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
The Hive
Melt-Banana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My eyes spark in the dead phase about diffuse so fast
Just break it down, just break it down
Don't freak out, nowhere to be safe - I'm here, searching for germs
What a waste and what a shame
Don't make me craze, I shut down the door
I can pick up for what I need, for what I need
No other place
I can set up to be, it could be the last case
Other blame
I just kill you off for what I hate, for what I hate
No matter what happens here
I can only escape with my hive
I cry like a stray cat, a flat shade stands up dead
My spy plane in the dark, it's about to catch a rat
I break it down, I break it down
To dig the faith, nowhere to hide out - I'm here waiting for moon
Let me siege and just breathe
Don't make me craze, I shoot down the shade
No other name
I can dig out for what I see, for what I see
No other blade
I can pick out to thrash, it could be the last one
Other fame
I just kill off for what I hate, for what I hate
No matter what happens here
I just keep my hive safe to save you
I fly like I backflip, my sight is so twisted
I fly like I'm spellbound, my hive in my pocket
I spy like a pale sting, no blood left to spit
My eyes flash like a black light, to shine on your evil scar
Just break it down, just break it down
Don't freak me out, nowhere to be sure - I'm here searching for moon
Let me siege and let me breathe
But make me craze, I shoot down the end
The lyrics of Melt-Banana's song "The Hive" convey a sense of urgency, paranoia, and determination. The song opens with the singer observing something ominous ahead, represented by the blood-red shade. Their eyes ignite with intensity in the face of this danger, ready to react quickly. The phrase "just break it down" is repeated throughout, urging a dismantling of the situation at hand. The singer acknowledges that there is nowhere to be safe, signifying a sense of vulnerability and the constant search for protection from unseen threats, possibly metaphorical germs.
The lyrics also touch upon a feeling of wasted opportunities and regret. The singer expresses frustration at not being able to find another way or place to meet their needs, emphasizing the urgency of their situation. They mention killing off things they hate, implying a need or desire for elimination. Ultimately, the singer finds solace in their hive, a symbol of safety and protection. They establish that, regardless of what happens, they can only escape or prevail through their hive.
The frantic and disjointed nature of the lyrics reflects the high energy and experimental sound style of Melt-Banana's music. The repeated phrases and the urgency conveyed in the lyrics create a sense of chaos, further emphasizing the underlying themes of danger, paranoia, and the search for safety.
Line by Line Meaning
I spy like a keen bean, a blood-red shade's ahead
I observe very closely, a dangerous situation is approaching
My eyes spark in the dead phase about diffuse so fast
My eyes quickly respond to the intense and chaotic situation
Just break it down, just break it down
An urgent call to analyze and understand the situation
Don't freak out, nowhere to be safe - I'm here, searching for germs
Stay calm, there is no safe place - I am here, looking for vulnerabilities
What a waste and what a shame
Expressing disappointment and regret
Don't make me craze, I shut down the door
Don't drive me to madness, I will close myself off
No other name
There is no alternative
I can pick up for what I need, for what I need
I can only choose what is necessary
No other place
There is nowhere else
I can set up to be, it could be the last case
I can establish a situation, it might be the final instance
Other blame
Blaming someone else
I just kill you off for what I hate, for what I hate
I eliminate you based on my strong dislike
No matter what happens here
Regardless of the circumstances
I can only escape with my hive
I can only find refuge with my group
I cry like a stray cat, a flat shade stands up dead
I express my emotions like a lonely and vulnerable animal, a lifeless entity comes alive
My spy plane in the dark, it's about to catch a rat
My secret surveillance is hidden, ready to capture a culprit
To dig the faith, nowhere to hide out - I'm here waiting for moon
To uncover the truth, there is nowhere to seek refuge - I am here, patiently waiting
