The band frequently faced controversy over their original name, involving accusations of both racism and cultural appropriation because of the name's association with the original Vietnamese Viet Cong. In March 2015, the band was set to perform at Oberlin College, but the show was canceled due to their "offensive name".
In September 2015, the band announced that they were going to change their name: "We are a band who wants to make music and play our music for our fans. We are not here to cause pain or remind people of atrocities of the past". On March 29, 2016, the Canadian music magazine Exclaim! reported that the band were still booking shows under the name Viet Cong, and began running a real-time "Days since Viet Cong promised to change their name" counter on the magazine's website.
On April 21, 2016, Flegel announced in a Pitchfork interview that the band would henceforth be performing and recording under the name "Preoccupations".
Static Wall
Preoccupations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the shadow of a doubt
Say goodbye before you die
Cause nothing's on the other side
Non-existant, empty and unreal
Interviewed you through the static wall at the terminal gate
Navigation is late
Vanished into sensatory sprawl
No one answers your call
You never felt so poor
We can raise the steep decline
Hits you right between the eyes
Say goodbye before you die
Cause nothing's on the other side
Non-existant, empty and unreal
Interviewed you through the static wall at the terminal gate
Navigation is late
Lost in the sun-bleached bones of an old home
Vanished into sensatory sprawl
No one answers your call
You never felt so poor
And the clock says 3: 15am
And I just want to have another drink
But you're already gone
And the bottle's done
There are things to lose and things to keep
Underneath
Disappeared in a drone
Fallen leaves
We are told and shown
The lyrics to Preoccupations' song "Static Wall" evoke feelings of confusion, disconnection, and hopelessness. The line "keep the fire from going out in the shadow of a doubt" suggests that the singer is struggling to maintain their sense of purpose and passion in the face of uncertainty and skepticism. They seem to be grappling with their own mortality, saying "say goodbye before you die cause nothing's on the other side." This line could be interpreted as an acknowledgement that death is inevitable, and as a call to make the most of one's life while still alive.
The next verse describes the singer's sense of disconnection from the world around them. They feel as though they are "non-existent, empty and unreal," suggesting that they are struggling to form meaningful connections with other people. The line "interviewed you through the static wall at the terminal gate" is particularly powerful, as it conjures an image of someone trying to have a conversation with someone else through a barrier that is blocking their communication.
The final verse features the line "and the clock says 3:15am and I just want to have another drink but you're already gone and the bottle's done." This line suggests that the singer is grappling with feelings of loss and loneliness, and is trying to cope through drinking. The song ends with the lines "disappeared in a drone fallen leaves we are told and shown," which could be interpreted in a number of ways, but seem to suggest that the singer is feeling detached from the world around them and struggling to find meaning and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep the fire from going out
Make sure the passion and drive don't fade away
In the shadow of a doubt
Uncertainty that arises in one's mind
Say goodbye before you die
Make peace with everyone and everything before it's too late
Cause nothing's on the other side
The unknown is not always greener
Non-existant, empty and unreal
A void of something that was never there in the first place
Interviewed you through the static wall at the terminal gate
Communicated with each other through barriers and obstacles
Navigation is late
Feeling lost and directionless
Lost in the sun-bleached bones of an old home
Trapped in the memories of the past
Vanished into sensatory sprawl
A feeling of being overwhelmed and unable to comprehend a situation
No one answers your call
Left alone and neglected
You never felt so poor
Feeling empty and devoid of richness in life
We can raise the steep decline
There is a chance for improvement and progress
Hits you right between the eyes
A sudden realization or impact that cannot be ignored
And the clock says 3: 15am
Late at night, feeling restless and alone
And I just want to have another drink
Trying to mask the pain or worry with alcohol
But you're already gone
Someone or something meaningful has already left
And the bottle's done
Trying to chase something that's already gone
There are things to lose and things to keep
Learning to let go of some things while holding onto others
Underneath
Beneath the surface, hidden from plain sight
Disappeared in a drone
Lost in the monotony of life
Fallen leaves
The inevitability of things coming to an end
We are told and shown
Our beliefs and perspectives are shaped by external influences
Contributed by Alexis H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.