The band was formed in 1989 by bassist Mark Clayden with guitarist and programmer Johnny Carter, later joined by vocalist JS Clayden and Stuart Toolin. During this time, the band played with local bands and soon gained attention of the Peaceville Records. During this time, JS went to live in France to sell paintings.
During 1990, the band started recording their début album, Industrial, with the main vocalist being Mark Clayden instead of JS, who contributed with backing vocals. The band later went on a small tour with bands like Napalm Death.
Their first few releases had a distinctive industrial sound where the influential gaze of Godflesh was abundantly apparent.
The simplified 808 style drum tracks and sluggish drone guitars evolved over the next decade to produce some of the most intense loop based crunching metal/punk riffs and hard floor dance rhythm sections.
Throughout their highly acclaimed career although often commercially overlooked, Pitchshifter were often heralded with founding the Electro Punk genre with JS Claydon's 'sex pistols' barrages on the current state of the UK, simplistic chord driven guitar lines and the inclusion of more and more elaborate sampling and synth based elements.
Similar to previous attempts at this meld of minds such as Pop Will Eat Itself (PWEI) Pitchshifter created an intense and dedicated fan-base who still work hard to promote the outfit.
Although the band officially ceased to be after releasing the album PSI, they have continued to reform for the occasional festival appearance or one-off event each of which is accompanied by one-off releases for ticket holders.
Since shutting down the PSI-political propaganda machine, members have gone on to work on various projects together and solo, including This is Menace, a super group comprising of members of Amen, Hundred Reasons, Funeral For a Friend and Earthone9.
Mark Claydon is now a regular tutor at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music (BIMM), and runs a regular advice column for bands just starting out in the UK-based Total Guitar magazine (available through Future Publishing).
W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G.
Pitchshifter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now I want just one day for things to go my way
Low-life de-generation, generation.
"Got to know your place, dumb degenerate low-life, failure of the week."
If what you see is what you get,
And when there's nothing to regret,
Our stupid lives we'll better yet, at least we'll all come clean.
The lyrics of "W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G." by Pitchshifter portray a sense of anger and frustration towards societal norms and behaviors. The lines "God awful waste-of-space dumb degenerate low life mal-adjusted freaks" can be seen as a direct attack on individuals who are perceived as different or non-conformist. The lyrics express a desire for things to go the singer's way for just one day and the message seems to be that in a world where people are judged and marginalized for being different, it is difficult to stand out and be true to oneself.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of knowing one's place and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. The line "Got to know your place, dumb degenerate low-life, failure of the week" seems to criticize the idea that individuals have to fit into a specific mold to be accepted by society. The song suggests that if people were to accept each other for who they are, rather than judge them for their differences, everyone's lives would be better for it.
Overall, the lyrics of "W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G." convey a sense of frustration and exhaustion with the status quo, and a desire for change towards a society that is more accepting and inclusive.
Line by Line Meaning
God awful waste-of-space dumb degenerate low life mal-adjusted freaks.
A derogatory remark directed towards a group of people who are considered to be misfits or outcasts of society.
Now I want just one day for things to go my way
Expressing the desire to have at least one day where everything goes according to plan.
Low-life de-generation, generation.
Highlighting the fact that society is slowly degenerating as new generations emerge. A play on the words 'degeneration' and 'generation.'
Got to know your place, dumb degenerate low-life, failure of the week.
Telling someone that they need to recognize their position in life and not aspire for things beyond their capabilities. An insult implying that the person is a failure and not worthy of praise or recognition.
If what you see is what you get,
Suggesting that there are no hidden surprises or secrets about oneself, and what you see is an accurate representation of who they are.
Then we have nothing to regret from all the things i've seen.
Implying that the things that the singer has seen are not regrettable, perhaps because they are truthful or authentic.
And when there's nothing to regret,
Continuing the theme of authenticity and the importance of living a life without regrets.
Our stupid lives we'll better yet, at least we'll all come clean.
Suggesting that by embracing one's true self, they will lead a better life. 'Coming clean' implies being honest about who you are, flaws and all.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHNATHAN CARTER, JON S. CLAYDEN, MARK CLAYDEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind