The band leader explained to triple j that 'America's Cup' isn't an ode to the sailing competition, but instead a dancefloor-charged take on how corporate tycoons changed Western Australia forever following Alan Bond bankrolling the 1983 America’s Cup win for Australia. “This watershed moment between Fremantle being a fishing warehouse, kind-of-port town to being a hyper-gentrified, natural wine hub,” Allbrook told triple j Dive with a giggle.
So, not your usual fodder for a boogie, then? And make no mistake, this thing funks!
“It’s definitely a reflection on the classic Perth syndrome of being a country town desperately desperately trying to be a city. I’m always reminded of that when I see Lamborghinis in Perth. It looks so silly.” That absurdity pumps through Allbrook's lyrics and the music video, directed by frequent collaborator Kristofski. Listen/watch below.
Musically, this track isn’t as feverish as ‘Pink Lunettes’ but its slinky digi-funk does show the manic spontaneity the band are leaning into after making, in Allbrook's words, “three albums of pretty polished, mid-tempo pop.”
9 arrives 1 October and contains nine songs (obviously). Notably, it's the first Pond release since their earliest days not to be produced by Kevin Parker (y'know, Tame guy?). Instead, POND self-produced the record while bandmates James Ireland and Jay Watson handled mixing themselves.
“The whole record is quite short for us, and quite fast,” explained Watson (also of Tame Impala and GUM fame). “It’s not simple, but we wanted it to be punk music; not actually punk but that sort of feeling. Really succinct and hectic.”
You can also expect strings, horns, and more of the darting across the musical spectrum that has kept Pond one of WA’s most revered and exciting bands over the past decade.
America's cup
Pond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pump Creatine and skip leg day
Jump as four titans emerge from underground
Debating, "Would you rather be burned or drowned?"
Pump piss-drunk on the stench of fraternity
Haloed by memories of pension eternity
Head polished to a mirror for Athena
Before the America's Cup
It was sailors and junkies
Pescatores and bikies
Before the America's Cup
Never heard of methadone
Never caught the shuttle home
Never went to bed alone
Alan was a rolling stone
Uh-huh (woo)
Once again, I'm slippin' into my hominid gait
Desoil cracked vertebrae
I'm cocksure as a man jumping off a cliff
Top heavy hair, cigarette and a quiff
Slunk back drunk to the den of uncertainty
Crying a fantasy of bleeding maternity
Before the America's Cup
It was sailors and junkies
Pescatores and bikies
Before the America's Cup
Never heard of methadone
Never caught the shuttle home
Never went to bed alone
Alan was a rolling stone
Uh-huh
Tip-toe corners in Costco
Trying to ship in Minsk
The way I see it, don't care how long it takes
Ocean Network Express
Before the America's Cup
It was sailors and junkies
Pescatores and bikies
Before the America's Cup
Never heard of methadone
Never caught the shuttle home
Before the America's Cup
It was sailors and junkies
Pescatores and bikies
Before the America's Cup
Never heard of methadone
Never caught the shuttle home
Before the America's Cup
It was sailors and junkies
Pescatores and bikies
The lyrics to Pond's song "America's Cup" explore various themes and contrasts, reflecting on the changing times and the transformation of society. The opening lines portray a sense of gender fluidity, as the singer slips into their "feminine ways" while simultaneously mocking stereotypical male behavior such as skipping leg day and obsessing over physical appearance. This juxtaposition sets the tone for the song's examination of different societal identities and norms.
The reference to "four titans" emerging from underground suggests the emergence of powerful and influential figures engaged in a debate between two undesirable options - being burned or drowned. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the choices individuals are faced with in life, where neither option is particularly appealing.
The lyrics also highlight the transformation of society brought about by events like the America's Cup. The America's Cup is a prestigious sailing competition that symbolizes the shift from a time when sailors, junkies, fishermen, and bikers held sway to the present, where methadone, shuttles, and loneliness are prevalent. This contrast emphasizes the changing dynamics and cultural shifts that have occurred over time.
Overall, "America's Cup" addresses themes of identity, societal change, and the consequences of progress. It invites listeners to reflect on the past and consider the potential costs and benefits of the transformation undergone by society.
Line by Line Meaning
Once again, I'm slippin' into my feminine ways
I am once again embracing my feminine qualities and behaviors.
Pump Creatine and skip leg day
I focus on working out my upper body but neglect my leg muscles.
Jump as four titans emerge from underground
With excitement, four powerful figures rise from beneath the surface.
Debating, 'Would you rather be burned or drowned?'
