In 1990, Coomes, Weiss, and Brad Pedinov formed the band Motorgoat. The band released two self-released cassettes and one 7" single before dissolving in 1993. Quasi started recording as a duo in 1993. They played with various additional musicians in early live appearances, but eventually settled on playing live as a duo as well. They self-recorded and self-released a cassette and a CD in 1993. They recorded R&B Transmogrification in the Portland band Pond's basement recording studio and released it on Up Records in 1997. They released two more albums with Up: Featuring "Birds" in 1998 and Field Studies in 1999; both albums were recorded at Jackpot Studios in Portland, Oregon.
In 1998 and 1999 they toured the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Japan opening for and serving as the backup band for Elliott Smith (who Coomes had played with in Heatmiser) as well as touring on their own in the U.S. and Europe. In 2001 They home-recorded The Sword of God and released it on Touch & Go. Quasi had been somewhat political since its inception, but their opposition to the 2003 Invasion of Iraq showed through in a straight-forward way with the release of Hot Shit! in 2003, particularly in the songs "White Devil's Dream" and "Master and Dog." When the Going Gets Dark followed in 2006, released on Touch & Go in the U.S. and Domino Records in Europe, as with Hot Shit!.
In Spring 2009, the band announced that they had signed to the Kill Rock Stars label, and were due to release their already recorded next album in the latter half of the year. That album, entitled American Gong, was released February 23, 2010 to generally favorable reviews. It was their first and only album to feature third member Joanna Bolme. Following a tour of Japan, Europe, and the United States in support of the full length, Bolme left the band. A duo again, Sam and Janet are recording material for a new album.
Califórnia
Quasi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At its best it's just OK.
But I'm happy to report
Life is also short.
So I find myself back in California -
I'm a coolie for the tourists,
those happy Epicureans:
Evil spectres from my own suburban upbring.
But it's hard to be cheerful when you feel so hopeless
And there's no reason for this dark mood.
It will pass; it will return, but will I ever learn ?
And the children of privilege begging for my spare change.
Do they need my assistance to purchase their intoxicants,
or would they best be served a swift kick
Slowly sinking in the vast ambivalent sea of California.
The first two lines of the song "Life is full life is grey, at its best it's just OK" sets the tone of the lyrics to follow. The songwriter is acknowledging that life is not always easy - it can be complicated, confusing and at times overwhelming. The next line "But I'm happy to report life is also short" brings a ray of hope and optimism in the midst of the gloom. The songwriter is urging the listener to make the best of what they have - to seize the day, as life is too short to waste.
The chorus "So I find myself back in California, I'm a coolie for the tourists, those happy Epicureans" is a reference to the idea of California being a place where dreams come true, where the sun is always shining, and where life is carefree. However, the songwriter is telling us that this reality is far from true. He himself is working as a "coolie" - a derogatory term for a hard laborer - to serve the tourists, who are described as "evil specters from my own suburban upbringing". The songwriter feels trapped in this cycle of working endlessly to serve the tourists, while at the same time being haunted by the ghosts of his own past.
The final lines of the song "Slowly sinking in the vast ambivalent sea of California" paints a picture of the songwriter feeling lost, alone and disconnected in a vast sea of people. The reference to the "children of privilege begging for my spare change" highlights the irony of the situation - those who have everything are begging for more, while those who have nothing are being trampled upon. The songwriter is asking if these people need his help to buy their intoxicants, or if they would be better served with a swift kick. This line is a commentary on the culture of excess and indulgence that is prevalent in California.
Line by Line Meaning
Life is full life is grey:
Life has its ups and downs, its good moments and its bad moments.
At its best it's just OK.
Even at its best, life is nothing more than average.
But I'm happy to report
Despite life's shortcomings, the singer has some good news to share.
Life is also short.
Life is brief and passes quickly.
So I find myself back in California -
The artist has returned to California.
I'm a coolie for the tourists,
The singer is a laborer or servile worker for the tourists.
those happy Epicureans:
The singer is serving those who are enjoying the finer things in life.
Evil spectres from my own suburban upbring.
The tourists remind the artist of their own past in a similar suburban environment.
As I reveal points of interest, I can chat so pleasantly,
The artist can talk to the tourists about interesting places while putting on a friendly and charming persona.
But it's hard to be cheerful when you feel so hopeless
Despite putting on a happy face, the artist is struggling with feelings of despair.
And there's no reason for this dark mood.
The singer can't explain why they're feeling down.
It will pass; it will return, but will I ever learn ?
The artist knows their mood will come and go, but wonders if they will ever understand why.
And the children of privilege begging for my spare change.
The singer encounters young people who come from privileged backgrounds but are now asking for money.
Do they need my assistance to purchase their intoxicants,
The singer wonders if the young people are using the money for harmful substances.
or would they best be served a swift kick
The singer thinks that the young people would benefit more from a harsh lesson than from charity.
Slowly sinking in the vast ambivalent sea of California.
The artist feels like they are slowly losing themselves in the indifferent environment of California.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SAMUEL J. COOMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
crescentfreshbret
Love Janet's drum fills in this one.
checkersf
Amazing song!
Collector
I arrived here from a "This American Life" (Ira Glass) episode-love the lyrics...the intro just about sums it up for me-LOL
Orc Kid
@Fanie Buys same!
Renee Williams
Me too, from This American Life!
Collector
@Fanie Buys hahahaha excellent!
Collector
@Renee WilliamsLOL :-) I have listened to that episode in the past (it's a rerun) but I don't remember hearing the intro to this song-perfect in so many ways...
Greene Fieldmann
Same!
Tûññêlrãt
Amazing
Sacred Rhetoric
Excellent