Lead singer/guitarist Nick Blinko is notorious for his witty macabre lyrics and dark pen-and-ink artwork, prominently featured on all of Rudimentary Peni's albums. Blinko is also rumored to have written the band's Pope Adrian 37th Psychristiatric album whilst resident in a psychiatric hospital, having suffered from mental illness most of his life, as such, the subject matter of the album relates to the delusions Nick was experiencing at the time, particularly the idea that he was said Pope. Nick's subject matter has been influenced by the work of H.P. Lovecraft who he had studied after having delusions of the macabre element of life and hereafter. Bassist Grant Matthews has also written a number of songs for the band, though his lyrics primarily focus on sociopolitical themes. The band also features drummer Jon Greville.
Very few photos exist of the band, as their albums feature Blinko's drawings, but artist and record label owner Pushead published a few photos of the band in an early edition of his magazine.
The band had early connections with Crass, and released their Farce EP on Crass Records. Though they stopped performing in the 1980s after bassist Grant Matthews was diagnosed with cancer, they continue to record and release material today, though they rarely give interviews. Nick Blinko has also become increasingly popular in the Outsider Art scene, and wrote an autobiographical novel entitled "The Primal Screamer", revered amongst his fans to be a literary masterpiece.
Musicians of a variety of genres (from thrashcore to death metal to apocalyptic folk) have taken influence from the work of Rudimentary Peni. There is even an all-girl high school cover band that does all Rudimentary Peni. The legend created by Rudimentary Peni is part in thanks to their evasion of media coverage and the spread of misinformation.
A new album, No More Pain EP was released on May 5th 2008. Nick Blinko has also finished a new untitled novel, due out sometime in the near future.
The Cloud Song
Rudimentary Peni Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As I cry another tear in this struggle of Pain
Another hurdle to clear is it all the same
Is the conquest of pain my only Aim?
The Pain has got to Stop, it's eating into me,
My apathy upholds this misery,
This hatred for myself will Destroy me
Have you ever realised you must love Yourself
If you don't than can you love anybody else?
Nobody can reach you through your personal hell
You'll just eat yourself away in your tourtured shell.
In Rudimentary Peni's "The Cloud Song", the lyrics convey a sense of struggle and pain, with the singer comparing their emotional turmoil to a "black cloud". The cloud is suffocating their brain, causing them to cry tears and face hurdle after hurdle in their attempts to overcome the pain. The message of the song seems to be that the conquest of pain is the singer's only aim, and yet they find themselves struggling to make progress.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more desperate in their pleas to end the pain. They describe how their apathy upholds the misery, and how their hatred for themselves could ultimately destroy them if they don't learn to give themselves the love they need. The final verse speaks to the importance of self-love, suggesting that unless you can love yourself, you'll be unable to love anyone else. The lyrics end on a somber note, with the singer suggesting that without a way out of their personal hell, they'll just continue to suffer in silence.
Line by Line Meaning
The Black Cloud gathers smothers my Brain
My mind is consumed by a dark, oppressive force
As I cry another tear in this struggle of Pain
I am constantly in distress and agony, shedding tears as a result
Another hurdle to clear is it all the same
Life presents me with continuous obstacles and struggles that seem never-ending
Is the conquest of pain my only Aim?
I question if my sole purpose is to overcome the pain in my life
The Pain has got to Stop, it's eating into me,
My suffering is overwhelming and having a negative impact on me
My apathy upholds this misery,
My lack of caring and motivation is fueling my despair
This hatred for myself will Destroy me
My self-hatred is a destructive force in my life
If I don't to give it the love it needs
If I am not kind to myself, I will not be able to heal and move on
Have you ever realised you must love Yourself
It is important to recognize the importance of self-love
If you don't than can you love anybody else?
Without loving oneself, it is difficult to love others
Nobody can reach you through your personal hell
Our own suffering can isolate us from others
You'll just eat yourself away in your tourtured shell.
If we do not learn to love ourselves and seek help, we may become consumed by our own suffering
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nathan Bruce
The Black Cloud gathers smothers my brain
As i cry another tear in this struggle of pain
Another hurdle to clear is it all the same
Is the conquest of pain my only aim?
The pain has got to stop, it's eating into me,
My apathy upholds this misery,
this hatred for myself will destroy me
If i don't start to give it the love it needs
Have you ever realised you must love yourself
if you don't how can you love anybody else?
Nobody can reach you through your personal hell
Youll just eat yourself away in your tourtured shell.
Silent J
The Black Cloud gathers smothers my Brain
As i cry another tear in this struggle of Pain
Another hurdle to clear is it all the same
Is the conquest of pain my only Aim?
The Pain has got to Stop, it's eating into me,
My apathy upholds this misery,
this hatred for myself will Destroy me
If i don't to give it the love it needs
Have you ever realised you must love Yourself
if you don't than can you love anybody else?
Nobody can reach you through your personal hell
Youll just eat yourself away in your tourtured shell.
Nathan Bruce
The Black Cloud gathers smothers my brain
As i cry another tear in this struggle of pain
Another hurdle to clear is it all the same
Is the conquest of pain my only aim?
The pain has got to stop, it's eating into me,
My apathy upholds this misery,
this hatred for myself will destroy me
If i don't start to give it the love it needs
Have you ever realised you must love yourself
if you don't how can you love anybody else?
Nobody can reach you through your personal hell
Youll just eat yourself away in your tourtured shell.
Vic
Thanks i love you
Randy Lahey18
heavy
Hannah Lee
How could anyone dislike this? ? ?
Jmn 1987
@Miguel Rodriguez Hahaha I know it been three years but how does she seem layed back from one comment lol. I hope you have gone outside to actually talk and meet people face to face haha
kiddo 1312
@303hourglass shut the fuck up
Wayne Garrard
They're idiots!
Richard McMasky
Cuz they're way into American Idol?
Grad Prutsers
Probably old people
Hambone Jones
Highly underrated for sure. Nick Blinko has written some of the most intelligent and depply thought provoking lyrics that I can't think off the top of the head even comes close in the style of punk rock or hardcore. Black Flag or Napalm Death come close, but nothing of this caliber. This band went too far under the radar, and alot has to do with the fact that they never tour or have played very many shows, which the most proficient ways to deliver these messages.