The band was formed in January 1985 by Daniel House and Jack Endino. Ben McMillan and Matt Cameron later joined the band in the same year. Skin Yard played its first show in June 1985 and opened for the U-Men. Skin Yard was featured on the Deep Six compilation. This album featured the first commercial recordings of Green River, Melvins, Soundgarden, Malfunkshun, and Skin Yard. In 1987, Skin Yard released their first single and debut self title LP. Matt Cameron left the band in June 1986 and joined Soundgarden in September. He was replaced by Steve Wied, but he only lasted two shows. Future Mother Love Bone drummer Greg Gilmor replaced Wied but he too only lasted two shows.
In the fall Jason Finn (later of The Presidents of the United States of America) joined Skin Yard. Jason left after eight months for personal reasons. Scott McCullum filled the vacancy in May 1987. He lasted two years and left after a U.S. tour that was quoted as being "the tour from hell". Skin Yard took a fourteen month hiatus and when Barrett Martin joined the band they started playing again.
In March 1991, Daniel House quit the band because he had just become a father and wanted to spend time with his family. He was replaced by Pat Pederson who stayed with the band until their breakup. The band had decided to break up after recording their 5th album.
Ben McMillan and Scott McCullum had started the band Gruntruck prior to the break up. Pat Pederson and Barret Martin worked with Jack Endino in Endino's Earthworm. Daniel House is now head of C/Z Records. Barrett Martin played with Screaming Trees until their breakup. Martin also worked with Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley and Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready in Mad Season, Peter Buck of R.E.M. and even toured with R.E.M.
Inside The Eye
Skin Yard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Inside the eye
Too many laws
Too hard to hold
Let's drive it home
Yeah, finger to the floor
I saw the Sun
It said to me
In its flame you'll see
The eye inside you
The eye inside you
Yeah
Too many hills
Left to climb
It's not too long
Before we lose our minds
Yeah, move real quick
And I am blind
I'm going to sit down
And on the sill, I'll find
The eye inside you
The eye inside you
Yeah
Eye
Eye
Eye
Eye
Yeah
The eye inside
Don't head right
And fall
To flame
Inside the eye
Inside...
Too many laws
Too hard to hold
Let's drive it home
Yeah, finger to the floor
I saw the Sun
It said to me
You light a candle
In its flame you'll see
Too many laws
Too hard to hold
Let's drive it home
And we will go
Inside the eye
Inside the eye
Inside the eye
Inside the eye
The lyrics of Skin Yard's song "Inside The Eye" seem to explore themes of rebellion, struggle, and finding the source of one's inner strength. The repetitive chorus of "Inside the eye" may refer to an inner power or strength within oneself. The first verse mentions "too many laws" that are difficult to hold onto, perhaps referencing societal restrictions or personal limitations. However, the singer suggests driving it home and pushing forward with determination, as symbolized by the "finger to the floor."
In the second verse, the singer mentions "too many hills left to climb," which may be another metaphor for life's challenges or obstacles. They mention becoming blind before taking a break to find the "eye inside." This could refer to finding one's inner strength and clarity of purpose. The repeated reference to "the eye inside you" may signify the importance of looking within oneself for motivation and guidance rather than solely relying on external factors.
Overall, Skin Yard's "Inside The Eye" appears to explore the theme of finding inner strength amidst adversity by digging deep within oneself and pushing forward with determination. The repeated metaphor of the eye inside oneself symbolizes the importance of self-reflection and finding one's inner purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Inside the eye
Deep within ourselves lies a powerful essence.
Inside the eye
The essence is further emphasized, showing the depth of the message.
Too many laws
There are too many restrictions and limitations that we struggle with.
Too hard to hold
The laws are difficult to retain and follow seamlessly.
Let's drive it home
Let's push ourselves to overcome the obstacles.
Yeah, finger to the floor
Drive with full force, without hesitation.
I saw the Sun
A vision of inspiration signals our ability to create.
It said to me
The vision speaks of an opportunity that we must seize.
You light the candle
We can begin creating within ourselves.
In its flame you'll see
The creation we ignite will guide us forward.
The eye inside you
The creation within ourselves, the essence.
The eye inside you
Reinforcing the importance of the essence.
Yeah
Affirmation of the message.
Too many hills
There are too many challenges to overcome.
Left to climb
The challenges are increasing and getting harder.
It's not too long
We must act quickly or else we'll lose our minds.
Before we lose our minds
The challenges can become overwhelming and make us feel insane.
Yeah, move real quick
We need to act swiftly and decisively.
And I am blind
It's difficult to see clearly through the overwhelming challenges.
I'm going to sit down
Time to take a break and reflect.
And on the sill, I'll find
While resting, we can find some clarity and perspective.
The eye inside you
Reminder of the importance of the essence.
The eye inside you
Echoing the message again.
Yeah
Affirmation of the message.
Eye
Further emphasizing the essence.
Eye
Reiterating the importance of the essence.
Eye
Echoing the message again.
Eye
Stressing the depth of the message.
Yeah
Final affirmation of the importance of the essence.
The eye inside
The deep essence within us.
Don't head right
We shouldn't go in the wrong direction.
And fall
We may stumble and falter.
To flame
Metaphorical reference to losing ourselves to challenges and distractions.
Inside the eye
The essence, the true self, can guide us to overcome challenges and distractions.
Inside...
Truncated repetition of the message.
Too many laws
Repeating the beginning of the message to remind us of the challenge.
Too hard to hold
Repeating the challenge to remind us of its difficulty.
Let's drive it home
Repeating the call-to-action to reinforce the importance of overcoming the challenge.
Yeah, finger to the floor
Repeating the call-to-action to push ourselves with full force.
I saw the Sun
Repeating the vision of inspiration as a hopeful reminder.
It said to me
Repeating the message of opportunity to inspire action.
You light a candle
Repeating the message of creation within oneself.
In its flame you'll see
Repeating the guidance that the creation within us can guide us.
Too many laws
Repeating the challenge again to reinforce the need to overcome it.
Too hard to hold
Repeating the description of the challenge again to emphasize its difficulty.
Let's drive it home
Final repetition of the call-to-action to emphasize its importance.
And we will go
Final statement of action, showing that we can overcome the challenge and move forward.
Inside the eye
Final repetition of the message to reinforce its importance.
Inside the eye
Final repetition of the message to emphasize the depth of the essence within us.
Inside the eye
Final repetition of the message to provide a hopeful mantra for moving forward.
Writer(s): jack endino
Contributed by Lincoln V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Artur Malachowski
I love this album. Skin Yards best in my opinion. The drums are impeccable... kick drum really drives the groove.
Skin Yard and Gruntruck didn’t get enough recognition back in the day.
Skin Yard got screwed over by Roadrunner Records which eventually almost killed their career, then Ben passed away... R.I.P.
ANCIENT,MEDIEVAL & MYSTICAL STEPS
Both bands (Skin Yard & Gruntruck)great but so underrated!!
Mark Anthony Rosales Barrientos
Don't forget the band My Sister's Machine another splendid but underrated Seattle act from that Seattle grunge explosion era of the early 90s.
Leslie Bialik
No kidding! I've been a fan of Gruntruck since they released their first album and think their songwriting is top notch! Ben McMillan (R.I.P.) is one of my favorite singers. What a unique and powerful voice!
Vinyl Diary666
Green River too
Jacqueline Muqui
THEODOR VONBLACK BLINDFOLD
Tyler Taws
I absolutely love Skinyard. This band rocks. The 90s produced some really awesome and farout bands.
scott pierce
Benn McMillan was the fucking man,gets overlooked in the grunge era. I played this album out in the early 90's, still sounds good. Miss you and Slow Dive probably my favorite tracks. The musicians on the record kill it, Barrett Martin's solid drums and Endino's flighty, Kim Thayil like leads....... I just got in a fucking time machine!
Kenneth Boone
I just got this CD at a flea market. In Indiana for A$1.25 .This is a great album.
Jefferson Araujo — Polímata —
In what year did you get the CD, Kenneth?