Let me siege and just breathe
Allow me to attack and take control, while taking a moment to relax
Don't make me craze, I shoot down the shade
Don't drive me crazy, I will eliminate the threat
No other blade
There is no alternative weapon
I can pick out to thrash, it could be the last one
I can choose something to strike with, it might be the final choice
Other fame
Seeking recognition from another source
I just kill off for what I hate, for what I hate
I eliminate others based on strong dislike
I just keep my hive safe to save you
I prioritize the safety of my group to protect you
I fly like I backflip, my sight is so twisted
I move swiftly and unpredictably, my perspective is distorted
I fly like I'm spellbound, my hive in my pocket
I soar as if under a magical spell, my group is always with me
I spy like a pale sting, no blood left to spit
I observe like a weak and fading attack, incapable of causing harm
My eyes flash like a black light, to shine on your evil scar
My eyes illuminate like a specialized light, exposing your sinister past
But make me craze, I shoot down the end
However, if you drive me to madness, I will destroy the final outcome
Contributed by Charlie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
J L
[Verse 1: Yasuko]
I spy like a keen bean
A blood-red shade's ahead
My eyes spark in the dead phase
About diffuse so fast
Just break it down
Just break it down
Don't freak me out
Nowhere to be safe
I'm here, searching for germs
What a shame
What a waste
Don't make me craze
I shut down the door
[Chorus 1: Yasuko]
No other name
I can pick up
For what I need
No other place
I can set up to be
It could be the last case
Other blame I just kill you off
For what I hate
No matter what happens here
I can only escape with my hive
[Verse 2: Yasuko]
I cry like a stray cat
A flat shade stands up dead
My spy plane in the dark
It's about to catch a rat
I break it down, to dig the faith
Nowhere to hide out
I'm here waiting for moon
Let me siege
Let me breathe
Don't make me craze
I shoot down the shade
[Chorus 2: Yasuko]
No other name
I can dig out for what I see
No other blade
I can pick out to thrash
It could be the last one
Other fame
I just kill off for what I hate
No matter what happens here
I just keep my hive safe
To save you
[Verse 3: Yasuko]
I fly like I backflip
My sight is so twisted
I fly like I'm spellbound
My hive in my pocket
I spy like a pale sting
No blood left to spit
My eyes flash like a black light
To shine on your evil scar
Just break it down
Just break it down
Don't freak me out
Nowhere to be sure
I'm here searching for moon
Let me siege
And let me breathe
But make me craze
I shoot down the end
Mothra!
Lyrics ^ ^
[Verse 1: Yasuko]
I spy like a keen bean
A blood-red shade's ahead
My eyes spark in the dead phase
About diffuse so fast
Just break it down
Just break it down
Don't freak me out
Nowhere to be safe
I'm here, searching for germs
What a waste
What a shame
Don't make me craze
I shut down the door
[Chorus 1: Yasuko]
No other name
I can pick up
For what I need
For what I need
No other place
I can set up to be
It could be the last case
Other blame I just kill you off
For what I hate
For what I hate
No matter what happens here
I can only escape with my hive
[Verse 2: Yasuko]
I cry like a stray cat
A flat shade stands up dead
My spy plane in the dark
It's about to catch a rat
I break it down, I break it down
To dig the faith
Nowhere to hide out
I'm here waiting for moon
Let me siege
Let me breathe
Don't make me craze
I shoot down the shade
[Chorus 2: Yasuko]
No other name
I can dig out for what I see, for what I see
No other blade
I can pick out to thrash
It could be the last one
Other fame
I just kill off for what I hate, for what I hate
No matter what happens here
I just keep my hive safe
To save you
[Verse 3: Yasuko]
I fly like I backflip
My sight is so twisted
I fly like I'm spellbound
My hive in my pocket
I spy like a pale sting
No blood left to spit
My eyes flash like a black light
To shine on your evil scar
Just break it down
Just break it down
Don't freak me out
Nowhere to be sure
I'm here searching for moon
Let me siege
And let me breathe
Don't make me craze
I shoot down the end
MegaHairybum
Synapse food Yum Yum.
Fluffy cats smiling loudly;
All senses give thanks.
Rainbow waves bubble;
Eyes hear, touching tasty smells.
Particles vibrate.
Dark sparking arcs, quarks;
Charged with probabilities,
Polarities spin.
