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.
One Percent of One
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get it out of my mind
I can bend the rules with primitive tools and stutters
I feel right at home beside the wood shed
Give as good as I do get
And I heart the part when you play the concerned friend
When will it end?
From the never-ending night life that we shared
I cannot even do one sit-up
Sit-ups are so bourgeoisie
I'm busy hanging out and spending your money
What does it mean?
I want to be there
The lyrics of this song by Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks convey a sense of restlessness and a desire for something more, something different. The opening lines express frustration with being unable to contain or control one's own thoughts and emotions. The use of the phrase "primitive tools and stutters" suggests a struggle to communicate effectively, perhaps due to feeling overwhelmed or disconnected from others.
The mention of the wood shed and the sense of feeling "right at home" there evokes a sense of nostalgia or longing for a simpler time, before the pressures and complexities of modern life took hold. The reference to "playing the concerned friend" suggests a degree of insincerity or superficiality in certain social interactions.
The lines "none of us will get away spared / From the never-ending night life that we shared" convey a sense of shared experience and inevitability of certain aspects of life. The final lines express a desire to be present and engaged in life, rather than simply going through the motions or following societal norms.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't contain the motion
I am overwhelmed by my thoughts and feelings and cannot control them.
Get it out of my mind
I need to find a way to express these pent-up emotions and ideas.
I can bend the rules with primitive tools and stutters
I may not have all the resources or skills, but I can still find a way to be creative and innovative.
I feel right at home beside the wood shed
I am most comfortable in simple, rustic settings, away from the distractions of modern life.
Give as good as I do get
I expect others to treat me with the same level of respect and generosity that I offer them.
And I heart the part when you play the concerned friend
I appreciate it when people show genuine care and concern for my well-being.
When will it end?
I am tired of the constant struggles and challenges in life and yearn for a time when things are easier.
Unfortunately none of us will get away spared
We are all susceptible to the hardships and difficulties of life, no matter who we are or what we do.
From the never-ending night life that we shared
We have all experienced the highs and lows of an active nightlife, with all its pleasures and pitfalls.
I cannot even do one sit-up
I am not physically fit and cannot even complete a basic exercise like a sit-up.
Sit-ups are so bourgeoisie
I am not interested in conforming to mainstream exercise routines or cultural ideals of fitness.
I'm busy hanging out and spending your money
I am enjoying leisure time with friends or acquaintances, possibly at someone else's expense.
What does it mean?
I am curious about the significance or implications of a particular situation or action.
I want to be there
I desire to be present at a specific location or event, possibly for personal or relational reasons.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheCactusjack1
This is pure genius! Pig Lib Blew my mind when it came out and it remains the best SM album in my opinion. Love the fact that there are bands like this putting out real music. This is an epic, fearless jam! NINE MINUTES TWELVE !!!!! Who does that long of a song anymore? Put the headphones on and trip out! SM has entered the realm of the rock GODS, Who knew he would be such a great guitar player?
margie anthony
<3 this song is perfection, it doesn't seem as long as it is. I play it in "repeat 1 loop" all the time... during the encore at Neumos, I shouted out "1% of One please!" the keyboardist heard me, and relayed my request to Stephen. He laughed while shaking his head, basically saying "heck no!"
Swan Tube
Similar thing happened when Jicks played in NZ... "that song is too much hard work" said Malkmus....
littlebigcat
@Swan Tube Lucky I heard it on the Pig Lib tour
Nick Martinez
Best song ever. Just play on repeat all day. Sit on your porch in the sunshine if possible.
60dukeyboy
The most underrated prog rock masterpiece ever.
Sionann O'Neill
SM is definitely a guitar god, big time. Credit must also be given to the rest of the Jicks who tripped out right along with him. Special shout out to the amazing drummer Janet Weiss, who played in the Jicks for years and brought her exquisite and subtle drumming prowess to their sound.
Martijn Alexander Kugel
But she did'nt drum on this album...But she sounds great also. Little bit like Mitch Mitchell. She brings the Jimi Hendrix vibe.
Patrick Duff
I Love this song and the playing on this is amazing of course...but I also Love the lyrics ...For anyone who has ever made music in studios it sums up something about the experience so well...always puts a smile on my face..x
Martijn Alexander Kugel
This song...just on repeat..it never leaves my mind. 100%GREAT!!