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
Shield for Your Eyes a Beast in the Well on Your Hand
Melt-Banana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the well in the hell on the back
Watch out! You've got no shield
Break up! He's got no peace
Breath deep
in the shade in the fade of the luck
Watch out! You've got no light!
No pure cell can live
Shoot the first head
Shoot the first hand
Press the "Greed".
Get the pale shield for your eyes
Shoot the third eye
Shoot the third line
Press the "Blood".
Watch out for the beam
Shoot the first head
Shoot the last tail
Press the "Risk".
Get the hale shield for your eyes
I just need to hit to kick the dead eye
Press the next eye
I can get so...
Liquid eye, Sticky eye, Tricky eye
How to fake to steal?
Your heart's got cracked!
Get the new toy, it's falling in 50 parts
Break Up! You've got no paste
Throw out! It's biting your fate like a bait like a sweet dust
You've got no hand
and no pure cell can cross
Shoot the first head
Shoot the first hand
Press the "Greed".
Get the pale shield for your eyes
Shoot the third eye
Shoot the third line
Press the "Blood".
Watch out for the beam
Shoot the first head
Shoot the last tail
Press the "Risk".
Get the hale shield for your eyes
I just hate to say to pay the dead eye
Press the next light
I can get so...
Liquid eye, Sticky eye
Tricky eye, Flashy eye
How to fake?
How to make 50 times
more eyes to get cracked?
Your hearts got plastic
Catch the man beast
in the well on your hand on your left
Wake up! You've got no fist
Look up! No peace will be seen
in your hand in the shade of your mind
Watch out! You've got no right
Your pure cell can't spark
I can get so...
Liquid eye. Sticky eye.
Tricky eye
Where to fake?
Where to make?
One step more to get my shot
The lyrics of "Shield for Your Eyes a Beast in the Well on Your Hand" by Melt-Banana are poetic, surreal and abstract. While the meaning is never fully revealed, it suggests a narrative of facing a beast or a monster that lurks within the human psyche. The lyrics seem to describe a struggle to confront and overcome a dark part of oneself, perhaps one's own vulnerabilities or deepest fears. The lyrics use vivid, powerful imagery to convey this sense of danger and uncertainty, with references to shields, heads, hands, and eyes.
The lyrics suggest that this inner conflict can be won, but only through a series of intense, sometimes violent actions. The repeated lines "shoot the first head, shoot the first hand" suggest that the battle is ongoing, and that one must constantly be ready to face this beast. The lyrics depict the pursuit of various shields and tools, such as a "hale shield for your eyes" and various "eyes" that can be pressed like buttons. These shields and tools are metaphors, suggesting that one must develop methods of coping with and protecting oneself from the darker aspects of our own minds.
Overall, the lyrics of "Shield for Your Eyes a Beast in the Well on Your Hand" are haunting, powerful, and evocative, suggesting the urgency and importance of confronting and overcoming one's inner demons.
Line by Line Meaning
Catch the man beast
Capture the monster
In the well in the hell on the back
It's hiding in the depths of despair and chaos
Watch out! You've got no shield
You are vulnerable and defenseless
Break up! He's got no peace
The monster is restless and agitated
Breath deep in the shade in the fade of the luck
Take a deep breath in the darkness and uncertainty
Watch out! You've got no light!
You are in darkness and need illumination
No pure cell can live
In this environment, nothing pure can survive
Shoot the first head
Attack the first target
Shoot the first hand
Disable the first weapon
Press the 'Greed'.
Explore your selfish desires
Get the pale shield for your eyes
Obtain a faint defense against what's coming
Shoot the third eye
Target the third weak point
Shoot the third line
Attack the third line of defense
Press the 'Blood'.
Embrace violence and brutality
Watch out for the beam
Be aware of beams of energy or light
Shoot the first head
Attack the first target again
Shoot the last tail
Finish off the creature
Press the 'Risk'.
Take a gamble and a chance
Get the hale shield for your eyes
Obtain a strong defense against danger
I just need to hit to kick the dead eye
One hit will blind the creature forever
Press the next eye
Aim for the next vulnerable point
Liquid eye, Sticky eye, Tricky eye
Different types of eyes to attack
How to fake to steal?
How can deception be used to take advantage?
Your heart's got cracked!
You are emotionally vulnerable
Get the new toy, it's falling in 50 parts
Obtain a new weapon, but it's in many pieces
Break Up! You've got no paste
You have no glue or binder to put the weapon together
Throw out! It's biting your fate like a bait like a sweet dust
This faulty weapon is actively against you
You've got no hand
You have no control or power in this situation
and no pure cell can cross
There's no way for anything pure to pass through this obstacle
Where to make?
Where can I find more of these vulnerabilities?
One step more to get my shot
One more step closer to finding the weak point and taking the shot
Contributed by Aaron G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.