The band name is a reference to "kissing and cuddling," which, according to Thrussell, symbolizes the Marxist concept of destroying barriers between people (see the lyrics to "Light, Yet Refreshing")
Their first album, Lies Inc., was released in 1992. Pieter Bourke joined the band soon afterwards, and Dear Valued Customer, which drew heavily on techno influences, was released in 1994. That same year, two sideprojects emerged: Soma was formed by Thrussell and Pieter Bourke, and Thrussell formed solo project Black Lung.
By 1997, the band had largely become a solo project for Thrussell (with guest musicians). Buy Me... I'll Change Your Life was a departure in style, featuring country western-style guitar and a cover of Lee Hazlewood's "Let the Little Flowers Grow". 1999's Third Mall from the Sun offered a unique blend of the style of the previous two albums, along with new influences. This was followed by the remix album Relax into the Abyss.
In 2003, Beyond the Valley of the Proles was released. This album offered a more refined version of the style found on Buy Me. Its 2006 follow-up, Snog Vs. the Faecal Juggernaut of Mass Culture, saw a return to a more electronic sound.
One notable feature about the band is Thrussell's lyrics — almost all songs contain themes of anti-capitalism, anti-fascism, anti-consumerism, individuality, and anti-big-brotherism. Thrussell also often includes references to conspiracy theories in his lyrics and song titles (for example, The Report From Iron Mountain or Rex 84).
The albums Third Mall from the Sun (1999), Relax into the Abyss (2000) and Beyond the Valley of the Proles (2003) featured artwork by Canadian artist Chris Woods, whose paintings lampoon the advertising tactics of major corporations such as McDonald's, The Gap, and Nike.
Discography
Albums
Lies Inc. (1992)
Dear Valued Customer (1994)
Live in the Global Village (limited-edition bonus disc, 1994)
Lies Inc. (limited-edition 2-disc reissue with early material, 1996)
Remote Control (anthology, 1997)
Buy Me...I'll Change Your Life (1997)
Third Mall from the Sun (1999)
Relax Into the Abyss (remixes, 2000)
Beyond the Valley of the Proles (2003)
Your Favourite Electro-Folk Swingers (limited-edition remix CD, 2003)
Sixteen Easy Tunes For The End Times (2-disc greatest hits collection with bonus unreleased material, 2006)
Snog Vs. The Faecal Juggernaut Of Mass Culture (2006)
Singles and EPs
Corporate Slave (1992)
Shop (1992)
Born To Be Mild (1993)
Hey Christian God (1993)
Cliché (1994)
The Future (1995)
Make the Little Flowers Grow (1997)
Hooray!! (1998)
The Ballad (1998)
The Human Germ (1998)
I Snog, Therefore I am (1999)
Justified Homicide (2001)
Crash Crash (Vs. Remixes & Exclusive Tracks CD Single - 2006)
Vs. The Faecal Juggernaut Of Mass Culture (2006)
City EP (2008)
Other
Adventures in Capitalism DVD (2003)
Angst (Movie soundtrack) (2000) (contributed four tracks)
Pearls Before Swine (Movie Soundtrack) (contributed tracks, along side NON and Death in June)
Bank
Snog Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stamping of feet
I'm on my way to the bank
Crying in sleep
Borrowing to deep
I'm on my way to the bank
I'm on my way to the back country
I've got to take out all of, all of my money
I'm on my way to the bank
Practiceing deciet, suspending belief
I'm on my way to the bank
When I'm dead I agreed their lying you'll see
I'm on my way to the bank
I'm on my way to the back country
I've got to take out all of, all of my money
I'm on my way to the back country
I'm on my way to the bank
I'm on my way to the back country
I've got to take out all of, all of my money
I'm on my way to the back country
I'm on my way to the bank
I'm on my way to the back country
I've got to take out all of, all of my money
I'm on my way to the bank
The song "Bank" by Snog is a critique of the modern financial system and the greed and deceit that accompanies it. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation and hopelessness, as the singer is caught in a cycle of borrowing and debt. The opening lines, "gnashing of teeth, stamping of feet," suggest a feeling of anger and frustration, which is then contrasted with the sadness of "crying in sleep."
The chorus, "I'm on my way to the bank," is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's relentless pursuit of money and the unending cycle of debt. The lines "practicing deceit, suspending belief" suggest a willingness to deceive and be deceived in order to achieve financial gain, even if it means ignoring the reality of the situation.
The final lines of the song, "when I'm dead I agreed their lying you'll see," suggest a sense of resignation and acceptance that the financial system will continue to operate on lies and deceit even after the singer is gone. Overall, the song is a scathing critique of capitalism and the negative effects it has on individuals and society as a whole.
Line by Line Meaning
Gnashing of teeth
Grinding and clenching of teeth, indicating the singer's frustration and anxiety regarding his financial situation.
Stamping of feet
The stomping of feet, indicating impatience and frustration.
I'm on my way to the bank
The singer is physically on the way to the bank, likely to withdraw money or conduct financial business.
Crying in sleep
The singer is so consumed by his financial worries that he is crying in his sleep, indicating a significant emotional toll.
Borrowing too deep
The singer has borrowed too much money and is likely in debt or financial trouble.
I'm on my way to the bank
The singer is again indicating that he is physically on his way to the bank.
I'm on my way to the back country
The singer is likely metaphorically referring to a simpler, more rural lifestyle, perhaps indicating a desire to escape his financial troubles.
I've got to take out all of, all of my money
The singer is withdrawing all of his money, indicating desperation or urgency.
I'm on my way to the bank company
The singer may be referring to the institution itself, or to the idea of the banking industry as a whole.
Practicing deceit, suspending belief
The singer is engaging in dishonesty or deception, perhaps as a means to manage his financial situation. He has also lost faith and trust in the banking system.
When I'm dead I agreed their lying you'll see
Even in death, the singer believes that the banks will continue to deceive and lie, indicating his deep distrust of the industry.
I'm on my way to the bank
The singer repeats his earlier statement, emphasizing his urgency and determination.
I'm on my way to the back country
The singer repeats his earlier reference to the simpler life, perhaps indicating a hope for escape.
I've got to take out all of, all of my money
The singer repeats his earlier statement of withdrawal, emphasizing his urgency and desperation.
I'm on my way to the back country
The singer repeats his earlier reference to the simpler life, perhaps indicating a hope for escape.
I've got to take out all of, all of my money
The singer repeats his earlier statement of withdrawal, emphasizing his urgency and desperation.
I'm on my way to the bank
The singer again repeats his determination to go to the bank, emphasizing the central theme of the song.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID LACHLAN THRUSSELL, JULIA BOURKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind