Well, mythologie… Read Full Bio ↴There’s a complex mythology behind Not Blood Paint.
Well, mythologies. Plural.
You’ll hear about New Suit Methodology, The Big Egg, The Imposters, “Working Harder Together” and the Sword of the Goldsmith…
It’s worth a deep dive.
Conventionally, Not Blood Paint is a theatrically vivid—and sonically intense—four-piece from Bushwick, formed in 2008 by guitarists George Frye and Joe Stratton, bassist Mark Jaynes and drummer Seth Miller.
Musically, it’s a group impossible to pigeonhole, far removed from traditional verse-chorus-verse structures. The songs manifest as detailed stories that worm into the minds of always-shifting narrators. At different times, you’ll think Zappa, Ween, Primus, Gang of Four, Devo, early Genesis, Tool, Dirty Projectors. (The band itself would proffer Of Montreal. “That group inspired us in the beginning. We’d go dress up and dance our asses off when we saw them live.”)
Given their influences, it’s little surprise the band members—who all hail from the same school in Michigan—share a passion for the theatrical. From early on, Not Blood Paint shows have been purposely and aggressively different, often constructed for the venue and audience on hand.
Costumes abound. Beguiling rituals and themes take hold--one night you may witness, say, the Renaissance-type flair of “The Aristocrats.” Another, “hypnotic owls,” or “glam rock scientists” or maybe something akin to an alien prison break. This cornucopia of on-stage choreography, dialog and make-up—connected to some fantastically elaborate songs—often extends off-stage, where whole belief systems spring up and evolve, while characters take on lives of their own—often over years of time.
Instead of being about a band, a record and a show, Not Blood Paint becomes a fusing of mythology and the real world. Ever shifting, ever changing.
But all for one important end goal: Manifesting the Goldsmith.
Confused? We’ll get there.
Those who do understand are rather ... ardent followers (watch for fans in matching costumes). Others are simply admirers. “Band most likely to start a cult,” said FreeWilliamsburg. “Not Blood Paint defies lineage…they are as much a strategy as they are a band,” chimed Brooklyn Based.
Five albums in, Not Blood Paint has now evolved again. The band’s new record Believing is Believing is the culmination, as they say, “of eight years working toward the marriage of our recorded songs with the exultant energy of our live show.”
It’s an experience unto itself. As well as a lyrical, musical and spiritual exploration, as the title suggests (you’ll hear the word “believe” in a lot of the tracks). Harmonies abound, most noticeably in first single “I Am An Angel” and sprawling album closer “Imbalance.” A track like “Play Nice” can somehow feel both grimy and lounge-y, while psych rave-up “Neighbor” fits comfortably next to the moodier, almost Queen-like “Borderline” and the slow groove of “The French Song.”
Now, seeing the songs from Believing is Believing live isn’t necessary to appreciate them...but it will certainly bolster the experience. Here, in the concert setting, even the novice fan will begin to understand the band’s larger themes.
Like “Manifesting the Goldsmith.”
“To speak of the Goldsmith is only to speak of what the Goldsmith is not,” says the band, perhaps in riddle. “As for Manifesting the Goldsmith — our shows are about bringing together people in a space and breaking it down. Creating an environment where multiple people in a lawless state are in a positive and creative space with no hierarchy. Where rules are created on the spot, unspoken. A temporary tiny society where anything is possible. And that’s our goal: to facilitate that dynamic.”
Finally, a band you can believe in.
Promiscuous
Not Blood Paint Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause every enemy in mind has always been a pessimist
Quittin' isn't in my dictionary
My definition of a sissy is he who doesn't rub it
The lyrics of Not Blood Paint's song Promiscuous are about perseverance and not giving up in the face of adversity. The singer of the song asks the listener to pause and rethink their assumptions, as they believe that every person they have considered an enemy in the past has been a pessimist. The singer then asserts that quitting is not a part of their vocabulary and that they define weakness as any individual who is not willing to take risks and seize opportunities. The word "rub it" can be interpreted as a metaphor for taking action and making things happen in life.
The message conveyed in the song can be viewed as a motivational anthem, urging people to stay strong and never give up on their dreams no matter what obstacles they encounter. In a broader sense, the song could also be interpreted as a reflection of the band's own experience. Not Blood Paint is known for their unorthodox style and outlandish stage presence, which has attracted both critical acclaim and criticism. Perhaps the lyrics are a response to those who have dismissed the band's artistic vision, encouraging them to keep pushing forward despite those who doubt them.
Line by Line Meaning
Take a second to take second guess
Pause and reconsider before making a decision
'Cause every enemy in mind has always been a pessimist
Negative thinking often creates opponents in one's mind
Quittin' isn't in my dictionary
I don't give up easily
My definition of a sissy is he who doesn't rub it
A coward is someone who avoids confrontation and doesn't fight back
Contributed by Riley E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@NotBloodPaint
Take a second to take a second guess
cuz every enemy of mine has always been a pessimist
Quttin' isn't in my dictionary, my definition of a sissy is
he who doesn't rub it in when he wins
It'll titillate you when I look you in the eye
give a funny little feeling and you wanna try
It's a serious side-split, ticklish, hilarious, thin fabric
so go ahead and get ripped in two
I need you
to buy my excuse
"It is what it is"
He's promiscuous, he keeps a list
of every conquest, bed post notches
He's a feminist, quick to submit
Suspends judgement, takes whatever he can get
Why does it bother you when I talk about the war?
Do you throw a fit because it's in your backyard?
It's a tragic twist on the classic cataclysm, a rift
in the pretty continuum of sophisticated conflict.
Why would you take the side of a guy who puts his chips on the villain to win?
You're giving in, giving out ammunition to the kids
and the weapon is a deadly dose of bliss
That's ignorance with arrogance, no common sense,
the epitome of pitiful, it's the fact that you go for his argument
which smacks of a lack of self-respect
And you, you've got a whole lot to prove
You sit and watch his every move
Yeah all this time I'm impressed
He's dangerous, quick with a fist
Takes every opportunity to take a risk
Talks with a lisp, walks with a limp
When he isn't starting fires he's off starting shit.
We've got your name in a database
You're under surveillance
Never leave a trace
You should listen to me when it comes to foreign policy
I'm a walking wikileak ready to scream
I got some bad beef, I'm packing heat
under the collar I'm volatile and rising to a high degree
You should listen to me, expert in endocrinology
Swimming in your bloodstream, making it steam
I got a mean streak, I'm packing heat
under the great wide open wait and see
credits
@rosscamsellvoiceover7035
Great song. Great lyrics. Great drops. Great message. Great production values. Stupidly low view numbers. You boys got talent out your ears.
@therealtruth2347
You guys have a great sound!!!! Very different!!!
@thebeautypart2817
I thought I was the only walking wikileak.
@joeafish
On repeat!
@thisisntadonis
Hey found you guys looking for something else... Totes rocked my socks! Keep it up! Going to share you to fellow peers down here in Texas. Maybe we'll see you soon...
@matthewwerst1719
Saw you guys in Cincy last night. Definitely gonna spread the word.
@trusttiger4196
Love this <3
@keilagomez8165
saw you guys in Charlotte at Snug Harbor amazing show great theatrics my only complaint the videos don't do your live show any justice top 5 bands I've seen live and I've seen alot.
@Cybernetic-tells-of-witchcraft
16,669 views nice
@alexisgodlol
suhhh guhhhhd