and waiting for them. The second verse continues with a similar warning to a "little man" who has also entered this dangerous world. The song ends with the singer pleading to be taken back to "space and light" as they are afraid of the world they are in.
The lyrics to Please Please can be interpreted in a number of different ways, as the specifics of the "dangerous" world the song describes are not made clear. However, one interpretation is that the song is commenting on a society that is hostile to individuals who are different or outsiders. The "little man" and the addressee, who are both warned away from this town, may represent marginalized groups who are not welcome in certain places. The chorus could represent the fear and paranoia that can arise in such a society - the idea that if you are different, you are being watched and hunted.
Line by Line Meaning
I comprehend that there's a danger, that you might misapprehend the way things are.
I understand that it's risky for you, as you may not understand the situation clearly
You look to me like you're a stranger, perhaps you've come here from afar.
You seem unfamiliar to me, possibly because you're from a distant place
I've been down here for oh so many years, I scarcely know this now [town?], the things they do.
I have been living here for years, but I hardly recognize this place or the way people behave anymore
But my advice is that you go back home, you're much too beautiful, they're bound to ruin you.
I suggest that you return home, as you're too attractive and the people here might harm you
You better run, we're watching, watching, you better dart [duck?] we're waiting, waiting, while we're waiting for you, lives are cold [?].
You should flee because we're observing your moves, and we're anticipating your next move, while our lives are full of misery
Little man, how'd you get in, get in? You're goona die while [we're?] wondering, wondering, wondering more about you, lives unfold.
How did you manage to enter, young man? You'll die while we're still curious about you, as our lives continue to unfold
Please please, I don't think this world is right, take me, take me back to space and light, please please, [suddenly?] I'm afraid, take me somewhere, take me somewhere I'll be
I don't believe this world is just, so please take me back to a peaceful and bright place. Suddenly, I'm feeling scared, take me somewhere safe where I can be at ease
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL D BROWN, IAN P LLOYD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@perverseosmosis9799
This band was simultaneously 20 years ahead of and behind their time.
In 1982, this release would have been huge. In 2042, it will be huge.
Thanks for posting it.
@fullhousewilson
Fav Epoxies song! My advise is that you go back home/ You're much to beautiful, they're bound to ruin you..
@foreveryactionthereisacons1683
I used to see this band a lot a sit and spin when I worked there. A few even crashed at my pad when they felt uncomfortable at the house they're supposed to stay at. Fun times..
@foreveryactionthereisacons1683
20 short year's ago.