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
Chain
Melt-Banana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can feel it
I can point it
It's heading straight to the brain
I don't stop it
I don't reject it
I don't shoot it down
What I have
What I feel
See, now its so shining in my eys
See, now its so shining in your head
When it fills up the land,
So sweet scape we get called chaos
It's knocking you
It's cracking
It's shouting out
Here's my chain-shot
I can laugh out
I can cry out
I can ask my head
Stinging, cutting beating smashing cells
But you don't see
But you don't care
I just need to set the seed
To blow and then shoot out
Next warhead could be my hatred
Next warhead could be your sorrow
Bet what your head will squeak out
Choose the next one or you'll be dead
It's knocking you
It's cracking
It's shouting out
Here's my chain-shot
My dear chain-shot
Hate to the one
Bait to the next shot
Sad to the one
Laugh to the next shot
Joy to the one
Craze to the next shot
Pick it and dig it and kick it
Keen kids say, "I got a headache bad!"
"Melt-Banana's "Chain-Shot to Have Some Fun" is a song that speaks about the endless cycle of emotions and thoughts that keep accumulating in our head. The lyrics highlight a certain moment of realization where we see these thoughts and emotions as they are, and how they affect us. It's like seeing a chain reaction, a "chain-shot" that starts from a single seed and keeps growing and taking over our minds until it fills up our entire being. The lyrics also express how one can either let it take over them or control it and harness it to their advantage.
The lines, "It's knocking you, It's cracking, It's shouting out, Here's my chain-shot," reveal how this chain of thoughts and emotions can be overwhelming, and sometimes when it fills up, it becomes chaos. The line, "Stinging, cutting beating smashing cells," explains how these thoughts and emotions can make us feel. They can sting us like a bee, cut us like a knife, beat us up, and smash our cells until we can take it no more. It's a battle between our thoughts and emotions, and the song suggests that we need to choose which side wins.
Finally, the lines, "Bet what your head will squeak out, Choose the next one or you'll be dead," indicate that we are responsible for our thoughts and emotions. We need to learn to choose which thoughts and emotions we allow to grow and which ones to ignore. The 'warhead' or the next emotion/thought we choose could be our 'hatred' or 'sorrow' or 'joy' or 'craze.' The song emphasizes that it's up to us to control our chain-shot and not let it control us.
Line by Line Meaning
I can see it
I am fully aware of it
I can feel it
I am experiencing it emotionally and physically
I can point it
I can identify and indicate what is causing it
It's heading straight to the brain
It is having a direct effect on my mind
I don't stop it
I allow it to continue
I don't reject it
I do not deny it
I don't shoot it down
I do not try to eliminate or silence it
What I see
What I am perceiving visually
What I have
What I possess or what is happening to me
What I feel
What I am experiencing emotionally and physically
See, now its so shining in my eys
It is now very noticeable to me
See, now its so shining in your head
You are now very aware of it
When it fills up the land,
When it becomes more widespread
So sweet scape we get called chaos
We are likely to experience chaos
It's knocking you
It is affecting you
It's cracking
It is causing harm
It's shouting out
It is very noticeable
Here's my chain-shot
This is my way of attacking
I can laugh out
I can express joy or pleasure
I can cry out
I can express sadness or pain
I can ask my head
I can try to figure out what is causing it
Stinging, cutting beating smashing cells
It is causing physical and emotional pain
But you don't see
You aren't fully aware of it
But you don't care
You are not concerned about it
I just need to set the seed
I need to plant the idea
To blow and then shoot out
To let it grow and then take action
Next warhead could be my hatred
The next thing I do could be very violent
Next warhead could be your sorrow
The next thing you experience could be very painful
Bet what your head will squeak out
Guess what you're going to say or do
Choose the next one or you'll be dead
Decide what happens next or you will suffer the consequences
My dear chain-shot
This is my trusted method of attack
Hate to the one
I have intense feelings of hostility towards one particular person
Bait to the next shot
I am using my current actions to prompt you to do something for me later
Sad to the one
I feel sorrow for one particular person
Laugh to the next shot
I am using my current actions to get you to do something funny for me later
Joy to the one
I feel joy for one particular person
Craze to the next shot
I am using my current actions to get you to do something wild for me later
Pick it and dig it and kick it
Take it and make the most of it
Keen kids say, 'I got a headache bad!'
Those who are aware of what's happening are suffering a lot
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind