While still a teenager, Hagerty joined Washington DC garage punk band Pussy Galore, led by Jon Spencer, and subsequently relocated to New York. During his time in Pussy Galore, Hagerty convinced his bandmates to release a cassette-only remake of the entire Rolling Stones album Exile on Main Street. While he gained underground notoriety for his work with Pussy Galore, Hagerty reportedly viewed it as a job and intended to pursue his own artistic vision with his girlfriend, Jennifer Herrema, under the name Royal Trux.
Hagerty and Herrema released their first album, Royal Trux, in 1989. Then, after moving to San Francisco, Royal Trux released the experimental double-album Twin Infinitives.
After Twin Infinitives, Royal Trux released an untitled album (sometimes referred to as the Skulls record because of its sleeve artwork). Forgoing the experimentalism of Twin Infinitives, the band instead opted for a more lo-fi approach, recording on an 8-track. This albumn was left untitled. The arguably atypical lyricism and sonic atonality of their first album was largely abandoned in favor of a more stripped, direct sound.
Following the release of their untitled album, Hagerty and Herrema hired a guitarist and drummer in order to complete their fourth full-length, Cats and Dogs. The songwriting remained highly experimental, but was more melodic[citation needed], which was revealed on tracks such as "The Flag," "The Spectre," and "Turn of the Century."
During the corporate interest in underground music that followed Nirvana's breakthrough success in 1991, Royal Trux signed a three-record contract totaling over one million dollars with the major label Virgin. They added a considerably heavier rhythm section with Dan Brown on bass guitar and Chris Pyle (son of Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle) on drums. They also added a percussionist named Rob Armstrong for a short period. In 1995, they released "Thank You," recorded almost completely live in the studio with producer David Briggs. Next came "Sweet Sixteen". While the band received mainstream media exposure during their time on Virgin (Herrema appeared in Calvin Klein print and TV ads from 1995-2000), Virgin was reportedly unhappy with "Sweet Sixteen". The band was unwilling to record a third record for the label, but was persuaded when Virgin offered to pay for all costs. Royal Trux returned back to their old label Drag City.
On Drag City, the band released Accelerator. They followed this album with Veterans of Disorder in 1999, and Pound for Pound in 2000.
Royal Trux also released the triple-LP Singles, Live, Unreleased, as well as a pair of EPs and substantial video and webwork.
Hagerty and Herrema were often credited as Adam and Eve for their production work[citation needed]. They separated as a couple and dissolved the band following the release of Pound for Pound. Since then, both have recorded albums for Drag City; Hagerty under his own name and as The Howling Hex, and Herrema under the name RTX.
Liar
Royal Trux Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You go no stop, hands are staring at me
I'm at the wrong head tricks
Once again, who want this piece of property?
I've got this taste in my mouth
Just like a burning tire
I forgot what I knew, did you?
(Don't be a liar)
When the night feels bad
With the full moon juggle
Tell me once again, how if you
Never land you never get hooked
I've got this taste in my mouth
Just like a burning tire
I forgot what I knew, did you?
Don't be a liar
(Don't be a liar)
Well, I got a taste in my mouth
Just like a burning tire
I forgot what I knew, did you?
Don't be a liar
(Don't be a liar)
When I'm outta here
Wouldn't you have now
It wouldn't have changed a thing
I still wanna love, I just wanna win
As now my body has its kicks
I've got this taste in my mouth
Just like a burning tire
I forgot what I knew, did you?
Don't be a liar
(Don't be a liar)
The lyrics to Royal Trux's song Liar are evocative, but their meaning may not be immediately clear. The lyrics describe feeling trapped and lost in the woods, with hands staring at the singer. It's not clear who or what these hands belong to, but they add to the unease and confusion of the lyrics. The next lines describe feeling the wrong kind of head tricks - another allusion to feeling disoriented or out of control. The lyrics then turn accusatory: "Once again, who want this piece of property?" The singer seems to suggest that someone else is trying to take ownership of their life, or perhaps that they themselves are trying to stake a claim on something they don't fully understand.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's sense of disorientation and the feeling of being burned or consumed by their experiences. They ask if the listener has forgotten too, and urge them not to lie about it. The second verse seems to allude to drugs, describing the feeling of getting hooked and the sense of being unable to resist a full moon's juggle. The last verse hints at a desire for love and connection, despite the confusion and disconnection described earlier in the lyrics. Overall, the song seems to be an ode to the disorienting, painful experience of grappling with one's own psyche.
Line by Line Meaning
Out of the woods you're stuck
You're feeling lost and helpless
You go no stop, hands are staring at me
You feel like you're being watched and judged constantly
I'm at the wrong head tricks
Your mind is racing and you can't focus on what's important
Once again, who want this piece of property?
You feel like you've lost control and ownership of your life
When the night feels bad
You feel overwhelmed by your negative thoughts and emotions at night
With the full moon juggle
You're struggling with your inner demons and emotions
Tell me once again, how if you
You're asking for reassurance and validation
Never land you never get hooked
You're afraid of taking risks and getting hurt
Well, I got a taste in my mouth
You're experiencing a bitter and unpleasant sensation
Just like a burning tire
This sensation is reminiscent of a foul smell or taste
I forgot what I knew, did you?
You feel like you've lost your sense of self and purpose
Don't be a liar
You're warning yourself and others against the dangers of deception
When I'm outta here
You're contemplating leaving your current situation
Wouldn't you have now
You're questioning whether things would be different if you had acted sooner
It wouldn't have changed a thing
You're realizing that the outcome may have been the same regardless of your actions
I still wanna love, I just wanna win
You're searching for a way to find fulfillment and happiness
As now my body has its kicks
You're finding temporary satisfaction in physical pleasures
I forgot what I knew, did you?
You're repeating this line as a reminder to yourself and others
Don't be a liar
You're emphasizing the importance of honesty and integrity
Lyrics © Mute Song Limited
Written by: Neil M. Hagerty, Jennifer R. Herrema
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
paul d sheppard
The whole accelerator album is amazing. More people should get into it cus every track is totally unique original and special. Pure and perfect raw art music *)
Michael Kelleher
one of my favourite tunes ever. perfection.
djzenelvis
I absolutely love Royal Trux, probably the most fuckedupband in the world.
gitsiriusmusic
seen royal trux so many times... seeing them friday in chicago, we are old now.
Gemini
Pajo was part of the live band?! BRILLIANT
Deadpool Redsuit
Looks like a British scrapyard..
'Thank You' will (probably) remain my fav Royal Trux album todate.
David Martingale
Thanks for posting! I didn't even know there was a video for this.
Sophie Hakala
perfection
neale floyd
awesome
David Laurila
One of my heros. lol