The band formed in late 2000, when ex-member Brent Knopf graduated from Dartmouth College and returned to Portland to collaborate with Harris and Seim. They played their first show in July 2001, at The Meow Meow, a now-defunct all ages venue in Portland.
Menomena self-released their debut album, I Am the Fun Blame Monster!, on May 20, 2003. The album was elaborately packaged in an 80-page flipbook that Seim designed and individually hand-assembled. It later received nationwide distribution through FILMguerrero in 2004. The title is an anagram for The First Menomena Album.
In 2005, Under an Hour was released as a three-track album of instrumental music written for and performed with Monster Squad, an experimental dance company based in Portland.
In August of 2006, Menomena signed with Barsuk Records although the band still maintains a relationship with their old label, FILMguerrero. It was stated that FILMguerrero would still be involved in their old catalog and future vinyl releases.
Menomena released their next album in 2007, titled Friend and Foe. It received relative critical acclaim -- while some websites like Pitchfork Media praised the album for its effective modular pop, others like PopMatters criticized it for presenting a sense of feigned maturity. Their record release show was held in their home town of Portland, Oregon. The packaging features artwork by graphic novelist/cartoonist Craig Thompson, consisting of die-cut shapes, decoder rings, and hidden messages. It was nominated for "Best Recording Package" at The Grammy Awards.
The band's following album, Mines, was released in July 2010.
In January 2011, Brent Knopf's departure was announced. He left the band under good terms in order to focus on his other project Ramona Falls.
Without Knopf, Menomena released their most recent album, Moms in September of 2012.
The band's name was chosen for "the way it rolls off the tongue, sexually, or something" and has no specific meaning, although it is often assumed to refer to the Piero Umiliani song "Mah NÃ Mah NÃ ", a staple of The Muppet Show.
Danny Seim also has a side project began in the late 90's titled Lackthereof.
Queen Black Acid
Menomena Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes I overlook the simple plains
I feel like certain times in my life
Are met with certain times for pain to thrive
You're five foot five, not a hundred pounds
I'm scared to death of every single ounce
And worst of all is when it's calm
Cause I know the sea won't be calm for long
You bring me down
I walked right in through the rabbit's door
And walked right into the rabbit's hole
I made myself an open book
I made myself a sitting duck
I don't know how I missed the signs
I must have passed by them a hundred times
You barely notice what I say
You're busy looking round the room instead
I get so caught up in my ways
I walked right in through the rabbit's door
And walked right into the rabbit's hole
I made myself an open book
I made myself a sitting duck
I walk you down this rabbit trail
My feet grow heavy with every step
I stop to eat and take a nap
And now I can't find my way back
You bring me down
So down
The lyrics of Menomena's song "Queen Black Acid" describe a person who is unaware of their own flaws and shortcomings, and moves through life in a state of self-absorption. The singer acknowledges that they are prone to overlooking the simple things in life, and often fails to recognize the warning signs of potential pain and heartache. They are scared of their own vulnerability and the unpredictability of life, and this fear weighs heavily on them.
The song seems to be addressing a specific person and their impact on the singer's life. At first, the singer seems to be admiring this person's small stature, but quickly reveals their fear of this person's power to bring them down. The line "you bring me down" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's feeling of being trapped and held back by this other person.
As the lyrics progress, the imagery shifts to that of a rabbit hole, with the singer "walking in through the rabbit's door." This idea of being led down a dark path towards confusion and disorientation reinforces the sense of powerlessness and desperation present in the lyrics. The singer also acknowledges that they have made themselves an "open book" and a "sitting duck," implying that they have been passive and vulnerable in their interactions with this other person.
Overall, the lyrics of "Queen Black Acid" paint a picture of a person struggling to understand their own role in their life and relationships, and grappling with feelings of fear and vulnerability.
Line by Line Meaning
I get so caught up in my ways
Sometimes I become too focused on my own habits and patterns
Sometimes I overlook the simple plains
I tend to complicate things and miss the obvious
I feel like certain times in my life
There are distinct periods in my life
Are met with certain times for pain to thrive
During some of these periods, pain and suffering are more likely to occur
You're five foot five, not a hundred pounds
You may be small, but you affect me greatly
I'm scared to death of every single ounce
I'm terrified of the impact you have on me
And worst of all is when it's calm
When things are peaceful, it's most unsettling
Cause I know the sea won't be calm for long
I anticipate that conflict and uncertainty are on the horizon
You bring me down
You have a negative effect on me
I walked right in through the rabbit's door
I willingly entered into a precarious situation
And walked right into the rabbit's hole
Before I knew it, I was ensnared in something deeper than I intended
I made myself an open book
I was transparent and vulnerable
I made myself a sitting duck
I put myself in harm's way and became an easy target
I don't know how I missed the signs
I failed to recognize the warning signals
I must have passed by them a hundred times
The signs were probably obvious in hindsight
You barely notice what I say
You don't seem to pay attention to me
You're busy looking round the room instead
You're more focused on your surroundings than on me
I walk you down this rabbit trail
I'm leading you into an uncertain and potentially dangerous path
My feet grow heavy with every step
I feel weighed down and burdened
I stop to eat and take a nap
I pause and rest in the midst of the journey
And now I can't find my way back
I'm lost and disoriented
So down
In a negative and depressed state
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Brent Knopf, Daniel Frederic Seim, Justin Andrew Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@crystalmtkid
MENOMENA!
Probably one of the most underrated bands ever.
@TrickleMeThat19
They have to be the most underrated indie group from 2003-2012.. idk
@ryandaugherty9924
u aint wrong by a long shot
@10xneil
"You're 5'5", not a hundred pounds; I'm scared to death of every single ounce" Love that line.
@Jess88176
Love "oh pretty boy you're such a big boy"
and "bote" off this album
Definitely underrated as song writers and musicians
@DICKSQUAAD
yeah KEXP does it right. But in all honesty, Menomena is a nearly flawless live band. I saw them live and it had all the quality of a studio song, but the wonderful feeling of a live show, If that doesn't sound too flowery....
@Jess88176
Sooooo good...... Would LOVE a follow up album to "MOMS" 🤘
@mcrettable
i can't believe this is live music.. it's better than the album version
@Cannablazed
HOLY FUCKING AWESOMENESS! This was the first time I've listened to this band preform live.
@ButteryAssAbel
more people need to know about these guys