The Jicks formed in 2000 in Portland, Oregon, United States, almost immediately after Pavement's 1999 "hiatus" began. The group's first record - which had a working title of Swedish Reggae - was simply called Stephen Malkmus. It was released by Matador Records on February 13th, 2001. At least a few of the songs were proposed Pavement songs before the group disbanded.
The group made their official live debut at New York's Bowery Ballroom only a few weeks before their first record was released. Around this time, Pavement's auxiliary percussionist Bob Nastanovich began acting as The Jicks' manager.
Pig Lib was the name of the band's second record, which was released in 2003. The songs had a much looser yet darker feel, and the band sounds more comfortable playing with one another. Malkmus has since expressed regret in some of the decisions he made with putting certain songs on this record. The album received decent reviews, gaining 3/5 stars from Allmusic and an 8.0/10 from Pitchfork Media.
For the first several years of The Jicks' existence, no Pavement songs were ever played live. Then on May 23, 2003, spontaneously and without notice, the band opened the evening's show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with "Summer Babe" from Pavement's Slanted and Enchanted album. What followed was a complete set of Pavement tracks in the chronological order that the band originally released them, playing roughly two-three songs per album. This concert has been dubbed by fans as The Milwaukee Show.
Notably, The Jicks opened up for Radiohead on the band's North American tour in support of their album, Hail to the Thief.
Face the Truth, credited only to Malkmus, came in 2005 to ecstatic reviews, many of them claiming a return to Wowee Zowee-type form. Most of the album was recorded by Stephen alone in his basement, although each member of the Jicks play on at least one song on the record. The band toured only a small amount behind this record, partially due to the fact that Malkmus had a new child.
On October 2nd, 2006, it was reported by Pitchfork that Janet Weiss, drummer of Quasi and the defunct Sleater-Kinney, had officially joined the band, replacing founding drummer John Moen, who left to be the drummer for The Decemberists.
On March 4th, 2008, their latest album "Real Emotional Trash" was released.
In 2011, shortly after recording their fifth album, it was announced that Janet Weiss had left the band. She was replaced by Jake Morris, formerly of Joggers.
On August 23, 2011, the album "Mirror Traffic" was officially released to generally positive reviews.
14 Stick Figures In Love
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drag down
No one can see
Market on the bug in no one's ear
I can see you down
Sideways in my head
Daughters of the world, be on green alert
The scourge of plastic china
So fine in Carolina
Betting my bread on the minister
The alabaster wino
God speaks through that albino
Your frozen enemy came down before the flood
No time
No one is done
Your tokens of my voice will ? in your ?
No spies
No one is ?
The lyrics of Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks's song "Stick Figures In Love" appear to be cryptic and somewhat abstract, making it challenging to derive a clear meaning. The song appears to have a wide range of non-linear thoughts, ideas, and images that seem disconnected initially. The first line, "If you want mine, you better take all the lies of me" suggests that the singer is demanding honesty from his partner. The following lines do little to clarify the identity of the subject or the motivation of the song.
The second line, "Drag down, no one can see," suggests that the singer feels subdued, invisible, or overlooked. The third line, "Market on the bug in no one's ear," appears nonsensical as it suggests that someone is promoting something that no one is listening to. The fourth line is equally inscrutable, "I can see you down sideways in my head." It could be interpreted as a reference to how the singer's mind is perceiving or processing their partner. The subsequent line, "Daughters of the world, be on green alert" is also surreal, perhaps referencing environmentalism or activism, while the latter half of the chorus references "the scourge of plastic china," calling attention to pollution.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want mine you better take all the lies of me
If you want to be with me, be prepared to accept all my flaws and deceptions
Drag down
Bring me down emotionally
No one can see
No one can tell what's going on inside my mind
Market on the bug in no one's ear
Promote something insignificant to an audience that doesn't care
I can see you down
I can see you being depressed
Sideways in my head
Occupying a small, insignificant part of my thoughts
Daughters of the world, be on green alert
Women of the world, be environmentally conscious
The scourge of plastic china
The problem of non-biodegradable Chinese-made plastics
So fine in Carolina
Life in Carolina is great
Betting my bread on the minister
Having faith in a religious figure
The alabaster wino
A white alcoholic
God speaks through that albino
God's messenger speaks through the white alcoholic
Your frozen enemy came down before the flood
Your foe was present long before disaster struck
No time
There's no time left to waste
No one is done
No one has achieved everything they desire
Your tokens of my voice will ? in your ?
The remnants of my communication will linger within you
No spies
No one is observing
No one is ?
No one is complete / content
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
60dukeyboy
Flaming genius !The entire album is a Malkmus classic...........best album since his first self titled album with the Jicks. I hope they get to Aus soon.
natedog642
This guy is a GENIUS no matter what anyone says!
funforalgernon
LOVE this song.
James Fleisher
These guys rule, nice solo.
Daniel Angulo
The bass is awesome on this version!
The Psychedelic Squirrels
Joanna Bolme!!!
Jon Cousins
God - I LOVE THIS SONG!
wevegotafileonyou
Merci beaucoup d'avoir capturé ce Live. J'adore cet album. Le meilleur depuis son départ des Pavement...
chrisocony
He usually doesn't play with a pick. That is part of his magic sound.
chrisocony
I love this album but my personal favorite was Real Emotional Trash. It's just right up my alley.