Formed by songwriter/guitarist Al Barile (then a machinist at the General Electric plant in Lynn, Massachusetts and a student at Northeastern University), SSD started performing at smaller venues throughout the greater Boston metropolitan area in the summer of 1981. The band quickly gained notoriety within the local music scene for intense performances charged and for the provocative antics of its core group of followers, the Boston Crew.
The original lineup was Al Barile on guitar, Springa (David Spring) on vocals, Jaime Sciarappa on bass and Chris Foley on drums. They released their debut EP The Kids Will Have Their Say on their own X-Claim label in 1982. Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat was a friend and supporter and his Dischord label's logo appeared on the back cover.
In 1983 they added second guitarist Francois Levesque and released Get it Away. This EP is widely regarded to be their best record. The X-Claim pressings of it and The Kids Will Have Their Say are both highly collectable.
Like many hardcore bands - particularly those in the Boston area - SSD, as they were now officially called, were heading in a heavy metal direction. In 1984 they signed to the Boston label Modern Method and released the How We Rock EP which was rooted in the hardcore sound but exhibited overt heavy metal characteristics, such as a relatively high number of lengthy guitar solos. After signing to Homestead they released the Break it Up LP in 1985. Their first (and only) full length LP, it had both feet planted in the metal genre, leaving behind all trappings of punk and hardcore.
SSD broke up in 1985.
Jaime Sciarappa went on to play bass with the Boston hardcore band Slapshot for a short time.
After the breakup Springa went on to front the short lived band Razorcaine and the comedy rock projects Die Blitzkinder (with The Slaves) and Springa as Tom Jones. His flamboyant persona and lounge lizard lifestyle during this time stood in marked contrast to the straight edge rhetoric of SS Decontrol. In the early 1990s he would move to Chicago to pursue comedy further with The Second City.
In 1991 Al Barile compiled Power for Taang! records. It spans SSD's entire career and is the only official release in print today. In the early 1990s he took up the bass guitar and he and Levesque formed the hardcore band Gage.
How Much Art
SSD Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kesshite kaeru koto wa dekinai
Jikan no tsukaikata takumi na hito to heta na hito
Hitoshiku shimekiri wa otozureru
IBENTO ni awaseta insatsujo no nouki
Ma ni awasenakerya "Shinkan ochimashita"
Shinkan tanoshimi ni kita ippan sankasha ga
Shinchoku dou desuka! Sono deki de manzoku desuka?
Shinchoku dou desuka! Asobi ni utsutsu wo nukashimasuka?
Shinchoku dou desuka! Ariawase wo tsumemasuka?
Mou akiramemasuka? Ratatata ratatarata
IBENTO chokuzen no insatsujo wa oo-isogashi
Rintenki wa yasumi wo shiranai
Chimitsu ni kumitateta seihon no kouteihyou wo
Nirami takumi no me wa kibishii
Kyou wa daiji na manamusume no tanjoubi
Hisabisa ni teiji de kaerou kana
Ippon no denwa ga jimusho ni narihibiku
"Ato ichinichi nouki nobashite onegaishimasu"
Shinchoku dou desuka! Sono mama de dakyou desuka?
Shinchoku dou desuka! Kibun tenka bakari desuka?
Shinchoku dou desuka! Itsumade amaeru'n desuka?
Mou akiramemashou yo? Ratatata ratatarata
Hayaku hayaku minna ga matteru hayaku
Hayaku hayaku sagyou ni modotte hayaku
Hayaku hayaku suimin kezutte hayaku
Hayaku hayaku sassato susumete hayaku hayaku hayaku saa!
Shinchoku dou desuka? Karada kowasu hodo desuka?
Shinchoku dou desuka? Muri shite tsukutte tanoshii desuka?
Shinchoku dou desuka? Hontou ni yaritai desuka?
Mou chotto taemasuka? Ratatata ratatara
Shinchoku dou desuka! Gamushara ni ganbarimasuka!
Shinchoku dou desuka! Sono saki no yume tsukamimasuka!
Shinchoku dou desuka! Joudeki ni shiagemasuka!
Mou chotto susumimasuka! Ratatata ratatarata
Kurou shite umidashita jibun no sekai itoshikute
Tsurai koto wa subete wasureta
Sono saki ni matsu mono sore wa mada wakaranai kedo
Kyou mo jikan wa tada nagareru
The lyrics to SSD's song How Much Art discuss the concept of time and how individuals approach and utilize it. The lyrics begin by describing how time progresses in an equal manner for everyone, regardless of who they are. It emphasizes that once time has passed, it cannot be changed. The song then delves into the idea that some individuals are skilled in how they use their time while others are not. The line "Jikan no tsukaikata takumi na hito to heta na hito" translates to "People who are skilled in the use of time and people who are not."
The lyrics further discuss the pressure people feel when it comes to time management, specifically in the context of work. The line "IBENTO chokuzen no insatsujo wa oo-isogashi" translates to "The printing machine before the event is very busy." This implies that there are deadlines looming, and individuals must work quickly and efficiently to meet them. The song also touches on the stress that comes with important occasions, such as a loved one's birthday. The line "Kyou wa daiji na manamusume no tanjoubi" translates to "Today is my beloved daughter's birthday."
The song ultimately ends with a contemplative note, acknowledging that time passes without discrimination or bias. The lyric "Kurou shite umidashita jibun no sekai itoshikute, tsurai koto wa subete wasureta" translates to "The world I struggled to create is dear to me. I've forgotten all of the painful things." This line suggests that while time can be unforgiving, there is still value in how individuals make the most of it.
Line by Line Meaning
Jikan no susumikata sore wa dareshi mo byoudou de
The way time passes is equal for everyone
Kesshite kaeru koto wa dekinai
It is impossible to turn back time
Jikan no tsukaikata takumi na hito to heta na hito
There are skilled and unskilled people in time management
Hitoshiku shimekiri wa otozureru
The deadline comes for everyone
IBENTO ni awaseta insatsujo no nouki
The printing deadline was coordinated for the event
Ma ni awasenakerya "Shinkan ochimashita"
If it is not met in time, it would be announced as canceled
Shinkan tanoshimi ni kita ippan sankasha ga
The general participants who came for the excitement of the event
Sugoku zannensou na kao shite tachisaru yo
Are standing there with disappointed faces
Shinchoku dou desuka! Sono deki de manzoku desuka?
How's the progress? Are you satisfied with the result?
Shinchoku dou desuka! Asobi ni utsutsu wo nukashimasuka?
Are you neglecting reality for the sake of fun?
Shinchoku dou desuka! Ariawase wo tsumemasuka?
Are you keeping track of the accumulated tasks?
Mou akiramemasuka? Ratatata ratatarata
Are you giving up already? Let's keep going
IBENTO chokuzen no insatsujo wa oo-isogashi
The printing before the event is very busy
Rintenki wa yasumi wo shiranai
The printer never takes a break
Chimitsu ni kumitateta seihon no kouteihyou wo
The technical specifications of the well-crafted products
Nirami takumi no me wa kibishii
The critical eyes of the master craftsmen are harsh
Kyou wa daiji na manamusume no tanjoubi
Today is the important birthday of a cherished daughter
Hisabisa ni teiji de kaerou kana
Should we hurry back home after finishing work?
Ippon no denwa ga jimusho ni narihibiku
The phone is ringing at the office
"Ato ichinichi nouki nobashite onegaishimasu"
"Can we extend the deadline by another day, please?"
Hayaku hayaku minna ga matteru hayaku
Everyone is waiting, let's hurry
Hayaku hayaku sagyou ni modotte hayaku
Let's quickly get back to work
Hayaku hayaku suimin kezutte hayaku
Let's cut down on sleep and hurry
Hayaku hayaku sassato susumete hayaku hayaku hayaku saa!
Let's hurry up and proceed quickly
Shinchoku dou desuka? Karada kowasu hodo desuka?
How's the progress? Is it causing physical damage?
Shinchoku dou desuka? Muri shite tsukutte tanoshii desuka?
How's the progress? Are you pushing too hard for the fun of it?
Shinchoku dou desuka? Hontou ni yaritai desuka?
How's the progress? Do you really want to do it?
Mou chotto taemasuka? Ratatata ratatara
Can you handle a bit more? Let's keep going
Shinchoku dou desuka! Gamushara ni ganbarimasuka!
How's the progress? Are you giving it all you've got?
Shinchoku dou desuka! Sono saki no yume tsukamimasuka!
How's the progress? Can you achieve your dream after this?
Shinchoku dou desuka! Joudeki ni shiagemasuka!
How's the progress? Will you get a promotion?
Mou chotto susumimasuka! Ratatata ratatarata
Can we move forward a bit more? Let's keep going
Kurou shite umidashita jibun no sekai itoshikute
My world that I started with hardship is precious
Tsurai koto wa subete wasureta
I have forgotten all the painful moments
Sono saki ni matsu mono sore wa mada wakaranai kedo
I don't know what is waiting for me next
Kyou mo jikan wa tada nagareru
Today, time just flows by
Contributed by Charlie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@johndemonico6250
Makes me feel 30 years and 200 pounds lighter!!!!
@Luis-er4fg
Lol, same here!!
@mixedhairless
Epic
@JMarinelli
Artfully done.
@snuffcore9686
Best wishes to AL.
@Jonnyced1127
This is the clearest that I have ever heard this sound.Such a good remaster
@1afterthep
wondered if it was worth buying the 30€ vinyl
@lawsondesrochers8765
Wow, super clean, and a great vid, too.
@BillyLydon
HeLL YeaH!!! That was AWESOME!!! ❤
@elmerbescos6314
Best hc band ever