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 Nà Mah Nà", a staple of The Muppet Show.
Danny Seim also has a side project began in the late 90's titled Lackthereof.
Trigga Hiccups
Menomena Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it gains speed as it gains weight
We follow
And make it whole
Always for... you
Chat rooms full of broken bones
From lush estates and moon glow hopes
And voices fade
Always in... winter
Always run day in day
Outside of the box is cold
But it's okay I'll walk on glass
To please you
Please you
This is only a moderate mistake
The first line of Menomena's song Trigga Hiccups is a seemingly simple statement, but as with much of the band's music, it is open to interpretation. Perhaps the use of the word "moderate" suggests that the mistake being made is not catastrophic or irreversible, but still significant enough to make an impact. The following line, "But it gains speed as it gains weight," could be read as a warning that even small missteps can quickly snowball into something much larger and more dangerous.
The chorus of the song, "We follow and make it whole, always for you," appears to be directed at someone specific, but it's unclear who that might be. It could be a person, a group of people, an idea, or even the band's audience. The lyrics suggest a desire to please and a willingness to go to great lengths to do so, even if it means taking risks or enduring pain.
Later in the song, the lines "Chat rooms full of broken bones, from lush estates and moon glow hopes" paint a vivid and unsettling picture of desolation and despair. The image of broken bones in a chat room suggests both physical and emotional pain, while the juxtaposition of "lush estates" and "moon glow hopes" hints at the emptiness and futility of chasing after material wealth and empty dreams. The final lines of the chorus, "Always in winter," further underscore the sense of bleakness and coldness that pervades the song.
Overall, Trigga Hiccups is a haunting and enigmatic song that invites multiple interpretations. It is a testament to Menomena's skill as songwriters that they are able to create such complex and thought-provoking music while using seemingly simple language.
Line by Line Meaning
This is just a small error
The situation is not too severe or impactful.
But as we ignore it, the problem grows larger and more serious
If we don't address the mistake, it will become increasingly difficult to fix.
We are going along with the mistake or decision
We are not actively making the mistake, but we are not stopping it either.
We contribute to the completion of the mistake
We are playing a part in helping the mistake or problem come to fruition.
Our efforts are directed towards pleasing or satisfying someone else
We are trying to please someone else and meet their expectations.
Online communities filled with people who are broken or hurting
There are many people in online communities who are struggling or in pain.
People from privileged backgrounds with high aspirations
Those in the chat rooms come from wealthy families and have high hopes and dreams.
Those who are hurting or struggling become numb and unresponsive
People who are in pain may become disassociated and uninterested in their surroundings.
People become less vocal or communicative
People may become less talkative and withdrawn when they are struggling.
The difficult times that people are facing always feel like winter - cold, harsh, and unforgiving
The pain and hardship people face can seem unrelenting and harsh.
Constantly running with no end in sight
People may feel like they are always trying to stay busy and run from their problems without experiencing lasting solutions.
Thinking differently can be uncomfortable, unfamiliar and sometimes unpleasant
Trying new things and thinking creatively can be challenging and uncomfortable.
Despite the challenges, I am willing to take risks and endure hardship
I am willing to take risks and face discomfort to meet the expectations of the person I am trying to please.
The motivation behind my actions is to make someone else happy
I am doing these things to make someone else feel good and appreciated.
Contributed by Logan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.