Dimensional threads.
Excited by no matters,
Do Bananas Melt?
GewoonRood
I can't get over how amazing Fetch is . It becomes better and better the more I listen to it.
EDIT: This album is now one my fav of all time
Spooky Mulder
Best of what I've heard in the experiment stuff punky metals
flash.flood.area.
Yes
Mai Xiang
Anthony Fantano got me into this,
J L
[Verse 1: Yasuko]
I spy like a keen bean
A blood-red shade's ahead
My eyes spark in the dead phase
About diffuse so fast
Just break it down
Just break it down
Don't freak me out
Nowhere to be safe
I'm here, searching for germs
What a shame
What a waste
Don't make me craze
I shut down the door
[Chorus 1: Yasuko]
No other name
I can pick up
For what I need
No other place
I can set up to be
It could be the last case
Other blame I just kill you off
For what I hate
No matter what happens here
I can only escape with my hive
[Verse 2: Yasuko]
I cry like a stray cat
A flat shade stands up dead
My spy plane in the dark
It's about to catch a rat
I break it down, to dig the faith
Nowhere to hide out
I'm here waiting for moon
Let me siege
Let me breathe
Don't make me craze
I shoot down the shade
[Chorus 2: Yasuko]
No other name
I can dig out for what I see
No other blade
I can pick out to thrash
It could be the last one
Other fame
I just kill off for what I hate
No matter what happens here
I just keep my hive safe
To save you
[Verse 3: Yasuko]
I fly like I backflip
My sight is so twisted
I fly like I'm spellbound
My hive in my pocket
I spy like a pale sting
No blood left to spit
My eyes flash like a black light
To shine on your evil scar
Just break it down
Just break it down
Don't freak me out
Nowhere to be sure
I'm here searching for moon
Let me siege
And let me breathe
But make me craze
I shoot down the end
spanish kat
Apenas me di cuenta de que existia esta banda (si, apenas hace unas semanas) y sucede que empiezo a escuchar su ultimo album "fetch" y DIOS...increibles estos japoneses!!! no puedo parar de escucharlos!!! hasta hace un par de meses me "enamore" del buen rock japones y MELT BANANA ya esta de un solo "golpe" dentro de mis bandas favoritas...1000% recomendables!!!
Mothra!
Lyrics ^ ^
[Verse 1: Yasuko]
I spy like a keen bean
A blood-red shade's ahead
My eyes spark in the dead phase
About diffuse so fast
Just break it down
Just break it down
Don't freak me out
Nowhere to be safe
I'm here, searching for germs
What a waste
What a shame
Don't make me craze
I shut down the door
[Chorus 1: Yasuko]
No other name
I can pick up
For what I need
For what I need
No other place
I can set up to be
It could be the last case
Other blame I just kill you off
For what I hate
For what I hate
No matter what happens here
I can only escape with my hive
[Verse 2: Yasuko]
I cry like a stray cat
A flat shade stands up dead
My spy plane in the dark
It's about to catch a rat
I break it down, I break it down
To dig the faith
Nowhere to hide out
I'm here waiting for moon
Let me siege
Let me breathe
Don't make me craze
I shoot down the shade
[Chorus 2: Yasuko]
No other name
I can dig out for what I see, for what I see
No other blade
I can pick out to thrash
It could be the last one
Other fame
I just kill off for what I hate, for what I hate
No matter what happens here
I just keep my hive safe
To save you
[Verse 3: Yasuko]
I fly like I backflip
My sight is so twisted
I fly like I'm spellbound
My hive in my pocket
I spy like a pale sting
No blood left to spit
My eyes flash like a black light
To shine on your evil scar
Just break it down
Just break it down
Don't freak me out
Nowhere to be sure
I'm here searching for moon
Let me siege
And let me breathe
Don't make me craze
I shoot down the end
flash.flood.area.
Thank you
KleinOrNot
Is it normal for my chest to feel this tight when i listen to this , also I am genuinely happy
Helmut Kool
That's covid bro, go see a doctor. And stay happy :)