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.
Two-Faced
Quasi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One for up front,
One for behind the back.
I never had a clue.
What can a blind man do?
I guess I was bound to lose.
I don't know myself &
I don't know no one else.
What can a blind man do?
In Quasi's song Two-Faced, the lyrics explore the concept of duality and deceitfulness in relationships. The singer describes how people can have different faces they present to the world - one that they show upfront and another that they keep hidden or reveal only when they are behind someone's back. The singer realizes that they were clueless in the face of this duality, unable to see beyond the superficial mask. In this blindness, the singer admits they were destined to lose.
The song delves deeper into the singer's existential musings as they confess that they don't know themselves, let alone anyone else. The line "I don't know false from true" suggests that the singer is questioning their ability to trust and discern the authenticity of others, as well as their own identity. The repeated phrase "What can a blind man do?" reflects the singer's sense of helplessness and resignation, unable to navigate the complex social dynamics that are predicated on deception and duplicity.
The overall mood of the song is subdued and melancholic, with a tinge of resignation and acceptance of the complexities of the human condition. The lyrics are poignant and thought-provoking, forcing the listener to reflect on their own experiences with relationships and the various masks that people might wear.
Line by Line Meaning
One for up front,
I put on a facade when dealing with people face-to-face,
One for behind the back.
But when they're not around, I act differently and two-faced,
I never had a clue.
I was oblivious to the fact that I was being dishonest,
What can a blind man do?
I feel helpless, as if I cannot break this cycle of deception,
I guess I was bound to lose.
It was only a matter of time before my true colors were exposed,
I don't know myself &
I am lost, and I cannot differentiate between my real self and my facade,
I don't know no one else.
Because of this, I am unable to fully understand and connect with others,
I don't know false from true.
I am confused, and I cannot distinguish between what is genuine and what is not,
What can a blind man do?
I feel trapped in my own dishonesty, with no way out,
Contributed by Jack B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.