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.
Oyster
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
came here only yesterday from the worst place on this earth
but in this evil everglades
you'll find no peace of mind
watch out for the marsh shark
he'll rip off your behind
do not feed the oyster
he'll suck you like a seagull
into the sound
under a cloud, you do not feed the oysters
under the ground
under the ground
underground
I hope you got there early
and I hope you brought your date
I hope she traveled chicago
second class, not freight
wedding bells and christmas hail to the life you did aspire
no more time to fight about the tension in the choir
do not feed the oyster
under the clouds
he'll suck you like a seagull
into the sound
under a cloud, you do not feed the oysters
under the ground, under the ground, under the ground
under the ground, under the ground
underground
The lyrics of "Oyster" by Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks portray a sense of unease and danger that lurks in the Everglades. The opening lines, "crimson alligator, blinded by the surf, came here only yesterday from the worst place on this earth," set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer warns of the dangers of the marsh shark and the ominous feeling of having no peace of mind in this evil environment.
The second verse introduces the idea of the oyster, which seems to symbolize something that should not be tampered with. "Do not feed the oyster, under a cloud, he'll suck you like a seagull into the sound," is a warning that seems to suggest the oyster has a dangerous and powerful pull that could lead to one's demise. The final verse suggests a more mundane setting, a wedding, and the singer wishes that there is no conflict in the choir. However, the ominous warning of the oyster remains.
Overall, "Oyster" is a song that suggests that even in places where one hopes to find joy and celebration, there is still a sense of danger lurking beneath the surface.
Line by Line Meaning
crimson alligator, blinded by the surf
The singer describes an alligator that appears red and is unable to see well due to the waves in the sea.
came here only yesterday from the worst place on this earth
The alligator is a recent arrival in this location, having previously been in an undesirable place.
but in this evil everglades
Despite the alligator's new surroundings, the area is still dangerous.
you'll find no peace of mind
The alligator will not be able to relax in its current location.
watch out for the marsh shark
The alligator needs to be cautious of the Marsh Shark.
he'll rip off your behind
This line warns of the Marsh Shark's potential for harm against the alligator.
do not feed the oyster
The listener should take care not to give food to the oyster.
under a cloud
This line refers to a specific situation, where something unpleasant has occurred.
he'll suck you like a seagull
If the oyster is given food while under these circumstances, it will cause harm to the giver, like a bird being sucked into the water.
into the sound
This line suggests that the harm caused by the oyster is tied to the surrounding environment somehow.
you do not feed the oysters
The previous warnings about feeding the oyster are repeated once again.
I hope you got there early
The artist expresses the desire for the listener to arrive at some location quickly.
and I hope you brought your date
Additionally, the singer hopes that the listener is accompanied by a romantic partner.
I hope she traveled chicago
The singer specifically mentions Chicago as a place the listener's partner might have traveled from or through.
second class, not freight
This line suggests the hope that the listener's partner arrived using a nicer mode of travel, rather than a more utilitarian one.
wedding bells and christmas hail to the life you did aspire
This line references the listener's aspirations towards life and possibly a future marriage.
no more time to fight about the tension in the choir
The previous line is followed by a suggestion that the listener can now stop fighting or worrying about a disagreement among those they may have sung with in the past.
under the clouds
This is a repetition of an earlier line about an ominous event.
under the ground
This line repeats twice and suggests a descent into a darker or alternative world.
underground
This final line reinforces the idea of descending into another place or state, possibly one removed from the above ground world.
Contributed by Hudson K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.