PI’s classic debut, 1983's Pick Your King EP was a short, lo-fi blast of hardcore fury. The jacket featured two self-proclaimed kings, Jesus (front cover) and Elvis Presley (back cover).
In 1984, the band replaced Glen Estes with Chris Tense and released another classic album, the Record Collectors Are Pretentious Assholes 12” (the cover features Pig Champion’s substantial vinyl collection). The record found the band incorporating subtle rock elements into their music, which was further honed on their contributions to two 1985 compilations, “Laughing Boy” on the Drinking is Great EP, and “Typical” and “Die on Your Knees” on the legendary Cleanse the Bacteria LP (compiled by Pushead for his own Pusmort label), while still keeping the thrashy hardcore foundation of their debut.
With the release of 1986’s Kings of Punk LP, Poison Idea had fully moved beyond the breakneck hardcore of their early records to a potent, driving and ultimately more intricate and sophisticated hardcore/hard rock fusion that incorporated the foot-tapping accessibility and masculine swagger of hard rock without sacrificing the power, speed, and viciousness of the hardcore of the day.
Following the release of Kings of Punk, the band went through several rapid lineup changes (mostly in the rhythm section), added a second guitarist in Vegetable Olsen, and released War All the Time (named for the Charles Bukowski novel) in 1987. With a second guitarist their rock and metal influences became even more pronounced than on kings of punk, with noticably longer song lengths, a greater variety tempos, more detailed guitar solos, and even the inclusion of a Hawkwind/Motorhead cover.
At this point Poison Idea had been involved with a number of record labels and distributors, and particularly with their last 2 full-lengths, had found themselves dissatisfied with the availability of their records to consumers, and the royalty payments they recieved for the sale of these records. Thus, American Leather (named after a Germs song), was founded by the band members, and a series of EPs and Singles were issued through 1988 and 1989, including the Filth Kick EP, the Getting The Fear b/w 4AM 12" single, and the Discontent b/w Jailhouse Stomp single. Each continued to refine the rock/punk/metal hybrid first established on Kings Of Punk. In addition a pre-Pick Your King demo was issued on vinyl as Darby Crash Rides Again, proving the band still had reverence for their earliest days.
Around this time, after numerous lineup changes, PI had convened one of their more stable lineups in Jerry A., Pig Champion, Charley "Myrtle Tickner" Nims (bass) and Steve "Thee Slayer Hippie" Hanford (drums), with second guitar duties oscillating between Mondo and Aldine Strichnine. By this time, their legendary drinking habits and hard living were beginning to catch up with them: the band weighed in at over 1,000 lbs. collectively, and Pig Champion in particular was spectacularly fat, often having to play sitting down.
In 1990, the band released Feel the Darkness. Considered by many an indisputable masterpiece, and frequently cited as the best fusion of hard rock and hardcore punk ever made, it stands as the best known, and most popular release in the Poison Idea cannon. The musical performances are both technically proficient and fierce the lyrics dark and expressive. Most Hardcore and Punk enthusiests agree that it is required listening for anyone interested in either genre.
Following Feel The Darkness Poision Idea continued to release albums and singles that for the most part followed its blue print in sound and style, and while none was ever the same kind of artistic breakthough, they're all generally considered to be of high quality. Through the 90's and into the 21st century, frequent member reshuffling, attempts at other musical projects, drug problems, and financial issues kept the band from keeping a consistent work schedule, often remaining silent for a couple of years, before returing to issue a new release or embark on a tour.
On January 30, 2006 guitarist Pig Champion died at his home in Portland, of kidney failure. PI had recorded a new record and it was ready for release when he died. Pig wanted the record to be called Latest Will and Testament, a name that the rest of the band liked. After Tom’s death Jerry commented that Pig probably knew something that the rest of them didn't. The album was released in May 2006 on Farewell Records.
Despite the death of their long time guitarist, and the man many considered the band's heart and soul, Poison Idea continues to play shows and plans to issue more material. Though it won't be the first time they've issued records and toured without the involvement of Pig, many have expressed feelings that it is in poor taste. The band continues to regularly tour both Europe and the United States.
Discography
* 1982 Darby Crash Rides Again demo tape (self released)
* 1983 Pick Your King 7” EP (Fatal Erection)
* 1984 Record Collectors Are Pretentious Assholes 12” EP (Fatal Erection)
* 1986 Kings of Punk LP (Pusmort)
* 1987 War All the Time LP (Alchemy)
* 1988 Filthkick EP (Shitfool)
* 1988 Getting the Fear 12” EP (Rockport)
* 1989 Darby Crash Rides Again EP (American Leather) Reissue of demo tape
* 1989 Fuck Ian MacKaye 12” (American Leather, 1989) Reissue: contains Filthkick and Getting the Fear
* 1989 Picture disc 7” (American Leather)
* 1990 Discontent 7” (American Leather)
* 1990 Feel the Darkness LP (American Leather)
* 1991 Punish Me 7” (American Leather)
* 1991 Dutch Courage live LP (Bitzcore)
* 1991 Live in Vienna 7” (American Leather)
* 1991 Official Bootleg 2x7” (American Leather)
* 1992 Pajama Party LP (Tim Kerr) All-cover album
* 1992 Blank Blackout Vacant LP (Taang!)
