Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks are a rock band consisting of Stephen Malkmus… Read Full Bio ↴Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks are a rock band consisting of Stephen Malkmus (vocals, guitar), Joanna Bolme (bass, vocals), Mike Clark (keyboards) and Jake Morris (drums). The band has released seven albums: "Stephen Malkmus" (2001), "Pig Lib" (2003), "Face the Truth" (2005), "Real Emotional Trash" (2008), "Mirror Traffic" (2011), "Wig Out at Jagbags" (2014) and "Sparkle Hard" (2018). Malkmus was the lead singer and primary songwriter for Pavement.

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.

Long Hard Book
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't see you through these wandering eyes
I'm a one-trick pony and I can't survive
See me flagging, something's wrong, you see
Rope director, won't you bury me?
There's a long hard book that needs reading
So do what you must, but don't touch

I'm ever so frightened

Come around, baby, take a look
No excuses for what you might do
I'm seeing, lady, things you'll never know
Run around, rabbit, won't you run run run?
There's a long hard book that needs reading

So do what you must, but don't touch
I'm ever so silent

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks's song "Long Hard Book" convey a sense of confusion and disorientation. The first two lines describe the singer's inability to focus or commit to any one thing, while also acknowledging that this trait may ultimately be their downfall. The line "rope director, won't you bury me?" suggests a desire for escape or release from the burdens of responsibility and expectation. The repeated reference to a "long hard book that needs reading" serves as a metaphor for the challenges and uncertainties of life, which the singer is struggling to navigate.

The second half of the song shifts focus to a plea for understanding or connection with another person, specifically a lover or romantic interest. The line "come around, baby, take a look" suggests a desire for validation or reassurance, while the admission that there are "no excuses for what you might do" hints at a sense of guilt or fear. The final lines, "run around, rabbit, won't you run run run?" and "I'm ever so silent," continue the theme of restlessness and an inability to find peace or contentment.

Line by Line Meaning

I can't see you through these wandering eyes
I'm not focused on you, I'm distracted and unfocused

I'm a one-trick pony and I can't survive
I have limited skills and can't adapt in different situations

See me flagging, something's wrong, you see
I'm struggling and it's noticeable

Rope director, won't you bury me?
My life feels like a performance, please put it to an end

There's a long hard book that needs reading
There's something important that needs attention and effort

So do what you must, but don't touch
Handle with care, take action if necessary but be cautious

I'm ever so frightened
I'm very scared

Come around, baby, take a look
Pay attention to what's happening, be present

No excuses for what you might do
You're responsible for your actions

I'm seeing, lady, things you'll never know
I have experiences and knowledge that you don't

Run around, rabbit, won't you run run run?
You're always on the move, never stopping or enjoying life