The 2nd CD, 'Electric Chair Music', issued on the band's own Monongo imprint. It's worth noting that band fan LEMMY of MOTÖRHEAD repute, a vocal champion of the band, guests on the track 'B4' found on the 'Voices Of War' EP. The band's fanbase grew substantially during this period and both 'Electric Chair Music' and the EP 'Voices Of War' sold exceptionally well.
SKEW SISKIN's 1999 album WHAT THE HELL, saw the band gaining international popularity once more. Lemmy would get involved with the band once again, penning lyrics for two tracks 'Life's A Bitch' and 'Shoot Out Your Lights'. Nina also took time out to duet on the track 'Run' on POTHEAD's 'Burning Bridges' album.
Initially the group embarked upon a lengthy run of dates as guests to SAXON. Extended live work in Germany witnessed a headline tour in September and October 2000 with SKELETOR as support act. Nina would persevere on the road though, attending some shows of the MOTORHEAD tour acting as special guest vocalist for the encore song 'Born To Raise Hell'. This track had actually been originally written by Lemmy for SKEW SISKIN. Behind the scenes the band had once again fallen victim to a collapsing label as Cultural Minority floundered. Yet again a frustrated SKEW SISKIN was forced to wait out a distribution contract, this time with SPV until the Autumn of 2003. Support from Lemmy and other industry icons such as ALICE COOPER and Twiggy Ramirez from the MARILYN MANSON band helped the group through these tough times.
The band would be relatively quiet during 2001 but did place Stefan Schwarzmann of RUNNING WILD, ACCEPT, U.D.O. repute as their new drummer. Following a lengthy hiatus SKEW SISKIN, with a newly installed bassplayer, returned in September of 2002, acting as opening band for ANTHRAX and MOTORHEAD's UK dates. SKEW SISKIN also revealed a fourth album provisionally billed as 'Waste Your Youth' was nearing completion. Armed with a new drummer, the band was confirmed on a German support tour to MOTORHEAD in November. The record, backed by a promotional video of the single 'The Goddess', finally emerged billed as 'Album Of The Year'. European headline dates commencing in March of 2004 had the band on an extensive run of dates throughout Germany, France, Swizerland and Spain. However, in early April forced the band was forced to cancel the last three shows of their tour when vocalist Nina C. Alice collapsed after a show in Vienna and was rushed to a hospital.
Known to be a strong supporter of the band MOTORHEAD's frontman, Lemmy, guested with the band onstage for the first time on 5th September at the Columbiahalle in Berlin, guesting on the track 'Boogey Man'.
During 2005 the band had been forced to cancel again all their shows for the entire year, due medical treatment Nina C. Alice was undergoing for an infection.
In the beginning of 2006 SKEW SISKIN went back into the studio to start recording a new CD with Henning Menke (ex JINGO DE LUNCH, OJO ROJO) on bass and ex - ANNIHILATOR drummer Randy Black.
Towards the end of 2006 the band will finally hit the road again.
Discogs
Skew Siskin - (1992)
Electric Chair Music (1996)
Voices from the War (1996)
What the Hell (1999)
Album of the Year (2003)
Devil's Disciple (compilation) (2005)
Peace Breaker (2007)
Dreams of Black
Skew Siskin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me when you think it's done
'Cause I can't listen to your promises
Before you know what you want
I will be gone
People run around with problems
Individual mentality
But never change their personal reality
Who's got the key to open up the door of liberty
Or do you ignore
I know better than thou
Who lives behind my eyes
And I pick out myself who's standing at my side
You seem to be sure you got to gimme your damn advice
But I'm not gonna listen to your lies
So many times I wonder why
People doubt me but always stare at me
Too many men getting stronger to believe in things they only want to see
Fate's in my hand or am I still talking to my wall?
Do you understand, or smile when I fall
I know better than thou
Who lives behind my eyes
And I pick out myself who's standing at my side
You seem to be sure you got to gimme your damn advice
But I'm not gonna listen to your lies
The lyrics to Skew Siskin's song Dreams of Black are centred around the theme of independence and standing up for oneself. The song expresses a rejection of external influences and a desire to determine one's own destiny. The opening lines, "Tell me when the fight is over/Tell me when you think it's done," suggest a weariness with being told what to do, and a desire to be free to make one's own choices. The lyrics continue, "I can't listen to your promises/Before you know what you want/I will be gone," indicating a lack of patience for those who are indecisive or wishy-washy.
The second verse of the song echoes this theme, as the band critiques the idea of individualism and the unwillingness of some to change. "People run around with problems/Individual mentality/You can hate them or believe in them/But never change their personal reality," suggests the futility of trying to control other people's lives or beliefs. The lyrics also touch on the idea of freedom, asking, "Who's got the key to open up the door of liberty/Or do you ignore."
Ultimately, the song is a declaration of self-reliance and a refusal to be swayed by others. The lyrics, "I know better than thou/Who lives behind my eyes/And I pick out myself who's standing at my side/You seem to be sure you got to gimme your damn advice/But I'm not gonna listen to your lies," boldly assert the singer's independence and ability to determine their own path. The song ends with the lines, "Do you understand, or smile when I fall," suggesting that the band is willing to take risks and pursue their dreams, regardless of the opinions of others.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me when the fight is over
Please inform me of the end of the conflict
Tell me when you think it's done
Let me know when you believe it's completed
Cause I can't listen to your promises
I am unable to hear your pledges
Before you know what you want
Until you decide your desire
I will be gone
I will have left
People run around with problems
Individuals have their own obstacles
Individual mentality
Each person has their own way of thinking
You can hate them or believe in them
It is possible to dislike or have faith in them
But never change their personal reality
However, their situation will not be influenced
Who's got the key to open up the door of liberty
Who possesses the means to unlock freedom
Or do you ignore
Do you choose to disregard it
I know better than thou
I have superior knowledge compared to you
Who lives behind my eyes
The one residing in my mind
And I pick out myself who's standing at my side
I choose who supports me
You seem to be sure you got to gimme your damn advice
You appear confident in giving me your unwelcome suggestions
But I'm not gonna listen to your lies
However, I will not accept your falsehoods
So many times I wonder why
Frequently, I ponder the reason
People doubt me but always stare at me
Individuals are uncertain of me but continuously scrutinize me
Too many men getting stronger to believe in things they only want to see
There are too many individuals becoming increasingly convinced of what they wish to perceive
Fate's in my hand or am I still talking to my wall?
Do I have control over my destiny or am I conversing with an obstacle?
Do you understand, or smile when I fall
Do you comprehend or take pleasure in my failure
Contributed by Connor Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.