Nuno Bettencourt - guitars, vocals, producer, drums on 1st record (credited as "Billy Vegas")
Donovan Bettencourt - bass
Jeff Consi - drums from the 1st record tour onwards till the end of the band.
Mike Mangini - drums, played at least one show in London previously to the 1st record. Mike was supposed to be the full-time drummer but decided to leave before recording to pursue other projects. It may be a controversy whether he should be considered a member of the band, since when he played Nuno still hadn't named the band.
On December 16, Mourning Widows, Bettencourt's new band, whose name was inspired by a writing he had seen on a church wall back in Portugal, had a self-titled debut album released in Japan on Polydor Records. It sold 45,000 in the first month.
In May 1999, Mourning Widows rehearsed in Melbourne, Australia for their tour in Japan later that month. The band featured Donovan Bettencourt on bass and New York drummer Jeff Consi. They played to sold out crowds.
In 2000, Mourning Widow's follow-up, Furnished Souls for Rent originally released in Japan, and then in the U.S. Both Mourning Widows releases cultivated a strong following in Japan and in the New England areas.
Nuno first met Donovan shortly after Donovan was born (Nuno's brother Robert is Donovan's father - I did say the beginning, didn't I?). Much later, whenever Nuno was over at Robert's house practicing, he would continuously prompt Donovan to take up music and join them. After breaking with his band Extreme and releasing a solo album - Schizophonic, Nuno got Donovan to join him in his touring band as bassist.
The first 'official' show they played was in January 1997 for the NAMM convention in Los Angeles for the Washburn showcase, in which they also introduced Schizophonic to the anxiously awaiting world (rumors of a solo album by Nuno had started back in the early '90s). Together with a band of enthusiastic local Boston musicians - which included Nuno's brother Paulo, they toured across North America in 1997.
In 1998, Nuno formed a new permanent band, which was his original intention after leaving Extreme. Nuno got Donovan signed on as bassist again and Mike Mangini (also of Extreme fame)hopped on as drummer; it would be a power funk trio. They played a London, UK Mad About Music show in June before Mike announced he would pursue other musical projects, leaving the newly-formed band drummerless.
Polydor Japan, who was quick to sign Nuno to a recording contract as soon as he had opted out of his contract with A&M Records (Extreme and Schizophonic label), pressured him for a release for Christmas '98. So in October - without a drummer, Nuno went into the recording studio and chose the name "Mourning Widows" for the band.
In mid-December, the self-titled "Mourning Widows" debut album was released in Japan only. It quickly reached sales of 40 000 in the first month and the band was slated to tour to support it. Nuno still needed a permanent drummer.
Meanwhile, posts around New York City and Boston in music schools and stores advertised for a new drummer who could hit hard and play funky.
...enter one Jeffrey Consi, drummer with "Opium for the Masses". At the urging of a friend who saw a notice in a NYC music store, Jeff submitted his drum demo. He was the only drummer called and they knew in that meeting that he would be the one. He joined the band officially in February.
In May '99, the band left to rehearse in Australia and then flew to Japan to begin their first club tour, where they played to sold out crowds. With just the threesome on stage (note: Joe Pessia played additional guitar on some songs), the vocally quiet Donovan was given a microphone and coerced into singing back up vocals with Jeff.
War Paint
Mourning Widows Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ya push it and push it
You're pushed into believing
My people, were pushed into extinction
Push over move over
Your place in time is over
Learning from the book of lies
Keeps you feeling good and blind
Liar liar
And if you want the only truth
It's buried under foot
Put on your war paint
Cause here they come to claim your home
And claim your mother earth
Put on your war paint
Cause here they come to change your god
And crush your own beliefs
Columbus, our favorite nations hero
He torchered and murdered
The people that once saved him
Columbus, went home his countries failure
In shackles a criminal
And yet we celebrate him
Thanksgiving, a touching celebration
Share everything with you
Before we have to kill you
Liar liar
Cause history is his story
It's buried underfoot
Put on your war paint
Cause here they come to claim your home
And claim your mother earth
Put on your war paint
Cause here they come to change your god
And crush your own beliefs
Put on your war paint
Cause here they come to spread their lies
And leave you with disease
The lyrics to "War Paint" by Mourning Widows comment on the corruption and manipulation of history and society, as well as the exploitation and violence against indigenous people. The opening lines describe how people are pushed into believing what they're told, as if their lives are a movie that they have no control over. This is indicative of how societies are often shaped by those in power who control the narrative and manipulate people to believe certain things. The next lines discuss how these manipulations have led to the extinction of many indigenous people, who were pushed over and replaced with new populations. This is a criticism of colonialism and imperialism and the violent and devastating effects that these systems have on native populations.
