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.
Truth's Ugly Head
Nuclear Rabbit Lyrics
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To grow stronger. Now, close your eyes. And count your friends.
'Cause I can count mine. On one hand.
Don't hold your breath. It's not over. Make an enemy a day.
Don't hold your breath. It's not over. Make an enemy a day.
It's easy to look good. Hard to be good.
Watch your temper. Lay on your Back. It's easy to look good.
Hard to be good, guilty
They like you dumb, docile and sober. So when they wave that biscuit.
You roll over.
Don't hold your breath. It's not over. Make an enemy a day.
Don't hold your breath. It's not over. Make an enemy a day.
Watch your temper. Lay on your back. It's easy to look good. Hard to be good.
Watch your temper. Lay on your back. It's easy to look good. Hard to be good, guilty.
Don't hold your breath. It's not over. Make an enemy a day.
Don't hold your breath. It's not over. Make an enemy a day.
Watch your temper. Lay on your back. It's easy to look good. Hard to be good.
Watch your temper. Lay on your back. It's easy to look good. Hard to be good, guilty.
Why'd you make an enemy (x16)
The lyrics of Nuclear Rabbit's "Truth's Ugly Head" are a call to arms, urging listeners not to become complacent or stagnant, but to continuously challenge themselves and those around them in order to grow stronger. The repetition of the line "Don't hold your breath. It's not over. Make an enemy a day" emphasizes the importance of constantly pushing oneself outside of their comfort zone and being willing to make enemies in the process.
The second verse hints at the difficulty of this task, with the line "It's easy to look good. Hard to be good" suggesting that looking good may be effortless, but being a truly good person is a much greater challenge. The lyrics caution against losing one's temper, highlighting the importance of self-control and composure.
The final stanza calls out those who would prefer their peers to be "dumb, docile and sober" and easily manipulated. The line "So when they wave that biscuit / You roll over" suggests that those who are easily swayed by external incentives are not truly in control of their own lives.
Overall, "Truth's Ugly Head" is a rallying cry for listeners to resist complacency and actively work towards their own betterment, even if it means making enemies along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't hold your breath. It's not over. Make an enemy a day.
Don't get complacent thinking the battle is won, continue to actively find opposition to make yourself stronger.
To grow stronger. Now, close your eyes. And count your friends. 'Cause I can count mine. On one hand.
By making enemies, you become stronger. However, you will lose friends in the process and only your true friends will remain.
Watch your temper. Lay on your back. It's easy to look good. Hard to be good.
Keep your emotions in check and don't let them get the best of you. It's easy to come off as a good person, but it's difficult to actually be one.
They like you dumb, docile and sober. So when they wave that biscuit. You roll over.
Those in power prefer the population to be uneducated, easily controlled, and passive. If they offer an incentive, people will comply without question.
Why'd you make an enemy (x16)
Repeating the question of why someone would make an enemy so many times implies that the artist does not understand why anyone would choose to have an enemy. It reinforces the idea that making enemies goes against the norm of society.
Contributed by Jordyn B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.