Engaging in a discussion about the preferable method of facing a life-threatening situation.
Pump piss-drunk on the stench of fraternity
Intoxicated by the strong sense of brotherhood and camaraderie.
Haloed by memories of pension eternity
Surrounded by cherished recollections of a long-lasting future.
Head polished to a mirror for Athena
Presenting oneself in a perfect way as an offering to wisdom and knowledge (represented by Athena).
Goodbye, Nana A and stay strong, Nana Tina
Saying farewell to Nana A and wishing Nana Tina resilience and strength.
Before the America's Cup
Prior to the prestigious sailing competition known as the America's Cup.
It was sailors and junkies
The past consisted of sailors and drug addicts.
Pescatores and bikies
It included fishermen and motorcycle enthusiasts.
Never heard of methadone
There was no awareness or knowledge about the medication methadone.
Never caught the shuttle home
The shuttle service was never used to return home.
Never went to bed alone
Never experienced sleeping alone.
Alan was a rolling stone
Alan led a transient and unpredictable lifestyle.
Uh-huh (woo)
An exclamation of agreement or excitement.
Once again, I'm slippin' into my hominid gait
Once again, I am adopting a primitive, ape-like walking style.
Desoil cracked vertebrae
My spine is damaged and fractured due to harmful activities.
I'm cocksure as a man jumping off a cliff
Confident and self-assured like someone taking a daring leap into uncertainty.
Top heavy hair, cigarette and a quiff
Having a hairstyle that emphasizes a large amount of hair on top, paired with a cigarette and a distinctive hairstyle called a quiff.
Slunk back drunk to the den of uncertainty
Returning unsteadily and intoxicated to a dwelling full of ambiguity.
Crying a fantasy of bleeding maternity
Expressing emotions and desires for a fictionalized experience of childbirth.
Tip-toe corners in Costco
Walking cautiously in the corners of a Costco store.
Trying to ship in Minsk
Attempting to arrange transportation or send something to the city of Minsk.
The way I see it, don't care how long it takes
From my perspective, I am not concerned about the duration of the process.
Ocean Network Express
Referring to the Ocean Network Express, a global transportation company.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Nicholas Allbrook
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@crazybotzej7554
[Verse 1]
Once again I'm slipping into my feminine ways
Dump creatine and skip leg day
Jump as four titans emerge from underground
Debating would you rather be burned or drowned
[Pre-Chorus]
Pump fists drunk on the stench of fraternity
Haloed by memories of benching eternity
Head polished to a mirror for Athena
Goodbye Nana A and stay strong Nana Tina
[Chorus]
Before the America's Cup
It was sailors and junkies
Bass guitarists and bikies
Before the America's Cup
Never heard of methadone
Never caught the shuttle home
Never went to bed alone
Alan was a rolling stone
[Verse 2]
Once again, I'm slipping up to my hominid gait
Desoil that vertebrae
I'm cocksure as a man jumping off a cliff
Top heavy head, cigarette and a quiff
Slunk back drunk to the den of uncertainty
Crying a fantasy of bleeding maternity
[Chorus]
Before the America's Cup
It was sailors and junkies
Bass guitarists and bikies
Before the America's Cup
Never heard of methadone
Never caught the shuttle home
Never went to bed alone
Alan was a rolling stone
[Pre-Chorus]
Tip-toe, going on some gospel
[?] trying to ship in a mask
The way I see it, don't care how long it takes
Ocean Network Express
[Outro]
Before the America's Cup
It was sailors and junkies
Bass guitarists and bikies
Before the America's Cup
Never heard of methadone
Never caught the shuttle home
@DragosBox
Pond. Never. Disappoints.
@ZAL0con0
Never never
@francisco3466
But we do. 2K views in one whole hour?
@LanceVanceDance84
@@francisco3466 Most people don't deserve the greatness that is this band
@DragosBox
@@francisco3466 That's usually how it goes for music channels, since most people don't have notifications on for bands/artists. The views add up over time, instead of all at once, as opposed to normal youtubers.
A good example would be their ”The Boys Are Killing Me” music video, which I remember only had about 800 views in the first hour, and now has over 100k
@N8R_Quizzie
Idk Pink Lunettes was pretty bad lol. I like this much better.
@aldocorzo5440
MY SON'S BAND NEVER DISAPPOINTS
@AspiringTalentless
R u ponds dad?
@bottlejobpleb360
@@AspiringTalentless I am, any questions or comments you’d like me to relay?
@oliveranderson6925
@@bottlejobpleb360 what do toes taste like?