Their first break came shortly after forming when basist Chris Vinson's newly formed website company was featured on CBC's CityBeat, who's first client was the band itself. By the end of 1998 the band had an independent video on rotation at MusiquePlus(French equivalent to Canada's MuchMusic). After obtaining a government grant, the band self-produced and recorded "Alice's Wonderland", a song that helped "break" the group. Their biggest break though, came through winning Montreal's CHOM FM L'Esprit contest back in 1999. Winning the contest landed them music equipment, recording time and 500 manufactured CDs.
In 2001 Rubberman released their self-titled album, on Donald Tarlton's (a.k.a Donald K. Donald) Aquarius records and was produced by Glen Robinson (Tea Party, David Byrne, Voivod, Tori Amos). Their first single "More Than I Can Chew" remained within the top 10 on Montreal's CHOM FM Top 20 Album Countdown for 11 weeks while the video received heavy airplay on MusiquePlus.
The Band later parted ways, Jonas (http://www.jonas-music.com/) pursued a successful solo career having recorded two albums, self titled (2004) and Suite Life (2006). The only other member known to having pursued their music aspirations is Keith Pun, who now plays for a band called "Playing with Diana" (http://playingwithdiana.com/) .
The Itis
Rubberman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of sloth involved in
All of my activity
Has been lost
Only see what's going 'round
Between these four walls
Itis
Got me down
For days
Forgive
The way
I've been
Lazy's just a slower
Way to sink
Comfortable here
Lying on the brink
Bed has got the best of me
At our best
When she is lying next to me
Inside her sheets
She puts her hold on me
Itis
Reunites the reasons we were meant to be
The lyrics to Rubberman's song The Itis revolve around being consumed by laziness, indulging in slothful behavior, and the comfort that comes with it. The singer acknowledges their state of lethargy, and how it has taken over their life as they "only see what's going 'round between these four walls". The term 'Itis' is used to describe this overwhelming tiredness and exhaustion, which has made them recline into their bed and sink into their sheets. They find solace in their inactivity as it provides them with a sense of comfort and safety. The singer asks for forgiveness for their current state, citing 'The Itis' as an excuse for their behavior.
The song touches upon the relatability of the feeling of being stuck in a rut, being comfortable in stagnation, and how it can be just as addictive as other negative habits. The singer seems to be content with staying put and has embraced the Itis; at the same time, they are aware of how it is not a healthy way of living.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately this debauchery
Recently, I have been engaging in a lot of immoral or self-indulgent behavior
Of sloth involved in
Specifically, I've been indulging in lazy behavior
All of my activity
All the things I've been doing
Has been lost
Seem to have evaporated or gone away
Only see what's going 'round
The only thing I witness or pay attention to relates to what's happening within these four walls
Between these four walls
In my immediate surroundings, which mostly consist of four walls that define the space
Itis
A term used to describe a feeling of sleepiness or lethargy as a result of overeating
Got me down
Is responsible for my current state of sadness, lack of motivation, or general malaise
Without a sound
In an unobtrusive or subdued manner
For days
This state of being has persisted for an extended period of time
Forgive
Please excuse or pardon my state of listlessness or inaction
The way
The manner or behavior I've exhibited in recent times
I've been
Has been the result of my own choices and actions
Lazy's just a slower
Being lazy is similar to gradually sinking or falling down
Way to sink
Is a more comfortable or natural way to end up in a depressed or melancholy state
Comfortable here
I feel at ease or content in my current position or state
Lying on the brink
Living on the edge of a decision or outcome that could be either positive or negative
Bed has got the best of me
My bed, as an item of comfort and safety, has been responsible for bringing me down or holding me back
At our best
In the most ideal or perfect of circumstances
When she is lying next to me
When my significant other or partner is a part of my life
Inside her sheets
In the bed we share and sleep on together
She puts her hold on me
She has control or a strong influence over me
Itis
The sensation of lethargy or sluggishness caused by consuming large amounts of food
Reunites the reasons we were meant to be
Brings back feelings of love or a sense of destiny that were present when we first became a couple
Contributed by Leo C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.