In an interview, Albini reported that 'Rapeman' is "... the title character in a Japanese comic book that I had come across through a friend of mine. The comic book is just a total mind-bender. There's a whole genre of comics in Japan, rape stories where women are raped in really graphic detail for whatever reason, and it's an amazing thing that this is just an accepted part of their sort of normal popular culture." Albini and Washam became "sort of obsessed" with the comic, and named their new group after the titular antihero.
Rapeman's performances would often be the target of protestors, who felt that the band was mocking or even encouraging rape and violence against women. Albini has described such criticisms as idiotic, arguing that punk ideology is generally very sympathetic to feminism.
The playing style at times was reminiscent of more traditional noise punk (as on "Up Beat"), at other times cranky art-rock (as on "Monobrow"), their sound gave centre stage to the signature guitar style of Albini.
The band broke up for personal reasons, but not, as has been rumoured, over a dispute relating to their name. Albini launched his career as a recording engineer and played bass with Flour before going on to form Shellac. Sims reunited with ex-Scratch Acid vocalist David Yow to form The Jesus Lizard.
Dutch Courage
Rapeman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
really made my day
** the Leader
** ends up **
x4
gotta thank you, Carl
** ** married guy
***
really made my night
***
The lyrics to Rapeman's song Dutch Courage are a bit cryptic and require a bit of knowledge about the band's history and their social commentary. The song starts with the line "gotta thank you, Carl, really made my day," which is a sarcastic remark directed at someone who has probably done something innately terrible. This may be the case as the following words "the Leader ends up" are mentioned four times after the line.
The Leader in this context could be anyone in a position of power or holding significant influence that eventually meets their downfall. This idea is further accentuated by the next line that follows, "gotta thank you, Carl, even though you're queer." This line implies that Carl, the person being thanked, is probably included in a group of people who are marginalized by society, made to feel inferior, and victimized by prejudice.
The next few lines "you're a married guy, ***," suggest that Carl's unconventional sexual orientation has led him to pursue a relationship that goes against societal norms. As a result, he may have encountered obstacles and discrimination throughout his life, but the singer is still grateful for his contribution to their day/night despite the hardship. The song is a commentary on the societal norms that exist and how certain behaviors from those in a position of power can cause severe and lasting harm to innocent people.
Line by Line Meaning
gotta thank you, Carl
I express gratitude towards Carl
really made my day
I experienced happiness and satisfaction because of something that happened earlier today
the Leader
Refers to the antagonist of the song
ends up
Ultimately met an unfortunate fate
x4
Repeats the previous two lines four times
even though you're queer
Acknowledging that Carl is homosexual
** ** married guy
Implying that Carl had sexual relations with a married man
***
Censored or not provided as it may contain sensitive or explicit content
really made my night
Expressing that Carl had a positive impact on the artist's evening
Contributed by Allison A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MrCyberking9
Than it goes wrong