Melt-Banana has released 9 full-length albums, (Including a re-release of a very early improvised and studio tracks, and a compilation of EPs) and 23 EPs (a number of which are splits with other bands). In 1997 they created their own recording company, A-Zap, and re-issued all of their previously released albums, except Scratch or Stitch, which can be found on the noise rock record label Skin Graft Records. One month later Sudoh quit, and the band has had different drummers helping for tours and recordings since. They do massive U.S. tours yearly, do frequent European tours, and do smaller Japanese tours (traveling in Japan is quite expensive).
Melt-Banana's music falls under what many call "noise rock" or "noisecore." Both terms refer to music that blends rock, noise music, and other genres. Agata overlaps two different guitar riffs most of the time, and also belts out a seemingly spontaneously chosen selection of sound effects (or selected randomly by a computer program or even selecting snippets of tape from a black bag, but this is unlikely), almost all made through his guitar and large amount of effects pedals. Yasuko O. belts out high-pitched screams and raps, and her delivery has been described as a rabid poodle on speed. Rika MM's bass lines aren't subdued like in most bands, but are given as much overt influence as Agata's guitar work. The sounds from the bass provide a distinct dimension to the music not found in many other bands. The drums are usually quite straightforward (however, in their recent albums, they have become more complex), especially on the faster songs, where they beat almost straight through with set cymbal crashes, providing an insane amount of energy to the songs. The band describes their recent music (especially Teeny Shiny and Cell-Scape) as pop. Essentially, it could be argued that Melt Banana's output, (with special attention brought to their more recent songs) are more reminiscent of quirkier indie pop bands, with definite melodies hiding beneath the distortion, effects and sheer speed.
Live performances are where Melt Banana wins many of their devotees. While many critics perceive Melt Banana's recordings to be inaccessible, their sound translates much better live. Yasuko starts every show by yelling "We are Melt Banana from Tokyo, Japan!" Her rapid-fire delivery and Agata's frenetic guitar riffs infuse crowds with energy. Attendees often mosh or otherwise move in a frenzy during performances. Many diehard fans leave shows dripping of sweat. Yasuko O. often wears colorful and/or metallic costumes, while Rika MM' often wears just black. Both wear very high platform boots, on which Rika MM' often bounces, a la Krist Novoselic. Agata usually wears a surgical mask affixed to his face, sometimes with duct tape.
Current members:
Yasuko Onuki - vocal, writing;
Ichirou Agata - guitar, effects;
Rika Hamamoto - bass guitar.
After Sudoh left the band, many drummers have been in a steady rotation, including Dave Witte of Discordance Axis, Municipal Waste and Burnt by the Sun.
Former members:
Toshiaki Sudoh - drums;
Oshima Watchma - drums (currently Coaltar of the Deepers).
Discography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melt-Banana_discography
Blank Page Of The Blind
Melt-Banana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Black out, wait on
Fail deal Greed
I'm out, move on
Seal thick Peel
Shut out, save on
Hate meets Chill
Black out, sick phase
Left side, flat
Right side, stop
Set point 12
They've got no hands
Pitchblack sneak
Flashlight smash
They've got stains
Where to wipe out?
Wale Chain Breathe
Tie up Plotter
Plus 5 close
Give up cheatin'
Wale chain On
Black out, wait on
Repeat peak Slow
Stuck on Black box
Inside out
upside down
Set Point 8
They've got no map
Headlock missed
Dead end here
They've got slates
Where to clean up?
Wale chain outside
They can't stop!
Keep them tie up
Set Point 5
Set back Cut rate
Not way Out
No sign in the Sky
No Phase to shut
I don't wanna See
Waste of the land
Just like a drain
They were cleaned up
Draft of the Vain
Chain of the wale
What's the "Traitor"?
What is you Answer for me?
Here are the loop so loose
Fear's on the plate for you
Here are the troops so ill
Taste like the blood for me
Waste like the all words
just like what I say
what you say
Why do they wanna know?
(No time to stay) Why do they wanna know
(No time to breathe) Why do they wanna say
(No time to feel) Why do they wanna see
(No time to be)
What I see
What you feel
Why don't they wanna know
We are on the Phase of Nothing!
The lyrics to Melt-Banana's song "Blank Page of the Blind" are a jarring mix of disconnected phrases and imagery that create a disjointed and surreal atmosphere. The use of repetition and nonsensical phrases adds to the song's sense of disorientation, as if the listener is experiencing a fever dream. The opening lines "Wale chain Breathe/Black out, wait on/Fail deal Greed" suggest a sense of entrapment and suffocation, as if the singer is being held down by something heavy and oppressive. This feeling of helplessness is echoed throughout the song, with lines like "I'm out, move on" and "Not way Out/No sign in the Sky/No Phase to shut."
