Scratch Acid's first two albums were releases by Texas indie record label Rabid Cat, the third and final release, Berserker EP by Touch and Go Records. A posthumous compilation CD entitled The Greatest Gift, was released by Touch and Go Records in 1991.
Their genre is not too easily defined, but contains elements of post punk, and harder elements from garage rock and noise rock and perhaps punk and 80s hardcore. They would fit under the very broad and general umbrella term for much of this kind of musical activity in the mid to late 80s U.S. Underground "Post Hardcore", but this term can cover a wide range of artists from that time, many quite dissimilar, but with roots in the hardcore scene and its fringes, and has since been used to include many other artists after this time. In the book 'Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Underground 1981-1991', music journalist Michael Azzerad referred to an "aesthetic cabal of sorts" (Azerrad, 255)[3] called pigfuck which included contemporaries who were ultimately friends existing in the same circles at the same time and generally, though not always, in 'Middle America', such as Big Black, Killdozer, Butthole Surfers, etc., and Scratch Acid were clearly close to this 'camp'.
After developing a reputation as a crazy, noisy punk band, Scratch Acid disbanded in 1987. According to the liner notes of The Greatest Gift, the band members never received compensation from either Rabid Cat or Fundamental Records (who distributed their releases in Europe).
Brett Bradford went on to form Sangre De Toro and play with Areola 51. Washam went on to perform with many other bands, including the Big Boys, Ministry, Helios Creed, the Didjits, Lard, and Tad. In 1987, Sims and Washam joined Steve Albini in the band Rapeman, which disbanded three years later. Sims reunited with Yow in 1989 to form The Jesus Lizard.
All of the original members of the band appeared at the Touch and Go 25th anniversary celebration taking place in Chicago, Illinois on September 8-10, 2006.
Lay Screaming
Scratch Acid Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's make her into a martyr because we split her breast
And she's disheartened, dismayed, disemboweled
The dead princess lay screaming and her cunt's ripped
The dead princess lay silent and her cunt's ripped
The dead princess lay screaming and her cunt's ripped, ripped, ripped
The blood through the cloth wet with agony brain bedlam beget and lo
She gives up the ghost almost
The dead princess lay screaming and her cunt's ripped
The dead princess lay screaming and her cunt's ripped, ripped, ripped
The blood through the cloth wet with agony brain bedlam beget and lo
She gives up the ghost almost
The dead princess lay screaming and her cunt's ripped
The dead princess lay screaming and her cunt's ripped
The dead princess lay screaming and her cunt's ripped, ripped, ripped
The lyrics of Scratch Acid's "Lay Screaming" are intense and gruesome, depicting graphic violence against a woman, who is referred to as "the dead princess." The opening line, "Burn her," suggests an act of torture or punishment. The rest of the lyrics describe the woman's brutalized body and the bloodshed resulting from the violence inflicted upon her. The repeated refrain of "The dead princess lay screaming and her cunt's ripped, ripped, ripped" is particularly disturbing and reinforces the horrific nature of the imagery.
One interpretation of the lyrics is that they are a commentary on the objectification and violence against women in society. The use of the word "martyr" suggests that the woman is being punished for something, potentially for defying societal norms or expectations. The violent language used to describe her body indicates a lack of empathy and a desire to exert power and control over her. The repetition of "the dead princess" further dehumanizes her and reinforces the idea that she is an object to be controlled rather than a human being with agency.
Despite the disturbing nature of the lyrics, the song has been praised for its sonic experimentation and energy. Scratch Acid was known for their eclectic sound and their willingness to push boundaries, and "Lay Screaming" is no exception. The chaotic guitar riffs and frenzied drumming create a sense of agitation and urgency that matches the violent imagery of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Her- Burn her,
Let's victimize and brutalize a woman and turn her into a martyr so we can feel powerful.
Let's make her into a martyr because we split her breast
Let's turn her traumatic experience into a spectacle and profit off of her suffering.
And she's disheartened, dismayed, disemboweled
She's been traumatized to the point of being physically and emotionally destroyed.
The dead princess lay screaming and her cunt's ripped
The victim is left to suffer and scream in agony after being sexually assaulted.
The dead princess lay silent and her cunt's ripped
The victim is left traumatized and unable to speak after being sexually assaulted.
The dead princess lay screaming and her cunt's ripped, ripped, ripped
The brutality and trauma inflicted upon the victim is reiterated for emphasis.
The blood through the cloth wet with agony brain bedlam beget and lo
The graphic imagery of blood and pain reveals the horror inflicted upon the victim.
She gives up the ghost almost
The victim is close to death from their trauma and suffering.
The dead princess lay screaming and her cunt's ripped
The victim continues to suffer in agony as a result of their sexual assault.
The dead princess lay screaming and her cunt's ripped
The victim's trauma is reiterated, emphasizing the lasting impact of the assault.
The dead princess lay screaming and her cunt's ripped, ripped, ripped
The repeated lines further emphasize the brutality and violence of sexual assault.
Contributed by Eli N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.