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.
Thorn In My Side
Quicksand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you live just to pull me down.
Rusted, nail I stepped on.
This infection.
Thorn in my side.
You're full,
I think so,
You need to sit down,
stay down.
The things you, want but don't get.
Is that fair, I don't think so.
A sure thing, you can count, on.
A big depression.
A thorn in my side.
You're full,
I think so,
of anger.
You need to.
Your praise, is two faced,
And you're
you're cut down,
my friend.
Cut Down.
A thorn in my side, thorn in.
A thorn in my side, thorn in.
The song "Thorn In My Side" by Quicksand expresses the relationship between the singer and someone who constantly brings negativity into their life. The "thorn in my side" is used as a metaphor to represent this person who lives just to pull the singer down. The singer stepped on a rusted nail, which caused an infection, further emphasizing the pain and discomfort that this person brings.
The lyrics suggest that this person is full of anger and needs to sit down and stay down. The singer also highlights the jealousy felt by this person towards them for things they want but don't have. The singer finds this attitude unfair and a guaranteed path to a big depression. The repetition of the phrase "thorn in my side" throughout the song emphasizes the constant presence of this negative individual in the singer's life.
The lyrics also suggest that this person is two-faced, praising the singer in one moment but then cutting them down in the next. The phrase "cut down, my friend" highlights the hurt caused by this person's actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Thorn in, my side.
Someone or something that constantly irritates and annoys me.
And you live just to pull me down.
You seem to take pleasure in bringing me down and causing me harm.
Rusted, nail I stepped on.
Something painful that has happened to me, like stepping on a rusty nail.
This infection.
The pain and negativity I'm feeling has become like a spreading infection.
You're full, I think so, of anger.
You seem to be overflowing with anger towards me.
You need to sit down, stay down.
You should take some time to calm down and not keep attacking me.
The things you, want but don't get.
There are things you desire that you are unable to obtain.
Is that fair, I don't think so.
I believe that it is not fair for you to be so envious and resentful.
A sure thing, you can count, on.
You can always count on experiencing deep sadness and despair.
A big depression.
A feeling of overwhelming sadness and loss.
Your praise, is two faced,
Your compliments and praise are not genuine and have a hidden meaning.
And you're you're cut down, my friend.
You have damaged our friendship and hurt me deeply.
A thorn in my side, thorn in.
The constant pain and annoyance caused by you is unbearable.
A thorn in my side, thorn in.
This discomfort and misery caused by you is ongoing and persistent.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN CAGE, SERGIO VEGA, TOM CAPONE, WALTER ARTHUR SCHREIFELS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
enrico malatesta
Thorn in, my side.
And you live just to pull me down.
Rusted, nail I stepped on.
This infection.
Thorn in my side.
you're full,
I think so,
of anger.
You need to sit down,
stay down.
The things you, want but don't get.
Is that fair, I don't think so.
A sure thing, you can count, on.
A big depression.
A thorn in my side.
you're full,
I think so,
of anger.
You need to.
Your praise, is two faced,
And youre,
you're cut down,
my friend.
Cut Down.
A thorn in my side, thorn in.
A thorn in my side, thorn in.
Chuck Walsh
if only more people knew about these guys.. the hands down most unnapreciated band of the early 90's and in my opinion holder of the best album of the 90's. or at least top 5. slip is amazing.
Phillip Richardson
Well said, good sir.
72twist
Saw these guys play with Helmet and Casper Brotzmann back in '94
Alan R
Chuck Walsh dam right my friend Post hardcore at its best.Great record.
tmmsplace
This song was featured in the film Empire Records. the band was definitely not underrated. If they were mainstream, they'd probably suck.
Richard D Martinez
Charles Walsh #Commiseration, mein freund💖✌🏼!!!
The Comic Keeper
My bestie in high school introduced me to this band. We used to ride our bmx bikes everywhere and jam to this in his car nonstop. We drifted apart and he took his own life a few years back. It's weird how I think of him nearly every day. Miss ya, buddy!
Adriano Andrade
😭
Scott Mathews
These guys should have hit big time great songs great hooks great vocals
Jon Hughes
Quicksand was a band ahead of it's time. Musically they had just as much potential as bands like Tool, but they just had too small of a following to keep going. Loved these guys, wish they could've stuck around.