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.
Real Emotional Trash
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're taking out the wine
It's that kind of night
Well everybody talk, everybody listen
Nobody breathe
So take the time
Let him go down
'Cause daddy's on the run
The trail has two eyes
One is just eternal
The other is infernal
To the tune
Easier said but less often done
Point me in the direction
Of your real emotional trash
Abstract city sun
Abstract city sun
Up to now is done
Never gonna stray
Never gonna stray
Never gonna stray
So take the time
To let him go down
'Cause daddy's on the run
Daddy's on the run
And who will get the first
Shoot the (?) first
Easier said but less often done
Point my in the right direction
Of your real emotional trash
I traipsed over the Mexican border
In cheap pair of ban ban
Lockets (?)
In my stomach
I needed some relief
Take me back to Frisco
In your vanity chest
With painted ladies on house arrest
So wax up the wax crew
It's time for a shine
It's the old crew
That makes wine
Appeasement
Appeasement
Appeasement
Appeasement
You got no reputation
Never took swing
Silent when they hand the spines out
In the (?) marina playing kissing game
No time for you to pout
Down in Sausalito
We had clams for dessert
You spill some Chardonnay
On your gypsy skirt
There's no more time for apricots
He's got to make his own shape
Appeasement
Appeasement
Appeasement
Appeasement
The song "Real Emotional Trash" by Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks is a reflection on the complexities of emotion and identity. The opening lines about taking out the wine indicate that it is a night for deep conversation, where everyone is paying close attention to each other. The singer acknowledges that it's not easy to open up emotionally and admits that it's easier said than done. The lyrics also reference the dichotomy between eternal and infernal or good and evil, with the trail having two eyes, one representing each force.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on a journey over the Mexican border, where they needed "relief" and now long to return to "Frisco" with its painted ladies on house arrest. The refrain about "daddy's on the run" can be interpreted as the singer acknowledging the transitory nature of identity; they are constantly moving and changing. Similarly, the line "never gonna stray" can be taken as both a mantra and a warning against becoming too comfortable with one's current identity or emotional state.
The repeated calls for "appeasement" can be read as a plea for peace or acceptance in the face of these challenges. Even with all the complexity of emotions and identity, the singer is searching for a way to understand and express their "real emotional trash."
Line by Line Meaning
We're taking out the wine
We're getting ready to have a good time
It's that kind of night
It's a night for letting loose and having fun
Well everybody talk, everybody listen
Everyone is engaged and focused on the moment
Nobody breathe
Everyone is holding their breath in anticipation
So take the time
Relax and enjoy the moment
Let him go down
Let yourself sink into the experience
'Cause daddy's on the run
We're all on the move and in the moment
The trail has two eyes
There are two paths to take in life
One is just eternal
One will lead to everlasting happiness
The other is infernal
One will lead to torment and agony
To the tune
In alignment with
Easier said but less often done
It's easy to say but difficult to execute
Point me in the direction
Tell me where to head
Of your real emotional trash
Show me your true feelings and emotions
Abstract city sun
The sun in the city is hard to grasp or define
Up to now is done
Everything that happened up to this point is finished
Never gonna stray
We'll stay true to ourselves and our values
So take the time
Relax and enjoy the moment
To let him go down
To sink into the experience
'Cause daddy's on the run
We're all running toward something
And who will get the first
Who will start it all off
Shoot the (?) first
Get things started with a bang
Easier said but less often done
It's easy to say but difficult to execute
Point me in the right direction
Tell me where to go in order to succeed
Of your real emotional trash
Show me your true feelings and emotions
I traipsed over the Mexican border
I crossed the Mexican border casually
In cheap pair of ban ban
Wearing low-quality clothing
Lockets (?)
Possibly referring to a type of jewelry
In my stomach
Feeling uneasy or unsettled
I needed some relief
I needed a release or escape
Take me back to Frisco
Take me back home
In your vanity chest
In your personal belongings
With painted ladies on house arrest
Prostitutes confined to their homes
So wax up the wax crew
Get ready for a party
It's time for a shine
It's time to have some fun
It's the old crew
It's our old friends we're partying with
That makes wine
Together we create something wonderful
Appeasement
Giving in to others' demands
Appeasement
Giving in to others' demands
Appeasement
Giving in to others' demands
Appeasement
Giving in to others' demands
You got no reputation
You're not known for anything significant
Never took a swing
You've never risked anything
Silent when they hand the spines out
You're not vocal about your opinions or beliefs
In the (?) marina playing kissing game
Having fun and goofing off in a carefree way
No time for you to pout
No time for feeling sorry for yourself
Down in Sausalito
In a picturesque location
We had clams for dessert
We enjoyed a delectable meal
You spill some Chardonnay
You accidentally made a mess
On your gypsy skirt
On your colorful and vibrant clothing
There's no more time for apricots
There's no more time for laid-back living
He's got to make his own shape
He has to figure out what he wants from life
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind