Lorre and guitarist Jet [aka Geoff Siegel] formed the band in New Jersey in the mid 1980s. [The original guitarist who moved to L.A. with Inger was Bobby Belltower.] The band moved to Los Angeles to pursue their musical careers, and after two members returned to New Jersey, Lorre and Jet recruited guitarist Sam Merrick, drummer Alex Kirst and bass player Cliff D [aka Cliff Jones]. The band became known for its wild live shows around Los Angeles, with Lorre once performing oral sex on her boyfriend live on stage.
The band was hoping to sign with an alternative label such as Alternative Tentacles, but their reputation led to interest from the major labels. However, the band's wild behavior led to some companies losing interest. The band was recording a demo for A&M Records when the slick rockstar Bono of U2 walked by as one of the band members was mooning another. Bono called Herb Alpert, which resulted in the session being cancelled.[1]
The Nymphs eventually signed with Geffen Records in 1989, with the label offering an advance of $900,000. The band wanted to record immediately, but faced continuous delays from Geffen. The longest delay was caused when the producer of their album was taken from the project to work on the Guns N' Roses albums Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II.
The delay in recording the album led to rising tension within the band. The band worked on building its name by supporting rising bands such as Soul Asylum and Soundgarden. However, Tom Zutaut, their A&R man, told them not to play live, resulting in a drunken Lorre urinating over his desk as an expression of her anger. The incident attracted widespread attention in the music press, with Rolling Stone magazine quipping: "Talk about being pissed at your record label".[2] Courtney Love of Hole used a recording which Lorre had left on her answering machine for the track "Sassy", which appeared on the Hole album Pretty on the Inside.
The Nymphs made a brief cameo in the 1990 film Bad Influence, performing "The Highway".[1]
The Nymphs eventually released their self-titled album in 1991, but it failed to chart. They were on tour with Peter Murphy when Lorre's ex-fiance Chris Schlosshardt (bassist with the Sea Hags) died of a heroin overdose in February 1991. Shortly afterwards, Lorre suffered a nervous breakdown. The band broke up in 1992, and Lorre returned to New Jersey, destitute and addicted to heroin. An EP called The Practical Guide to Astral Projection, consisting of rarities and outtakes, was released in 1992, but it failed to chart. The Nymphs song "Revolt" appeared on the soundtrack of the 1992 horror film Pet Sematary II.
Inger Lorre eventually resurfaced with the phenomenally artistic 1999 solo album Transcendental Medication.
There is a new version of The Nymphs playing shows in California apparently, but it is almost impossible to find information. Lorre's website is no longer active and no link is given on her MySpace page.
Supersonic
Nymphs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's the matter here?!
We bang it out on broken toys
Ashes to ashes we all fall down
When we hit we'll make a big, big, noise
Everyday I say I'm gonna change but why?
Try and try to rectify my life but why?
Supersonic
Supersonic baby, a noise crashin' down from above
Supersonic
Supersonic baby, and now I believe in love...
Everyday I say I'm gonna change but why?
Try and try to rectify my life but why?
Supersonic
Supersonic baby, a noise crashin' down from above
Supersonic
Supersonic baby, and now I believe in love
Over the top and behind the mask
I'll show ya stupid psycho fants that lie
And if that gets me down I'll turn the music up
But'cha know I'll get them back in time
Everyday I say I'm gonna change but why?
Try and try to rectify my life but why?
Supersonic
Supersonic baby, a noise crashin' down from above
Supersonic
Supersonic baby, and now I believe in love
When it's turned up loud, finally,
I fell like I can breathe in this foul place!
You small fouls, who walk, together like sheep
You will never feel the buzzing vibration of all that noise
Which is the only thing holy left to our miserable
Dying, civilization, baby, baby, baby...
The lyrics of Nymphs' song "Supersonic" express the frustration and anger of the singer towards the world around her. The opening lines of "It'll be over soon" set a somber tone, as if the singer is anticipating an impending end to something. She then questions what is wrong with the world and describes how people are "banging out on broken toys" and falling down like ashes. The mention of making a big noise when hitting something suggests that there is a certain level of chaos and destruction happening.
The chorus of the song is the most memorable and catchy part, with the singer proclaiming that she believes in love because of the supersonic noise that crashes down from above. There is a sense of liberation and hope when the music is turned up loud, and the singer feels like she can finally breathe in the "foul place" around her. She addresses those who "walk together like sheep", criticizing their lack of awareness and inability to appreciate the powerful energy of noise.
Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on the state of society and the world, where things are broken and falling apart but there is still a glimmer of hope when we open ourselves up to the power of noise and music.
Line by Line Meaning
(It'll be over soon)
The troubles and pain will eventually come to an end
What's the matter here?!
Questioning the reason for the chaos and tension in the environment
We bang it out on broken toys
Using inadequate resources to try and sort out the problems
Ashes to ashes we all fall down
The inevitable downfall of everyone involved in the conflict, leading to destruction and ruin
When we hit we'll make a big, big, noise
The intensity and impact of the actions taken will be significant
Everyday I say I'm gonna change but why?
Questioning the motive behind the desire for change and the lack of motivation to actually change
Try and try to rectify my life but why?
Questioning the reason behind continuous efforts to make things better when they do not yield any results
Supersonic
The feeling of a high-paced, powerful force
Supersonic baby, a noise crashin' down from above
An overwhelming, thundering sound coming from an unexpected source
And now I believe in love...
The positive impact of the powerful force leads to a newfound understanding and appreciation for love
Over the top and behind the mask
Going beyond the surface level and exposing the true nature of the situation
I'll show ya stupid psycho fants that lie
Challenging those who are causing the issues to confront the truth
And if that gets me down I'll turn the music up
Using music as a coping mechanism and a way to lift oneself up
But'cha know I'll get them back in time
Confident that there will be an opportunity to get revenge or vindication
When it's turned up loud, finally,
In the midst of chaos, when everything is amplified, there is a sense of clarity
I fell like I can breathe in this foul place!
Despite the negativity of the environment, there is still a feeling of relief and hope
You small fouls, who walk, together like sheep
Addressing those who blindly follow without questioning or taking a stand
You will never feel the buzzing vibration of all that noise
Those who do not participate in the conflict will never truly understand the powerful impact it has
Which is the only thing holy left to our miserable
The only thing remaining that holds significance in a world full of chaos and despair
Dying, civilization, baby, baby, baby...
Expressing the bleak reality and inevitable decline of society
Contributed by Asher I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.