The chorus, "Put on your war paint, 'cause here they come," implies that the only defense against this kind of oppression is to fight back. The verses that follow describe how history is often taught from the perspective of the oppressors, perpetuating lies and misinformation about the people and events that shaped our world. The song also calls out the celebration of figures like Christopher Columbus, who committed atrocities against the people who helped him survive, and urges people to see the flaws and misdeeds of the heroes they have been taught to admire. Finally, the lyrics warn of the destructive power of colonization and cultural assimilation, which can spread disease and crush people's beliefs.
Overall, "War Paint" is a powerful critique of the systems of power and control in society, and an incitement to resist oppression and seek out the truth.
Line by Line Meaning
My people, it's like a motion picture
My people's history and experiences are treated as if they are a fictional tale, rather than reality.
Ya push it and push it
Society pressures you to believe a certain narrative.
You're pushed into believing
You are put into a position where you are forced to believe something, even if it is not true.
My people, were pushed into extinction
My people were forced into a situation of being wiped out by outsiders.
Push over move over
My people were forcibly displaced and pushed aside.
Your place in time is over
My people's time to exist in this place has been forcefully ended.
Liar liar
Deceit and falsehoods are being spread.
Learning from the book of lies
People are being taught distorted or fabricated history.
Keeps you feeling good and blind
Believing these lies may provide temporary comfort, but will ultimately leave you ignorant to the truth.
And if you want the only truth
The only way to find the truth is to actively search for it.
It's buried under foot
The truth is intentionally hidden and may require a significant effort to uncover.
Put on your war paint
Prepare yourself for battle and resistance.
Cause here they come to claim your home
Outside forces are coming to take over and control your land.
And claim your mother earth
The invaders are making themselves the new stewards of the land, displacing the original inhabitants.
Cause here they come to change your god
The new rulers are forcing their religious beliefs onto the original population.
And crush your own beliefs
The conquerors are working to eradicate the beliefs, traditions, and way of life of the original inhabitants.
Columbus, our favorite nations hero
Christopher Columbus is commonly celebrated as an American hero.
He torchered and murdered
Columbus committed countless atrocities against native populations.
The people that once saved him
Despite receiving help from the native peoples, Columbus went on to harm and oppress them.
Columbus, went home his countries failure
Despite his reputation as a hero, Columbus ultimately did not achieve the goals of his country, leading to his own disgrace.
In shackles a criminal
Columbus was ultimately seen as a criminal and was imprisoned for his actions.
And yet we celebrate him
Despite his horrific actions, Columbus is still celebrated and revered in American culture.
Thanksgiving, a touching celebration
The Thanksgiving holiday is seen as a heartwarming event of sharing and togetherness.
Share everything with you
The story of Thanksgiving is presented as a sharing of food and culture between European settlers and native populations.
Before we have to kill you
However, the reality of the situation often involved violence, disease, and oppression inflicted by the settlers onto the native populations.
Cause history is his story
The recorded history of events is often skewed to favor the victors and oppressors, rather than accurately portraying the experiences of marginalized groups.
Cause here they come to spread their lies
Invaders and colonizers frequently spread falsehoods and propaganda to justify their actions and maintain their control.
And leave you with disease
In addition to direct violence, colonizers often brought diseases that decimated native populations.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Nuno Bettencourt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind