Bumblefoot says that the first five KISS albums, the Manowar album Battle Hymns, and any of The Beatles' albums had the greatest impact on him when he was younger.
Bumblefoot (aka Ron Thal) is a recording artist and international touring artist from NYC with seven albums released since 1995. Fronting the band as lead singer/guitarist, the music is hard rock, bordering on quirky and experimental. Known for his unusual guitar-work, Bumblefoot has been on the covers of guitar magazines around the world. His guitar playing can be heard in the Spanish guitar soloing of Jessica Simpson's "Irresistible" dance mix, the punky guitar riff of Spike TV 's MXC theme song, in the background of MTV's The Osbournes, The Real World, and much more...
Bumblefoot works out of his studio in Princeton, NJ, where he collaborates with artists as a songwriter/producer and writes for publishing companies, video games and TV shows. Bumblefoot is a volunteer for the MS Research Foundation, a non-profit organization that donates funds directly to Multiple Sclerosis research.
On May 12th, 2006 Bumblefoot was confirmed as the new lead guitarist for hard rock band Guns N' Roses at their concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, taking over the position of Buckethead from the 2002 tour.
Ron is currently touring Europe with Gn'R.
Freak
Ron Thal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Avoid the monsta shun the nature he defies
He ain't no little boy he's an accident
Might be a medical toy - an experiment
Gone bad - has the head of an animal
On his last leg with the mind of a vegetable
He's interruptin' the game - standin' by the wall
He's limpin' through the courtyard - they drop the ball
I am the meek
Pathetic geek
For all you see - I am, I'm the freak
And when I'm weak
I'm more than you at your peak
And when I wear your face, I show you who's the freak
Ah, you better not get too close - he's a cannibal
Don't even say his name - it's unspeakable
He's got the social skill of a 1 year old
But he can tolerate pain like a cannonball
I never saw him but I hear he's a bad mutation
Some kinda offspring of a landfill creation
And if the word is true he looks like you all
He cleared the park out - he's alone with your basketball
I am the meek
Pathetic geek
For all you see - I am, I'm the freak
And when I'm weak
I'm more than you at your peak
And when I wear your face, I show you who's the freak
Zp zp dribble drool the ball - no one knows how you can
Slam it on the rim ram it like that jammin' by the wall
You contaminate the park
You quarantine the ball
You can stay until it's dark and take home the ball
I am the meek
Pathetic geek
For all you see - I am, I'm the freak
And when I'm weak
I'm more than you at your peak
And when I wear your face, I show you who's the freak
I am the meek
Pathetic geek
For all you see - I am, I'm the freak
And when I'm weak
I'm more than you at your peak
And when I wear your face, I show you who's the freak
In Ron Thal's song "Freak", the lyrics depict a mysterious and monstrous character who disrupts the normalcy of a park basketball game. The character is described as having the head of an animal, the mind of a vegetable, and interrupting the game by standing by the wall and limping through the courtyard. Even though the character is feared and avoided by others, the song's narrator, who describes himself as a meek and pathetic geek, relates to the character on a deeper level. When he is weak, he feels like more of a freak than the monstrous character, and when he wears the face of those who fear the character, he shows them who the real freak is.
The lyrics of "Freak" can be interpreted in several ways. On one hand, it could be a commentary on societal norms and how those who deviate from them are ostracized and feared. The monstrous character could represent anyone who does not fit into the mold of what is considered "normal" by society. On the other hand, the song could also be about self-acceptance and embracing one's "freak" qualities. The singer's connection to the monstrous character suggests that he sees himself as an outsider who is also rejected by society.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, look away look away or he'll blind your eyes
This monster is so horrifying to look at that it may cause permanent damage to your eyes.
Avoid the monsta shun the nature he defies
Stay far away from this monster as it defies the laws of nature and is completely unpredictable.
He ain't no little boy he's an accident
This monster is not a child, but rather the result of an unfortunate accident.
Might be a medical toy - an experiment
This monster could potentially have been created as a scientific experiment or for medical purposes.
Gone bad - has the head of an animal
Something went wrong in the creation process, resulting in this monster having the head of an animal.
On his last leg with the mind of a vegetable
This monster is on the brink of death and has the mental capacity of a severely impaired individual.
He's interruptin' the game - standin' by the wall
This monster is creating a disturbance and interrupting the flow of the game by standing idly by the wall.
He's limpin' through the courtyard - they drop the ball
The mere presence of this monster is causing those around him to become distracted and make mistakes, like dropping the ball.
I am the meek
The artist considers themselves to be humble and unassuming.
Pathetic geek
The artist feels inferior and uncool, and is possibly being bullied or ostracized.
For all you see - I am, I'm the freak
Despite trying to blend in and appear ordinary, the singer is viewed as a freak or outsider by others.
And when I'm weak
When the artist is at a disadvantage or struggling...
I'm more than you at your peak
...they believe they are still stronger or more capable than those who may be at their best.
And when I wear your face, I show you who's the freak
The singer takes on the guise of those who once ridiculed or belittled them, revealing that they are the real freaks or outliers in society.
Ah, you better not get too close - he's a cannibal
This monster may resort to cannibalism if people get too close or provoke him.
Don't even say his name - it's unspeakable
This monster is so feared and hated that even uttering their name is taboo or forbidden.
He's got the social skill of a 1 year old
This monster is completely socially inept and has the communication skills of an infant.
But he can tolerate pain like a cannonball
Despite their physical and mental limitations, this monster has a high threshold for pain and can endure a significant amount of suffering.
I never saw him but I hear he's a bad mutation
The singer has not personally witnessed the monster, but has heard rumors of their existence and their grotesque appearance.
Some kinda offspring of a landfill creation
This monster may have been born or created from the refuse and waste found in a landfill or other contaminated area.
And if the word is true he looks like you all
If the rumors are accurate, this monster may resemble typical humans or at least have some physical similarities.
He cleared the park out - he's alone with your basketball
This monster has caused such a disturbance that all the people in the park have fled, leaving him to play with a lone basketball.
Zp zp dribble drool the ball - no one knows how you can
The monster is playing with the ball in an uncoordinated and erratic manner, confusing those who may be watching.
Slam it on the rim ram it like that jammin' by the wall
Despite their lack of coordination, the monster is able to make impressive basketball moves, such as slamming the ball against the rim and jamming it by the wall.
You contaminate the park
The mere presence of the monster has tainted the environment and made it unclean or undesirable.
You quarantine the ball
The monster has essentially claimed the basketball as their own, preventing others from playing with it or coming near it.
You can stay until it's dark and take home the ball
The monster is free to stay in the park until nightfall, at which point they will take the basketball and leave.
Contributed by Violet B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.