The band members were Lars Frederiksen (vocals and lead guitar), Gordy (also credited as "Unknown Bastard") (vocals), Big Jay Bastard (bass), Craig Leg (rhythm guitar) and Scott Abels (also credited as "Skatty Punk Rock") (drums). Whilst Craig did not appear on the first album, he has always been a touring member of the band.
Both the untitled debut and the second effort 'Viking' have been produced by Tim Armstrong (Rancid, Operation Ivy, The Transplants).
The Kids Are Quiet On Sharmon Palms
Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can't break, me down
You can't break, can't break me down
You can't break, me down
You can't break (nah nah nah nah nah nah)
Can't break me down
sun sets on the west side,palm trees block the moon
over the car in shackles,breath stinks of napalm
ichy trigger finger and im reaching for his gun
[Chorus]
baseball bats swingin',shotguns cut through wood
boys are coming up,we run my neiborhood
its time to meet your maker,im no messenger of god
these kids aint quiet,these kids om sharmon palms
[Chorus]
"you better watch yourself, its gettin' hot around here,
you better look over your shoulder man-YEH!"
welfare chicks are coming,only way to survive
cocain reps are runnin,now you gotta stay alive
son youve been mistaken,this is not where you belong
i looked at him right in his eyes said-
thats where your fucking wrong!
[Chorus]
The lyrics of "The Kids Are Quiet On Sharmon Palms" by Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards carry a message of defiance and resilience in the face of violent and oppressive circumstances. The opening lines describe a scene of tension and danger: the sun sets, palm trees block the moon, and renegades with switchblades are lurking. The singer, portrayed as tough and unyielding, is ready to fight back, even if it means breaking the law or risking his life. He mentions being shackled and smelling of napalm, suggesting a past of military service or involvement in violent conflicts. The chorus repeats the mantra "You can't break me down" as a statement of refusal to be dominated or intimidated.
In the second verse, the violence escalates, as baseball bats and shotguns are mentioned. The singer claims to be the ruler of his neighborhood, implying that he and his crew are the ones inflicting violence on outsiders. The line "I'm no messenger of God" suggests a rejection of religious or moral values, as the singer is guided by his own code of honor and loyalty to his crew. The name-drop of Sharmon Palms, a real location in Southern California, adds a sense of authenticity and specificity to the song's setting.
The third verse further explores the theme of survival in a harsh environment. Welfare chicks and cocaine reps are mentioned as part of the social landscape, implying poverty and drug use as common realities. The singer assures an outsider that he doesn't belong there, but also asserts his own right to stay and fight for what he believes in. The song ends with a final chorus, emphasizing the defiant spirit of the singer and the kids of Sharmon Palms.
Line by Line Meaning
sun sets on the west side, palm trees block the moon
The sun is setting on the west side, and the palm trees are blocking the moon, indicating that it is a dangerous time of day.
renegades with switchblades, end is comin soon
The people here are renegades with switchblades, and it seems like the end is coming soon.
over the car in shackles, breath stinks of napalm
Someone is over a car in shackles, and their breath stinks of napalm, implying they have been through a traumatic experience.
ichy trigger finger and im reaching for his gun
The artist is nervous and has an itchy trigger finger as they reach for their gun.
baseball bats swingin', shotguns cut through wood
Baseball bats are swinging, and shotguns can cut through wood, indicating a violent and dangerous situation.
boys are coming up, we run my neighborhood
Boys are becoming more powerful, and they are running the singer's neighborhood.
its time to meet your maker, im no messenger of god
The time has come to meet one's maker, and the singer is not a messenger of God, suggesting that this is not a religious experience.
these kids aint quiet, these kids on Sharmon Palms
The kids here are not quiet; they are on Sharmon Palms, indicating that this is a dangerous area.
"you better watch yourself, its gettin' hot around here, you better look over your shoulder man-YEH!"
The situation is getting more dangerous, and the artist warns someone to watch themselves and look over their shoulder.
welfare chicks are coming, only way to survive
Welfare chicks are coming, and the only way to survive is to be tough.
cocaine reps are runnin, now you gotta stay alive
Cocaine reps are running, and now it is essential to stay alive.
son youve been mistaken, this is not where you belong
Someone has made a mistake about where they are, and someone else corrects them.
i looked at him right in his eyes said- thats where your fucking wrong!
The singer corrects someone by looking them in the eyes and telling them that they are wrong.
[Chorus]
The chorus repeats multiple times throughout the song, emphasizing that the singer cannot be broken down.
Contributed by Liliana H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.