* 1993 We Must Burn LP (Tim Kerr, 1993)
* 1994 Religion and Politics Part I & II 10” (Tim Kerr, 1994) Taken from same sessions as We Must Burn
* 1994 The Early Years CD (Bitzcore)
* 1998 Learning to Scream 7” EP (Taang!)
* 2000 The Best of Poison Idea CD (Taang!) Reissue: contains Pick Your King, Record Collectors, and Kings of Punk
* 2006 Last Will and Testament (Farewell, among others)
Compilation appearances
* 1983 Grievous Musical Harm tape (Xcentric Noise) “M.I.A.,” “All Right,” “Young Lord”
* 1985 Drinking Is Great EP (Fatal Erection) “Laughing Boy”
* 1985 Cleanse the Bacteria LP (Pusmort) “Typical,” “Die On Your Knees” (plus “I Gotta Right” on bonus 12” only)
* 1991 Punk’s Not Dread LP (Sink Below) “New Rose”
One By One
Poison Idea Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it seems to say
"hey fucker. what are you staring at?"
And I look at the minute hand
And I say to him
"hey man, why do you move so slow?"
Well you know what I'm feeling
But its not what it seems to be
Time's made a fool of me now
What am I doing?
You think you've got it now
Instead of me and how
But sometimes I like to take a minute out
And look back at all the things
I could do, and will do
Is it worth it?
The pressure is built up
From all around but when
They finally sink in
Without a sound again
Night and day is all the same
For your gain
I soiled my name
Can't you see what you've done?
For your own amusement
You've had fun
They say bad things come in three's
But they seem to come one by one to me
The lyrics to Poison Idea's song "One By One" explore the theme of the passing of time and its effect on the singer's life. The song begins with the singer staring at the second hand of a clock, feeling as if time is mocking him, and then looking at the minute hand and wondering why time seems to move so slowly. The singer then reflects on his life and the things he could have done and will do while questioning whether it's all worth it.
The pressure of life is built up and the singer feels the weight of it all around him, but it's not until everything sinks in "without a sound again" that he realizes how powerless he is. The repetition of the phrase "night and day is all the same for your gain" emphasizes the monotony of life and how it can feel like a never-ending cycle. The final lyrics of the song, "They say bad things come in three's but they seem to come one by one to me," suggest that the singer is experiencing a string of negative events, one after the other, without any respite.
Overall, "One By One" is a poignant reflection on the passing of time and the challenges of living in a world that seems indifferent to individual struggles. The lyrics are vulnerable and emotionally charged, making the song a powerful statement on the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
I can stare at the second hand
I am able to fixate on the second hand of a clock
And it seems to say
The second hand appears to be conveying a message
"hey fucker. what are you staring at?"
The imagined message of the watch hand is confrontational
And I look at the minute hand
I then direct my attention to the minute hand
And I say to him
I verbally address the minute hand
"hey man, why do you move so slow?"
I question the slow pace at which the minute hand is moving
Well you know what I'm feeling
I believe there is an understanding of my emotional state
But its not what it seems to be
However, this understanding is a misconception
Cuz time it's not on my side
I feel as though time is not working in my favor
Time's made a fool of me now
I have fallen victim to time's power
What am I doing?
I question my actions and decisions
You think you've got it now
You feel that you have control
Instead of me and how
Rather than having power or agency
But sometimes I like to take a minute out
However, I enjoy taking a moment to pause
And look back at all the things
To reflect on the past
I could do, and will do
To consider what I am capable of and what I plan to do
Is it worth it?
I deliberate on whether or not it is meaningful or valuable
The pressure is built up
I experience mounting stress
From all around but when
This tension stems from various sources
They finally sink in
When these stressors are fully realized or internalized
Without a sound again
This happens silently or internally
Night and day is all the same
There is no difference between day and night
For your gain
This is done for the benefit of someone else
I soiled my name
I have tarnished my reputation
Can't you see what you've done?
It is apparent what harm has been caused
For your own amusement
This harm was inflicted for entertainment purposes
You've had fun
There was enjoyment derived from the infliction of harm
They say bad things come in three's
There is a belief that negative events come in groups of three
But they seem to come one by one to me
However, in my experience, these events occur one at a time
Contributed by Gabriel G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.