Sister Machine Gun founder Chris Randall and guitarist Miguel Turanzas are, without a doubt, one of music's hardest working duos. In addition to recording, producing, and touring, they also run their own record label, Positron! Records. Not simply a vehicle for SMG, the label has unleashed 17 releases including albums from Van Christie (Die Warzau), Matt Walker (Filter/Smashing Pumpkins/Cupcakes) and Mike Fisher (Machines of Loving Grace).
SMG's extensive catalog explores just about every genre of modern music, from electro-funk dance to Hendrix-flavored industrial strength rock. Their seventh release, Influence, is an elektro-industrial tour-de-force that recalls the industrial sound of the late eighties and early nineties. Heavy beats, distorted guitars and pounding synth lines drag your favorite sounds kicking and screaming into the future.
Sister Machine Gun's catalog of critically acclaimed albums includes four on the pioneering Wax Trax! label: Sins Of The Flesh (1992), The Torture Technique (1994), Burn (1995), and Metropolis (1997); plus three on their own Positron! Records: [R]evolution (1999) sistermachinegun: 6.0 (2001) and Influence (2003). The liner notes of these albums read like a veritable Who's Who of modern music, and include Reeves Gabrels (David Bowie/Tin Machine), Sascha & En Esch (KMFDM), Charles Levi (Thrill Kill Kult/Pigface), Gino Lenardo (Filter), Scott Churilla (The Rev. Horton Heat), Matt Walker (Filter/Smashing Pumpkins/Cupcakes), and Jim Marcus & Van Christie (Die Warzau).
With fans that treat the band as a religion, and an online presence second to none, Sister Machine Gun are Chicago's Ambassadors of Industrial.
Carbon Copy
Sister Machine Gun Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I haven't had much to do
It's nothing to worry about
Just a borderline case of manic depression
I follow the same old line that I always have
It don't work anymore
I realize that the jokes on me but I don't know why
Could you turn those lights down
I know that I am just a carbon copy man
And there isn't anything I understand
I know that I am just a carbon copy man
And I'm doing everything I think I can
Everybody is out to get me
I can tell by the way they look at me
Just a glance from the back of the eye
Going straight to the middle of what I'm feeling
Did I mention the only time I'm by myself
Is when I'm not alone now
Realizing that I've been had but I don't know how
Could you bring me another one
I know that I am just a carbon copy man
And there isn't anything I understand
I know that I am just a carbon copy man
And I'm doing everything I think I can
I believe in the benefit of doubt
Well I think but I'm not so sure anymore
Never had to protect myself
From the sticks and the stones
And the slings and the arrows
Did I mention the only time I feel safe
Is when you're not with me
Realizing that I just do not care anymore
Could you turn that noise down
The song "Carbon Copy" by Sister Machine Gun is a commentary on the feelings of a person who is struggling with mental illness and feels like they are not in control of their own life. The singer of the song is "sick of all this fooling around" and feels like they "haven't had much to do". They are experiencing "borderline case of manic depression" and are "following the same old line" but it's not working anymore. The character is aware of their situation and says, "I realize that the jokes on me but I don't know why." This line is a poignant observation on the helplessness that often accompanies mental illness.
The chorus of the song, "I know that I am just a carbon copy man, and there isn't anything I understand" reflects the singer's sense of futility and despair. The character feels like they are just going through the motions of life, and there is no real point to anything they are doing. This feeling is compounded by the sense that "everybody is out to get me," which speaks to the paranoia and anxiety that often accompany mental illness. The character is crying out for help, asking someone to "bring me another one" and "turn that noise down."
Overall, the song is a powerful and unflinching portrayal of the experience of living with mental illness. It captures the sense of isolation, hopelessness, and despair that can be all-consuming for those who are struggling with mental health issues.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sick of all this fooling around
I'm fed up with all the nonsense and games
And I haven't had much to do
I am bored and have not been occupied
It's nothing to worry about
There's no reason to fret or stress
Just a borderline case of manic depression
I am experiencing mild symptoms of depression
I follow the same old line that I always have
I am sticking to my usual routine and strategies
It don't work anymore
My usual methods and tactics are no longer effective
I realize that the jokes on me but I don't know why
I understand that I have been fooled but can't comprehend why
Could you turn those lights down
Please reduce the brightness of the lights
I know that I am just a carbon copy man
I acknowledge that I am not unique, just copying others
And there isn't anything I understand
I don't grasp anything in particular
And I'm doing everything I think I can
I am putting forth my best efforts and ideas
Everybody is out to get me
I sense that everyone is trying to harm me
I can tell by the way they look at me
I can sense their negative intentions through their gaze
Just a glance from the back of the eye
A quick look that reveals their true motives
Going straight to the middle of what I'm feeling
Reaching the center of my emotions through their actions
Did I mention the only time I'm by myself
Have I told you that I am only alone when I am not alone?
Is when I'm not alone now
Because I am with you now
Realizing that I've been had but I don't know how
Recognizing that I have been tricked, but not understanding how
Could you bring me another one
Please get me a replacement
I believe in the benefit of doubt
I have faith in the principle of withholding judgment
Well I think but I'm not so sure anymore
I used to be confident in my thoughts, but not anymore
Never had to protect myself
I have never needed to defend myself
From the sticks and the stones
From physical attacks
And the slings and the arrows
From verbal attacks and criticism
Did I mention the only time I feel safe
Have I told you that I only feel secure
Is when you're not with me
When you are not around
Realizing that I just do not care anymore
Understanding that I no longer have any concern
Could you turn that noise down
Please lower the volume of the noise
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dr. Phil
It's a shame this album isn't on Spotify. It's one of their best.
Christopher Standard Time
spotify is a terrible service for musicians. buy the record from Chris Randall's label.
http://shop.positronrecords.com/products/product.php?pid=posi003
Jeremy Kershaw
Great song, great album, great artist/band. Thanks for uploading this.
bluefrancis14
The first time I heard this was when I got a free cd from mp3.com