The original group were one of the first bands to fuse rock and experimental music. Like a few other acts of the time (most notably the United States of America), they were consciously trying to fuse the contemporary sounds of rock with electronic instruments and avant-garde compositional ideas.
The group comprised three core members: founder and bassist Louis "Cork" Marcheschi, guitarist David Blossom, and his wife, vocalist Nancy Blossom, augmented by Kim Kimsey (drums) and Larry Evans (guitar).
Cork Marcheschi (born 1945) grew up in Burlingame, California. In his teens, he performed with the Ethix, who played R&B music in clubs around San Francisco and in Las Vegas, and released one experimental and wildly atonal single, "Bad Trip", in 1966, with the intention that the record could be played at any speed. Interested in the ideas of experimental composers like Edgard Varèse, John Cage, Terry Riley, and George Antheil, he constructed his own custom-made electronic instrument from a combination of elements like theremins, fuzzboxes, a cardboard tube, and a speaker from a World War II bomber.
David and Nancy Blossom brought both psychedelic and jazz influences to the band. Together, the trio recorded a demo which led to a deal with Limelight Records, a subsidiary of Mercury Records. They released one album, Cauldron, in December 1967. It contained eleven songs, including "Fantasy", "Red the Sign Post" and "God Bless the Child", a Billie Holiday cover. It was an intriguing mix of jazzy psychedelic rock tunes with fierce and advanced electronic sound effects. "I don't know if they are immature or premature", said critic Ralph J. Gleason.
The record sold few copies at the time, although the group had a small but intense following in San Francisco and also toured with other acts including Blue Cheer, Chuck Berry and Fairport Convention, when the band was augmented by Robert Goldbeck (bass). They broke up in late 1969 when most of its members joined the musical Hair, Nancy Blossom becoming the lead in the San Francisco production and later singing in Godspell. Larry Evans returned to his hometown of Muncie, Indiana where he fronted several club groups until his death in 2008.
Red the Sign Post
Fifty Foot Hose Lyrics
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What direction do we go
What is right, What is wrong
There is no sleeping all night long
Gather the patriots, like days of old
Have no regrets soon the bodies are cold
Red on left, red on right
Pick a side, don't be wrong
There is no sleeping all night long
Gather the patriots, like days of old
Have no regrets soon the bodies are cold
Red the color, blood on the wall
I do this cauldron for the fall
Shield is heavy sword is long
There is no sleeping all night long
Gather the patriots, like days of old
Have no regrets soon the bodies are cold
The lyrics in "Red The Sign Post" by Fifty Foot Hose appear to tackle themes of decision-making and the consequences of one's choices, particularly in the context of war. The opening lines describe a signpost in the snow that is colored red, creating a sense of danger and warning. The singer, unsure of what direction to take, questions what is right and wrong, hinting at the moral ambiguity of war. The repetition of the line "There is no sleeping all night long" emphasizes the weight of the decision and the potential grave consequences that could result from making the wrong choice.
As the song progresses, the imagery intensifies with the mention of patriots gathering and the bodies turning cold. It suggests the urgency of the situation, as the singer's decision could mean the difference between victory and defeat in battle. The repeated mention of "Red," both as a color and a signifier of the fiercely combative nature of war, underscores the aggressive tone of the lyrics. The line "Have no regrets soon the bodies are cold" is particularly poignant, reminding the listener that the decisions made in such situations can have final and irrevocable consequences.
Overall, "Red The Sign Post" is a reflection on the inherent danger and moral complexity of war, emphasizing that difficult decisions must be made in order to succeed, and that even the most staunch patriots may pay a high price for their convictions.
Line by Line Meaning
Red the signpost in the snow
The red signpost in the snow is a symbol of a turning point or a decision that needs to be made.
What direction do we go
The decision of which direction to take is uncertain and requires careful consideration.
What is right, What is wrong
The decision is morally ambiguous and there is no clear right or wrong choice.
There is no sleeping all night long
The decision weighs heavily on the mind and causes anxiety and restlessness.
Gather the patriots, like days of old
A call to gather like-minded individuals for a cause or fight.
Have no regrets soon the bodies are cold
The decision will have grave consequences, and those involved must be prepared for the worst.
Red on left, red on right
The red color represents a choice, and there are only two options available.
I'll get this cauldron for the fight
The artist is preparing for battle and is willing to make sacrifices for their cause.
Pick a side, don't be wrong
The choice is binary, and there is no room for indecision or neutrality.
Red the color, blood on the wall
The red color is now symbolizing bloodshed and violence.
I do this cauldron for the fall
The singer is preparing for a future downfall or failure and is taking action accordingly.
Shield is heavy sword is long
The preparation for battle requires physical strength and endurance.
There is no sleeping all night long
The anxiety and restlessness continues, even as the preparations for battle progress.
Gather the patriots, like days of old
The call to gather like-minded individuals intensifies, as the fight draws nearer.
Have no regrets soon the bodies are cold
The consequences of the decision will result in loss of life, and those involved must be prepared for such sacrifices.
Contributed by Owen I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.