Before coming together in 1990, singer/guitarist Walter Schreifels, guitarist Tom Capone, bassist Sergio Vega, and drummer Alan Cage all honed their chops in a series of local acts, including Youth of Today, the Gorilla Biscuits, and Bold and Beyond. A self-titled EP soon followed, and in 1992 Quicksand issued their Polygram debut, Slip, earning airplay with the single "Dine Alone." After touring in support of their sophomore effort, 1995's Manic Compression, the group disbanded, only to attempt an unfruitful reunion two years later before going their separate ways once more.
Quicksand's former members later cropped up in other outfits (Capone in Handsome, Schreifels in Rival Schools, etc.), and although they never broke out of cult status over the course of their initial two-album career, Quicksand's influence could still be felt, especially in bands like Grade, Absolve, Thursday, and At the Drive-In, among others. They regrouped in 2012 for a Revelation Records 25th anniversary show, and although the following year brought their first U.S. tour in well over a decade, they soon returned to keeping a low profile.
Then, in August 2017, Quicksand surprised everyone -- via their Twitter feed -- by announcing the impending release of their long-awaited third LP. The resulting Interiors was issued on Epitaph later that November, but the intervening period saw Capone leave the band. Quicksand continued as a three-piece, releasing 2018's Triptych Continuum EP before a fourth album, the Will Yip-produced Distant Populations, followed in 2021.
Biography by Greg Prato
There are other bands with the same name:
2) Quicksand were an obscure Welsh psychedelic and progressive rock band active in the early 1970s. The members were Robert Collins, Jimmy Davies, Phil Davies and Anthony Stone. They released two singles, Passing By/Cobblestones (Carnaby CNS 4015) in 1970 and Time To Live/Empty Street, Empty Heart (Dawn DNS 1046) in 1973. Their only album, Home Is Where I Belong (Dawn DNLS 3056), was released in 1974.
3) Quicksand (Zivo blato) is a Croatian heavy metal band. It was founded in Split in 1998 by folk/rock singer Sinisa Vuco. It's a trio consisting of Sinisa Vuco - which takes the stage name Vasilije Mitu (guitar/vocals), Veseli Sir (bass), and Mala Planina (drums). "Mala Planina" is actually Mirjan Jovanovic - "Toso", a famous drummer from Split.
Landmine Spring
Quicksand Lyrics
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It doesn't hurt to try.
There is no pain in death,
it only hurts to die.
The cut that stings.
Look before you leap.
All blown apart.
A landmine spring.
A landmine spring.
A landmine spring.
Did not expect this shit at all,
to go through this again.
What do you want from my life, I ask myself.
Loading my questions like a shotgun.
You can f**k every chance with one shot,
you think that's the answer.
The cut that stings.
Look before you leap.
All blown apart.
A landmine spring.
A landmine spring.
A landmine spring.
All blown apart.
A landmine spring.
A landmine spring.
A landmine spring.
All blown apart.
Did not expect this shit at all,
to go through this again.
You live on your knees.
So this is what's in store.
Pull your head up,
no one cares at all.
You fooled yourself in the past,
believing what you wanted to.
A landmine spring.
A landmine spring.
A landmine spring.
A landmine spring.
A landmine spring.
A landmine spring.
The lyrics of Quicksand's "Landmine Spring" seem to explore the themes of danger, regret, and the choice to stand up and face the consequences of one's actions. The singer seems to acknowledge the inherent risk in life with the opening line "So this is what's in store," before admitting "it doesn't hurt to try." This line suggests a willingness to take risks despite the possibility of failure or pain.
The following lines, "There is no pain in death, it only hurts to die," reflect a contemplation of life's futility and the realization that only the process of dying causes pain. The metaphor of a landmine spring underscores the danger and unpredictability of life, and the consequences that can result when one doesn't look before they leap. The singer relates to the experience with the lines "All blown apart," demonstrating the destruction that can result from poor choices.
The next stanza introduces questions about the future and what one should expect from life. The use of the metaphor of a shotgun carries connotations of violence and power, which ties in with themes of danger and risk from earlier in the song. The line "you can f**k every chance with one shot" suggests that one careless mistake can have serious consequences. The repeated refrain of "A landmine spring, all blown apart" emphasizes the finality of poor choices and the need to stay alert to the dangers that surround us.
Line by Line Meaning
So this is what's in store.
This is what is going to happen or what we can expect.
It doesn't hurt to try.
Attempting something may not cause harm, it is worth a shot.
There is no pain in death,
it only hurts to die.
Death in and of itself is not painful, but the process of dying often is.
The cut that stings.
Painful wounds can leave lasting damage.
Look before you leap.
Think carefully before taking action, make wise decisions.
All blown apart.
Destroyed or shattered into pieces.
A landmine spring.
An explosive device that can be triggered at any moment, causing destruction.
Did not expect this shit at all,
to go through this again.
Was not prepared to experience something terrible again unexpectedly.
What do you want from my life, I ask myself.
Questioning oneself about the desires and goals in life.
Loading my questions like a shotgun.
Asking many questions all at once, like firing a shotgun.
You can f**k every chance with one shot,
you think that's the answer.
One mistake can ruin every opportunity, not necessarily the right solution.
You live on your knees.
Living in submission or servitude to others, not standing up for oneself.
Pull your head up,
no one cares at all.
Nobody is going to take care of you or worry about your problems, so don't let yourself get down.
You fooled yourself in the past,
believing what you wanted to.
Deceiving oneself by believing only what one wants to believe, not confronting the truth.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN CAGE, SERGIO VEGA, TOM CAPONE, WALTER ARTHUR SCHREIFELS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind