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.
West
Menomena Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Silent sound
I would never have gone
I would never have gone
Face down in the chemistry
Silent sound
I would never have gone
This bird is old and fat
It's sold its song
I would never have gone
I would never have gone
I would never have gone
Between the skin and bone
Is where the west was won
I would never have gone
I would never have gone
Between the skin and bone
Is where the west was won
I would never have gone
I would never have gone
Swallowing all the bones
By the hornets
I would never have gone
I would never have gone
I would never have gone
Honey, this'll be your future
Honey this will be the future
You should care enough
To carve your heart into a tree
Initial it with someone special
Honey this will be the future
You should care enough
To carve your heart into a tree
Initial it with someone
Honey this will be the future
You should care enough
To carve your heart into a tree
Initial it with someone special
With someone special
The lyrics to Menomena's "West" are raw and enigmatic. The repetition of "Face down in the chemistry/Silent sound/I would never have gone/I would never have gone" establishes an unsettling mood. This feeling is amplified by the imagery of a bird that is "old and fat/It's sold its song." The song seems to suggest that something has gone terribly wrong or a situation has spiraled out of control. The refrain, "Between the skin and bone/Is where the west was won" implies a deep conflict or struggle that has left a lasting impact.
As the lyrics build, we're introduced to "the hornets" who are "Swallowing all the bones." It's unclear what this could be a metaphor for, but it reinforces the sense of danger and alarm that runs throughout the song. The last lines offer a brief glimmer of hope: "Honey, this'll be your future/You should care enough/To carve your heart into a tree/Initial it with someone special." Here, the song shifts from a bleak warning to a call to action. It suggests that we have the power to shape our lives and that we should do so with intention and care.
Line by Line Meaning
Face down in the chemistry
Lying face down in a pile of drugs
Silent sound
Unheard actions or unspoken words
I would never have gone
I regret my actions
This bird is old and fat
I'm past my prime and no longer useful
It's sold its song
I've given up everything for success
Between the skin and bone
In the deepest parts of ourselves
Is where the west was won
True victory is a personal and internal achievement
Swallowing all the bones
Taking in everything, even the undesirable parts
By the hornets
Through the painful experiences
Honey this will be the future
Listen up, this is important
You should care enough
You need to prioritize what's important
To carve your heart into a tree
Leave a lasting mark on the world with your emotions
Initial it with someone special
Share that special moment with someone important to you
Contributed by Sarah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.