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.
Steak and Black Onions
Rapeman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you plant eating pussy
why don't you snuff it, then?
get out of my face
why don't you snuff it, then?
** ** **, anyway
now I know what you're
what I want
shut your mouth
just shut your mouth
well I know that you
wanna tell me what
what I'm eating
ah yeah?
shut your mouth,
shut your mouth,
shut your mouth.
I know what I want
and I don't like onions
why don't you snuff it, then?
you plant eating pussy
The lyrics to Rapeman's song "Steak and Black Onions" contain aggressive and crude language, and the tone of the lyrics is confrontational towards someone who appears to have questioned the singer's dietary choices. The repetitive line "why don't you snuff it, then?" indicates the singer's hostility towards the person they are addressing, and the insult "plant eating pussy" implies that the person is weak or inferior for choosing a plant-based diet.
The singer asserts their autonomy and right to make their own choices about what they eat. The lyric "I know what I want and I don't like onions" suggests that the person they are addressing may have suggested that the singer should eat onions as a vegetarian alternative to meat. The repeated line "shut your mouth" emphasizes the singer's anger towards the other person and their desire to silence them.
The themes and language of this song are confrontational and crude. It portrays a negative attitude towards vegetarianism, and it is not clear who the singer is addressing or why they are so angry. It may be interpreted as an expression of toxic masculinity, with the aggressive language and dominant tone serving to reinforce traditional gender roles.
Line by Line Meaning
why don't you snuff it, then?
If you do not like my behavior or my food choices, why don't you leave and mind your own business?
you plant eating pussy
You are a vegetarian, which I believe is a weakness or a flaw.
why don't you snuff it, then?
I am reiterating my earlier point and suggesting that you leave me alone.
get out of my face
Please move away from me and stop bothering me with your opinions.
** ** **, anyway
I am disregarding your opinion and suggesting that I don't care about what you have to say.
now I know what you're gonna tell me
I am anticipating your argument or protest and preparing to counter it.
what I want
I have a clear preference, regardless of what you might suggest.
shut your mouth
I am asking you to stop talking and leave me alone.
just shut your mouth
I am emphasizing my earlier request for you to stop bothering me.
well I know that you wanna tell me what
I am aware that you have an opinion about what I am eating.
ah yeah?
I am challenging your opinion and questioning your authority to criticize me.
shut your mouth, shut your mouth, shut your mouth.
I am repeating my request for you to be quiet and stop judging me.
I know what I want and I don't like onions
I have a clear preference for my food choices and I do not enjoy eating onions.
Contributed by Bentley S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Alltoofinite
This band was one of the best examples what you can do with drums, bass, guitar and a throat
@deandupont5503
"We don't hate vegetarians, we just thing they're really funny." - From the liner notes; this follows Albini's habit of writing a description of the songs lyrics instead of the actual lyrics.
@JJONNYREPP
Rapeman - Steak and Black Onions 0923am 1.9.22 yeah those fuckin' gurus scupper everything... fuck 'em!!!! fuck meat eaters and fuck vegetarians!! they're all scum... refer to the film scum wherein the (t)om robinson lookalike eats some sausages. anyhow; i have my own opinion and it doesnt involve being communally minded - which would suggest you have no idea what yer doing...
@Telstar62a
one of my favorite things about his records. the paragraph or sentence can sum up the whole song and be just as entertaining.
@sematarymusic
this song is my favorite. great album opener for sure
@vesuvius1968
What a groove
@betty372c
レイプマン、西成のエッグプラントでライブやる予定だったんだけど、 来る直前にエッグプラントがつぶれちゃったんだよねー。 だから生で見るのが幻になっちゃったよ。
@korppionoikeus5857
@Nice Meme
"Rapeman, I was planning to do a live performance at Nishinari's eggplant,
The eggplant was crushed just before it came.
That's why it became an illusion to see it live."
-Google Translate
@rmc5607
@Korppi on Oikeus kind of weird in general, but I guess that’s just rapemans community.
@oo-ru5lt
"Rapeman's community"
Lmao never thought I would hear that