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.
Mess
Scratch Acid Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I confess in my house
And it's getting worse and I'm
Getting scared of my house
I'm having a lot of trouble
With this whole thing a lot of trouble
With cat shit, yellow food, and bread mold
Bread mold
I have a mess in my house
Ungodly mess in my house
I couldn't be bothered - everywhere
I look a fuckin' mess
Bugs on the blue fish, piss on the speaker
I feel blue and things is lookin' bleaker
Bleaker it stinks in my house - it stinks
It stinks in my house - it stinks
The air is stale and foul in there
Blood and juice and pubic hair
The lyrics to Scratch Acid's song "Mess" depict the singer's state of disarray and chaos within their home. The opening lines express an admission of the mess and the increasing fear that comes along with it. The repetition of "I have a mess in my house" emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the situation. The singer then goes on to describe specific elements of the mess, mentioning cat feces, decaying food, and bread mold. These details paint a vivid image of neglect and deterioration.
In the second verse, the lyrics suggest a lack of concern or motivation on the singer's part to address the mess. The phrase "I couldn't be bothered" implies a sense of apathy or perhaps a feeling of being overwhelmed. The additional imagery of bugs on the blue fish and urine on the singer further reinforces the unsanitary and chaotic nature of the environment. The lyrics also express a deep sense of despair, with the singer feeling blue and everything appearing bleaker.
Overall, "Mess" by Scratch Acid explores themes of neglect, decay, and the overwhelming feeling of being trapped in a chaotic and dirty environment. The lyrics offer a raw and gritty depiction of a situation that is not only physically messy but also emotionally draining.
Line by Line Meaning
I have a mess in my house
There is a chaotic and disorganized state in my living space
I confess in my house
I admit to the existence of the mess in my house
And it's getting worse and I'm
Getting scared of my house
The mess is progressively worsening, and I am becoming fearful of the situation within my house
I'm having a lot of trouble
With this whole thing a lot of trouble
I am experiencing significant difficulties in dealing with this entire situation
With cat shit, yellow food, and bread mold
Bread mold
The mess specifically consists of cat feces, spoiled food, and the growth of mold on bread
Ungodly mess in my house
The mess in my house is of an extreme and unruly nature
I couldn't be bothered - everywhere
I look a fuckin' mess
I am becoming indifferent and apathetic towards the mess that is present everywhere I look
Bugs on the blue fish, piss on the speaker
Insects are found on the decayed blue fish, while there is urine on the artist
I feel blue and things is lookin' bleaker
I am feeling sad and hopeless as the situation appears to be worsening
Bleaker it stinks in my house - it stinks
It stinks in my house - it stinks
The smell in my house is becoming increasingly foul and unpleasant
The air is stale and foul in there
Blood and juice and pubic hair
The atmosphere inside the house is stagnant and filled with unpleasant odors, including the presence of blood, liquid remnants, and pubic hair
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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