Both had drummed with Ministry, and were pleased with the notion of a rock music band with two drummers, rather than the usual one. The duo formed Pigface, and began a revolving-door collaboration with many experimentally-minded musicians, many of whom — especially early on — had recorded for the influential industrial music record label Wax Trax.
Trent Reznor was also an early partner, when, due to legal troubles, Nine Inch Nails were prevented from recording under that name. "Suck" — cowritten with and sung by Reznor — was something of an underground hit, and Reznor later rerecorded the song.
Rieflin eventually left Pigface, leaving Atkins in charge. The dozens--perhaps hundreds--of musical collaborators to record and perform with Pigface have ensured that each album, and each song, is unique. This practice has, however, led to some negative criticism due to a perceived lack of continuity.
Pigface concerts are characterized by high-energy performances. Frequently there will be upwards of 10 people on stage at any time during the show. Not only that but Martin Atkins and the rest of the band love interacting with the audience, and members of the audience are nearly always invited on stage for the encore.
Tapeworm
Pigface Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got the tapeworm, I want out
Against a razor, sharp and a-coming
The spitting image
Phone sex keeps the drive alive
And blows your brain
Phone sex keeps the drive alive
And blows your brain
Slowly brings, decides the fiction
Watch phone sex, delivers your lies
Watch phone sex, delivers your lies
Simply the message read, the truth is in your face
Simply the message read, the truth is in your face
...is in your face...is in your face...is in your face...
Is freedom talking to nothing inside your eyes?
Is freedom talking to nothing inside your eyes?
The eyes...simply the message read, the truth is in your face
Simply the message read, the truth is in your face
...is in your face...is in your face...is in your, face...
Phone sex....phone sex....phone sex....phone sex...phone sex....
Phone sex....phone sex....phone sex....phone sex...phone sex....
Phone sex....phone sex....phone sex
Simply the message read, the truth is in your face
Simply the message read, the truth is in your face
Is in your face...in your face...in your face...in your face...in your face
Phone sex keeps the drive alive
And blows your brain
Phone sex keeps the drive alive
And blows your brain
Simply the message read, the truth is in your face
Simply the message read, the truth is in your face
In your face...is in your face...in your face...in your face
Dial 1-800...dial 1-800...dial 1-800...dial 1-800...dial 1-800...
Dial 1-800-worm...dial 1-800-tapeworm...dial 1-800...dial 1-800-fuck...
It's in the business...tapeworm
The song ‘Tapeworm’ by Pigface presents a theme that goes beyond just the physical entity, but is more of a metaphor about feeling trapped and wanting freedom. The tapeworm can be seen as a representation of something that has taken up residence inside the singer, causing him to feel a sense of entrapment. He wants out, but it’s not easy to break free. The imagery of a razor-sharp object coming at him suggests that the removal of this entity will not be without pain.
The lyrics also mention ‘phone sex’ which could be seen as a metaphor for a kind of artificial stimulation that keeps the singer going. It’s like he’s trying to find external stimulation to distract himself from the tapeworm inside him. The line "Phone sex keeps the drive alive and blows your brain" can be interpreted as a statement that constant, unhealthy escapism can have damaging effects on a person's mental state.
Throughout the song, there's a sense of desperation and confusion. There are mentions of ashes in the eyes, gut reactions, and lies being delivered. There's a feeling of the singer being lost in a world of delusions, trying to find some truth in the midst of all the chaos. The repeated line "Simply the message read, the truth is in your face" could be interpreted as a call to face reality, rather than keep running away from it.
Line by Line Meaning
Got the tapeworm
The singer has a tapeworm.
Got the tapeworm, I want out
The singer wants to rid themselves of the tapeworm.
Against a razor, sharp and a-coming
The process of ridding oneself of the tapeworm is going to be painful and difficult, like being cut by a razor blade.
The spitting image
The tapeworm is a perfect likeness to the artist.
Phone sex keeps the drive alive
Engaging in phone sex stimulates the artist in some way.
And blows your brain
Phone sex has a powerful effect that overwhelms the singer's senses and thoughts.
Ash covered eyes, a gut reaction
The singer is emotionally drained and has an instinctive response to the situation.
Slowly brings, decides the fiction
The situation is slowly developing and the artist is not sure what to believe.
Watch phone sex, delivers your lies
The artist is being deceived and led to believe lies through phone sex.
Simply the message read, the truth is in your face
The message is clear and the truth is obvious to the artist.
...is in your face...is in your face...is in your face...
This message is repeated to drive home its importance and to emphasize its immediate presence.
Is freedom talking to nothing inside your eyes?
The artist questions whether or not they are truly free and if they are talking to someone who is not truly present.
The eyes...simply the message read, the truth is in your face
The eyes reveal the truth, and the message is reiterated for clarity.
...is in your face...is in your face...is in your, face...
Again, the message is repeated for emphasis.
Phone sex....phone sex....phone sex....phone sex...phone sex....
The singer is obsessively repeating the phrase related to phone sex, indicating its significance in their psyche.
Phone sex....phone sex....phone sex....phone sex...phone sex....
The repetition continues to stress this idea.
Phone sex....phone sex....phone sex
The repetition reaches a climax as the phrase is repeated several times in quick succession.
Simply the message read, the truth is in your face
The singer is trying to convey a simple but urgent message, and repeats it for emphasis.
Is in your face...in your face...in your face...in your face...in your face
The message is immediate, pressing and cannot be ignored.
Dial 1-800...dial 1-800...dial 1-800...dial 1-800...dial 1-800...
The artist is urging someone to dial a phone number.
Dial 1-800-worm...dial 1-800-tapeworm...dial 1-800...dial 1-800-fuck...
The specific phone number to be dialed is unclear or has multiple options.
It's in the business...tapeworm
The tapeworm has some sort of significance or is involved in a business venture.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KEVIN GRAHAM OGILVIE, MARTIN CLIVE ATKINS, WILLIAM FREDRICK RIEFLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sinna Thorns
This fucking song is Sinister AF!! LOVE IT
Alexandre Pedro
Sonzinho sinistro.
Carlitos Padilla
This tune is roughly my age. Lovely!
PreacherNny
@meanmachinedvds "Fuck It Up" was a track on their album Notes from thee Underground. There were also some even better remixes for it on Feels Like Heaven. Best one was the mashup of it and "Asphole".
Naiska L
Pigface was my first concert.
mr. Pinkerton
YAY
goroblows
That is fucked up, but in a cool way...
Alec Morris
he definitely produced it
JP Frizzle
got to see them Live in 1991
Boo Radley
Got to see them live last night! 😃