The band first came into existence in December 1984 when former Fathead Suburbia vocalist Paul Bearer answered an ad in the Village Voice for a hardcore punk singer. Filling out the original lineup was guitarist Alan Blake, bassist Baron "Barry" Misuraca, and drummer Sam "Reid" Lohman. The band was featured on the 1985 "One Big Crowd" compilation, and released two cassette demos, "No Grounds For Pity" and "Fall From Grace". Soon after the band broke up due to personality conflicts. Afterwards, Bearer would spend some time in southern California before returning to New York, where he reformed Sheer Terror with Blake, adding Mark Neuman on bass and Jason Martin on drums.
The band soon after began a longtime association with Blackout Records, who released some of their songs on the label's compilation "Where the Wild Things Are", in 1989, along with a 7 inch Live At CBGB release. The following year, the band recorded their debut full length "Just Can't Hate Enough". The record was engineered by Tommy Victor of Prong. As Victor also worked at CBGB, he was able to allow the band to record live at the famous bar in the morning and afternoon hours before shows were held. The record was released in Germany on Starving Missile Records, and later released stateside under the Blackout name. "Just Can't Hate Enough" quickly became one of the records that defined the new, heavier sound of hardcore that was emerging at the time, played by bands such as Biohazard and Killing Time, among others. The guitar tone and riffs, in particular, display a large heavy metal influence, especially from Swiss speed metallers Celtic Frost, who were allegedly one of Alan Blake's favorite bands. The band also became known for Bearer's no-nonsense stage personality, with some finding him offensive, and others enjoying his often blunt and obscenity filled humor.
Neuman took the opportunity to switch to guitar, and Mike "Chickie" Walter, a former member of the crossover band Ludichrist, took over on bass duties, only to be replaced a year later by Keith "Zippy" McAdam. With the lineup of Bearer, Neuman, McAdam, and Martin, the band cut a new record in 1991 that was titled "Ugly And Proud", and whose planned cover featured a bulldog belonging to Josh Silver of Type O Negative. Seeing the success of Biohazard's eponymous 1990 release, the band planned to release the LP under Maze Records. However, due to the amount of money and time spent on the Biohazard release, Maze was not in the position to release "Ugly And Proud". The record was shelved by the label, much to the dismay of the band who could not convince the company to allow them to take the masters elsewhere.
In this time, the band experienced more member turnover, including the return of Chickie to bass duties, and an extended stint with a former glam metal drummer named Dave Todd. Paul Bearer recounts in the liner notes of a later release about his disbelief that Dave, while the band was in Europe, asked him who "Anarchy" was, thinking the circle-A logo he saw spray painted on walls belonged to a band. The tension of having someone in the band who did not understand punk rock ultimately led to finding a new drummer in Pat Cronin.
To make up for the lack of an album, Sheer Terror re-recorded many of the songs from "Ugly And Proud", releasing the result on Blackout as "Thanks Fer Nuthin", a jab at the owner of Maze Records. According to Bearer, he originally wanted to call the record "Canadian Scumbag". However, upon hearing of the band's new album, Maze Records quickly, and finally, released "Ugly And Proud", leading to the band having two records on the market with mostly identical songs.
Some tours later, the "Old, New, Borrowed, And Blue" EP was released. Following the theme of the title, the tracklist included an old song, "Walls", a new song, "Broken", a cover ("borrowed") song, "Everything's Fine" by The Saints, and a slow ballad ("blue"), "Goodbye, Farewell". The cover depicted an old photograph of Bearer's parents' wedding. Both Bearer and Mark Neuman have commented that due to Josh Silver's production of the EP, it remains their favorite Sheer Terror release. The band even cut the only music video of their career for "Broken", which featured a live action depiction of the song's subject, a despondent, alcoholic circus clown.
This, among other things, led to interest from MCA, who signed the band for the recording of 1995's "Love Songs for the Unloved". Produced by Tommy Victor, the record reflected a changing band, with slower songs and more clean, operatic singing from Bearer, rather than his usual growls. The upbeat track "For Rudy The Kraut" even featured an almost ska-sounding horn section. Neuman was also not particularly satisfied with the overall sound of his guitar tracks. The record did not receive the expected attention from fans, and Sheer Terror was soon dropped from MCA, who Bearer later sarcastically referred to as "the Music Cemetery of America".
In the following years, Bearer's self admittedly "pig-headed" personality clashed with the other members of the band, leading to Cronin and Neuman's exit. Sheer Terror managed to press on with a lineup that included former Whiplash drummer Tony Scaglione, and future Cause for Alarm guitarist Jay Banks. This lineup lasted through a U.S. tour with Napalm Death. Shortly after, the band broke up, only to be revived in 1997 featuring Ex-Mind over Matter/Neglect drummer John Lafata, and current Kill Your Idols guitarist Gary Bennett. John Lafata then went on to tour and record with Madball, and Tony Scaglione was brought in once again. But eventually, Sheer Terror ended their 13 year career in 1998, immediately following a mildly successful European tour. Most members did not speak to each other for many years following the break-up.
In mid-2004 it was announced that the lineup of Bearer, Neuman, Chickie, and Cronin were again rehearsing and planned on playing a show to serve both as a reunion and as the final farewell the band was never able to give. The reaction from fans led to the booking of another show the following night, and on October 9 and 10, the band played two sold out shows at CBGB, alongside opening bands such as Inhuman and Subzero. Footage from both nights, as well as an extensive documentary, was released as the "Beaten By The Fists Of God" DVD in 2005. Many high-profile members of the punk rock and hardcore community were featured praising the band in the documentary, including members of Dropkick Murphys, Life of Agony, North Side Kings, and Blood For Blood. Many former members were interviewed as well.
