During the near decade the group spent in Dog Fashion Disco, Smith and his merry band of misfits would amass a loyal underground following of fans (dubbed the “mushroom cult”) through countless tours with the likes of Slayer, Mindless Self Indulgence, Nothingface and Lacuna Coil. Although Dog Fashion Disco never achieved commercial success, their musical legacy gained the respect of musical contemporaries like Serj Tankian of System of a Down (who made a guest appearance on Anarchists of Good Taste), Mushroomhead and American Head Charge, while the group's music lives on through the internet and continues to create new members of the “mushroom cult” long after the band's demise.
While Smith and company may have become sick of living the vagabond lifestyle that a touring metal band requires, the thought of giving up music entirely never even crossed their minds. Within mere months of their former outfits demise the group had created a new group, Polkadot Cadaver to unleash their schizophrenic musical madness.
“Jasan and I decided to start a studio band and Polkadot Cadaver started as shells of songs on Jasan’s computer. After we fleshed out the songs we pitched it Rotten Records, because we loved how they handled the last Dog Fashion Disco album,” says Smith about the formation of the group. “They immediately got behind us and as soon as received a recording budget we went to Wrightway Studios to work and complete the record. Polkadot Cadaver is very similar to Dog Fashion Disco stylistically. The songs are still very quirky and different from each other.” Recorded in the bowels of Baltimore with producer Steven Wright (Jimmie’s Chicken Shack, SR-71), Polkadot Cadaver’s debut album picks up right where Dog Fashion Disco left off. The brilliance of the band’s musical output lies within their ability to sonically shape shift like a musical chameleon that can adapt to any music style. “What’s The Worst Thing” blisters with thrashing Slayer like riffage and then spills into the soothing folk-pop melodies of "Chloroform Girl". The album’s lyrical insanity the delivers homicidal blow to Polkadot Cadaver’s musical homicide, covering gamut of topics ranging from plane crashes, narcissistic models, Christ, the devil and good old Baltimore, MD.
After fulfilling their contractual duties with Rotten Records, The guys decides that they'd had enough of working for the man. Smith and Stepp have since started their own record label, called Razor To Wrist Records, and now record and release albums, all on their own. Every project they now have will be releasing albums under Razor To Wrist [Polkadot Cadaver, El-Creepo! (Todd's Solo Project), Knives Out! (Super Group), and Deimos (Jasan's Solo Project)]. For more info on Polkadot Cadaver and the rest of their happenings, be sure to check out RazorToWrist.com.
Animal Kingdom
Polkadot Cadaver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The world's a jungle, we build and destroy
No wonder why, we cage the wild beast
As their appetite's grotesque
Voraciously increase
Dog eat dog, spit it out, feeding the homeless
Empty confessions, compassion escaping me now
I am what I eat, what's the beast to do?
Who am I to feel for those destined to fail?
Only the fittest will ultimately survive...
Lions feed on inferior breeds, I consume, therefore I need..
Eating of God's vital seed, delicious indeed..
I feel nothing now, except the need to keep on feeding
Canines sink into flesh, my eyes roll back
I pour salt on your skin
This is my kingdom, where you all have your places
Consuming all, even their faces
Lions feed on inferior breeds, I consume, therefore I need..
Eating of God's vital seed
You are beautiful indeed, don't take it personally
We are what we eat, don't take it personally
Dog eat dog, spit it out, feeding the homeless
Empty confessions, compassion escaping me now
Lions feed on inferior breeds, I consume, therefore I need..
Eating of God's vital seed
Swallowing the roaring seas, I am nourished, not by your charity
But the fact that you are weaker than me
Don't take it personally
The lyrics of Polkadot Cadaver's song Animal Kingdom explore the theme of animalistic behavior and survival instincts in humans. The singer questions the concept of humanity and describes the world as a jungle where humans build and destroy without mercy. The wild beasts are caged to contain their grotesque appetites, while humans continue to act on their primal instincts. The singer acknowledges that they are just as much an animal as any other living being, and their behavior is driven by the need to survive.
The lyrics also suggest a sense of detachment and numbness towards the suffering of others. The singer implies that compassion is slowly escaping them, and they question their ability to feel for those who are destined to fail. They describe their own animalistic behavior, comparing themselves to lions who feed on inferior breeds. The line, "I am what I eat, what's the beast to do?" suggests that humans can only act according to their nature, just like any other animal.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase, "Lions feed on inferior breeds, I consume, therefore I need," emphasizing the primal desire for survival and consumption. In the final verse, the singer appears to revel in their own kingdom, where they can consume all, even the faces of others. The last line, "Don't take it personally," implies a sense of apathy towards the pain and suffering of others, suggesting that in the animal kingdom of humans, it's every man for himself.
Line by Line Meaning
Call man a human, but I feel like an animal
Despite being referred to as a human being, I view myself as an animal.
The world's a jungle, we build and destroy
The world is a chaotic and unpredictable place, with humans constantly creating and destroying things.
No wonder why, we cage the wild beast
It's not surprising that humans feel the need to lock up and control wild animals.
As their appetite's grotesque
Wild animals have voracious appetites that can be disturbing to witness.
Voraciously increase
Their hunger only gets stronger over time.
Dog eat dog, spit it out, feeding the homeless
In a competitive world, sometimes people are willing to harm each other in order to survive, but sometimes they show kindness to those in need.
Empty confessions, compassion escaping me now
I find it difficult to empathize or feel compassion for others.
I am what I eat, what's the beast to do?
I am shaped by what I consume. This begs the question - what choice do animals really have in the matter?
Who am I to feel for those destined to fail?
It seems pointless to feel pity for those who are less equipped to survive in this harsh world.
Only the fittest will ultimately survive...
In the end, it's survival of the strongest and most adaptable.
Lions feed on inferior breeds, I consume, therefore I need..
Just like lions prey on weaker animals, I consume whatever I need in order to survive.
Eating of God's vital seed, delicious indeed..
The consumption of life, of the very essence of creation, is a deeply satisfying experience for me.
I feel nothing now, except the need to keep on feeding
I am driven purely by the primal need to sustain myself through consumption.
Canines sink into flesh, my eyes roll back
The act of consuming another creature sends me into a frenzy of satisfaction and euphoria.
I pour salt on your skin
I take pleasure in causing pain and suffering to those I consume.
This is my kingdom, where you all have your places
The act of consuming others to sustain myself is not only natural, but also a source of power and control over those I consume.
Consuming all, even their faces
In my quest for sustenance, I consume all parts of my prey, including their most intimate and personal features.
You are beautiful indeed, don't take it personally
I do not view creatures as individuals with feelings or personalities - only as sources of nourishment.
Swallowing the roaring seas, I am nourished, not by your charity
My sustenance does not come from the generosity or compassion of others, but from my own inherent drive to consume and survive.
But the fact that you are weaker than me
My superiority and strength over others is what allows me to consume and sustain myself.
Contributed by Layla C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.