Although they share musical similarities with members' previous outfits, Hot Snakes have a sound that is much more primal than that of Pitchfork, Drive Like Jehu or even Rocket from the Crypt. Reis and Froberg were also heavily influenced by bands such as The Wipers, Suicide, and Michael Yonkers Band, and these influences gave Hot Snakes a distinctive sound that has been described by one critic as "hardcore garage punk." The band's recordings and merchandise were conducted in a DIY manner, with Froberg providing all of the artwork and Reis releasing the material via his Swami Records label.
Eric Gerald Froberg died in San Diego on June 30, 2023, at the age of 55, from an undiagnosed heart condition.
Suicide Invoice
Hot Snakes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only you could keep
And now I anseer to you
In my sleep
A suicide invoice
In pen and ink
Brings you to my bedside
And when I dream
I keep my promises to you
I really do
Suicide invoice
Suicide dream
And when I dream
I keep my promises to you
I really do
A suicide invoice
Yellow, white, and pink
Brings you to my bedside
In pen and ink
And when I wake
I know all our dreams will come true
I really do
Suicide invoice
Suicide dream
And when I dream
I keep my promises to you
I really do
The lyrics to Hot Snakes's song "Suicide Invoice" are quite cryptic and open to interpretation. The first verse describes a pact made between two individuals where only one of them can keep it. The second verse introduces the concept of a "suicide invoice" written in pen and ink that brings the other person to the bedside of the singer in yellow, white, and pink. The third verse repeats the promise that the singer keeps in their dreams and that they believe will come true when they wake up.
It's possible that the song is about the aftermath of suicide, with the "suicide invoice" referring to a final payment made before the act. The yellow, white, and pink colors could represent different emotions or memories associated with the person who committed suicide. The repetition of the promise in the final verse could symbolize the singer's desire to honor the memory of the deceased.
Alternatively, the song could be about the toxicity of a relationship that has driven one person to contemplate suicide. The "suicide invoice" could represent the final reckoning of the relationship, with the colors representing the conflicting emotions and experiences of both parties. The promise in the final verse could be a vow to break free from the cycle of abuse and move on.
Overall, "Suicide Invoice" is a contemplative and melancholic song that leaves much open to interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
You and I made a pact
We made an agreement with each other.
Only you could keep
You were the only one who could fulfill your part of the agreement.
And now I answer to you
I am accountable to you.
In my sleep
Even in my subconscious state.
A suicide invoice
A document of my self-destructive intentions.
In pen and ink
Written in permanent form.
Brings you to my bedside
Conjures up an image of you being there with me.
In yellow, white, and pink
The colors of the document that represent innocence, purity, and passion.
And when I dream
During my moments of rest and imagination.
I keep my promises to you
I stay true to my word.
Suicide dream
My subconscious reflection of self-harm.
And when I wake
Upon becoming conscious again.
I know all our dreams will come true
I am hopeful of fulfilling our aspirations.
A suicide invoice
A declaration of my suicidal thoughts.
Yellow, white, and pink
Colors that signify purity, innocence, and passion.
And when I dream
In my subconscious.
I keep my promises to you
I remain true to my commitment to you.
Contributed by Jayce A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@pappypossum
01 00:00 I Hate the Kids
02 03:05 Gar Forgets His Insulin
03 05:29 XOX
04 07:55 Who Died
05 10:25 Suicide Invoice
06 13:50 Paid in Cigarettes
07 18:00 LAX
08 20:00 Bye Nancy Boy
09 22:40 Paperwork
10 25:27 Why Does It Hurt?
11 27:12 Unlisted
12 29:59 Ben Gurion
@dinloud.3887
Unlisted. I love everything on this, but that song somehow still gives me chills/goosebumps every time I hear it. There’s a feeling to this band that just hits me like nothing else. RIP Froberg.
@turningthetide1
This album stands the test of time. So f-ing good. I love Jericho Sirens too but his is the album that made me a fan for life.
@Public_waste
Jericho is great but a popcorn fart compared to this masterpiece
@pappypossum
01 00:00 I Hate the Kids
02 03:05 Gar Forgets His Insulin
03 05:29 XOX
04 07:55 Who Died
05 10:25 Suicide Invoice
06 13:50 Paid in Cigarettes
07 18:00 LAX
08 20:00 Bye Nancy Boy
09 22:40 Paperwork
10 25:27 Why Does It Hurt?
11 27:12 Unlisted
12 29:59 Ben Gurion
@avibrown7553
Easily one of the best rock albums and rock bands of all time
@MoChiptune
don't you mean hardcore
@avibrown7553
@MoChiptune whatever you wanna call it. Hotsnakes frikkin Rock!
@MoChiptune
@myfavmusic strong agree!
@TheLebowski5
Post-hardcore
@michaelbrot8285
Classic album!!