Since their first performance at LA’s The Smell in April 2006, the band have continued Wives’ tradition of incendiary live shows, playing as frequently as possible, expounding a visceral energy on an equal footing with their recorded output, via guitar, drums, vocals and a minimal amount of effects. No Age’s music is deceptively simple in its construction, yet thoroughly compelling. Raw, considered and skilfully arranged, these eleven tracks are overflowing with ideas, ambition and intent. Both Randy and Dean are also involved at The Smell in a curatorial, social, and artistic sense. The Smell is an all ages space dedicated to underground music and art. Citing The Smell as seminal and inspirational to many, and at least partially responsible for the existence of both their bands to date, it’s a mutually supportive grass roots space reflecting No Age’s DIY ethic. It is this building that features on the front cover of their debut album for FatCat, ‘Weirdo Rippers’. The band also make video, performance and visual art under the name No Age and by themselves, and curated the ‘Get Hurt’ exhibition in LA, featuring works by Devendra Banhart, Rich Jacobs, Ron Rege Jr., Matthew Thurber, Susan CianCiolo, and Ashley Macomber to name a few.
They have released three albums to date, 2007's "Weirdo Rippers" (a compilation of early material). The band released five limited vinyl-only releases on a variety of DIY indie labels across the globe on the same day. Weirdo Rippers is a collection of highlights for these releases. Despite its multiple sources, the tracklisting for Weirdo Rippers follows a narrative of its own, cohering effectively as an album. In mid-2008, the band released the single "Eraser", which has since become the band's best known song. This was followed by "Nouns" their second release in 2008 titled Nouns, on Sub Pop. The album was rated 9.2 (out of 10) by Pitchfork Media. In 2009 they put out their second Sub Pop release, an EP of loop and sample-based songs called Losing Feeling, a continuation of their punk-filtered pop songs with a few straightforward songs and a few more abstract compositions that harken back to their early EPs. The third release was 2010's "Everything In Between".
Boy Void
No Age Lyrics
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but it's all locked so it's no go!
The pain inside my neck is leavin' leavin'
and then we sit on the grass and oh!
Seems so obvious,
Seems so obvious.
Why don't you try these fields across my eye,
I ran into a fountain trying to get dry.
Saw a horse, he ran in too,
The back of the room's where the children go to cry.
So obvious, so obvious, so obvious,
So obvious, so obvious, so obvious.
The lyrics of No Age's "Boy Void" seem to be expressing frustration and a sense of inevitability that comes with trying to navigate through life's obstacles. The first two lines, "Tried the frontside, but it's all locked so it's no go!" suggest that the singer has attempted to go through a front door, but has been met with disappointment, as it is locked. This could symbolize a larger sense of being denied access to something in life, such as a job or opportunity, despite their best efforts.
The following lines, "The pain inside my neck is leavin' leavin'/and then we sit on the grass and oh!" imply a release of tension and a sense of peace that only comes from being able to let go and enjoy the simple things in life. The singer may be finding solace in the company of another person, as they sit on the grass and take in their surroundings.
The repetition of "Seems so obvious" throughout the song suggests that the singer is grappling with a realization or a truth that is self-evident, yet difficult to accept. The final lines, "Why don't you try these fields across my eye,/I ran into a fountain trying to get dry./Saw a horse, he ran in too,/The back of the room's where the children go to cry" could symbolize a journey through life that is filled with unexpected twists and turns, but ultimately leads to self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Tried the frontside, but it's all locked so it's no go!
I attempted to access the frontside, but it's unable to be opened, so it's hopeless.
The pain inside my neck is leavin' leavin' and then we sit on the grass and oh!
I'm experiencing relief from the discomfort in my neck, and we're now relaxing on the grass.
Seems so obvious, Seems so obvious.
It appears to be evident, it seems to be evident.
Why don't you try these fields across my eye, I ran into a fountain trying to get dry.
Why don't you attempt to explore the vastness within me? I stumbled upon a fountain while attempting to dry myself off.
Saw a horse, he ran in too, The back of the room's where the children go to cry.
I observed a horse that also entered the fountain. The rear of the room is where the kids go to weep.
So obvious, so obvious, so obvious, So obvious, so obvious, so obvious.
It's clear, it's clear, it's clear, it's clear, it's clear, it's clear.
Contributed by William N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.