Hailing from New Jersey USA ,the band were originally called Regurgitation,… Read Full Bio ↴Hailing from New Jersey USA ,the band were originally called Regurgitation, and were responsible for the widely circulated late 80's demo tape "Bathrooms Rule" which attracted the attention of Earache to their brand of well executed, super-fast grind, albeit with a zany sense of humor. The line up of Jim, Alan and drummer Ralph Pimentel recorded the blasting self-titled debut album "Old Lady Drivers" in 1988, and it is an important early document of the USA grind scene, but sadly predates the time Earache was releasing its output on CD, so is only on vinyl LP to this day. Musically, It showcased the bands blistering grind with OTT vocals, encompassing juvenile themes, but early signs of Jim Plotkin's undoubted guitar talents shine through regardless.

O.L.D. dispensed with Ralph's services,(replacing him with a drum machine, programmed by Jim) and embarked on a handful of low key New York shows, but as a 2- piece with drum machine, they never caught the imagination of the predominately metal crowds they played to. For the next album, 1991's "Lo Flux Tube" , the band recruited Jason Everman on bass - before joining O.L.D. , Jason was briefly in an up n coming Seattle band called Nirvana, and is in fact pictured on the front sleeve of their debut "Bleach" on Sub Pop. Jason quickly moved on, this time to Soundgarden and Mindfunk, and was replaced for the 3rd O.L.D. album, "The Musical Dimensions Of Sleastak" by Herschel Gaer. By this time O.L.D. were evolving into a 2 person studio-only project, the line up problems ensuring that live shows were non existent.

Open minded Metal and Alternative fans began to embrace the band - much like fellow Earache artist Godflesh, the drum machine was too much for traditional metallers to accept in the early 90's - however, the uniquely shimmering effects-laden guitars of Plotkin along with the intricately programmed beats found many admirers who were bored with the generic scene at the time, and even attracted attention from the more arty crowd including noted saxophonist and genre magpie, John Zorn. Plotkin became further immersed in studio technology and embarked on numerous collaborations of an Ambient nature, many with fellow Earache artist Mick Harris (Scorn, Napalm Death) whom he joined on a UK touring stint as guitarist.

Always out to challenge their audience, the band broke new ground with 1993's "Hold Onto Your Face" - Plotkin decided it would be a Remix album, which was something that only happened in dance music at the time, not rock bands, and several up and coming producers from the Hardcore Techno scene were duly let loose on the O.L.D. material. The results were nothing short of shocking .The record has historical importance, as Brooklyn's gabba-king Rob Gee and the UK's Ultraviolence, both as unknowns, made their official debut remixes on this release. Mick Harris' debut remixes is included also.

Having alienated all but the most open minded of their fans, the band returned to spectacular form for 1995's supreme "Formula" album, as O.L.D.'s final swansong on Earache, it is a true undiscovered classic, with superbly crafted trademark multi-layered guitars and mellower vocals adding up to a timeless piece of work that rewards listeners discovering it, even many years after.

Post Earache, O.L.D. fell apart but the talented Jim Plotkin continues to collaborate on countless projects, most notably Flux, Atomsmasher and doom project Khanate.

Break
O.L.D. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Morning breaks on skates
Noon breeze on skis
Nights are black as tar
Tell me what goes on at night
When the kids are sleeping tight?

The toboggans in the night
Slide away upon the hill

The toboggans in the night
Slide away of their own will
Louis saw them, yes he did
Underneath the moon's glow
Louis saw them, yes he did
They were his, so he should know

Morning breaks on skates
Noon breeze on skis
Nights are black as tar
Tell me what goes on at night
When the kids are sleeping tight?

The toboggans and the skis
Leave no tracks upon the snow
The toboggans and the skis
They are silent as they go
And the skates upon the lake
Twist and twirl but never fall
But the skates upon the lake
Have no feet in them at all

Morning breaks on skates
Noon breeze on skis
Nights are black as tar
Tell me what goes on at night
When the kids are sleeping tight?

In the morning we can see
That the sleds are still around
But the skates and all the skis
They are nowhere to be found
You'll find a ski up on the hill
You'll find a skate under a cap
It all depends upon the chill
And if the kids have had their nap

Morning breaks on skates

Noon breeze on skis
Nights are black as tar

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to O.L.D.'s song "Break" depict a sense of nostalgia for their days of innocence and happiness as young individuals. They reflect on how growing up in a difficult environment, where they lacked basic necessities, forced them to mature quickly. The references to playing with sticks instead of toys like Nintendo highlight the harsh reality of their upbringing. The lyrics also touch upon the desire for quick money and how some of their friends turned to drug dealing to achieve it, while the singer remains focused on his dream of becoming a rapper.

The song explores the dichotomy between the singer's aspirations and the destructive path some of their friends have taken. Despite the hardships, the singer expresses their love and concern for their friends, acknowledging that they may not all make it out of their dangerous surroundings. They also discuss the pressure they faced to conform to societal norms but express gratitude for their own awakened perspective and determination to pursue their ambition.

Overall, "Break" captures the struggles, aspirations, and conflicts faced by individuals growing up in difficult circumstances, showcasing the singer's determination to overcome their circumstances and achieve success.

