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.
Unlike a Baptist
Scratch Acid Lyrics
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Him in his throat
Don't mind if you steal all his money
Don't mind if you gouge his eye
He doesn't care about the way he's treated
Don't mind if you rape his woman
His pride is a thing of the past
His only wish is not to starve to death
Twitch is flaking apart piece by piece
All pearly whites crumble from his gum
They're rotted through and stink of rum
The lyrics to Scratch Acid's song "Unlike a Baptist" depict a character named Twitch who is portrayed as someone who is completely apathetic and indifferent towards the mistreatment and abuse inflicted upon him. The lyrics suggest that Twitch is so beaten down and broken that he doesn't mind being kicked in the throat or having his money stolen. They further illustrate his despair by mentioning that he doesn't even care if his eye is gouged or if his woman is raped. Twitch's pride is described as a thing of the past, emphasizing his extreme vulnerability and hopelessness. Despite all this, his only wish is to avoid starving to death.
The song portrays Twitch as someone who is physically deteriorating, both mentally and emotionally. The line "Twitch is flaking apart piece by piece" suggests that he is falling apart, losing his sense of self and identity. The imagery of his rotting teeth that crumble from his gums, smelling of rum, adds to the picture of his overall decay. These lyrics serve to emphasize the depth of Twitch's despair and his complete resignation to his dire circumstances.
Overall, "Unlike a Baptist" provides a dark and bleak portrayal of a character who has reached the nadir of their existence, where they are desensitized to pain and suffering, and their only remaining wish is to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Twitch don't mind if you kick
Twitch doesn't react or get upset if you physically harm him
Him in his throat
Specifically targeting his throat while kicking him
Don't mind if you steal all his money
Twitch is unaffected if you take away all his money
Don't mind if you gouge his eye
Even if you physically injure his eye, Twitch remains indifferent
He doesn't care about the way he's treated
Twitch has reached a state where he doesn't concern himself with how others treat him
Don't mind if you rape his woman
Twitch shows no emotional response even if you sexually assault his partner
His pride is a thing of the past
Twitch has lost all sense of pride or self-worth
So weak he can hardly muster a breath
Twitch is physically weak, struggling to breathe
His only wish is not to starve to death
Twitch's sole desire is to avoid dying from starvation
Twitch is flaking apart piece by piece
Twitch's physical and mental condition is deteriorating gradually
All pearly whites crumble from his gum
His teeth, once healthy and white, are decaying and falling out
They're rotted through and stink of rum
His teeth are so decayed that they emit a foul odor, possibly due to heavy alcohol consumption
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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