By their own assertion, they achieved their unique sound in part by striving to get unnatural synthesizer-like sounds using only what instruments they had available (acoustic ones). To that end they routinely used muffled and de-tuned instruments, and often to striking effect, tape loops / manipulation. The two released four full length albums, one collection, various songs on compilation albums, and several self-produced demos. They were "discovered" by The Residents when Brian dropped off a tape at Ralph Records headquarters in San Francisco, during a visit to the U.S. After being signed to Ralph, they collaborated with The Residents on Title in Limbo.
By 1989, the collaboration had lost its steam, and the duo disbanded after recording a sea shanty, "Haul on the Bowline," which appeared only on a Ralph various artists release. Brian/Renaldo contributed to sporadic recordings in the 1990s. In 2006 upon the launch of the new Renaldo & the Loaf web site, the duo were reunited for the first time in the better part of two decades.
Websites:
http://www.turkeyworld.org/renaldoloaf/index.html
http://www.myspace.com/ollehollehrotcod
http://www.myspace.com/thedarkeningscale (The Loaf)
http://www.myspace.com/renaldomalpractice (Renaldo)
A Street Called Straight
Renaldo and the Loaf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the norm is the same and the same is right,
There's a rule for the dog and a rule for the cat,
And I rule with my gun with it's rat-a-tat-a-tat,
So my street gets straighter.
On a street called Straight I push the cars along,
And I knock down the people but who's to say I'm wrong?
And it drip-drips red but I guess It's only blood,
So my street get straighter.
Don't push me, don't push, don't!
On a street called Straight I'm wading thro' a flood,
And it drip-drips red but I guess It's only blood,
There's a rule for the dog and a rule for the cat,
And I rule with my gun with it's rat-a-tat-a-tat,
So my street get straighter.
On a street called Straight I push the cars along,
And I knock down the people but who's to say I'm wrong?
It's getting late so the big man come, to tie
me by the ankle and nail me by the thumb,
So my street gets straighter.
Sequestrator
push the toy car out the way
do as the sequestrator say
see the plastic soldier stand
as he takes the mock gun from my hand
the street gets straighter
The song "A Street Called Straight" by Renaldo and The Loaf is a satirical commentary on the conformity and authoritarianism of society. The lyrics describe a street where everything is ordered and controlled, and any deviation from the norm is met with violence. The singer of the song is a gun-wielding authority figure who enforces the rules and makes sure the street stays "straight." The repetition of the phrase "my street gets straighter" emphasizes the character's desire for order and control, and his willingness to use violence to achieve it.
The lyrics also suggest a critique of the religious fundamentalism and moral certainty that can sometimes accompany strict social control. The reference to "a street called Straight" evokes the biblical story of Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, where he is blinded by a bright light and forced to confront his own rigid beliefs. The red dripping flood could symbolize bloodshed and violence, but also has religious connotations as an allusion to the biblical plagues. The final verse, which includes the lines "It's getting late so the big man come, to tie me by the ankle and nail me by the thumb," suggests a punishment for the singer's actions, but also implies a larger critique of authority structures that are fueled by fear and punishment.
Line by Line Meaning
On a street called Straight they dress in black and white,
The people on this street conform to strict rules and dress code.
And the norm is the same and the same is right,
To them, being 'normal' means being right.
There's a rule for the dog and a rule for the cat,
Everything on this street must follow strict rules, including animals.
And I rule with my gun with it's rat-a-tat-a-tat,
The artist holds power over others with a gun.
So my street gets straighter.
The more they enforce their rules, the 'straighter' the street becomes.
On a street called Straight I push the cars along,
The singer takes control of any situation, even traffic.
And I knock down the people but who's to say I'm wrong?
The singer uses violence to maintain control, but believes it is justified.
On a street called Straight I'm watching thro' a flood,
The artist is unaffected by the chaos around them.
And it drip-drips red but I guess It's only blood,
The artist is desensitized to violence and death.
Don't push me, don't push, don't!
The artist warns against testing their power.
It's getting late so the big man come, to tie me by the ankle and nail me by the thumb,
The singer is eventually punished for their actions.
So my street gets straighter.
Even with the artist punished, the street continues to enforce its rules and become 'straighter.'
Sequestrator
Possibly a reference to a person or entity with power to isolate or hold captive.
push the toy car out the way
The singer is forced to comply with the rules of the 'Sequestrator.'
do as the sequestrator say
The singer has no choice but to obey.
see the plastic soldier stand
A reference to a child's toy that represents war and violence.
as he takes the mock gun from my hand
The artist's power and control are taken away.
the street gets straighter
Enforcing more rules and control, the street becomes even 'straighter.'
Contributed by Logan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.