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”
Plastic Bomb
Poison Idea Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Conceit flows like sewage
How could you conceive it?
Shake my hand, look me in the eye
Smile and think of ways I'll die
Plastic bomb, plastic smile
Fake commitment, blood soaked style
The swansong's over for the littlest dancer
Mistrust so explosive, apathetic corrosive
When I ask for it straight up
False face is compulsive
Try to stand tall, falling face down
Big fish, Small town, Small fish, Ghost town
The lyrics to Poison Idea's song "Plastic Bomb" describe the insidious and manipulative nature of lies and deceit. The first line expresses how convincing lies can be, almost making us believe them. The second line describes the arrogance and self-centeredness that often go hand in hand with deceit. The third line questions how someone could conceive of such malicious intent. The next two lines depict a scene where the deceiver has deceived the singer and is now smiling at them, concealing their true intentions. The final line suggests that the deceiver harbors ill will towards the singer.
The chorus of "Plastic Bomb" is an indictment of the shallow and superficial nature of contemporary society. The plastic bomb represents something that appears harmless on the surface but has the potential to be explosive and volatile. The plastic smile represents the veneer of friendliness and sociability that many people wear to conceal their true selves. The fake commitment and blood-soaked style reference the hypocrisy and violence that often underlie social conformity. The swansong's over for the littlest dancer suggests that those who are the most vulnerable in society are often the first to suffer.
Line by Line Meaning
The lie is so real, I almost believe it
The falsehood seems so believable that I have almost fallen for it
Conceit flows like sewage
The egoism is so excessive and unpleasant that it resembles sewage
How could you conceive it?
How could you even think of such an idea?
Shake my hand, look me in the eye
Greet me with honesty and sincerity
Smile and think of ways I'll die
You pretend to be friendly while secretly wishing harm upon me
Plastic bomb, plastic smile
A fake and superficial display of goodwill and a hidden destructive agenda
Fake commitment, blood soaked style
Pretend loyalty with a violent and bloody approach
Wrapped in a fur, trapped in a cancer
Living in a state of luxury and comfort while being consumed by a deadly disease
The swansong's over for the littlest dancer
The tragic demise of a seemingly insignificant and helpless individual
Mistrust so explosive, apathetic corrosive
A deep sense of distrust that has a powerful and destructive impact, along with uncaring apathy
When I ask for it straight up
When I request straightforward information and answers
False face is compulsive
The habit of hiding one's true intentions and feelings behind a misleading facade becomes irresistible
Try to stand tall, falling face down
Attempting to be brave and upright, but ultimately failing and suffering shame and disgrace
Big fish, Small town, Small fish, Ghost town
The powerful and influential individuals dominate in a small and stagnant community, leaving the weak and powerless to suffer in a deserted and hopeless place
Contributed by Adrian E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
herp3
One of my favorite bands, Was an HONOR when my old band sent them a record and they called us and asked us to play all of their east coast shows. RIP Pig Champion
Stump Men
U
boomhouser710
herp3 same thing. Got told we'd open for them on a west coast tour in 2005/6.
We play old school hardcore mixed with a lil crack rock and ska. My drug addiction to pain pills ruined the opportunity for my brothers. I'll never forgive myself. I don't deserve it for choosing heroin over my blood. Still makes me sick to think about.
Happened with warp tour too. Got asked to play, but couldn't leave where I was cause I had no connect out in the world and would try an kill myself everytime I detox... Bout 24 hrs with no dope and I have to get admited to the hospital for shitting all my fluids out. Dehydrate to the point I feel death near. It's awesome. Not.
Cuatrobec B
Do u guys have anything I can check out on YouTube? If PI asked u to tour w/them, I gotta believe they picked u for a reason. What's the name of your band and where r from?
boomhouser710
@Guitar of Destiny lolol. Right? Cept the whole band fell off
xxxCarnesxxx
Just got into listening to these guys today and from what I am hearing I really like this band a lot. I had heard Pantera's cover of The Badge many, many times but didn't know who it was that they covered the song from. I am glad I looked it up. This band is right up my alley and I have been sending their songs to my friends so they can check them out as well.
El Chupacabra
War All The Time is brilliant too. 👍
jazuk81
From the first minute I heard these guys, I just knew they were the BEST American Punk band EVER!!! Kings Of Punk!
SkankerForLife
This album was an instant classic for me!
alessio borsch
I bought this vinyl album casually when I was 16 or 17, just because of its cover. I like hard core music. I love this album. They mix not too much with hard rock, metal. They play beautiful rock bluesy guitar solos and they have very aggressive guitar sound. All the sound of the album is better than the average hard core music at that time. And of course they are extremely violent! I was not "taken by surprise" (cit.) when I heard the Pantera's cover of one their songs. They have "the same" inner violence...