Erik started making music at a young age, but it wasn’t until age 16 that he started playing shows with his punk band, The Orphans. Influenced by “Fresh Fruit”-era Dead Kennedys and “Worlds Apart”-era Subhumans, the band had released a 7” (“Anthems for Doomed Youth,” 1996) before half of them were even old enough to drive. They officially disbanded in 2000 and Erik continued to make music…digging into the past for a more traditional sound to mix with punk ideals. The result was “Mirth,” a demo of acoustic punk influenced by medieval danses and raucous Romany dust-raising ditties (2000). The tape was rough and scratchy - yet it was clear that there were solid anthems buried under that hiss, which was evident by the scope of the tape, spanning city and state. Logically, a live show was expected – and despite the drums and extra instrumentation on the tape (all layered on a four-track recorder), there was no band. Over the years, seeing “Mischief Brew” on a flyer meant you were just seeing Erik Petersen with an acoustic guitar or mandolin. There was no PA in the beginning, just a roomful of West Philly’s finest rabble-rousers singing along to the “Mirth” songs. And for quite some time, this is how things stayed until it was necessary to deliver a proper recording.
“Bellingham & Philadelphia” (2003) is a split LP/CD with Washington state’s roving songcrafter Robert Blake. Meanwhile, Fistolo Records (the label Erik co-founded and runs with his wife Denise) released the “Bakenal” CDep. It was hard to believe that all the songs were recorded in the same session and split between two releases, as they were completely different experiences soundwise. “Bellingham” was more Phil Ochs/Bob Dylan-style political folk, while “Bakenal” delivered gypsy-punk swing, Poguesy drinking songs, and even a drunken tango. Two years of touring followed, from punk bars to basement shows. Meanwhile, Erik visited the studio here and there to record a few acoustic tracks for the Orphans discography (“Raise the Youth,” 2004), and the Mischief Brew “Oh Sweet Misery b/w All About the Class War” single (2005).
For an official full-length, Mischief Brew needed a non-traditional studio (by punk standards), since the songs required a more varied instrumentation to bring forth the gypsy melodies and circus beats. Impressed by the work of Israeli producer Tamir Muskat (Balkan Beat Box, Firewater, Big Lazy…), Erik visited the Brooklyn studio that he runs. Vibromonk has produced records by such festive acts as Gogol Bordello, World/Inferno Friendship Society, Firewater and more…the kind of place that knows how to mic a marimba. For this record, a backing band was assembled consisting of bass, drums, accordion, clarinet, and junk percussion. Guest appearances by Sturgeon (Leftover Crack), Peter Hess (Guignol), and Franz Nicolay (World/Inferno, The Hold Steady) bring the album even more character. “Smash the Windows” (2005) includes the folk-punk anthems “Nomads Revolt” and “Roll Me Through the Gates of Hell” – but also the epic tale “The Gypsy, The Punk, and The Fool” and the klez/ska rendition of “A Liquor Never Brewed.” The album closes with “Departure Arrival,” a sweet folk lament about leaving the comforts of home for uncharted cities and towns. “Departure” was also featured on “Up the Stairs and Through the Hall,” a 2xCD compilation of independent artists and bands from Philadelphia.
But wait, there’s more! Meanwhile, Mischief Brew released a split 7” with David Dondero (an influence on Bright Eyes) and another with -Bread & Roses (Boston-based labor folk at its best). The newest recording, “Songs from Under the Sink,” is a batch of anarcho-folk songs written between 1997-2002…finally put on LP and CD once and for all. If it had to all fit under one banner, it would read, "Carnivalesque!"
Children Play With Matches
Mischief Brew Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't ever do what you're told,
The old are just old,
Children play with matches start a fire.
Children play with fire, tend a blaze(x2),
You know where he keeps his drinks
And lots of poisons under the sink,
(Chorus)
The world is dry and brittle and dead,
It'll go up in a flash.
If we mix it all together, oh what a colorful blast!
Only shout when spoken to,
Curse your way through church and school,
And mess around with father's power tools.(x2)
Children play beyond the "Keep Out" signs(x2),
And if the owners send you home,
It's bottles, rocks, and stones,
Children play beyond the "Keep Out" signs,
Chorus
Children lead us to the lake of fire FIRE(x2),
And as we drive down into the flames,
Maybe I'll let you hold the reigns,
Children lead us to the lake of fire(x2),
Children play with matches, start a fire(x2)
Just a little gasoline and watch the people scream... Children play with matches start a fire.
The song "Children Play With Matches" by Mischief Brew is a cautionary tale about youthful rebellion and the dangerous consequences that can come with it. The repeating refrain "children play with matches, start a fire" is a metaphor for reckless behavior and the potential of causing harm or destruction. The lyrics warn against blindly following authority figures ("don't ever do what you're told, the old are just old") and encourage questioning and challenging societal rules and norms ("children play beyond the 'keep out' signs").
The second verse furthers this theme by describing the temptation of dangerous substances and materials ("you know where he keeps his drinks and lots of poisons under the sink"). The chorus then emphasizes the fragility of the world and the danger of mixing together volatile elements ("if we mix it all together, oh what a colorful blast!").
The final verse takes a darker turn, with the lyrics describing rebellious actions such as cursing in church and playing with power tools. The final repetition of the refrain "children play with matches, start a fire" takes on a more ominous tone as it implies the potential for violence and chaos. The closing line "just a little gasoline and watch the people scream" drives home the idea that youthful rebellion can have deadly consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Children play with matches start a fire(x2)
Children are reckless and often engage in dangerous activities that can lead to harmful consequences.
Don't ever do what you're told
Children are often rebellious and refuse to follow instructions given to them by authority figures.
The old are just old
Elderly people are often viewed as unimportant and their knowledge and wisdom are disregarded by younger generations.
Children play with fire, tend a blaze(x2)
Children have a fascination with fire and sometimes purposely start or fuel flames, resulting in damage or injury.
You know where he keeps his drinks
And lots of poisons under the sink
Children are curious and often explore their surroundings, even if it means discovering potentially dangerous items.
The world is dry and brittle and dead,
It'll go up in a flash.
If we mix it all together, oh what a colorful blast!
The world is fragile and susceptible to destruction, and if certain elements are combined, the consequences can be explosive.
Only shout when spoken to,
Curse your way through church and school,
And mess around with father's power tools.(x2)
Children often act out and defy social norms, leading to punishment or negative consequences.
Children play beyond the "Keep Out" signs(x2),
And if the owners send you home,
It's bottles, rocks, and stones,
Children play beyond the "Keep Out" signs,
Children often ignore warning signs or rules and continue to engage in activities deemed off-limits, resorting to violence if confronted.
Children lead us to the lake of fire FIRE(x2),
And as we drive down into the flames,
Maybe I'll let you hold the reigns,
Children lead us to the lake of fire(x2),
Metaphorically, children can lead us to destructive and harmful situations, causing chaos and destruction.
Just a little gasoline and watch the people scream... Children play with matches start a fire.
Children can inflict harm on others and enjoy seeing the resulting chaos and damage.
Contributed by Cole I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.