Pacific Gas & Electric was an American blues rock band in the late 1960s an… Read Full Bio ↴Pacific Gas & Electric was an American blues rock band in the late 1960s and early 1970s, led by singer Charlie Allen. Their biggest hit was the gospel-tinged "Are You Ready?" in 1970.

The history of Pacific Gas & Electric can be traced back to 1967 in Los Angeles (L.A.) Self-taught guitarist Tom Marshall met bassist Brent Block at a party thrown by Block's former art teacher. The band they started was called "Pacific Gas and Electric Blues Band", one of the first interracial bands to hit the L.A. music scene. One of the early members was a drummer from the east coast named Charlie Allen. Allen's vocal abilities were so good that he was relieved of his drum sticks, and became lead singer and frontman, to be replaced on drums by Canned Heat's former drummer, Frank Cook, who had earlier signed on to manage the band.
By 1968, the band name was shortened to Pacific Gas & Electric, and included Allen, Cook, Marshall, Block, and guitarist Glenn Schwartz (also of James Gang and All Saved Freak Band). They released their first album, Get It On, that year on the Kent record label (it was subsequently released on Big Orange and Power Records as well). Although it only reached #159 on the album charts, someone at Columbia Records was listening, as they signed the band to a recording contract shortly after their appearance at the Miami Pop Festival in December of 1968.

The next album, and the first released by Columbia, was simply called Pacific Gas and Electric, in 1969. However, it was the next release, the Are You Ready LP that included their first mainstream hit. The title track reached #14 in the summer of 1970, and featured the backing vocals of The Blackberries.

Wholesale changes were in store for the group after recording the Are You Ready album. After a serious car accident, Cook was replaced on drums by Ron Woods, and he stayed on as manager. Schwatrz announced his conversion to born-again Christianity onstage during a concert and then later joined the All Saved Freak Band. Marshall also left, and the two were to be replaced by Frank Petricca on bass and Ken Utterback on guitar, with Brent Block moving to rhythm guitar from bass. This is the line-up that toured in support of Are You Ready. This version of the band recorded one self-titled album in 1971 (minus Block, who had left the band in late 1970), adding Jerry Aiello on keyboards, trumpet player Stanly Abernathy, sax players Alfred Galagos and Virgil Gonsalves, and percussionist Joe LaLa. At the request of the utility company sharing the same name, the band name was shortened to "P G & E".

The band did countless concerts, often appearing with other big musical acts of the era. It was at one P G & E show that writer and film producer Lawrence Schiller filmed his documentary "The Lexington Experience". Disagreements with the owners to the rights to the music caused the film to be shelved after only a few showings, and the only copies known to exist are in Schiller's vault. They made more movie history when they appeared in, and provided music to, the Otto Preminger film "Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon" starring Liza Minnelli.
After 1972, the group's line-up became unstable, resembling more of an Allen solo project. One more album was forthcoming ...Starring Charlie Allen in 1973 on the Dunhill label, featuring Allen and a host of studio musicians.

It's Party Time
Pacific Gas & Electric Lyrics

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There's something and it's on your tray
It looks like some delicious gourmet
It's smelling really good, hey
Let me taste this buffet

Om nom nom nom-nom-nom-nom nom
This dish is the goddamn bomb
I'll tell you what this is, bruh

But only if you stay calm

You want to know the recipe
The secret isn't sesame
This was for you especially
But you're gonna need some therapy

Would you eat it?
That's the question
Would you eat it?
It has some nutmeg
Would you eat it?
You don't have to beg

Would you eat it?
It's a human leg!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "It's Party Time" by Pacific Gas & Electric convey a humorous and somewhat twisted scenario unfolding at a party. The opening lines describe a mysterious dish on a tray that appears appetizing and gourmet. The imagery created is of a tempting and mouth-watering food item that catches the attention of the singer, ultimately leading them to express their eagerness to sample the buffet. The sense of anticipation and excitement is palpable as the singer is drawn in by the delightful scent and appearance of the dish.

As the lyrics transition into a playful chorus of "Om nom nom nom-nom-nom-nom nom", the tone shifts to one of enjoyment and indulgence. The singer exclaims their delight in the dish, emphasizing its exceptional taste by declaring it to be a "goddamn bomb". This enthusiastic response indicates that the food is truly exceptional and satisfying to the singer's palate, further heightening the comedic aspect of the song.

The subsequent verses introduce a twist in the narrative, as the singer teases a revelation about the dish's ingredients but amusingly warns the listener to remain composed. The lyrics playfully build suspense as the singer hints at a surprising secret ingredient, setting the stage for the unexpected reveal that follows. The playful banter and mischievous tone add a sense of intrigue and humor to the song, engaging the listener in the unfolding story.

In the final lines of the song, the singer poses a provocative question to the listener: "Would you eat it? It's a human leg!" This shocking revelation subverts expectations and takes the playful absurdity of the song to a darkly humorous extreme. The juxtaposition of the seemingly appetizing dish with the macabre twist of it being made from a human leg creates a jarring and comedic contrast that challenges the listener's perceptions and adds a touch of dark humor to the whimsical narrative of the song.

Line by Line Meaning

There's something and it's on your tray
You have a special treat waiting for you

It looks like some delicious gourmet
It appears to be a high-quality dish

It's smelling really good, hey
The aroma is enticing

Let me taste this buffet
I want to try this assortment of food

Om nom nom nom-nom-nom-nom nom
Enjoying the flavors with enthusiasm

This dish is the goddamn bomb
This dish is incredibly delicious

I'll tell you what this is, bruh
I'll reveal the secret ingredient to you

But only if you stay calm
But only if you remain composed

You want to know the recipe
You are curious about how it was made

The secret isn't sesame
Sesame is not the key ingredient

This was for you especially
This was made specifically for you