Municipal Waste played their first show at a Richmond New Year's Eve Keg party in 2000/2001. The band was blamed for inciting a small riot. The band took musical influences from crossover thrash bands such as D.R.I., Suicidal Tendencies, Animosity-era Corrosion of Conformity, Nuclear Assault and Attitude Adjustment. Municipal Waste toured throughout 2001 and 2002 in the USA and Mexico. The band released two split albums—one 7" with Bad Acid Trip, the other being a 12" with Crucial Unit. They also had tracks on a number of compilations. In 2002 Brendan Trache left, being replaced by Brandon Ferrell, shortly before the Tango and Thrash on Amendment Records and Waste 'Em All was released on Six Weeks Records. Following the release of Waste 'Em All, both Andy Harris and Brandon Ferrell left the band, being replaced by drummer Dave Witte and bassist "LandPhil".
In 2005, Municipal Waste signed to Earache Records and recorded the Hazardous Mutation album. During 2005 and 2006, Municipal Waste shot a video for "Unleash the Bastards", with a censored and non-censored version.
In June 2007, Municipal Waste toured with Destruction in the United States, before heading into the studio with Hatebreed and Shadows Fall producer Zeuss, to record their next album The Art of Partying. The band followed this up with a headline tour of Europe, a tour with The Haunted and spots at Wacken Open Air in Germany and Reading and Leeds Festivals. They also went on the road with Suicidal Tendencies. A video was then recorded for the track "Headbanger Face Rip," which was filmed by Troma Entertainment.
In 2007, the band received great acclaim from the music press, with a top five album of the year placing in Sweden's Close Up magazine and top twenty positions in Big Cheese and Kerrang! They also were on the front cover of Metal Maniacs magazine but also made several appearances in NME.
They performed at the UK's Download Festival on June 15, 2008. They also joined At the Gates on their "Suicidal Final Tour" along with Darkest Hour, Toxic Holocaust and Repulsion.
In 2010, the band was confirmed as being part of the soundtrack for Namco Bandai Games' 2010 remake of Splatterhouse.
Municipal Waste released their third album Massive Aggressive in 2009, followed three years later by The Fatal Feast (2012), and then five years later by Slime and Punishment (2017). The band is currently working on a new EP and a new full-length studio album.
The band members themselves have stated that they are influenced from groups such as Suicidal Tendencies, D.R.I., Slayer, Anthrax, Exodus, Testament, Sepultura, Nuclear Assault, S.O.D., M.O.D. and the Cro-Mags.
The band's songwriting approach takes form in short, crossover thrash songs. Lyrical topics have to do with alcoholism, mutants, or thrash metal. The music is also described as being, and the band has received the tag "Party thrash" from the media. The band's song titles are also comedic, or give nods to their influences such as "Thrashing's My Business and Business is Good", "The Thrashin' of the Christ", "Thrash? Don't Mind If I Do" and "Drunk as Shit".
Beer Pressure
Municipal Waste Lyrics
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And everything else just seems lame
It feels like they're calling out to me
And I just can't hold my restraint
Feel the pressure!
There's just one cure
Drinking these beers till we're nice and unwound
Drunk with my friends
It never ends
Looks like beer pressure has got us again
Race till it's gone
Finish the glass
We're getting drunk and we're doing it fast
We like to fall all over ourselves
We like to drink and we do it quite well
We have tried
We failed
Beer pressure's taking over
Death to being sober!
I stare at these drinks here before me
And everything else just seems lame
Feel the pressure!
There's just one cure
Beer Pressure!
You got it now
Beer pressure!
Now drink it down (yow!)
The lyrics of Municipal Waste's song "Beer Pressure" capture the essence of peer pressure and the allure of alcohol. The singer describes how the drinks in front of him seem to call out to him, and how he can't resist the temptation to drink. The pressure to drink and fit in with his friends is too strong to resist, and he gives in to the "one cure" that will help him feel included. It's almost as if he has no choice but to give in to the "Beer Pressure," and he's resigned to the fact that he and his friends will continue to get drunk and do it "fast." The song captures the reckless abandon and joyful chaos of getting drunk with friends, where anything is possible, and nothing else seems to matter.
The song's lyrics are relatable to anyone who's ever felt the pull of peer pressure or the desire to fit in with a group of friends. It's a celebration of drinking and the communal bond that it creates. Still, the song also hints at the dangers of alcohol and the euphoria of giving in to too much "Beer Pressure." The singer describes how he and his friends "fall all over themselves" and how "beer pressure's taking over." It's a reminder that alcohol can be both fun and dangerous, and it's important to drink responsibly.
Line by Line Meaning
I stare at these drinks here before me
The singer is fixated on the drinks in front of them and is finding everything else uninteresting.
And everything else just seems lame
In comparison to the prospect of drinking beer, all other activities feel boring and unappealing.
It feels like they're calling out to me
The singer personifies the drinks as if they are beckoning them to drink them.
And I just can't hold my restraint
Despite being aware of the potential consequences of drinking too much, the artist lacks the self-control to resist the temptation of alcohol.
Feel the pressure!
The excitement of drinking and partying is building up inside the artist, causing them to feel the urge to give in to the social pressure of their peers.
There's just one cure
To the singer, the only remedy for their desire to drink and party is to give in and indulge themselves.
Pour us a round pass that shit down
The singer is imploring someone to pass around the drinks so that everyone can partake in the revelry.
Drinking these beers till we're nice and unwound
The goal of drinking is not just to quench one's thirst, but to drink enough to feel relaxed and carefree.
Drunk with my friends
The artist is enjoying the company of their friends, who share their love of drinking and partying.
It never ends
The partying and drinking seems like it will continue indefinitely, without any sign of stopping.
Looks like beer pressure has got us again
The singer acknowledges that peer pressure is a significant factor in their drinking habits, and that they are unable to resist its influence.
Race till it's gone
The group is quickly consuming their drinks without savoring them, almost as if they are competing to see who can drink the fastest.
Finish the glass
The singer is urging their companions to empty their drinks before refilling them with more beer, so that they can keep the party going.
We're getting drunk and we're doing it fast
The group is drinking to get intoxicated quickly, rather than savoring the taste of the beer or enjoying each other's company.
We like to fall all over ourselves
The group is so drunk that they are becoming clumsy and uncoordinated, perhaps even falling down or bumping into things.
We like to drink and we do it quite well
The artist takes pride in their ability to hold their liquor and party without getting sick or passing out.
We have tried
The artist and their friends have made an attempt to abstain from drinking for whatever reason, but it ultimately failed.
We failed
Despite their best efforts, the group was unable to resist the social pressure to drink and let loose.
Beer pressure's taking over
The singer attributes their drinking habits to peer pressure, which they feel they cannot resist.
Death to being sober!
The group is reveling in the feeling of drunkenness, and is making a statement against sober behavior.
You got it now
The artist is urging someone to take the next drink that is being offered to them, in order to keep the party going and maintain the feeling of intoxication.
Now drink it down (yow!)
The artist is excited to continue drinking and partying with their friends, and is urging everyone to down their drinks in a gesture of shared revelry.
Contributed by Isaiah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.