Idiot Flesh was a talented and musically discordant band blending by a wide… Read Full Bio ↴Idiot Flesh was a talented and musically discordant band blending by a wide array of influences ranging from funk to prog rock and heavy metal as well as aspects of Eastern European Folk, Opera & Butoh dance performances. Formed in Oakland, California, USA in 1985 under the name Acid Rain with the demo album "We Were All Very Worried." They eventually changed their name to Idiot Flesh prior to the release of their first album in 1990. After Idiot Flesh disbanded in the late 90's, lead singer Nils Frykdahl and bassist/producer Dan Rathbun later formed Sleepytime Gorilla Museum.

Known to tour the US in a converted city bus with Rathbun as the driver/mechanic, with the windshield destination banner of HELL. Besides their wild performances which embodied a "rock against rock" ethos, they were also known to defy classification with marching band routines, performing puppet shows, and playing household items as instruments (in tune). After finding few financial rewards for their increasingly complex stage show, Idiot Flesh disbanded in 1998.

Core Members:

- Captain Dragon (Gene Jun; Guitar, Percussion, Violin, Vocals, Arranger)
- Hyena Boy (Wes Anderson; 1994-1998: Percussion, Drums, Marimba, Multi Instruments, Talking, Vocals, Bassoon, Trash Cans)
- The Improver (Dan Rathbun; Bass, Multi Instruments, Saw, "Talking", Horn, Vocals, Trombone, Cello, Megaphone; Engineer)
- Pin (Nils Frykdahl; Flute, Saxophone, Percussion, Castanets, Vocals, Guitar; Cover Design/Graphics)
- Chuck Squier (1985 through 1994: Drums, Cover art)

Discography:

- (1990) Tales of Instant Knowledge and Sure Death
- (1994) The Nothing Show
- (1995) Teen Devil/Twitch (4 Song EP)
- (1997) Fancy (Nov. 11)

Blue Head
Idiot Flesh Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

The time is now, and it's just another time.
The moon is full, and it doesn't mean a thing.
This song is an ancient one, it's older than the rocks.

Nothing new ever happens in the world today.

Endless is the number of moves that don't exist.
There's a shaking shell of index fingers,

There's a trigger on the gun, a smile on the face.

Nothing new ever happens in the world today.

Submit to the cavernous yield of the Blue Head.

There's one tin horn, played proud for the ones who died.
Another tear is shed as the dragon picks his teeth.
Once again the jester laughs from the mouth of an infant child.
Nothing new ever happens in the world today.

Submit to the cavernous yield of the Blue Head.

Thrill with us to yesternow, win some awards in neverwhere.
Trade in your old gods; maybe you could be Catholic,
If you have the money that you saved from the same job, baby.
You should change your name so it looks good on paper.
Buy some new clothes, maybe sleep with a Kennedy.

How very nice to be noticed, like everyone is noticed.
The shepherd of the lemmings on the TV screen.

Through all the glitter and smoke and sweat and dirt we march,
Uphill 'til we reach the bottom, plant flags to air our guilt.

We can't be late or all the masks we find won't fit.

Important gestures while we preach, question nothing that we teach.
And happily ever after remains just out of reach.

Overall Meaning

The song "Blue Head" by Idiot Flesh is a commentary on the cyclical nature of human society, and how every generation experiences the same things as those before them. The lyrics suggest that time is never truly new, as the moon remains the same and the song is "older than the rocks." The singer suggests that "nothing new ever happens in the world today," and this idea is reinforced in the lines about the "endless" number of moves that don't exist. The image of a shaking shell of index fingers and a trigger on a gun suggest how empty and meaningless these actions are, as they have been done countless times before.

The lyrics also mention a "Blue Head," which is a symbol of submission. The singer implores listeners to "submit to the cavernous yield of the Blue Head," which suggests giving in to the status quo and the repetition of history. Despite this, the song also speaks to the desire for change and growth, as the singer suggests trading in old gods and changing one's name to look good on paper. However, even these changes are ultimately hollow and meaningless, as they only serve to perpetuate the cycle of history and "air our guilt."

Overall, "Blue Head" is a complex and layered commentary on human society and the cyclical nature of history. The lyrics suggest that while we may have the desire for change and growth, we are ultimately trapped in a never-ending loop of repetition and history.

Line by Line Meaning

The time is now, and it's just another time.
There is nothing special or unique about this particular moment in time.

The moon is full, and it doesn't mean a thing.
Even natural occurrences such as a full moon hold no significance or meaning.

This song is an ancient one, it's older than the rocks.
The themes and ideas expressed in this song are not new or original, but rather have been explored and sung for generations.

Nothing new ever happens in the world today.
The world is in a state of stagnation where nothing truly new or groundbreaking ever happens.

Endless is the number of moves that don't exist.
There are countless actions and ideas that are impossible or impractical to execute.

There's a shaking shell of index fingers, There's a trigger on the gun, a smile on the face.
The world is filled with violence, aggression, and deceit masked by a veneer of cordiality and politeness.

Submit to the cavernous yield of the Blue Head.
Succumb to the overpowering and all-consuming influence of society and conformity.

There's one tin horn, played proud for the ones who died. Another tear is shed as the dragon picks his teeth. Once again the jester laughs from the mouth of an infant child.
The glorification of death and destruction, the ruthless nature of those in power, and the powerlessness of the common people to resist or change anything.

Thrill with us to yesternow, win some awards in neverwhere. Trade in your old gods; maybe you could be Catholic, If you have the money that you saved from the same job, baby. You should change your name so it looks good on paper. Buy some new clothes, maybe sleep with a Kennedy.
The constant pressure to conform to society's expectations, to chase after fame and wealth at the expense of personal values and beliefs, and to conform to an ideal image of success and status.

How very nice to be noticed, like everyone is noticed. The shepherd of the lemmings on the TV screen.
The superficiality and artificiality of modern culture and media that perpetuates shallow values and encourages mindless conformity to societal norms.

Through all the glitter and smoke and sweat and dirt we march, Uphill 'til we reach the bottom, plant flags to air our guilt.
The constant struggle and effort required to navigate and survive in a world that is filled with obstacles, challenges, and moral dilemmas.

We can't be late or all the masks we find won't fit. Important gestures while we preach, question nothing that we teach. And happily ever after remains just out of reach.
The constant pressure to conform to societal expectations and values, the fear of losing identity and individuality, and the insurmountable struggle to find true happiness and fulfillment in life.

Contributed by Chase G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS