The band tour the U.S. frequently in a renovated vintage Green Tortoise bus, and their live performances have featured puppet shows, pseudo-scientific scholarly presentations, and performances by members of the Butoh group inkBoat. SGM's music has been categorized as anything from avant-prog to art rock to experimental metal to RIO (Rock In Opposition). Many reviewers have remarked that the group is altogether unclassifiable.
The band uses many homemade devices as instruments, such as the viking row-boat and the spring-nail guitar. Rathbun plays a stringed bass instrument of his own construction called The Log which uses piano strings and is perhaps 7 feet long; it is played with two sticks: one in the left hand generally used as a fret, another in the right hand striking the strings. Mellender's percussion instruments consist of restaurant kitchen equipment, trash can lids, and other "found" metal objects, in addition to traditional percussion instruments.
They've announced their imminent end, as their last concerts will be held early April around California. But 2011 will still see a new album, a movie and a live DVD.
1997
Sleepytime Gorilla Museum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come one man, it's a downhill slide
Remember the dead boys
Crawl in the back, we're goin' downtown
Come on bro, we can both fall down
Remember the dead boys
Got a big old cheap plastic bottle of gin
Nasty, but it'll do you in
What the hell, what the fuck is wrong with you?
Midnight ride 1997, One two three
Motherfucker you're going down tonight
We're takin' you in
We're takin' you out
Midnight ride, one two three, come on
Tonight we're gonna party like it's 1997
I know you're tearin' shit up and you drunk yourself wild
I been drinkin' since I was a child
Remember the dead boys
I know you outweigh me by fifty pounds
That won't matter in a couple of rounds
If the cops get here first, you're a dead man
You know I'm doin' all I can
Sing along, bro', with the Dead Boys and the New York Dolls
You know we like that noise
[In memory of Sean]
The song '1997' by Sleepytime Gorilla Museum describes a reckless, intoxicated adventure that takes place in 1997. The song starts with the invitation to ride in a pick-up truck and go downtown, with the memory of the dead boys. The lyrics mention drinking gin from a cheap plastic bottle and talking constantly to avoid passing out. The song comes to a climax when the listener is told that they are going down and the party that ensues is likened to the wildness of 1997. The lyrics seem to indicate that the events described are happening under the influence of alcohol and could potentially lead to trouble with the law.
The song seems to be referencing a specific moment in time, 1997. The lyrics suggest that the events described are related to the kind of music that was popular at that time, with references to the Dead Boys and the New York Dolls. The song also mentions the memory of the dead boys, possibly referring to the punk band known as the Dead Boys, who were active in the late '70s and early '80s. The lyrics depict a reckless abandon and a wildness that is associated with that era of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Get in the pick-up truck, we're goin for a ride
Let's go for a ride in the pickup truck.
Come one man, it's a downhill slide
Come on, man, things are only getting worse from here on out.
Remember the dead boys
Remember those who have passed away.
Crawl in the back, we're goin' downtown
Get in the back seat of the truck, we're going to the city.
Come on bro, we can both fall down
Let's both become intoxicated and lose control.
Got a big old cheap plastic bottle of gin
I have a large, inexpensive plastic bottle of gin.
Nasty, but it'll do you in
Although it tastes bad, it will intoxicate you.
Got to keep on talkin' so you don't come to
We need to keep talking to stay awake and conscious.
What the hell, what the fuck is wrong with you?
What is wrong with you? You're acting strange.
Midnight ride 1997, One two three
A late night ride in 1997, counting down from three.
Motherfucker you're going down tonight
You're in trouble tonight, buddy.
We're takin' you in
We're taking you into custody.
We're takin' you out
We're going out to party.
Midnight ride, one two three, come on
Let's go for a ride at midnight.
Tonight we're gonna party like it's 1997
Tonight we're partying like it's the past.
I know you're tearin' shit up and you drunk yourself wild
I know you're causing chaos and are highly intoxicated.
I been drinkin' since I was a child
I've been drinking since I was very young.
Remember the dead boys
Remember those who have passed away.
I know you outweigh me by fifty pounds
I know you're larger than me by a significant amount.
That won't matter in a couple of rounds
That won't matter after a few drinks.
If the cops get here first, you're a dead man
If the police arrive before we leave, you'll be in trouble.
You know I'm doin' all I can
I'm doing everything I can to keep us safe.
Sing along, bro', with the Dead Boys and the New York Dolls
Sing with me, brother, to the songs of the Dead Boys and the New York Dolls.
You know we like that noise
We enjoy that type of music.
[In memory of Sean]
This song is dedicated to Sean, who has passed away.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@adrianjordan5173
i love this song because its the most tasteful and clever blend of time signatures and what starts off sounding like its going to be an 80s buttrocker song but ends up being so far away from that. miss you guys. wish yall were still a project!
@kakgubben
This song is mentally, rythmic and melodical the BRUTALEST thing ever to exist in the universe!!! Besides i was born in 1997 :D
@philiom7724
So my crappy little band opened for these guys at the Riot Room in KC in 2003. Had no idea what kind of band they were. I remember the stage was full of all their gear-- Jerry rigged pianos, some kind of giant home made harp, a crazy percussion kit with hub caps and sheet metal etc. Barely enough room for us to play. After we were done there was about an hour and a half of nothing but a low droning rumbling sound and multicolored smoke covering the stage. It seemed like forever and we actually started making fun of it saying "this band sucks wtf it's just noise and smoke!"
But when they eventually did start playing our opinions quickly changed and needless to say they blew us out of the water. Never heard anything like them and been a fan ever since.
@Conservatism
There was an hour and a half between bands? What time did you guys play at?
Anyways, that’s totally awesome. What an experience! Where the guys in the band cool?
@philiom7724
@Zeeko Zappo we probably started playing around 8 and were done by 9. So they didn't start their set until around 10:30 and finished up around midnight. Yeah they were super nice and very cool to us.
@Conservatism
@Bigot Sandwiches That’s so cool. I’ve just started listening to them about an hour ago so I’m very excited to dive in and listen to their stuff.
@philiom7724
@Zeeko Zappo They're extremely skilled musicians. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Incredibly original. Incredibly cool music. Enjoy.
@philiom7724
Check out "Sleep is Wrong" if you haven't yet.
@HenryFordOfficial
I think SGM had better parties than me in 1997
@PsychoticSuperStar
Damn this band is so fuckin chaotic. It's awesome. The cool thing is that they also play calm stuff.