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!"
Roll Me Through the Gates of Hell
Mischief Brew Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ain? t no preacher for I'm full of blasphemy.
See you in hell boys.
See you in hell boys.
Hey!
Like an angel who? d been dancing with some devils.
I'm a bad girl with a hope for better day.
I won? t toss salt, kiss it up, or pray.
When you offer pink or blue I? ll take the blackest.
When you offer only two I? ll offer three.
When you point me in a direction I? ll run backwards.
And at the border of utopia I? ll toast to anarchy!
? Cause fire and rock I'm coming home to you.
Well, I'm picking the bones out of my dinner stew.
Open up the gates of hell and roll me through.
Fire and rock I'm coming home to you.
I am a leader but you will not follow me.
I ain? t no preacher for I'm full of blasphemy.
See you in hell boys.
See you in hell boys.
Hey!
So you? re saying Satan? s army is rising up soon.
While if it is I'm secretary of no state.
Got riches, rocks, and bottles in my tool pouch.
My desire is societies jail bait.
? Cause there? s tons of guys moping about the workday.
Dimes by the dozens.
Their song weighs a thousand pounds.
But there? s nothing like a lady with a buzz saw.
I just might build your house but I just might tear it down.
? Cause fire and rock I'm coming home to you.
Well, I'm picking the bones out of my dinner stew.
Open up the gates of hell and roll me through.
Fire and rock I'm coming home to you.
I am a leader but you will not follow me.
I ain? t no preacher for I'm full of blasphemy.
See you in hell boys.
See you in hell boys.
Yeah, barkeeper we? ll surely have another.
To the witches, to the goblins, and the trolls.
I? ll be coming to recruit your rebel children.
There ain? t no use in locking doors,
There? s one of me in every hole.
With mud on my boots,
and blood on my jeans.
I? ll take those pretty dresses,
Tear? em at the seams.
Roll me through the gate of hell.
Ah please.
And I? ll be back in your daughter? s dreams.
I am a leader but you will not follow me.
I ain? t no preacher for I'm full of blasphemy.
See you in hell boys.
See you in hell
See you in hell boys.
See you in hell.
See you in hell boys.
Haha!
The lyrics to Mischief Brew's "Roll Me Through the Gates of Hell" speaks of a rebellious individual who refuses to conform to societal norms and expectations. The individual takes pleasure in mischief, and prioritizes anarchy over religion and authority. In the chorus, they speak of coming home to fire and rock, a metaphor for the chaos and destruction they cause wherever they go. The individual also speaks of being a leader, but acknowledges that others will not follow them, likely due to the individual's rejection of established beliefs and practices.
The song also speaks of gender roles and expectations, with the individual rejecting traditional feminine norms by stating they won't "toss salt, kiss it up, or pray" and admitting to having a "buzz saw". The individual additionally doesn't conform to masculine expectations, stating that they'll take the "blackest" option when offered only pink or blue. The song emphasizes the individual's rebellious nature and their preference for destruction and chaos as they speak of tearing up pretty dresses and asking for the gates of hell to be opened.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a leader but you will not follow me.
I have leadership qualities but nobody wants to follow me.
I ain’t no preacher for I'm full of blasphemy.
I am not a religious person and I often make comments that go against religious teachings.
See you in hell boys.
I will see you in hell when we both die.
Hey!
An exclamation to emphasize a point.
Like an angel who’d been dancing with some devils.
I have a good and bad side to me.
I'm a bad girl with a hope for better day.
I am a rebellious person hoping for a better future.
My laughter is spiced with mischief.
I have a mischievous sense of humor.
I won’t toss salt, kiss it up, or pray.
I don't follow traditional religious customs.
When you offer pink or blue I’ll take the blackest.
I always choose the unconventional or extreme option.
When you offer only two I’ll offer three.
I always go the extra mile and exceed expectations.
When you point me in a direction I’ll run backwards.
I refuse to conform and will do the opposite of what is expected.
And at the border of utopia I’ll toast to anarchy!
I prefer a society of chaos rather than a perfect one.
‘Cause fire and rock I'm coming home to you.
I have a fiery and rebellious personality that suits the underworld.
Well, I'm picking the bones out of my dinner stew.
I am resourceful and can make use of any situation to survive.
Open up the gates of hell and roll me through.
I am ready to embrace the dark side of life.
So you’re saying Satan’s army is rising up soon.
You believe that a dark and evil force is about to emerge.
While if it is I'm secretary of no state.
I have no official position or authority to deal with such a situation.
Got riches, rocks, and bottles in my tool pouch.
I have a mix of valuable and worthless items in my possession.
My desire is societies jail bait.
I am drawn to a rebellious lifestyle that goes against social norms.
‘Cause there’s tons of guys moping about the workday.
Many people are unhappy with their jobs and routine lifestyles.
Dimes by the dozens.
There are many people trying to get ahead in life.
Their song weighs a thousand pounds.
Their struggles are heavy and overwhelming.
But there’s nothing like a lady with a buzz saw.
I am a fierce and powerful woman who can make cuts when necessary.
I just might build your house but I just might tear it down.
I am unpredictable and can either help or harm depending on my mood.
Yeah, barkeeper we’ll surely have another.
Let's have another drink or continue this conversation.
To the witches, to the goblins, and the trolls.
A toast to the supernatural and mythical creatures.
I’ll be coming to recruit your rebel children.
I am always looking for like-minded people to join my cause.
There ain’t no use in locking doors, there’s one of me in every hole.
There is no point in trying to protect yourself from me, as I can find a way to get to you.
With mud on my boots, and blood on my jeans.
I have been through difficult times and survived them.
I’ll take those pretty dresses, tear ‘em at the seams.
I am willing to destroy beauty in order to create something new.
Roll me through the gate of hell. Ah please.
I am eager to explore the underworld and embrace darkness.
And I’ll be back in your daughter’s dreams.
I am capable of unsettling or inspiring people, especially young women.
See you in hell boys!
Another reminder that we will all end up in hell eventually.
Haha!
An expression of joy or humor.
Contributed by Emily K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.