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.
Flinch
Sleepytime Gorilla Museum Lyrics
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Even I'm so tired
I cannot move
Even I'm so wired
I cannot flinch
Even I'm so scared
I cannot flay
I cannot work
I cannot take the crime
I cannot walk
I cannot turn away
I can't forget
I can't remember the day
I cannot sleep
Even I'm so tired
The lyrics of Sleepytime Gorilla Museum's song Flinch reflect a state of existential angst and paralysis. The singer is unable to find peace of mind or rest even though they feel exhausted. They are also unable to take action, trust others, or find meaning in their work or life. The use of the word "even" emphasizes the paradoxical nature of their condition: they should be able to sleep when they are tired, flinch when scared or move when wired, but something seems to prevent them from doing so. Perhaps the fear and anxiety are too overwhelming, or maybe there is a sense of futility in trying to overcome them.
The repeated phrase "I cannot" creates a sense of claustrophobia and helplessness, as if the singer is trapped in their own thoughts and emotions. The last line "Even I'm so tired" could be read as a plea for understanding and empathy from those around them, or as a realization that the exhaustion goes beyond physical tiredness, and is instead a symptom of a deeper malaise. The song's title "Flinch" suggests a reflexive reaction to pain or danger, but the lyrics imply that sometimes the most painful and dangerous state is the one of immobility and resignation.
Line by Line Meaning
I cannot sleep
Despite feeling tired, I am unable to find rest
Even I'm so tired
My exhaustion is overwhelming, yet sleep still eludes me
I cannot move
I lack the motivation or energy to take action
Even I'm so wired
Despite feeling energized or stimulated, I am still unable to act
I cannot flinch
Though I am scared, I refuse to show any signs of fear or weakness
Even I'm so scared
My fear is intense, yet I am determined to remain composed
I cannot flay
I am not capable of tearing myself apart or revealing my true feelings
I cannot trust in but
I struggle to put my faith or trust in anyone or anything
I cannot work
I am unable to focus or be productive
I cannot take the crime
I cannot bear the weight of the wrongdoing or injustice around me
I cannot walk
I am unable to move forward or make progress
I cannot turn away
I am compelled to face the harsh realities of the world around me
I can't forget
Memories of past traumas remain vivid and haunting
I can't remember the day
Some parts of my past are so painful that I cannot recall them at all
Contributed by Jake V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.