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)
Virginia
Pg.99 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Behead the white horse, god is screaming murder, trees are growing downwards, my lungs are poisoned, I didn't hurt her..., rock "n" roll is hiding,(backbeat lying) music is dead. this is where it ends
Pg.99's song "Virginia" is a complex and layered piece that speaks to the mental struggles of the songwriter. The opening verse of "It's all building up, bottleneck backbreak, backstabbing stepping stone" speaks to the pressure and tension that the singer is feeling, as if they are caught in a never-ending cycle of negativity and betrayal. The following lines of "the world is burning, and I am your carpet" suggest a sense of hopelessness and powerlessness in the face of larger global issues, as if the singer is being crushed by the weight of everything going on around them.
The subsequent lyrics of "Behead the white horse, god is screaming murder, trees are growing downwards, my lungs are poisoned, I didn't hurt her" continue with this sense of despair and confusion. These surreal and metaphorical images suggest a state of mental distress and possibly even a disconnect from reality. The lines of "rock "n" roll is hiding,(backbeat lying) music is dead" further emphasize this feeling of disillusionment and betrayal towards something that may have served as a source of comfort or escape in the past, but now seems to have lost its power.
Finally, the closing line of "this is where it ends" comes across as a statement of finality and acceptance, as if the singer has finally reached the end of their rope and can no longer continue on in this state. Overall, "Virginia" is a powerful and evocative song that speaks to the struggles of mental health and the difficulties of navigating a complex and overwhelming world.
Line by Line Meaning
It's all building up, bottleneck backbreak, backstabbing stepping stone.
There is a growing tension and pressure that feels like a constriction, a breaking point. It seems like people are willing to betray each other in order to get ahead, even if it means using others as a means to an end.
The world is burning, and I am your carpet.
The world is in chaos, and I am a passive victim of the destruction that's happening around me. I am being trampled on, unnoticed and uncared for, as the world falls apart.
Behead the white horse, god is screaming murder, trees are growing downwards, my lungs are poisoned, I didn't hurt her...,
There is a sense of violence and chaos in the world, with no clear direction, no one to trust. Nature is turning against us and even our own bodies are betraying us. The singer is trying to absolve themselves of guilt, but it's unclear what they're referring to.
rock 'n' roll is hiding,(backbeat lying) music is dead.
Even the once-rebellious spirit of rock and roll has been subverted and commodified, with no real passion or authenticity left. Everything is a facade, a sham. The cultural movements of the past have lost their power and relevance in the world that we live in now.
This is where it ends.
It feels like all the chaos and pain is coming to a head, and there's nowhere else to go but down. The end of the world or the end of an individual's life is imminent, and there is a sense of finality to the whole situation.
Contributed by Aaron M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.