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
Sawdust
Skeleton Key Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Glass eyes of vacant black bulbs
And from my perch of red rust
The world contracts and unfolds
There was a liar with the great incisors
Shimmering through the steaming geyser
Of platitudes and of pasteurisers
There was a bird with the brilliant plummage
Suffering through the airborn sewage
Of black clouds and of black perfummage
Sincere, she's so sincere
There was a flock that would only follow
Any shit they'd taste they'd swallow
You'd never know that their heads were hollow
Sincere, so sincere
The lyrics of Skeleton Key's song "Sawdust" paint a vivid picture of detachment from reality. The opening lines, "my head is filled with sawdust, glass eyes of vacant black bulbs," create a haunting image of a mind that has lost its ability to see clearly. The use of sawdust as a metaphor for the singer's state of mind suggests a lack of substance and depth. The reference to "glass eyes" adds to the sense of emptiness and lack of life within the singer. These lines are complemented by the later image of the singer perched on "red rust," an indication of instability and unsafety.
The song then unfolds into a commentary on insincerity, with vivid descriptions of characters who are dishonest and insincere. The "liar with the great incisors" is contrasted with the "bird with the brilliant plumage" - on the surface, they seem to be opposites. However, both are "sincere," a word that is repeated throughout the song. The lyrics suggest that sincerity can be misleading, even dangerous, and that truth is far from simple. The final image of the flock who would "swallow any shit they'd taste" is an indictment of those who follow blindly, without meaningful thought or reflection.
Overall, "Sawdust" is a complex and multi-layered work, full of metaphor and imagery. It speaks to themes of disconnection, insincerity, and the dangers of blind following. The lyrics are dark and haunting, with a sense of unease that lingers long after the song has ended.
Line by Line Meaning
My head is filled with sawdust
I feel empty and disconnected from the world around me.
Glass eyes of vacant black bulbs
I have lost the passion and emotions that bring life to my eyes.
And from my perch of red rust
I observe the world with a cynical perspective.
The world contracts and unfolds
Every experience I've had has left me cold and indifferent.
There was a liar with the great incisors
There was someone who was incredibly deceitful.
Shimmering through the steaming geyser
This person was charismatic and manipulative.
Of platitudes and of pasteurisers
They would use common phrases and meaningless words to persuade others.
He's sincere, so sincere
Despite his lies, this person convinced others of his sincerity.
There was a bird with the brilliant plumage
There was someone who appeared beautiful and impressive.
Suffering through the airborne sewage
This person struggled through the difficulties and negativity surrounding them.
Of black clouds and of black perfumage
They were surrounded by darkness and ugliness.
Sincere, she's so sincere
Despite her struggles, this person remained true and genuine.
There was a flock that would only follow
There were people who blindly followed others without question.
Any shit they'd taste they'd swallow
These people would accept anything and everything, no matter how bad it was.
You'd never know that their heads were hollow
These followers lacked any critical thinking abilities or individuality.
Sincere, so sincere
Despite their lack of depth, these people believed themselves to be genuine and honest.
Contributed by Ruby P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@alteredstatereflecti
I think this album is absolutely amazing. One of the most underrated albums on the Ipecac catalog of music.
@wingtaylor9175
Just discovered you guys through a friend. Loving it! Tour the Pac NW please.