Fire On Fire used to be the art-punk-prog-chaos collective Cerberus Shoal, but they ditched their electric instruments, went into hiding for a while, and now play all acoustic—stand up bass, mandolin, banjo, harmonium, accordion, acoustic guitar, dobro etc etc, and they all sing and harmonize on the songs. Live, they do it “old school” and just use two mics placed in front of them on the stage, like a bluegrass band. They all live in the same house up in Maine, across from rusting green oil tanks, apparently. To me they sound like a backwoods, fierce, psychedelic Mamas And The Papas or a crazed and joyously vengeful gospel string band. - Michael Gira/Young God Records 2008
Fire on Fire BIO by Fire On Fire:
Fire on Fire began without a name in a warm kitchen in Maine. Some of us used to be in Cerberus Shoal. We were three friends whose musical interests grew outward from the punk roots of our youth to a more personal intimate exchange and we began playing songs for each other. Songs on guitars banjos and harmonium with lots of words and voices. The music was living, open and it invited everyone to take part in it. The circle widened to include two more friends who brought rhythm melody and more voices and songs. Fire on Fire is now five friends who play fierce and emotionally sharp words to stab at our selves, our situations, our lives. Our music comes from the heart of each singer and songwriter. Take that statement how you like. Each one of us brings themselves to the common table without self consciousness. Playing for the enjoyment of playing and in turn creating a live performance that is electric and ecstatic foot stomping and howling all the night long. All five friends live together in a big blue house across from green oil tank # 28 in South Portland, Maine.
Band Members are
Colleen Kinsella (Asian Mae) – vocals, harmonium,
guitar,accordion, banjo
Caleb Mulkerin – vocals, guitar, banjo, dobro
Tom Kovacevic – vocals, oud, nay, tamboritza, jembe, tamborine
Chriss Sutherland – vocals, guitar, doumbek
Micah Blue Smaldone – vocals, upright bass, banjo
Amnesia
Fire On Fire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some back into our pockets to waste
To use as we chose
See fit, cower not
At the time remaining
Shudder, see the moon waning
And Amnesia was forgetting
And Amnesia was forgetting
Oh oh, oh oh oh plunge your head in
We wait for no one, only undo whats been done
Playing out that bored rhythm
That drafty blanket we wrap ourselves
Oh sleepy beat,
Waiting just to waiting, just to waiting,
Just to wait to waiting, waiting just to wait,
To waiting, waiting just to waaaaiiiit
And Amnesia was forgetting
Disappearin' through the levy
And Amnesia was forgetting
Oh oh, oh oh oh plunge your head in
Life after life after life
After love after after-ending love
________________________
Twisted towards a destiny,
Nothing like the way it is to get into the pearly gates
And Amnesia was forgetting
As dangerous as off-track betting
And Amnesia was forgetting
Oh oh, oh oh oh plunge your head in
The lyrics of "Amnesia" by Fire On Fire are rich in metaphor, showcasing their signature style of abstract storytelling. The song can be interpreted in many ways, but one possible meaning is that it speaks to the idea of time passing by and being long forgotten. The opening lines suggest that time is fleeting, and we cannot control it, as it slips back into our pockets to be wasted as we choose. The clock ticking represents the countdown of our lives, and we must not waste time because it is essential to use it to the best of our ability before it runs out. The image of the moon waning adds to this sense of urgency as it symbolizes the fleeting passage of time.
The chorus of the song - "And Amnesia was forgetting, as dangerous as off-track betting" - speaks of the dangers of forgetting. It could be interpreted as a metaphor for addiction or detachment from reality. Plunging one's head into oblivion could represent the dangerous habit of ignoring one's inner demons or life's problems. The lines "Life after life after life, after love after after-ending love" emphasize the cycle of life and death in a bleak, abstract way.
Overall, "Amnesia" is a hauntingly beautiful song that speaks of the brevity and fragility of our existence. It explores the themes of time, memory, and forgetting, all tied together in a lyrical web of abstract thoughts and metaphors.
Line by Line Meaning
Tick tock the clock ohh goes some hours
Time is passing by quickly
Some back into our pockets to waste
We often waste time without realizing it
To use as we chose
However, we have the power to use our time as we see fit
See fit, cower not
We should take control of our time and not be afraid to do so
At the time remaining
We should be aware that time is limited
Shudder, see the moon waning
The passing of time can be scary and unsettling
And Amnesia was forgetting
Forgetting can be dangerous
As dangerous as off-track betting
Just like gambling, forgetting can have negative consequences
Oh oh, oh oh oh plunge your head in
The consequences of forgetting can be so severe that it feels like drowning
We wait for no one, only undo whats been done
We cannot change the past, we can only move forward
Playing out that bored rhythm
Sometimes we get stuck in monotonous routines
That drafty blanket we wrap ourselves
We sometimes use comfort as a means of avoiding change
Oh sleepy beat,
The monotony of life can make us tired
Waiting just to waiting, just to waiting,
We sometimes wait around for no reason
Just to wait to waiting, waiting just to wait,
We can get caught up in a cycle of waiting
To waiting, waiting just to waaaaiiiit
This waiting can be endless and frustrating
Disappearin' through the levy
Forgetting can be like water flowing away
Life after life after life
Life is a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth
After love after after-ending love
Just like life, love can be cyclical and never-ending
Twisted towards a destiny,
Our lives can feel predetermined or fated
Nothing like the way it is to get into the pearly gates
We might have to change ourselves drastically to get what we want
Contributed by Cameron C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.