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.
Transparent
Quicksand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seconds pass by, waiting just to blow up,
And you get nothing done,
And this is what you want.
Lost touch and,
You turn your back and your some friend.
Sterile conversation,
Talk your way out,
It's a sure thing.
Testing the ends of what they'll put up with.
You got your chance to say what you wanted to.
But you never do,
Stand up to the ones that keep you down,
Now you can see right through it all.
Lost touch and,
Tracing your steps you can't begin.
You can't start,
To say what your thinking and why not.
Talk your way out,
It's a sure thing.
Testing the ends of what they'll put up with.
Sticking it out 'til you can't get up.
How many times have you been pacified?
Accepting it when you're told, there's no way,
Making sure there never will.
Sticking it out 'til you can't get up.
How many times have you been pacified?
Accepting it when you're told, there's no way,
Making sure there never will.
Testing the ends of what they put up with.
The lyrics of Quicksand's song "Transparent" describe the struggle of feeling stuck in life and failing to act on one's desires and aspirations. The opening line of "treating your days like a countdown" sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the singer feeling like they are just waiting for something to happen but not taking any action to make it happen. They feel like they are wasting their time and not achieving anything.
The next lines suggest that the singer has lost touch with friends and is only capable of having sterile and superficial conversations. They talk a good game but don't follow through with any action. The chorus emphasizes this lack of action and standing up for oneself, with the singer saying "stand up to the ones who keep you down, now you can see right through it all."
The second verse continues this theme, with the singer feeling unable to express their thoughts and feelings or take action towards their goals. They feel trapped and pacified by just accepting what they are told, without challenging it. The final chorus then repeats the idea of testing the limits of what others will put up with, suggesting that the singer needs to take action and challenge the status quo in order to achieve their goals and live a fulfilling life.
Overall, "Transparent" is a song about feeling stuck and trapped, about the struggle to take action and stand up for oneself, and the need to challenge oneself and others to achieve personal fulfillment and growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Treating your days like a countdown.
Living your life like you're running out of time.
Seconds pass by, waiting just to blow up,
Time goes by without any productivity as you wait for something explosive to happen.
And you get nothing done,
You achieve nothing of substance.
And this is what you want.
Despite everything you know is wrong, this is the life you desire.
Lost touch and,
You disconnected yourself from someone you once knew very well.
You turn your back and your some friend.
Betraying those who considered you their friend.
Sterile conversation,
Your conversations lack life, interest or substance.
Learn to talk a good game.
Mastering the art of empty talk and glib promises.
Talk your way out,
Using words to avoid dealing with any situation or taking responsibility.
It's a sure thing.
As far as you're concerned, you always win the battle of wits.
Testing the ends of what they'll put up with.
Pushing boundaries to find what you can get away with.
You got your chance to say what you wanted to.
You had a moment to speak the truth but couldn't find the courage.
But you never do,
You fail to stand up for yourself or your values.
Stand up to the ones that keep you down,
Challenging those who are always a hindrance in their own way.
Now you can see right through it all.
Discerning the truth in a situation that was once hidden from you.
Tracing your steps you can't begin.
Failing to find the starting point no matter how much you try to retrace your footsteps.
You can't start,
You're unable to make the first step or begin anything.
To say what your thinking and why not.
Articulating your thoughts and reasons for not taking action.
Sticking it out 'til you can't get up.
Persisting in a situation until you're physically or mentally unable to continue.
How many times have you been pacified?
Not standing up for yourself and settling for what's given to you.
Accepting it when you're told, there's no way,
Believing there's no possibility, even if it may not be true.
Making sure there never will.
Avoiding any change and preventing anything different from happening.
Testing the ends of what they put up with.
Pushing the limits of how much someone else can tolerate.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN CAGE, SERGIO VEGA, TOM CAPONE, WALTER ARTHUR SCHREIFELS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind