Created in 1978 by Peter (vocals) and Del (vocals and guitar) in Peter's Dads garage in Peacehaven, Sussex, their early gigs were fun filled events with electrifying tunes and plenty of entertainment. Harmless humour of those early gigs was captured on their debut album, "Pissed And Proud". From those early gems, the Test Tubes just got better and better. The next crop of songs, "Jinx", "Blown Out Again" and "September" all featured on "The Mating Sounds Of South American Frogs", which stayed at number one for four months at the top of the independent charts. A US tour followed, climaxing with a 4,000 capacity sell out show at the Los Angeles Olympic Auditorium.
The Test Tubes first US domestic release, "Soberphobia", is probably one of their finest moments. The use of keyboards and sax on some tracks may not have been what people expected but it worked a treat. The much sought after CDs "Cringe" and "The $Hit Factory" again proved the Test Tubes unpredictability in the early '90s.
The mid '90s saw the release of "Supermodels" and the departure from the band of originals 'Trapper' and 'Ogs' (bass and drums). The band brought in fresh blood:local heroes Rum and AD, on bass and drums respectively,joined to promote the 'Supermodels' album. The band then went on a 25 date tour of Germany, Holland and Switzerland.
On their 20th anniversary in 1998 the band flew to Germany to record the "Alien Pubduction" album, their first with AD and Rum. The band also undertook a massive US and Canadian tour that lasted five weeks, lots of UK gigs and of course the annual German Christmas tour.
Rum & AD quit in 1999 due to the punishing tour schedule. Paul 'H' Henrickson, known to the band and a Brighton stalwart, took over on bass and Dave 'Caveman' 'O'Brien' was soon added behind, and sometimes on top of, the drum kit . The band hit the road again with renewed vigour touring repeatedly throughout the UK, Germany, Ireland, USA, France, Australia, New Zealand and making an impact on the summer festival circuits.
In 2005, after a seven year hiatus in the studio, the band released "A Foot Full of Bullets", recorded at Ford Lane Studios, Ford, West Sussex. The album was definitely worth the long wait demonstrating a familiar core sound matched with smart self assurance gained from decades of experience. Storming on with characteristic vigour, the Test Tubes gained praise as "the best band of the weekend" (Lars Friedrickson) at the WASTED festival before closing the year with the annual German Xmas Tour 2005. A remix of "A Foot Full of Bullets" was produced with contributions from Campino (Die Toten Hosen) and Olga (The Toy Dolls) at the start of 2006. "For a Few Bullets More".
Peter and the Test Tube Babies continue to tour and perform at festivals across the globe and remain one of the best punk bands to come out of Europe. See them live if you ever get the chance and check they're gig listings for all the latest show news and events!!
The Jinx
Peter and the Test Tube Babies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're off downtown to a nightclub
And whereas usually we'd get in
We don't tonight 'cause we're with him
We're miles from home waiting for the last bus
But when it comes it don't stop for us
We can't afford a cab and it's quite clear
He's a jinx, jinx, everything goes wrong
He's a jinx, jinx, when he strings along
It's Saturday night and there's parties on
But we can't get in any 'cause he's come along
So we end up walking 'round all night
If it weren't for him we'd been alright
Jinx, jinx, everything goes wrong
Jinx, jinx, when he strings along
If you want a partner for pool or darts
Play with him you've lost before it starts
Go to a match and he comes in
You can guarantee our team won't win
Jinx, jinx, everything goes wrong
Jinx, jinx, when he strings along
He's a jinx, jinx, everything goes wrong
Jinx, jinx, when he strings along
The song "The Jinx" by Peter and the Test Tube Babies is a humorous take on a character who seems to bring bad luck wherever he goes. The song describes the singer joining the gang as they leave the pub, headed to a nightclub. Normally, they would be able to get in, but with him around everything goes wrong and they're unable to gain entry. As they're stranded miles from home waiting for the last bus, it doesn't stop for them, and they can't afford a cab. The song then goes on to describe various situations where the character causes bad luck, including losing at pool and darts and always being on the losing team.
The theme of the song can be interpreted in a few ways. It could be seen as a commentary on how one person can sometimes spoil a good time, or it could be a lighthearted way to tease someone who always seems to be unlucky. The sarcastic tone of the song adds to its humor, and the catchy chorus only adds to the song's appeal.
Line by Line Meaning
He joins the gang as we leave the pub
As we exit the pub, he becomes a part of our group
We're off downtown to a nightclub
Our destination is a nightclub in the downtown area
And whereas usually we'd get in
Normally, we would have been granted entry
We don't tonight 'cause we're with him
However, due to his presence, we're denied access tonight
We're miles from home waiting for the last bus
We're far away from our residence, waiting for the final bus of the night
But when it comes it don't stop for us
Despite the wait, the bus does not stop for us
We can't afford a cab and it's quite clear
We're unable to afford a taxi ride, and the situation is evident
This wouldn't happen if he weren't here
Had he not been with us, this occurrence would not have happened
It's Saturday night and there's parties on
On a Saturday evening, there are celebrations taking place
But we can't get in any 'cause he's come along
We're unable to attend any of these parties because of his appearance
So we end up walking 'round all night
We're forced to walk around aimlessly throughout the entire night
If it weren't for him we'd been alright
In his absence, things would have been fine for us
If you want a partner for pool or darts
If you're seeking a companion for a game of pool or darts
Play with him you've lost before it starts
Playing with him, it's as if you've already been defeated before the game has even begun
Go to a match and he comes in
If he arrives at an event
You can guarantee our team won't win
Our team is certain to lose if he is there
He's a jinx, jinx, everything goes wrong
He is a bearer of misfortune, causing all to fall apart
Jinx, jinx, when he strings along
In his presence, everything goes awry
He's a jinx, jinx, everything goes wrong
He's an omen of bad luck, bringing about failure
Jinx, jinx, when he strings along
Whenever he tags along, things take a bad turn for the worse
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CHRISTOPHER EDWIN BLASTOCK, PETER SEAN BYWATERS, DEREK FRANCIS GREENING, HOGGINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind