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).
Throwing Back the Apple
Pale Saints Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't try and sleep
Beneath the ? that ?
It's coming through
Taking over you
It's coming through
Pouring into you
But you're close enough
To step outside again
It's coming through
Taking over you
It's coming through
Pouring into you
It's coming through
Taking over you
The lyrics of Pale Saints' 'Throwing Back the Apple' seem to be addressing the dangers of succumbing to powerful emotions or thoughts. The song's refrain of "It's coming through, taking over you, pouring into you" creates a sense of an overwhelming force that is difficult to resist. The first verse warns against falling too deep and trying to sleep beneath something, which could potentially bury the singer alive. This is a metaphorical representation of becoming stuck in negative patterns or thoughts that can consume a person. The second verse speaks directly to the pain that comes with succumbing to this force, but suggests that stepping outside and facing it head-on can be a way of regaining some control.
Overall, the song seems to be a warning against giving in too much to one's emotions or thoughts, and encourages a sense of balance and mindfulness. The repetition of "It's coming through" in the chorus gives the impression of an unstoppable force that cannot be ignored. However, the song's title suggests a willingness to confront this force head-on by 'throwing back the apple' - rejecting temptation and seeking clarity.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't fall too deep
Do not become too absorbed in the situation.
Don't try and sleep
Do not ignore the problem or try to escape from it.
Beneath the ? that ?
This line is unclear and its meaning is ambiguous.
It's coming through
The issue or problem is present and cannot be ignored.
Taking over you
The situation is consuming and overwhelming.
It's coming through
The problem is becoming even more apparent.
Pouring into you
The situation is affecting the person deeply and emotionally.
It hurts so much
The pain from the problem is intense.
But you're close enough
You are near to being able to overcome the situation.
To step outside again
To take a break and approach the problem from a new perspective.
It's coming through
The problem is still present and growing stronger.
Taking over you
The situation is continuing to consume the person.
It's coming through
The situation is too intense and cannot be ignored.
Taking over you
The situation is consuming and overwhelming.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CHRIS COOPER, GRAEME NAYSMITH, IAN MASTERS, MERIEL BARHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JeffreyJDavis
I can't beleive this album is 30 years old today. Still slaps and sounds fresh!
@edfromtheairship
Yess! They were overshadowed by Ride and My Bloody Valentine. But Pale Saints were best shoe gazers!
@JeffreyJDavis
@@edfromtheairship welllllll, they weren't better than Nowhere era RIDE, but they were very very good, and heinously underrated.
@moominsean
One my friends way back then asked why I would listen to Pale Saints when I could listen to MBV. Like, why is it one or the other? I've always loved Pale Saints and they still remain one of my favorites.
@krank027
Pale Saints delivered us two exceptional albums. The comfort of madness and In Ribbons
@jasonthefates7311
EPs omg I love them. Wouldn't it be nice to hear something new
@wlouisharris
@@jasonthefates7311 It would. From what I have read I don't think Ian Masters would be up for reunion. He just doesn't seem up to getting a bunch of praise and recognition.
@7stitches
vista7 that sucks. I can definitely understand an artist’s standpoint to want to stay underground, i just wish some of those artists would create more. But i guess when you’re done you’re done. He’s probably moved on to other things in his life sadly. Sometimes its better to enjoy the art created than to be disappointed by a new release imo
@wlouisharris
@@7stitches It does. They had an article on shoegaze in Alternative press around '00. Basically talking about the curse on a lot of the shoegaze bands. Lot of those bands had band members that suffered from depression like Liz Fraser and Kevin Shields. They talked in depth about Shields massive failure in putting out a follow-up to Loveless and the suicide of Chris Acland. I don't recall if they covered Pale Saints but they lived on with one other album that really lacked the creativity that Masters had.
@mopore
FAX