OGRE YOU ASSHOLE is a Japanese post-punk/indie rock band formed in Suwa, Na… Read Full Bio ↴OGRE YOU ASSHOLE is a Japanese post-punk/indie rock band formed in Suwa, Nagano, Japan in May 2001. The current lineup is 出戸学 (Manabu Deto) (guitar, vocals), 馬渕啓 (Kei Mabuchi) (guitar), 勝浦隆嗣 (Takashi Katsuura) (drums), and 清水隆史 (Takashi Shimizu) (bass). 平出規人 (Norihito Hiraide) was their original bassist; his final performance with the group was at Rock in Japan 2011. Their original drummer, 西新太 (Arata Nishi) left the band in its early years due to medical reasons and now provides the artwork for their album covers. They draw influences from Modest Mouse, Built to Spill, Fugazi, Gang of Four, Talking Heads, Pavement, Pinback, and Television.

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.

タンカティーラ
OGRE YOU ASSHOLE Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

囲まれた昼の夜に何照らしていて
ランナーがルール連れて次はどこ行こうへと
足先が縺れあい暗さの方によって
ランナー照らして今も逃げるんだって聞いたんだろ
この先集まると君の言葉遊びかい?
その際連れて行こうこの先渡れるかい?
次のイメージを出来ない怖さの方によって
進んだその先を選び分けるんだろ

伝わる物陰で曖昧な日を過ごして
潜ったその先を書き換えて立ってたよ
その包まる彼と雨のマストが動く
きっとこの先を彼のマストが動く
レインが包む彼をふり去ってき残した
後ずさる彼を君去ってき残した
レイン後は疲れを抱えて寝過ごした
ランナー鳴らす鐘を君去ってき残した

雨のマストが動くレイン待つ彼と
彼のマストが動くランナー浸かれと

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to OGRE YOU ASSHOLE's song タンカティーラ, which translates to "Tanker Tila," provide an introspective reflection on the meaning of one's journey and the unknown future that lies ahead. The lyrics describe a runner who is following a set of rules and is uncertain of the destination, wandering through the darkness and striving to escape. The singer poses questions to the runner, wondering whether the runner's journey is a game of words and whether they will be able to continue on their path.

The lyrics then transition to the singer's own journey, as they struggle to create a clear image of their future amidst fear and ambiguity. They describe spending their days in the shadows, but eventually finding the strength to confront and change what lies ahead. The singer also references a scene of a person being surrounded by rain and mist, with the implication being that this person is left behind while others move forward.

Line by Line Meaning

囲まれた昼の夜に何照らしていて
In the darkness of the enclosed daytime, what is lighting the way?

ランナーがルール連れて次はどこ行こうへと
The runner, following the rules, wonders where to go next.

足先が縺れあい暗さの方によって
Feet tangled together, swaying towards the darkness.

ランナー照らして今も逃げるんだって聞いたんだろ
I heard they're still running away, even now, with the runner lighting the way.

この先集まると君の言葉遊びかい?
When we meet up ahead, will it just be a game of your wordplay?

その際連れて行こうこの先渡れるかい?
At that time, shall I take you along? Can you make it past this point?

次のイメージを出来ない怖さの方によって
Unable to imagine the next image, drawn towards fear.

進んだその先を選び分けるんだろ
Choosing the path ahead after advancing towards it.

伝わる物陰で曖昧な日を過ごして
Passing ambiguous days in the shadow of communication.

潜ったその先を書き換えて立ってたよ
I wrote over the path I dived into and stood there anew.

その包まる彼と雨のマストが動く
The masts move in the rain, enveloping him.