Before starting the band Mindless Self Indulgence, James Euringer launched a solo album in 1995, called Mindless Self-Indulgence, which he had produced by himself and was limited to 500 copies. Contrary to popular belief, this was not an album by the band Mindless Self Indulgence, however, Steve Righ? played guitar for the track "Bed of Roses".
Another large influence in the band's music comes from early 1980s culture. Frequently the music contains samples of early 80's hip-hop or rock, as well as Atari-style beeps and tones. Their second album as a band, 1999's Tight, was even allegedly mixed on Atari equipment. Many of Urine's dress styles consist of the juxtaposition of popular 1980s clothing or bastardized versions thereof.
Later in February 2000, MSI launched the album Frankenstein Girls Will Seem Strangely Sexy, featuring 30 tracks that were sorted alphabetically. Kitty (Drummer) designed and ran the official site of MSI when the album came out.
After Frankenstein Girls Will Seem Strangely Sexy , Vanessa YT (Bass player) decided to leave MSI to start a family. Her replacement in the band was Lyn-Z (Bass player).
Mindless Self Indulgence is distinguished from mainstream punk, however, by their incorporating lyrics about being gay and related topics into nearly all of their songs - even titling one of their songs Faggot. Also, Euringer and Steve, Righ? (Guitarist) possess wide vocal ranges, stretching from tenor to high falsetto. The band also has no qualms about using words deemed offensive by some, such as nigga (Jimmy Urine argues that he doesn't say the word out of anger, and often it is more or less used in the sense that it is used in the hip-hop world), and faggot heavily in many of their songs. Many critics have used their word choice to dismiss the band as juvenile.
And although this may be the case, with some songs being of a 'juvenile' subject and tone, they also use clever lyrics and stance to give meaning to songs, such as You'll rebel to anything, which is a song that talks about how punk culture is being exploited by misdirected youths as a way to be unique or get noticed.
In keeping with their confrontational posture, Euringer has been arrested for pulling his penis out of his pants and attempting to set his pubic hair on fire, allegedly succeeding on one such occasion. Other notable stage antics include him drinking his own urine, inviting audience members to punch him in the face and/or throw objects at him, making out with both genders during the show, and roaming through the audience after the set blaring hip-hop music from a boom box perched on his shoulder.
The band's energetic live shows have gained them much recognition. The band is known to stay after the show has finished, signing whatever fans want until not one person is left wanting an autograph. They also take photographs with all desiring fans. They have opened for a number of popular bands, including System of a Down, KoRn, Staind, Sum 41, Mushroomhead, Insane Clown Posse, My Chemical Romance, and Rammstein. They have also played many large musical festivals including Voodoo Music Experience in New Orleans in October of 2003 (and in Memphis, TN after Hurricane Katrina in 2006), as well as headlining the Mojave tent at the 2004 Coachella Festival, and the main stage of 2007's Give It A Name. They also headlined the second stage of the Projekt Revolution tour in Summer 2007.
Their DVD, called Our Pain, Your Gain, was released on September 11, 2007, featuring one of their concerts in New York.
On 29th April 2008, their 4th studio album, If, was released. The standard edition contains 15 tracks, the deluxe edition has the same tracklist and a bonus DVD. The Clean version has 16 tracks, Uncle being the additional track. The International edition (UK version) has 21 tracks; 3S as bonus track and four Never Wanted To Dance remixes.
On 25th October 2012, they began a Kickstarter to crowdfund their next studio album, which reached its goal by December 24th of that year. Digital downloads for their fifth studio album, How I Learned To Stop Giving A Shit And Love Mindless Self Indulgence, were released on 13 March 2013. There are three different versions of the album, with each including the standard 13-song tracklist as well as bonus tracks. The Kickstarter exclusive downloads include the bonus tracks Angel, I Am Not Here to Make Any Friends, and Last Gay Song. The Kickstarter exclusive digipak CD includes the bonus track Sex for Homework. The tour edition CD includes the bonus track Seven Minutes in Heaven. The Metropolis Records released CD includes the bonus cover, The Logical Song (originally by Supertramp).
After the 2014 tour concluded, Mindless Self Indulgence began a hiatus from touring to spend time with their families. On 18 September 2015, the band released the supposed "lost" album Pink, a 19-song album of remastered versions of the "Pink Demos" from 1990-1997, including covers Personal Jesus (originally by Depeche Mode and Girls On Film (originally by Duran Duran). The album includes redone versions of tracks from the self-titled EP from 1995. It’s also known that there are 31 “lost” tracks from 1990-1997 (“Pink Demos” era), and that 15 of those tracks were added onto Pink, then also implying that there are another 16 “lost” tracks that could be released in future, however chances are slim due to recent events.
Harry Truman
Mindless Self Indulgence Lyrics
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smoke my guns - i kill your peoples
i said "i'll do it sir"
smoke my crack - i kill your babies
he said "i'll do it sir"
every single day i got the white man working for me
harry truman
every single day i got the white man working for me
shuffle the deck for me baby
shuffle the deck for me man
am i crazy - am i crazy - totally insane
1-900... ain't what you call for me baby
The lyrics to Mindless Self Indulgence's song Harry Truman are a satirical take on power and control. The repeated phrase "every single day I got the white man working for me" highlights how those in power often manipulate and use those they perceive to be beneath them, in this case using racial divisions to assert control. The use of violent language and imagery, such as "smoke my guns - i kill your peoples" and "smoke my crack - i kill your babies" underscores the idea that those in power will use any means necessary to maintain their control.
The repetition of "what the - what the - what the - ow" and "shuffle the deck for me baby, shuffle the deck for me man" create a frenzied, almost manic feel to the song, reflecting the chaotic and unpredictable nature of those in power. The final line, "1-900... ain't what you call for me baby," can be interpreted to mean that those in power have no interest in the opinions or needs of their constituents, but rather are solely focused on maintaining their own power.
Line by Line Meaning
what the - what the - what the - ow
Expression of excitement and anticipation.
smoke my guns - i kill your peoples
Bringing harm to opponents or enemies with firearms.
i said "i'll do it sir"
Expressing obedience and agreement to someone in authority.
smoke my crack - i kill your babies
Causing harm or suffering to the vulnerable, defenseless young.
he said "i'll do it sir"
Someone else agreeing to participate in harmful or dangerous activities on command.
every single day i got the white man working for me
Having power and control over people in positions of privilege and authority.
harry truman
Referencing President Harry Truman and the idea of wielding authority.
every single day i got the white man working for me
Reinforcing the idea of power and control over predominantly privileged individuals.
shuffle the deck for me baby
Asking someone to manipulate a situation or environment to one's advantage.
shuffle the deck for me man
Reinforcement of the request to someone in authority to alter circumstances for personal gain.
am i crazy - am i crazy - totally insane
Questioning one's own mental state and acknowledging the possibility of being out of touch with reality.
1-900... ain't what you call for me baby
Rejecting the idea of seeking help or support from outside sources and emphasizing self-sufficiency and independence.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JAMES EURINGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind