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.
Elmo Delmo
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And look you up on the all you claim you want to share
Claim to want to share
Don't get into the throng in your head
'Cause this is not a passenger line
Everybody's read
A luccid like attune to a choir
A house on to church
Of snow stricken ghosts
We'll politic the edge of infinity
Have the technique ingrained
We are not here to pray
So fleet of foot and smart
In suits of charcoal grey
In suits of charcoal grey
Bring to the fore
A thought corridor
Of purple pumas guarding the gate
A metal grotto
You'll hear no echoes
Isn't it sweet
The people you meet
Connected with the calendar kids
I'm one with the grid
It turns me into a double form of risk
Dissociation at every turn-pike
Life after birth
Non stop wind
Arctic circle
Non stop wind
Shamrock justice
For the ice mall
He is my last last
Elmo Delmo
Elmo Delmo
Elmo Delmo
Elmo Delmo
Elmo Delmo...
The lyrics of Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks' song Elmo Delmo are quite abstract, but they seem to touch upon themes of identity, individuality, and perception. The opening lines suggest a desire to connect with someone and learn about their experiences, but also a reluctance to be influenced by the opinions of others: "Looking to call your dare / And look you up on the all you claim you want to share / Claim to want to share / Don't get into the throng in your head."
Throughout the song, there are references to houses of worship, ghosts, and the edge of infinity, perhaps suggesting a desire for spiritual transcendence or a sense of something beyond the mundane. There are also references to "suits of charcoal grey," which could represent conformity or the oppression of individuality.
The final lines of the song feature the repeated refrain "Elmo Delmo," which could be an invented phrase with no particular meaning, or it could have some sort of personal significance or inside joke for the songwriter. Overall, the song seems to be an exploration of the struggle to maintain a sense of self and purpose in a world that can sometimes feel suffocating and disorienting.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking to call your dare
Seeking the courage to reach out to you
And look you up on the all you claim you want to share
Searching for the truth in the things you share
Claim to want to share
Say you want to share
Don't get into the throng in your head
Do not let your thoughts overwhelm you
'Cause this is not a passenger line
This is not a journey for passive observers
Everybody's read
Everyone is aware
A luccid like attune to a choir
A clear and harmonious sound, like that of a choir
A house on to church
A building that looks like a church
Expanding candle necklace of hair
A person's hair that looks like a long, burning candle
Of snow stricken ghosts
Ghosts that resemble snow
We'll politic the edge of infinity
We will push the boundaries of what is possible
Have the technique ingrained
Possessing the necessary skills
We are not here to pray
We are not looking for spiritual enlightenment
So fleet of foot and smart
Agile and intelligent
In suits of charcoal grey
Dressed in dark suits
Bring to the fore
Highlighting
A thought corridor
A pathway of ideas
Of purple pumas guarding the gate
Hidden obstacles that must be overcome
A metal grotto
A cavern made of metal
You'll hear no echoes
No sound will be heard
Isn't it sweet
Isn't it great
The people you meet
The individuals you encounter
Connected with the calendar kids
Linked to the people who are in tune with the passage of time
I'm one with the grid
Being part of the system
It turns me into a double form of risk
It makes me twice as dangerous
Dissociation at every turn-pike
Feeling detached at every junction
Life after birth
Existence after coming into the world
Non stop wind
Continuous wind
Arctic circle
Region around the North Pole
Shamrock justice
Fake fairness
For the ice mall
For the cold shopping center
He is my last last
He is the final one
Elmo Delmo
Name of the person or place being referred to
Elmo Delmo
Name of the person or place being referred to
Elmo Delmo
Name of the person or place being referred to
Elmo Delmo
Name of the person or place being referred to
Elmo Delmo...
Name of the person or place being repeatedly emphasized
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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