• 2000. First gig in local youthcenter Simplon (Groningen, Netherlands) in January. In February the first recordings (8 songs) are made in the Kuschelrock Studio in Bremen, and are released on Deadlock Records in December as the “Robot Wars” 10”.
• 2001. February: six songs are recorded in the Kuschelrock for a split 10” with Seein’ Red from Amersfoort. Another 3 songs for extras (the song Biela for a Spanish compilation, an Unbroken cover and another). June: 4 songs are recorded in Kuschelrock for a 7” EP to be released on Throne Records from Spain. September: Shikari joins AÇÃO DIRETA from Brasil on some dates in East-Germoney and Czech Republic. On 25 November is recorded 1 live-song (Ons Land) for the “Maximaal Onthaal” compilation CD on Royal Blood Records from Amsterdam. On 14-15 December the complete 10” (split with Seein’ Red) recording session is re-recorded because of deletion of the original tracks… 2 Songs won’t make the eventual release.
• 2002. April / May: UK Tour with Seein’ Red. Due to constant delays of the split 10” release, Seein’ Red and SHIKARI decide to make a special UK tour mini-CD. This CD contains the Shikari and Seein’red songs that were especially recorded for the (canceled) Spanish compilation. May: the planned 7” EP on Throne Records is withdrawn and will be released by Level Plane from the USA instead. August: the split 10” with Seein’red is released. November: the 7” EP is released in the USA. The European pressing will be done by Nova in 2003.
• 2003. The European release of the 7” is canceled because of bad pressing / quality. The US pressing will not be repressed. Instead, a CDEP will be released with the same songs and a videoconcert (look here for one song). March: 3 songs are recorded in the Kuschelrock for a split 7” EP with SIN DIOS on La Idea from Madrid. October: The CDEP gets officially released.
• 2004. The split 7” with Sin Dios is postponed. 2 songs will be used for a split 7” with Phoenix Bodies instead, and is released in May by Electric Human Project. 7th and 8th April recorded 6 songs for the SIN DIOS split 7” and LOUIS CYPHRE split 9”. In August the “Your Revolution Is Not Much More Than A Piece Of Paper” tape is released by Antagonia Difision / Rebirth Records in Chili. In september the “1999-2003” compilation CD is released on Level Plane Records. The songs for the SIN DIOS 7” are used for a split 7” with ACAO DIRETA from Brasil.
• 2005. The “1999-2004” tape is released in Malaysia. Shikari split up in January and the final gig took place on 7th May in the Simplon venue (where also the very first concert was done). The split 9” with Louise Cyphre from Germany came out in July.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Bas is now cooling down in a bluesband, Maurice jamming away in some garagerock and stoner projects, Mark still trying to work out a serious band and Michael going strong with Makiladoras.
• July 2006 update: Maurice is playing guitar in a new band called MARAT. Mark is singing in Grinding Halt. Makiladoras did their final gig in June so Michael is bandless for the moment.
• June 2009: shikari is back together in their original line-up to play some shows and then see what the future holds. First thing will be playing at the Cry Me a River festival in Germany.
Bas - bass (ex-Disengage, ex-One Day Closer)
Mark - vocals (ex-Office Killer, ex-Orwell Nation, Grinding Halt)
Maurice - guitar (ex-Office Killer ex-Marat, Allöchtöön)
Michael - drums (ex-Puinhoop (voc), ex-Bloedbad (voc), ex-R.O.Conspiracy (voc), ex-Catweazle, ex-Tuco Ramirez, ex-PCP, ex-Makiladoras)
Bandcamp
Source: http://www.bacteria.nl/Shikari_Frame.htm
The Kids Shouldn't Be Playing With Fire
Shikari Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you can't live up to your won set of values, why bother?
Stop trying making up excuses, it's obvious you're willing to sell yourself out,
Why even speak of politically awareness when the only policy is you
Can't start a fire as long as the consequences won't outgrow the level of giving it a serious thought, oh no, imagine!
This is your policy of me
Only suited up till here
A policy of me
Tell me, tell me
Wait, nevermind your story, I bet it will fit into your pathetic little world, you've justified it all haven't you?
Kids shouldn't be playing with what they don't know how to handle, leave your policy at home, so it's there where I can burn it down
In "The Kids Shouldn't Be Playing With Fire," Shikari highlights the corrupting influence of power and money on individuals and institutions that plagues the world we live in. The lyrics are a commentary on the hypocrisy of political leaders who claim to stand for certain values but then end up compromising them for personal gain. The line, "Integrity seems really hard to hold on to when integrity can be bought and sold" encapsulates this sentiment.
Shikari urges individuals to refrain from making up excuses for their actions and to take a hard look at themselves to see if they are willing to sell out their own values. The song also rebukes the notion that political awareness is meaningless when the only policy behind decisions is self-serving interests.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of consequences, suggesting that people are unwilling to start a fire (a metaphor for taking action) unless the risks are low. The line "A policy of me, Only valid now and here" stresses the idea that people are mainly concerned with self-interest and not the greater good.
In the final verse, Shikari calls for people to leave their "policy" (their selfish interests) at home so that it does not contaminate the public arena. The phrase "kids shouldn't be playing with what they don't know how to handle" suggests that people should not be allowed to hold positions of power unless they have a demonstrated ability to wield it responsibly.
Line by Line Meaning
Integrity seems really hard to hold on to when integrity can be bought and sold
It's tough to maintain one's values when one can be lured away from them by money and other temptations
If you can't live up to your won set of values, why bother?
What's the point of having values if you don't live up to them?
Stop trying making up excuses, it's obvious you're willing to sell yourself out,
Stop trying to justify your behavior, it's clear you're willing to compromise your principles for personal gain
Why even speak of politically awareness when the only policy is you
Why bother discussing political issues when you're only concerned with your own interests?
Can't start a fire as long as the consequences won't outgrow the level of giving it a serious thought, oh no, imagine!
Don't pursue anything that could have severe negative consequences without careful consideration
This is your policy of me
This is how you handle me
Only suited up till here
I'm only willing to conform to a certain extent
A policy of me
I'm focused on my own interests
Only valid now and here
My interests are only relevant in the present moment and this specific context
Tell me, tell me
Please explain to me
Wait, nevermind your story, I bet it will fit into your pathetic little world, you've justified it all haven't you?
Actually, I don't want to hear your explanation, I'm guessing it will just reinforce your narrow-minded worldview
Kids shouldn't be playing with what they don't know how to handle, leave your policy at home, so it's there where I can burn it down
Children shouldn't engage in activities they don't understand, and you should keep your self-serving agenda out of our shared space
Contributed by Sarah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
susheel
on Shikari
https://lyricsmania.in/index.php/2024/03/29/roots-lyrics/