Despite offers for more shows, the band insists Sheer Terror is done. Bearer currently sings for the New York band Joe Coffee. Fans can also get a taste of his often brutish sense of humor through a bootleg record entitled "No Really, Go Fuck Yourself", credited to "Reverend Paul Bearer". The record is a compilation of numerous bits of bootlegged stage banter from Bearer during his years with Sheer Terror, and features rants about bizarre French culture and his being labeled a "Nazi" for making jokes about the venue's Mexican kitchen staff.
Walls
Sheer Terror Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was all a lark- another sad old joke.
I should've known- it's happened before.
Those days of yore have taught me nothing.
Leading myself around like a little boy lost in the city of lights.
From teacher to student, Helena to Prudence.
Nights crying to my cat.
Lie on my bed of thorns, rest my head on a rock
Maybe raise my empty glass to propose a toast.
Ha- the spirits gone.
Don't look back and I won't look ahead.
I've always favored the things I dread.
Glutton for punishment- that's my line.
We all have our crosses to bear.
I've tried- I've cried- don't bother me.
I've strived- I've lied- I don't want to see.
I've cheapened- I've weakened- my tanks are low.
Every failure of my life exposed.
The lyrics of Sheer Terror's "Walls" describe a person who has gone through relationships and experiences that have all led to disappointment and sadness. The opening lyrics speak of taking walks in the park and kissing in the dark, only to realize that it was all just another sad old joke. The singer reflects on how they should have known better, as they have been through similar situations before. The singer describes themselves as a little boy lost in the city of lights, indicating their vulnerability and lack of direction.
The lyrics then mention two names, Helena and Prudence, which could be the names of previous partners or references to historical figures such as Helena of Troy and Prudence Crandall. The singer has spent many nights crying to their cat and feeling like they are lying on a bed of thorns. The imagery of watching the walls turn black and raising an empty glass to propose a toast add to the depressing tone of the song. The singer's spirit is broken and they do not want to look back or ahead.
The final lines of the song express self-loathing and regret. The singer sees themselves as a glutton for punishment and acknowledges that everyone has their own struggles to bear. They have attempted to succeed and have cried over their failures, but ultimately feel like they have cheapened themselves and weakened their resolve. The song overall is a bleak depiction of a person who feels trapped by their own mistakes and past experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Walks in the park, kissing in the dark.
Recollecting a time when everything felt perfect and easy.
It was all a lark- another sad old joke.
Realizing that their past relationship was nothing but a figment of their imagination.
I should've known- it's happened before.
Regretting not having learned from a similar situation in the past.
Those days of yore have taught me nothing.
Expressing frustration over not having gained any personal growth from past experiences.
Leading myself around like a little boy lost in the city of lights.
Feeling lost and directionless in life.
From teacher to student, Helena to Prudence.
Referencing the dynamic of a teacher passing on their knowledge and skill to their students.
Nights crying to my cat.
Feeling isolated and turning to a pet for comfort in times of sadness.
Lie on my bed of thorns, rest my head on a rock
Experiencing physical and emotional pain, and feeling as though there is no escape from it.
And watch my walls turn black.
Feeling as though their emotional walls are closing in and their situation is getting worse.
Maybe raise my empty glass to propose a toast.
Jokingly acknowledging that their current situation is not ideal.
Ha- the spirits gone.
Laughing at their own life's misfortune.
Don't look back and I won't look ahead.
Resigning oneself to not thinking too much about the past or the future.
I've always favored the things I dread.
Taking comfort in the familiar, even if it is unpleasant.
Glutton for punishment- that's my line.
Admitting to a tendency to seek out pain and difficulty.
We all have our crosses to bear.
Recognizing that everyone experiences difficulties in life.
I've tried- I've cried- don't bother me.
Giving up on trying to change the situation and being emotionally exhausted.
I've strived- I've lied- I don't want to see.
Acknowledging that they have tried to improve the situation but have ultimately failed and refuse to face the reality of it.
I've cheapened- I've weakened- my tanks are low.
Feeling as though they have lost their self-respect and strength.
Every failure of my life exposed.
Feeling as though their failures are on full display for the world to see.
Contributed by Lauren J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Munko
Love this song
gwitt12
By far ,one of my favorite NYHC bands. Great live show for sure. Paul keeps it interesting
tom quirin
thank you for the upload, great song + band , paul is the godfather of oldschool n.y.h.c. indeed 1000% love it , keep em coming , thanks > tom !
raybeez55
great record
igman 03
Walks in the park, kissing in the dark.
It was all a lark- another sad old joke.
I should've known- it's happened before.
Those days of yore have taught me nothing.
Leading myself around like a little boy lost in the city of lights.
From teacher to student, Helena to Prudence.
Nights crying to my cat.
Lie on my bed of thorns, rest my head on a rock
And watch my walls turn black.
Maybe raise my empty glass to propose a toast.
Ha- the spirits gone.
Don't look back and I won't look ahead.
I've always favored the things I dread.
Glutton for punishment- that's my line.
We all have our crosses to bear.
I've tried- I've cried- don't bother me.
I've strived- I've lied- I don't want to see.
I've cheapened- I've weakened- my tanks are low.
Every failure of my life exposed.
Sandra Vazquez
my music