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
Spider Snipe
Melt-Banana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it's a map spell
So I pick a flicker
Break the fact
it's a crap set
So I kick a tricker
Save the name
Chase the plane in your scene
Skip the rest
Maybe bad luck
I swing with the wind
I tear my note that I need
but I stump some scars on my hand
like a ZIP code
I hear a song that I hate
So I smash a glass on my hand
with my headphone
Now I feel fine ...
So I weave the web
it's a spell drawn
So I hit a clutter
Craze me not
what a flip shown
I snap you one more time
Slave the bugs
Chase the dog in your house
He'll tease you
Stick the eggs
Ten times now
I see a scape of sand
I rip my book that I loved
but I make some tool on my back
like a Dead Code
I play a song that I love
And I clash my bike in the sky
like I'm spell bound
Now I feel fine ...
Don't you see
There's no place for hideaway
There's no place for hideaway
I just need a place to be
So I weave the web to lie
And I spread traps!
But I know
it's myself to be caught
in my web
Gimme a knife to cut threads off!
The lyrics to Melt-Banana's Spider Snipe are a chaotic and abstract depiction of the lead singer's inner thoughts and emotions. The opening lines "I just weave the web, it's a map spell" suggest a delusional sense of control over the world around her. However, the following lines "So I pick a flicker, break the fact, it's a crap set, so I kick a tricker," indicate a mixed feeling of frustration and powerlessness. The lead singer cannot control every aspect of her environment, and the world at large is a mess. In response, she lashes out and takes action to break free.
The second verse seems to continue this theme of frustration and aggression. The lines "I tear my note that I need, but I stump some scars on my hand like a ZIP code," suggest a sense of desperation and perhaps self-harm. The lead singer is willing to inflict pain on herself to feel something, even if that something is negative. However, the verse ends with the lines "Now I feel fine..." indicating that this behavior may be a coping mechanism for her.
The chorus of the song suggests a desire for escape and a lack of control over her own mind. "Don't you see there's no place for hideaway, I just need a place to be, so I weave the web to lie, and I spread traps!" The lead singer has created a web of lies to protect herself from reality, but she knows that she may be caught in her own trap. The final line, "Gimme a knife to cut threads off!" suggests a desire to break free from her self-created web of lies.
Line by Line Meaning
I just weave the web
I create a web of deceit
it's a map spell
My web is a carefully crafted illusion
So I pick a flicker
I choose a target
Break the fact
I distort reality
it's a crap set
It's a poor situation
So I kick a tricker
I manipulate the situation
Save the name
I protect my reputation
Chase the plane in your scene
I pursue my own interests
it's fallen in Pieces
Everything is falling apart
Skip the rest
I ignore the consequences
Maybe bad luck
It could be perceived as bad luck
I swing with the wind
I'm adaptable
I tear my note that I need
I destroy something valuable to me
but I stump some scars on my hand
I suffer physical damage in the process
like a ZIP code
The scars form a pattern
I hear a song that I hate
Something upsets me
So I smash a glass on my hand
I act out my frustration
with my headphone
Using music as a trigger
Now I feel fine ...
I'm content with the result
So I weave the web
I continue to deceive
it's a spell drawn
My illusion is strengthened
So I hit a clutter
I cause confusion
Craze me not
Don't distract me
what a flip shown
Things have taken a negative turn
I snap you one more time
I manipulate again
Slave the bugs
Control the situation
Chase the dog in your house
Pursue my own interests again
He'll tease you
The consequences will be frustrating for others
Stick the eggs
Cause more chaos
Ten times now
I'm persistent
I see a scape of sand
I see the bigger picture
I rip my book that I loved
I destroy something I cherish
but I make some tool on my back
But it serves a purpose
like a Dead Code
It seems irrelevant
I play a song that I love
I find joy
And I clash my bike in the sky
I take risks
like I'm spell bound
As if under a spell
Now I feel fine ...
I'm content with the result
Don't you see
Can't you understand
There's no place for hideaway
No escape from reality
There's no place for hideaway
No escape from consequences
I just need a place to be
I want to exist on my own terms
So I weave the web to lie
I persist in my deception
And I spread traps!
I make it worse for others
But I know
I realize
it's myself to be caught
I'm causing my own problems
in my web
In my deception
Gimme a knife to cut threads off!
I need to end this cycle of deceit
Contributed by Eva A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.