Referring to their style of hardcore punk music, the band declared in Frontiers Newsmagazine, “We put the ‘core’ back in homocore”. Their first recording was the self-released demo Don't Knock It Till You Try It. This was followed by a single called “What’s Up With The Kids” and then the self-titled LP Limp Wrist. However, since band members lived in different states maintaining the group became difficult. After an interlude they resumed touring in 2004 and self-released a new CD, Thee Official Discography the same year. The song “Ode” from this recording pays tribute to pioneering gay hardcore musicians Gary Floyd of The Dicks, Randy “Biscuit” Turner of Big Boys and Joshua Plague of Mukilteo Fairies and Behead The Prophet, No Lord Shall Live, providing a historical context for Limp Wrist.
The band’s best known song is “I Love Hardcore Boys, I Love Boys Hardcore”, which received much attention from fans and press alike. Lead singer Martin Sorrondeguy appears in "Queercore: A Punk-u-mentary" by Scott Treleaven and addresses the issue implicit in these song titles, what some might view as the apparent struggles of being both queer and being involved in the punk scene.
In 2004 Sorrondeguy released his own documentary film, "Beyond The Screams: A U.S. Latino Hardcore Punk Documentary." He had begun the film while still a member of his former band Los Crudos.
The band continues to perform and self-release records including the Want Us Dead 7" in 2006, featuring the songs Fake Fags and Want us Dead and a one-sided 12" in 2008 featuring Spun, and Bought Out.
Cheap Art
Limp Wrist Lyrics
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Living a nocturnal scene
Don't give any shade
Byron's deadly snaps
will put you in your place
CHEAP ART
The lyrics to Limp Wrist’s “Cheap Art” are quite abstract, but can be interpreted as a celebration of queer nightlife and culture. The lines “Caffeine flows through vogueing queens/Living a nocturnal scene” describe the energy and vibrancy of queer nightlife, particularly within the ballroom scene where dancers often perform through the night. The use of “vogueing queens” specifically references the dance style of voguing popularized within the ballroom community.
The line “Don’t give any shade” is a common phrase within the ballroom scene, meaning to not criticize or judge others. However, this is contrasted with the next line “Byron’s deadly snaps will put you in your place,” which refers to the art of shade throwing within the community, particularly through the use of witty comebacks and insults. It shows how the community can both uplift and challenge each other.
The phrase “cheap art” could refer to the DIY or low budget nature of much of the art and self-expression within the queer community, particularly within drag and performance art. It could also be a commentary on the commercialization of queer culture and how it is often commodified and exploited.
Line by Line Meaning
Caffeine flows through vogueing queens
Voguing queens consume caffeine to stay awake and active during night-time events and performances.
Living a nocturnal scene
They live in a world that is active and alive during the night, and which is characterized by non-stop partying.
Don't give any shade
They are not willing to tolerate any negative attitudes or behaviors that could potentially kill the harmony of their scene.
Byron's deadly snaps
Byron, who is likely a powerful and respected person within the scene, has the ability to put people in their place through his cutting remarks.
will put you in your place
Byron's snaps will put anyone who tries to challenge his authority or the integrity of the scene firmly in their place.
CHEAP ART
This is possibly referring to the fact that they create, appreciate, and rely on art that is not necessarily valued by mainstream society, but rather that which is easily accessible and popular within their own community.
Contributed by Madison N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.