Pale Saints were a British alternative rock band formed by Ian Masters (bas… Read Full Bio ↴Pale Saints were a British alternative rock band formed by Ian Masters (bass/vocals), Graeme Naysmith (guitar), and Chris Cooper (drums). They began as a three-piece band based in Leeds, England, in 1987. The band was signed to 4AD records by 4AD chief Ivo after their first London show. They were amongst a number of groups in the nineties who were dubbed as shoegaze by the NME and Melody Maker.

Early band interviews showed them to be a fun-loving bunch in contrast to their dark, lyrically pessimistic pop music. Guitarist Graeme Naysmith and drummer Chris Cooper described themselves as enthusiastic football fans and were perpetually excited about touring. Lead vocalist Ian Masters was often known to gratuitously lie in interviews, helping the group to successfully build up a certain party reputation.

In late 1990, the band added Meriel Barham, the original vocalist from Lush, as second guitarist and vocalist.

Ian Masters departed the band in 1993. By most accounts, he became more and more disenchanted with pop music and wanted to go in a more experimental direction with minimal drums and ambient sounds. He also seemed to have lost all joy for touring and live performance.

Pale Saints added former Heart Throbs bassist Colleen Browne in 1993. Meriel Barham departed in September of 1995 and the band eventually came to an end in early 1996, partly as a result of weak label support and relative lack of interest.

Ian Masters formed Spoonfed Hybrid, a duo who released a self titled album on the Guernica Label. Challenging and more experimental than Pale Saints releases.

Following the Spoonfed Hybrid Ian Masters and Warren Defever made an album together in Livonia, Michigan called 'ESP Summer'.

Shortly after Ian Masters moved to Japan, where he still lives. Material under the name 'Two Sun Tears' (a collaboration with Cailan Burns of Pretty Boy Crossover) has been released and Masters has been collaborating with musicians in Japan (Luminous Orange), Brazil (Gerador Zero) and America (Dive Index).

Liquid
Pale Saints Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Silver head
What makes you
Sick inside
She stood by you
Seasons hand
Holds your dream
? ? ?
Ways you can be

All meanings can frame
The pattern of your fins

?
Swims and lights
? ? ? truth
All other wise
Golden things
Twists and writhes
? ? ? fish
Caught in your eyes

All meanings can frame
The patterns of your fins

Overall Meaning

The Pale Saints' song "Liquid" includes several mysterious lyrics that leave listeners wondering about their true meaning. However, a closer look at some of the lines can offer some insight into the overall message. The song begins with "Silver head, what makes you sick inside?" which could indicate a sense of questioning or probing into someone's emotional state or mindset. The next line, "She stood by you," suggests that there is some relationship dynamic to this inquiry. The reference to "seasons hand" and holding a dream could indicate a feeling of time passing and the struggle to hold onto one's aspirations.

The next several lines of the song seem to suggest a surrealistic landscape or state of mind, incorporating references to swimming or being caught in someone's eyes. The lyrics "All meanings can frame the pattern of your fins" and "all other wise golden things twists and writhes" suggest some kind of elusive truth or reality that is difficult to grasp. The song ends with the repetition of the phrase, "All meanings can frame the pattern of your fins," which could suggest a kind of philosophical approach to understanding the complexities of life and relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

Silver head
Your hair has turned gray

What makes you
What troubles you

Sick inside
Feeling ill or unwell emotionally

She stood by you
Someone supported you or remained with you through a tough time

Seasons hand
The passage of time

Holds your dream
Your aspirations or hopes for the future

? ? ?
Unknown

Ways you can be
The various paths your life can take

All meanings can frame
All interpretations can be valid

The pattern of your fins
The unique characteristics or traits that define you

?
Unknown