The most striking and consistent aspect of Oneida's music is their use of and fascination with repetition. Their 2002 LP, Each One Teach One, for instance, begins with two especially long tracks, Sheets of Easter and Antibiotics, the former over fourteen minutes long, the latter more than sixteen. Both of these songs are composed of one repeated riff (with a few short interludes on Antibiotics). In addition to the use of repetition Oneida's music can be distinguished by the bandmember's extensive use of and enthusiasm for antique keyboards and analog electric pianos.
Originally recording on Turnbuckle Records (their first two albums in 1997 and 1999), the band now runs Brah Records, an imprint of Jagjaguwar (Jagjaguwar group at Last.fm). In September 2007 the group celebrated 10 years of existence with a concert at the P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center in NYC.
The current lineup is:
* Kid Millions - drums, vocals participated as drummer 53 in the Boredoms 77 Boadrum performance which occurred on July 7th, 2007 at the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park in Brooklyn, New York
* Bobby Matador - organ, guitar, vocals
* Hanoi Jane - guitar, bass
* Double Rainbow (aka Phil Manley of Trans Am and The Fucking Champs) - guitar
* Shahin Motia (of Ex Models) - guitar
Papa Crazy (aka PCRZ) of Oakley Hall is a former member of Oneida, and has revived connections with Oneida by recording OH's most recent album Gypsum Strings on Oneida's Brah Records label.
http://www.enemyhogs.com/site/
http://www.myspace.com/oneidarocks
History's Great Navigators
Oneida Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Comes clean with you
Clean with you
Carve the sun into a diagram
That reads to you
Reads to you
Calm your voice, set your eye
Turn your back and go.
Meet me maybe on the afternoon
You find the words
Find the words
Hear my voice again and laugh with me
But keep your nerve
Keep your nerve
Leave the land alone, light the lamps
Count the cost, take the chance
Lose the life you know.
Cross your heart, hope to die
Calm your voice, set your eye
Turn your back and go.
In Oneida's song "History's Great Navigators," the lyrics convey a sense of adventure and risk-taking. The opening lines urge the listener to experience the boundless energy of sky and atmosphere, to breathe deeply and immerse oneself in the world. The following lines call for action, for carving the sun into a diagram that can be read and understood. The idea of reading and understanding is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the need for exploration and discovery.
The chorus includes the phrase, "Cross your heart, hope to die, calm your voice, set your eye, turn your back and go." This suggests a sense of determination and a willingness to risk everything for the sake of discovery. The final lines urge the listener to leave behind the known, to light the lamps and take a chance, even to "lose the life you know." This attitude of leaving behind what is comfortable and familiar is a hallmark of exploration and discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Breathe the sky until the atmosphere
Take in the surrounding environment thoroughly so that it becomes clear and transparent
Comes clean with you
Makes sense and becomes understandable to you
Carve the sun into a diagram
Create an illustration of the sun
That reads to you
That you understand and interpret
Cross your heart, hope to die
Make a solemn promise or commitment to
Calm your voice, set your eye
Compose yourself and focus your attention
Turn your back and go.
Leave the current situation and move forward
Meet me maybe on the afternoon
Possibly interact with me in the near future
You find the words
You are able to express yourself and communicate effectively
Hear my voice again and laugh with me
Reconnect with me and enjoy shared experiences
But keep your nerve
Remain composed and confident
Leave the land alone, light the lamps
Abandon what is familiar and create a new path
Count the cost, take the chance
Evaluate the risks involved and seize the opportunity
Lose the life you know.
Give up the familiarity and the past
Contributed by Alexis D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.