Line by Line Meaning

It's that time again
We are entering a familiar phase or situation.

Too many nights I sit alone inside my room and reminisce
I spend countless nights alone, reflecting on past memories.

About the times when we was young and everything was filled with bliss
I recall our youthful days when everything was joyful and carefree.

We grow up fast around these parts cause we ain't got no pot to piss in
In this neighborhood, we mature quickly due to our lack of financial stability.

Ain't even playin' Nintendo they start playin' with them sticks
Instead of playing video games, they resort to using weapons.

And try to make a dollar quick
They strive to earn money rapidly.

Like them rappers on the screen
Similar to the rappers depicted on the screen.

Sad that everything just changed after we started chasin' green
It's disheartening how everything transformed once we began pursuing money.

I mean you started servin' fiends
You began dealing drugs to addicts.

And I'm focused on a dream
While I remain committed to pursuing my aspirations.

Funny I'm trynna be the rapper but you sippin' on that lean
It's ironic that I aspire to be a rapper while you indulge in codeine syrup.

In the trap
In the drug dealing environment.

And you steady strapped
And you consistently carry a firearm.

Ain't no goin' back
There is no possibility of returning to a previous state.

Tell you I love you
I express my love for you.

Every single time
On every occasion.

Cause you might not come back
As there is a chance you may not return.

I know your mom
I am acquainted with your mother.

And she raised you well
She has done a commendable job in raising you.

But look at where we at
However, consider our current situation.

At the bottom of the totem pole where they be totin' gats
In the lowest position in society where firearms are prevalent.

And steady beefin' over hoods that we ain't got no ownership in
Engaging in conflicts over neighborhoods we have no personal stake in.

Hate that I'm kinda woke and my homies just kinda give in
I dislike the fact that I am somewhat aware of social issues while my friends simply succumb to them.

To the norms of society, gotta thank God for guiding me
Acknowledging the influence of societal norms but expressing gratitude to God for guiding me.

Cause I won't let em kill this ambition I got inside of me
I refuse to let external influences destroy the determination and drive within me.

Yuh
An exclamation of agreement or understanding.

I'm goin' hard until the day I'm in a coffin
I will persistently work tirelessly until the day I die.

I gotta win cause I been takin' all these losses
I must succeed because I have experienced numerous failures.

I just wanna turn us into bosses
I simply want to elevate ourselves into positions of power and authority.

Cause we don't really make it out too often
Because it is rare for us to escape this circumstance.

Stuck up in the trenches yeah
Trapped in difficult and dangerous situations.

You don't know the pain no
You are unfamiliar with the intense suffering.

It's a sunny day today but I still feel the rain yo
Despite the pleasant weather, I still feel a sense of sadness and despair.

I pray for all my friends I hope they do the same yo
I offer my prayers for all my friends and I hope they reciprocate.

We just wanna break out of these chains yo
We simply desire to free ourselves from these oppressive circumstances.

Poppa was a addict
My father was a drug addict.

Momma was depressed
My mother suffered from depression.

I was young running the streets just chasin' women trynna flex
During my youth, I was roaming the streets, pursuing relationships with women to flaunt my status.

Was under peer pressure
I was subject to influence and coercion from my peers.

Even joined a gang for respect
I even became affiliated with a gang in search of admiration and recognition.

Knowing that I wasn't 'bout it
Aware that I wasn't truly committed to that lifestyle.

But what else could you expect
Considering the circumstances, what other outcome would you anticipate?

When I lacked a father figure and my brother on the same shit
Given the absence of a paternal role model and my brother engaging in similar behavior.

Lost, servin' fiends and robbin' for some Robin jeans
Lost in life, catering to drug addicts and committing theft to obtain expensive jeans.

Cause all we knew was gettin' cream on some WuTang shit
Because our primary focus was accumulating wealth, emulating the philosophy of the Wu-Tang Clan.

Trynna get wavy on some durag shit
Attempting to adopt a stylish appearance, as symbolized by wearing a durag.

Man I still think about the times when I received that call
Even now, I frequently reflect upon the moment I received that phone call.

Frank got popped
Frank was shot.

I froze up, my heart dropped
I became immobile and felt a surge of anxiety.

Damn my mans got shot
It's devastating that my friend got injured.

Straight to the head
He was shot directly in the head.

But they say he ain't dead
However, they claim he is still alive.

Laid up in a hospital bed
Recovering in a hospital bed.

Hate to see 'em like this but
It pains me to witness his current condition, but...

I gotta just thank God instead
I must express gratitude to God instead.

Told 'em this a second chance at life nigga
I reassured him that this is an opportunity for a fresh start.

I don't think that karma ever misses twice nigga
I firmly believe that the consequences of one's actions will catch up to them eventually.

And since that day man I been focused on just gettin' soo paid
Ever since that incident, I have been relentlessly pursuing financial success.

That we could move out to a place where we can die from old age
So that we can relocate to a comfortable environment where we can live long and fulfilling lives.

For real
In all seriousness.

I'm goin' hard until the day I'm in a coffin
I am determined to work tirelessly until the day of my death.