Seemingly powered by pistons, gears, and rusty watch springs, Skeleton Key … Read Full Bio ↴Seemingly powered by pistons, gears, and rusty watch springs, Skeleton Key is a clanky but productive machine. Using ancient microphones, primitive guitars, and found objects, the band heaves with a unique rhythmic undertow yet has a knack for winsome, haunting melody. Their music "strips down, toughens up, picks up some debris, and gets an extra dose of rhythm" according to Jon Pareles of the The New York Times. Skeleton Key creates music both exotic and familiar, elegant yet crass, cerebral yet visceral. "It's luxurious, yet affordable" says bassist/singer Erik Sanko (ex of The Lounge Lizards, and collaborator with Yoko Ono, John Cale, and Gavin Friday, among others.)

Forming in 1995 after a chance meeting in New York City club The Knitting Factory, the band's first release was the 1995 Human Pin Cushion EP on Dedicated Records. After some personnel changes the band released an eponymous EP on Motel Records in 1996 that Rolling Stone said "shows how pop culture and high culture can bring everyone to the same place." Original members Steve Calhoon and Rick Lee left the band soon after making this recording, going on to form the band Enon. Soon after their departures, Skeleton Key inked a deal with Capitol Records and put out the critically acclaimed (and Grammy nominated [for artwork]) Fantastic Spikes Through Balloon in 1997. The band then toured the US and Europe with a diverse assortment of acts (Melvins, Girls vs. Boys, Cibo Matto, The Jesus Lizard, They Might Be Giants, Morphine, Brainiac, Primus) before headlining their own US tour. After two gruelling years on the road and a half-finished album recorded, Chris Maxwell departed, leaving the future of Skeleton Key in jeopardy. (From Ipecac Records)

Eventually the band, which had by now been reduced to a lone Erik Sanko, signed with Mike Patton's Ipecac Recordings to release Obtainium in 2002. With a revamped lineup the band hit the road again, playing several successful tours with bands such as Tomahawk, Melvins, Alien Ant Farm and Sleepytime Gorilla Museum. That lineup of Sanko, Craig LeBlang, Ben Clapp and Sean Sankey recorded and released the five song EP The Lyons Quintette on Do Tell Records and a live album (Skeleton Key Live at Metro) which is available exclusively through eMusic.

Sankey amicably left the band at the end of 2006 and new drummer Bob Vacarelli was recruited just days before the band headed out on tour with Chemlab and USSA in late 2007.

Official Website: http://www.skeletonkey.org

King Know It All
Skeleton Key Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When the truth comes out
No man can spit
The way he can
Curled up snout
And a monkey's brains
With a reptile's glands
And his eyes grow thin
As another gem

Forms in his mouth
He pulls the pin
Lets it fly
From its puckered spout

-And king know it all
-Doesn't know
-He's about to fall

And the truth gets hung
On the hairy eye
And the crooked neck
He flaps his gums
And he clears his throat
Like he clears the deck
And he rounds up words
In a nervous ring
Where they push and shove
And drop like birds
When the ripcord's pulled
From up above

-And king know it all
-Doesn't know
-He's about to fall

So everybody get your raincoats
His humidifier's stuck on ten
And I swear there's gonna be a downpour
The man is on his throne again (x3)

-And king know it all

-Doesn't know
-He's about to fall

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Skeleton Key's "King Know It All" delve into the idea of an individual who believes they are at the top of their game and can do no wrong. However, as the truth begins to surface, the facade begins to crumble. The opening lines speak to the fact that when the truth comes out, it is impossible to deny. This is illustrated through the physical descriptions of the man in question, with a "curled up snout" and "reptile's glands." The metaphorical language suggests that this is a creature who has been masking their true identity and the truth is now being revealed.

As he attempts to dig himself out of the situation, he becomes increasingly frantic and desperate, rounding up words in a "nervous ring" where they "push and shove." The forceful language creates a sense of chaos and tension in the song, mirroring the turmoil of the situation. The repetition of "king know it all" serves as both a reminder of his self-imposed title and an ironic taunt, as he is shown to be completely oblivious to his own downfall. The final lines evoke a sense of foreboding, with the image of an impending downpour, suggesting that the truth cannot be held back forever.

Overall, Skeleton Key's "King Know It All" is a biting commentary on the dangers of hubris and the consequences of denying the truth. The vivid language and powerful imagery make for a tense and thought-provoking song that leaves a lasting impact.

Line by Line Meaning

When the truth comes out
When the truth is revealed

No man can spit
No one can articulate the truth

The way he can
The way Skeleton Key can

Curled up snout
A face that is twisted in anger or shame

And a monkey's brains
A mind that is primitive and irrational

With a reptile's glands
With instincts that are predatory and dangerous

And his eyes grow thin
His eyes become narrow and suspicious

As another gem
As another lie or excuse

Forms in his mouth
Forms in his mind and is ready to be spoken

He pulls the pin
He releases the truth or the lie

Lets it fly
Lets it be spoken