Nuclear Rabbit was started in 1989 by bassist Jean Baudin, who was influenced by a variety of music styles, including Fishbone and Bad Brains, and envisioned having a band not bound to any genre. He was soon joined by guitarist Pat Garner and drummer Steve "Stymie" Sigaty. Originally Baudin performed the vocals, but Greg Parrish was eventually asked to step in as vocalist. Nuclear Rabbit incorporates a variety of genres in their music, including metal, funk, ska, hardcore, punk, jazz, East Indian, and Egyptian. Baudin uses a variety of bass techniques, including tapping, slapping and popping. Their music is often characterized by sudden tempo changes and wacky musical stylings.
The band recorded several demos, some of which are included on the compilation Vicuna. After a quick switch of guitarists, Nuclear Rabbit recorded their first full-length album, Intestinal Fortitude, in 1998. Soon after, Greg left the band and was replaced by Jon Scullion, with whom they recorded their More Human EP.
In 2000, following More Human, Nuclear Rabbit went on hiatus. During this time Jean and Steve formed an alternative rock style group called Element of Surprise, often stylized as "E:OS." The band was formed as a supergroup of underground artists, eventually including vocalist Andy Slipka of Tribal Disco Noise and guitarist Raye Medeiros of Ten Man Killer. Medeiros left the band some time after, and Baudin asked Pat Garner to step in. They recorded two demos,"2:001" and U:pside Down, before the band called it quits in 2002.
Nuclear Rabbit reunited in 2002 with its original line-up and recorded their 2nd full length, Mutopia, the title being a portmanteau of the words mutation and utopia. The album was well received,[citation needed] but the band went through more line-up changes following the supporting tour. A few shows were played in the Northern California area in 2008 with new guitarist Macy Mullen, as well as new drummer Timothy Bailey, though the band is now currently on an unofficial hiatus, with a status of "Writing New Tunes!" on their official MySpace page for 3 years with no updates. In August, 2011, the band announced their first show in three years via JeanBaudin.com, and played an hour-long set on October 8th, 2011, at 924 Gilman in Berkeley, CA.
Soup
Nuclear Rabbit Lyrics
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Mouse he glares cause jeans a fool. For Campbell's soup will make me drool.
Chicken noodle in the can. Call me "Minestrone Man".
Campbell's soup is my relief. Potato, tomato or barley beef.
Breakfast lunch or dinner is fine. Eating soup is not a crime.
So when I become too old and grey. I'll blend it up nice into purée.
The Nuclear Rabbit's "Soup" starts with the assertion that soup is good food, and the singer asks the listeners to agree. The song then goes on to list various types of soup including tomato bisque, minestrone, chicken noodle, potato, tomato or barley beef. The singer seems to have a particular fondness for Campbell's soup, claiming it as his relief. Despite a mouse glaring at him for his love of soup, the singer sees no issue with eating soup for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The song then ends with the singer stating that when he becomes old and grey, he'll blend his soup into purée.
Line by Line Meaning
Soup's good food, won't you agree. Tomato bisque or minestrone.
Soup is an excellent food, right? Whether it's a delicious tomato bisque or a hearty minestrone soup.
Mouse he glares cause jeans a fool. For Campbell's soup will make me drool.
The mouse is staring at me like I'm a fool, but I can't help but drool over the deliciousness of Campbell's soup.
Chicken noodle in the can. Call me "Minestrone Man".
I enjoy chicken noodle soup from the can so much that I've given myself the nickname 'Minestrone Man'.
Campbell's soup is my relief. Potato, tomato or barley beef.
When I need comfort, I turn to Campbell's soup. Whether it's potato, tomato, or barley beef flavor, it always does the trick.
Breakfast lunch or dinner is fine. Eating soup is not a crime.
I can eat soup at any time of the day, and it's perfectly acceptable to do so.
So when I become too old and grey. I'll blend it up nice into purée.
When I'm older, I'll still love soup, even if my teeth don't. I'll just blend it up into a puree.
Contributed by Alaina W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.