The repetition of phrases like "Black out" and "Wale chain" create a sense of desperation and a feeling of being trapped, as if the singer is struggling against some unseen force. The line "What's the 'Traitor'?" suggests a sense of paranoia or betrayal, as if the singer is being watched or betrayed by someone close to them. The final line, "We are on the Phase of Nothing!" suggests a sense of nihilism and hopelessness, as if the singer has resigned themselves to a bleak and empty existence.
Overall, the song creates a powerful sense of disorientation and confusion, with its disjointed phrases and surreal imagery. It suggests a feeling of being trapped and suffocated by some unseen force, as well as a sense of paranoia and betrayal. The final line suggests a sense of nihilism and hopelessness, as if the singer has given up on finding meaning or purpose in their existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Wale chain Breathe
Take a deep breath and relax
Black out, wait on
Wait for something to happen while in the dark
Fail deal Greed
Greed causes deals to fall through
I'm out, move on
I'm leaving and going forward
Seal thick Peel
It's hard to open a sealed object
Shut out, save on
Save money by isolating oneself
Hate meets Chill
Hate and calmness conflict with each other
Black out, sick phase
A phase of illness or negativity
Left side, flat
Something is flat on the left side
Right side, stop
Something is blocking the right side
Set point 12
A specific point in time
They've got no hands
The hands are not present
Pitchblack sneak
Sneaking somewhere dark
Flashlight smash
Breaking a flashlight
They've got stains
Stains are present
Where to wipe out?
Where can I clean this mess?
Wale Chain Breathe
Take a deep breath and relax
Tie up Plotter
Capture the planner
Plus 5 close
Get closer by five units
Give up cheatin'
Stop trying to cheat
Wale chain On
Get ready to capture
Repeat peak Slow
Slow down and repeat the process
Stuck on Black box
Trapped in a difficult situation
Inside out
Upside down and backwards
upside down
The other way around
Set Point 8
A specific point in time
They've got no map
They do not have a map
Headlock missed
Failed to pin down
Dead end here
There is no way forward
They've got slates
They have responsibilities
Where to clean up?
Where can I clean this mess?
Wale chain outside
The plan is happening outside
They can't stop!
They cannot interfere
Keep them tie up
Stop them from moving
Set Point 5
A specific point in time
Set back Cut rate
A reduced price due to setbacks
Not way Out
There is no escape
No sign in the Sky
There is no hope
No Phase to shut
There is no way to end this situation
I don't wanna See
I do not want to witness this
Waste of the land
The land is being wasted
Just like a drain
Like things being drained away
They were cleaned up
They were taken care of
Draft of the Vain
An empty, worthless idea
Chain of the wale
Plan to capture the enemy
What's the "Traitor"?
Who is the traitor?
What is you Answer for me?
Can you provide an answer to my question?
Here are the loop so loose
Everything is falling apart
Fear's on the plate for you
Fear is in front of you
Here are the troops so ill
The soldiers are not feeling well
Taste like the blood for me
Reminds me of blood
Waste like the all words
Just like everything else said
just like what I say
Similar to my words
what you say
Similar to your words
Why do they wanna know?
Why do people want to know things?
(No time to stay) Why do they wanna know
There is no time to waste
(No time to breathe) Why do they wanna say
There is no time for idle talk
(No time to feel) Why do they wanna see
There is no time to take things slowly
(No time to be)
There is no time to exist
What I see
What I am observing
What you feel
What you are experiencing
Why don't they wanna know
Why don't people care to know things?
We are on the Phase of Nothing!
We are at a stage where nothing is happening
Contributed by Elijah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andrés Lechuga
Vi esto cuando estaba en la primaria... Hoy hasta ya terminé mi carrera.
John
the fact that this band has had success comforts me in this world of awful shitty shit
Jester7
YEEEEAAAHHHHH.... AHHHHHHH Love this band!
kev b
1.34> is pure a amazing hook, melt banana rules
Adhesive Boi
Rad. Melt Banana wins so hard.
SoldierNoses
My banana just melted...
Jester7
wow, that is awesome ...
Ray Lugo
This+Pot=wow.
Xavion Bishop
Which album is this?
Alex Bruschi
Fook yea Love that!