The band's first lineup was Craig Wedren (vocals and guitar), Chris Matthews (guitar), Stuart Hill (bass) and Mike Russell (drums). In this incarnation, the band released two singles and one album (Curse, Spells, Voodoo, Mooses, 1989) before being signed by the Dischord label. Three albums were then released (Ten-Spot, 1990, Funeral at the Movies, 1991, and Get Your Goat, 1992), before the band gained greater exposure by touring with Fugazi and the Smashing Pumpkins.
Nathan Larson (guitars) and drummer Adam Wade replaced Matthews and Russell in 1994, immediately prior to a major-label contract with Epic with whom Pony Express Record was released in 1994. The album's angular, mathematical post-modernism earned it an intense cult-like following, marking the record as one of the most original punk albums to ever be released on a major label.
Over the next few years, Wedren successfully battled Hodgkin's Disease, Larson recorded an album with side project band Mind Science of the Mind and Wade left the group. His replacement was Kevin March, formerly drummer with Dambuilders.
Another album, 50,000 B.C. was released in 1997. The band also worked on music for soundtracks including First Love, Last Rites and High Art.
1998, the same year in which the band appeared on several tracks for the film Velvet Goldmine, saw Larson's departure and the subsequent demise of the group, which split that year. Wedren pursued a solo career, including an appearance on the Down to You soundtrack with Didn't Mean to Do You Harm, and contributed backing vocals to Verve Pipe's 1999 eponymous album.
Both Larson and Wedren have gone on to create highly-regarded film-music. Wedren also makes solo music, and has recently released his debut album, "Lapland", in 2005. Larson has formed a new band called Hot One.
Speak
Shudder To Think Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Speak in turn, make time for me.
I put a dime into a well to wish for diamonds.
When I fell I saw you laughing down.
"She breaks real diamonds with her teeth," he said.
And I, in disbelief, gave her some glass instead.
Before kids came kid-dinosaurs who shopped in diamond candy stores.
Their mothers went berserk.
The lyrics to Shudder To Think's song "Speak in Turn" do not have a clear, coherent meaning on the surface. However, the song has possible symbolic interpretations. The song may be a representation of a character's struggle with communication, as the lyrics urge for someone to "Speak in turn" and "make time for me." The image of wishing for diamonds and seeing someone laugh while falling present a feeling of disappointment and possibly betrayal.
The line "She breaks real diamonds with her teeth" may be interpreted in various ways, but it can be seen as representing someone with power and control. The singer's reaction of giving "her some glass instead" shows the lack of respect towards someone who they could not live up to or felt inferior to. The mention of "kid-dinosaurs" who shop in diamond candy stores and their berserk mothers, may be symbolic of how society and culture dictate a standard of living that is impossible for people to attain, resulting in disillusionment and frustration.
Overall, the song's lyrics are cryptic and multi-layered, and may be interpreted differently by different listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Speak in turn, make time for me.
Communicate with me in an orderly manner and take the time to do so.
Speak in turn, make time for me.
Repeat the same request as before, emphasizing the need for clear communication.
I put a dime into a well to wish for diamonds.
I made a wish for something valuable but ultimately fruitless.
When I fell I saw you laughing down.
I fell and saw that you were amused by my misfortune.
"She breaks real diamonds with her teeth," he said.
He made a hyperbolic statement about a woman's strength or destructive power.
And I, in disbelief, gave her some glass instead.
I failed to recognize the truth and gave her something inferior or fake.
Before kids came kid-dinosaurs who shopped in diamond candy stores.
Before modern childhood, there were imaginary creatures with extravagant tastes and desires.
Their mothers went berserk.
The adults were driven to madness or fury by their children's fantasies.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GEOFF TATE, GEOFFERY TATE, MICHAEL WILTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind