Girl Band were the latest in a long line of "Girl" bands that includes such notables as Girls, Shy Girls, September Girls and Girl Unit - and that's not even mentioning the "Women" ones such as Women, Woman E and Woman's Hour. Usually when an indie band adopts the female sex (is there an indie band called Female Sex? There ought to be) as part of their moniker there is an element of snarkiness going on, and so it is with Girl Band. They took their name after meeting "an annoying girl" in a bar one night. Apparently, she liked the Wombats. "She was such an awful woman," said the guitarist afterwards. Lucky she didn't express a predilection for Nigel Farage or someone. Or U2.
Umbongo
Girl Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Claimed he was professionally trained surgeon
Wanted a bite
He didn't mind if he was a cannibal
Simply just liked to eat animals
Chicken fillet roll (Wanted a bite)
Chicken fillet roll
(Have a bite of it, glass of Andrews...
Centra, centra, centra, centra, centra)
I couldn't feel low
Chicken fillet roll
I know i Don't know
Chicken fillet roll
Chicken fillet roll
Chicken fella
The lyrics of Girl Band's song "Umbongo" are a classic example of surreal and abstract songwriting styles that are quite popular in the post-punk and noise rock genres. The song opens with a bizarre incident where the singer had a fight with a pigeon who claimed to be a professionally trained surgeon. The singer later reveals that the pigeon wanted to bite him, but not because he was hungry, but because he liked eating animals. The chorus is a repetition of the phrase "Chicken fillet roll" followed by an advertising jingle for Andrews, a popular brand of digestive medicine, and Centra, a convenience store chain in Ireland.
The surreal imagery of the song can be interpreted in a multitude of ways, but it seems to suggest a sense of alienation and detachment from reality. The singer seems to be struggling with his own identity and purpose, and the mundane act of eating a chicken fillet roll becomes a way to cope with his existential crisis. The reference to digestive medicine and convenience stores also highlights the banality and commercialization of modern life.
Line by Line Meaning
Got into a scrap with a pigeon
Engaged in a fight with a pigeon
Claimed he was professionally trained surgeon
Stated that he was an expert surgeon
Wanted a bite
Desired to consume something
He didn't mind if he was a cannibal
Was willing to eat his own kind
Simply just liked to eat animals
Enjoyed the act of consuming animals
Chicken fillet roll (Wanted a bite)
Craved for a chicken fillet roll
Chicken fillet roll
Mentioned a chicken fillet roll
I couldn't feel low
Was not feeling down
I know i Don't know
Is aware of not knowing something
Chicken fillet roll
Referred to a chicken fillet roll
Chicken fella
Used the term 'chicken fella' to describe someone or something
Contributed by Gabriel C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Javito AN
This band is awesome.
They just make noise but they truly know how to make noise.
Jeff Spiccoli
That is why they are considered noise rock.
Pineapple Stickers
@HeQruS TEoffDe It might be chaos, but it's chaos they consistently re-create every live show
George Reagan
I hope this band puts out many albums
Kenneth Guitar Fiend
Yey!!! The talkies...!
maxime ///
@Kenneth Guitar Fiend september is not far away
Kenneth Guitar Fiend
George Reagan Amen to that
Ido Schacham
One of the best live bands in the world today.
Artifacts and Fungus
I've been watching this for nearly three years and it's still one of the tightest live performances I've ever seen.
quickblood
Incredible, I hope I can see them live someday