Pg.99 was a hardcore band from Sterling, Virginia, located in the outskirts… Read Full Bio ↴Pg.99 was a hardcore band from Sterling, Virginia, located in the outskirts of Washington D.C. They are considered one of the pioneers of screamo. "We were just a group of friends who all wanted to play music and try to make our lives more incredible". They formed as a 6-piece in the Winter of 1998, and later became an 8-piece as their consistent touring line-up. But at their most extreme, they would have up to 13 members on stage, from extra vocalists to kazoo players. Their live shows were known for their extreme intensity, and they would frequently have "themed" shows, where everyone would dress up in togas, hit each other with pool noodles, crowd surf with boogie boards, etc. They went on several full US tours over their five-year existence. They released 11 records out on many different labels, including Reptilian, Level-Plane, Robodog, Happy Couples Never Last, Robotic Empire and Magic Bullet.

After several US tours, a European tour, and numerous releases, they disbanded in May 2003. Before officially breaking up, Pg.99 booked Steve Albini of Shellac and Big Black as their producer for a follow-up to Document #8. Guitarist Mike Taylor cited struggles with maintaining a large line-up due to schedule conflicts, and issues with drinking as major reasons for why Pg. 99 broke up. Taylor also said, "It was like a dysfunctional family where a group of people needed to give each other some space and clarity."

Two releases completed before the group's break up have yet to see light: a DVD compiling various live footage, and a split 10" with City of Caterpillar containing both bands' last songs recorded.

Four of the members would go on to perform in Pygmy Lush.

Some of their members also played in City of Caterpillar, an unorthodox gloomy style of screamo / post-hardcore, and Mannequin, a grunge-influence punk rock band.

After the demise of both pg.99 & City of Caterpillar in 2003, Malady was formed featuring members of both bands. Several members of pg.99 currently play in the bands Haram and Pygmy Lush.

Band members:

Chris Taylor - vocals / (most) artwork (document 1 - 13)
Blake Midgette - vocals (document 1 -13)

Mike Taylor - guitar (document 1 - 13)
George Crum - guitar (documents 1 - 9, 12 - 13)
Mike Casto - guitar (document 3 - 10)
Jonathan Moore - guitar guitar (document 12 - 13)

Brandon Evans - bass / vocals / (occasional) artwork (document 7 - 13)
Kevin Longendyke - bass (document 9, 12, 13), guitar (document 10)
TL Smoot - bass (document 1 - 4)
Cory Stevenson - bass (document 5 - 8)
Mike Widman - bass (document 10)

Jonny Ward - drums / percussion (document 1 - 13)

Jeff - noise (document 3 - 5)

The Longer Now
Pg.99 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Staring into the blank into a non-linear hole, it sucks you down it expands you inside yourself a parallel paradox converges upon this spot. That explains what? Mottled sky over the garden of eden floods the sacred habitat for the first time. Why weren't we spoon fed that tale? What does it matter that nothing is solved, the politics of the few are the death of us all; subtle warfare is the worst but the only kind we can stand, so astound me with your whirs and clicks and I think I'll just sit here and shit myself wide-eyed because I love you so much

Overall Meaning

The first line of the song, "Staring into the blank into a non-linear hole," sets the tone for the rest of the song which explores the existential dread and confusion of modern life. The "non-linear hole" could be a metaphor for the chaos and unpredictability of life, or even the disorienting experience of scrolling through social media or the internet. The singer feels as though they're being pulled in and consumed by this void, yet at the same time they're expanding within themselves, creating a paradoxical experience.

The next lines, "Mottled sky over the garden of eden floods the sacred habitat for the first time. Why weren't we spoon fed that tale?" introduce religious themes and critique the way in which people are often sheltered from uncomfortable truths. The singer questions why they weren't taught about the flooding of the Garden of Eden, and wonders what other important information has been kept from them. This could be seen as a commentary on the way in which society often obscures or ignores difficult truths, either for political or ideological reasons.

The final lines of the song, "so astound me with your whirs and clicks and I think I'll just sit here and shit myself wide-eyed because I love you so much," express a feeling of overwhelming love and awe, even in the face of the confusion and chaos present in the world. The singer seems to be aware of the false comfort provided by technology (the "whirs and clicks" could refer to anything from a computer to a phone), yet they're willing to accept it in order to remain in this state of love and wonder.

Line by Line Meaning

Staring into the blank into a non-linear hole, it sucks you down it expands you inside yourself a parallel paradox converges upon this spot.
Looking into the emptiness of a hole that doesn't follow a straight path, it draws you in and creates a feeling of growth within yourself as conflicting ideas merge.

Mottled sky over the garden of eden floods the sacred habitat for the first time.
The sky over the supposed paradise is now patterned and distorted, causing the first ever flood in what was supposed to be a holy sanctuary.

Why weren't we spoon fed that tale?
Why weren't we taught this story in a simple and easy to understand way?

What does it matter that nothing is solved, the politics of the few are the death of us all; subtle warfare is the worst but the only kind we can stand,
The fact that things remain unsolved doesn't matter when the decisions of a small group are causing harm to everyone. Subtle, indirect conflict is the most damaging, but it seems to be the only way people will tolerate it.

so astound me with your whirs and clicks and I think I'll just sit here and shit myself wide-eyed because I love you so much
Impress me with your technology and machinery and I'll be so awestruck that I'll just sit there in shock even though I'm scared out of my mind, simply because I care about you so much.

Contributed by Mia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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