Manabu Deto and his elder brother covered Nirvana and Beck songs with original drummer Arata Nishi in the 90s under the name Joy Division. Manabu's brother left, then he was joined by childhood friend Norihito Hiraide and high school classmate Kei Mabuchi. Nishi then left due to health reasons and was replaced by Takashi Katsuura. They produced their first demo in 2004 and went on to support many notable domestic and international bands including Asian Kung-Fu Generation, Foo Fighters, Art-School, The Dresden Dolls, and their biggest influence Modest Mouse.
The band was signed to major label VAP in 2009 after releasing their previous work on their own indie label OYA. Their major debut single ピンホール was also featured on ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION presents NANO-MUGEN COMPILATION 2009 and as an ending theme to the anime 蒼天航路 (Sōten Kōro). Their debut release on VAP was フォグランプ (Foglamp) on October 7, 2009.
The name originated when original drummer Arata Nishi saw Modest Mouse bassist Eric Judy on the street near the Hot Lab live house after a gig in Matsumoto during their Japan tour in May 2001. He asked Judy, who was drunk, to name their band. He replied, "I can't," before writing "Ogre You Asshole" on Nishi's arm. They were unaware of the exact meaning until The American Analog Set told them that the name is actually from a line in the movie Revenge of the Nerds. The band set out to watch the 1984 American comedy and its three sequels, then paid homage to it with their second album アルファベータ vs. ラムダ (AlphaBeta vs. Lambda). They shared the tale with Judy in April 2008 when they opened Modest Mouse's show at Tokyo's Duo Music Exchange, but he had no recollection of the encounter.
どちらにしろ
OGRE YOU ASSHOLE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
どちらにしろ決まっている事か
背後にある幕があると決まっていた
誰かが引き上げるかい
彼はわかってたのか?
後ろのどこかで音をたてた
引き上がってるのかい
ただ回るだろう
君もわかってたのかい
後ろが何処かと場所を変えた
君が変わっていったのかい
かといって じっと見てみても
また回るだろ
The above lyrics are from the song "どちらにしろ" (dochira ni shiro) by OGRE YOU ASSHOLE. The song's title translates to "Either Way" and the lyrics seem to be questioning whether to move forward and take a risk or to wait and see what happens. The opening lines "Kore ni noru beki ka tsugi wo matsu beki ka, dochira ni shiro kimatte iru koto ka" (Should I ride this or wait for the next one, either way, the decision is already made) suggests that the choice has already been made or predetermined.
The lyrics also make references to something behind the scenes that is controlling the situation, "Haigo ni aru maku ga aru to kimatte ita, dareka ga hikiageru kai" (It was decided that there would be a curtain behind us, will someone pull it up?). The curtain could be a metaphor for fate or external circumstances, and the uncertainty of whether someone will pull it up highlights the lack of control over the situation.
The song speaks about the inevitability of life and change, "Tadoritsuite mite mite mo, tada mawaru darou" (Even if you come this far and take a look, it will only keep spinning) and "Kimi ga kawatte itta no kai, ka to itte jitto mite mite mo, mata mawaru darou" (Did you change? Even staring, it will only keep spinning). These lyrics suggest that regardless of the choices made, time will keep moving forward, and life will continue to change.
Line by Line Meaning
これに乗るべきか 次を待つべきか
Should I get on this or wait for what's next?
どちらにしろ決まっている事か
Either way, the outcome is already decided.
背後にある幕があると決まっていた
It was predetermined that there would be curtains behind us.
誰かが引き上げるかい
Will someone lift it up?
彼はわかってたのか?
Did he know?
後ろのどこかで音をたてた
There was a sound coming from somewhere behind.
引き上がってるのかい
Is it being lifted?
たどり着いて見てみても
Even when I arrive and look,
ただ回るだろう
It just keeps spinning.
君もわかってたのかい
Did you know too?
後ろが何処かと場所を変えた
The background shifted somewhere behind us.
君が変わっていったのかい
Did you change too?
かといって じっと見てみても
But even if I stare at it,
また回るだろ
It will still keep spinning.
Writer(s): Manabu Deto, You Asshole Ogre
Contributed by Camden J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.