Firewater is a rock group founded by Tod A. in 1995. He describes them as a… Read Full Bio ↴Firewater is a rock group founded by Tod A. in 1995. He describes them as a "wedding band gone wrong".

After Tod left his previous group, Cop Shoot Cop, he quickly regrouped and formed Firewater to explore the styles of music Cop Shoot Cop had only hinted at, including klezmer, cabaret, ska, jazz, and gypsy forms. More than one source described the original Firewater lineup as an "indie rock supergroup", based on members such as Duane Denison of the Jesus Lizard, Yuval Gabay of Soul Coughing, Jennifer Charles of Elysian Fields, and Hahn Rowe. This original lineup proved unable to tour, and Tod recruited new musicians for the band's first tour. While the lineup has changed over the years, with many different musicians appearing on different albums and tours, Tod remains the singer, songwriter, and bassist of Firewater.

Firewater has released six albums, and has seen some success, especially in Europe and on United States college radio stations.

Their previous album, Songs We Should Have Written, is a collection of cover songs. It includes songs written by Robyn Hitchcock, The Rolling Stones ("Paint It Black" reinterpreted as a crawlingly slow raga which "shove(s) a few downers down the song's throat to counter the original version's adrenaline-fueled fire" ), and a "dark and sweet" take of Sonny and Cher's "The Beat Goes On", described as "10 times more ominous and 20 times more pleasurable" than the original. The album also includes a modern rendition of the Johnny Cash anthem "Folsom Prison Blues".

Their latest album, The Golden Hour, has been recorded with various local musicians and friends when Tod A went on sabbatical and travelled through Thailand, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey and Israel. The record was released May 6 in 2008. The band is currently (October, 2008) touring in support of the album.

Psychopharmacology
Firewater Lyrics

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When the little things are tearing you apart
They should have warned you
This is how it starts
An answering machine that only speaks the truth
The inclination climb upon the roof
The endless shrink parade
The nights that never cease
And all you want is peace

But all you get is pills
And still they tell you

Psychopharmacology is gonna be your friend
When you can't get out of bed and you're so tired of pretending
Psychopharmacology is gonna save your soul
'Cause God is great and God is good but he's also made of wood
Believe in psychopharmacology

Tonight terrorize your friends
They should have warned you
This is how it ends
But the thing you can't accept
Is this is all you get
You just want a second chance
But all you get is pills
And still they tell you

Psychopharmacology is gonna set you straight
When you're forgetting all your lines
And you can't buy your own disguises
Psychopharmacology will break that thorny crown
Before you take that rifle down
Before you load another round
Remember psychopharmacology will turn your life around

Psychopharmacology is gonna be your friend
When you can't get out of bed
And you're so tired of pretending
Psychopharmacology is gonna save your soul

'Cause God is great and God is good but he's also made of wood
Psychopharmacology...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Firewater's song "Psychopharmacology" express the experience of someone who is struggling with mental illness and turns to medication for relief. The song begins by acknowledging how small issues can become overwhelming and lead to a sense of hopelessness. The reference to an answering machine that only speaks the truth suggests that the person's own thoughts and feelings are becoming too much to handle. The desire for peace is also highlighted, but the only solution is medication. The phrase "the endless shrink parade" implies that seeking therapy may not be enough to alleviate the person's distress.

As the song progresses, the chorus repeats the phrase "Psychopharmacology is gonna be your friend" as if to convince the listener that medication is the answer. The line "God is great and God is good but he's also made of wood" suggests that relying on prayer alone may not be enough to help with mental illness. The second verse touches on the idea of self-harm and the desperation for a second chance, but again, medication is presented as the only solution.

Overall, the song captures the struggle of someone dealing with mental illness and the societal pressure to find a quick fix, even if it means relying on medication. It highlights the complexities of mental health and how individuals often face difficult decisions in finding the right treatment.

Line by Line Meaning

When the little things are tearing you apart
If small issues are breaking you down

They should have warned you
Someone should have prepared you in advance

This is how it starts
This is how the problem begins

An answering machine that only speaks the truth
A voice message that only shares the reality

The inclination climb upon the roof
The urge to climb up to the roof

The endless shrink parade
The continuous meetings with the therapist

The nights that never cease
The sleepless nights that don't end

And all you want is peace
All you desire is to have peace of mind

But all you get is pills
But the solution you receive are medications

And still they tell you
And yet they assure you

Psychopharmacology is gonna be your friend
The science of drugs to control the mind will help you

When you can't get out of bed and you're so tired of pretending
When you can't find the energy to get out of bed and you're exhausted of keeping up a façade

Psychopharmacology is gonna save your soul
Intake of specific medication is going to cure you

'Cause God is great and God is good but he's also made of wood
Although people believe in God, but God cannot do what a pill can do

Believe in psychopharmacology
Have trust in the power of drugs

Tonight terrorize your friends
Tonight, upset your friends

They should have warned you
They should have cautioned you earlier

This is how it ends
This is how the adverse outcome occurs

But the thing you can't accept
But, you cannot acknowledge the truth

Is this is all you get
This is the maximum you will receive

You just want a second chance
You want another opportunity

Psychopharmacology is gonna set you straight
When you are confused or struggling, these pills will guide you correctly

When you're forgetting all your lines
When you forget what to say

And you can't buy your own disguises
When you can't pretend anymore