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.
Senator
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Weapons-class gray sludge for migrants
Dioxin the chemical sunset
The number one subset of all
I know what the senator wants
What the senator wants is a blow job
I know what the senator wants
Panic in the antechamber
Motion to impeach
Cattle prod the working classes
There's some things you cant teach
'Cause we're fading fast
Like a stone
Come fading fast
Into the picture you own
Little Nicky Nicky Nicky
Down in Ocean Beach he's strumming
He used to carry his guitar around his back
And we'd just walk to certain places
Lock for gigs to illuminate
Smoking weed in our truck
The cops pull up
How can they not know?
It was so so so so so so invisible
Heavy heavy heavy heavy heavy smelter
Fuck it
Is it funny enough?
The serious business is void enough
My duty to the Republic
Is to use double speak because the Halo's off
I know what the senator wants
What the senator wants is a blow job
I know what everyone wants
What everyone wants is a blow job
Baby steps up Everest
So much trash to burn
We will stick it where the sun don't shine
As the world turns
You star fading fast
Like a stone
Come fading fast
Into the picture you own
Faded fast
You are fading fast
You are fading fast
You are gone
You are gone
(Look out)
The lyrics to Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks's song Senator can be interpreted as a critique of American politics and the corruption that exists within it. The first verse touches upon the issue of chemical waste being produced in America, potentially harming migrant communities. The use of the phrase "chemical sunset" is especially striking in that it suggests that the "toxic" practices of the country are destroying the environment and a way of life. The chorus, on the other hand, is an ironic statement about what the senator wants, presenting the idea that even the most powerful people in society want base, physical pleasures just like anyone else. This contrast between the senator's supposed dignified position and his primal desires is indicative of the overall critique of power dynamics that the song seeks to present.
The second verse of the song delves further into the corruption of politics. The phrase "panic in the antechamber" suggests that there is chaos and disarray behind closed doors, a feeling that is only amplified by the mention of motion to impeach. The use of the cattle prod metaphor highlights the idea of those in power manipulating the working class in order to maintain their own status. The repeated line "we're fading fast like a stone" can be interpreted in different ways, but one interpretation is that it's a metaphor for American society deteriorating due to the greed and corruption of the political and economic elite.
Line by Line Meaning
The toxins American made
Poisonous substances created and distributed by the United States
Weapons-class gray sludge for migrants
A toxic waste often used near migrant populations that is designed for weapon use
Dioxin the chemical sunset
A toxic chemical causing a long, slow death
The number one subset of all
The most significant issue in American politics
I know what the senator wants
I understand what the senator desires
What the senator wants is a blow job
The senator wants sexual favors
Panic in the antechamber
Feeling of anxiety and unrest in a waiting room
Motion to impeach
The desire to remove a political figure from office
Cattle prod the working classes
Controlling and manipulating the poor and working-class citizens
There's some things you can't teach
Some concepts cannot be taught but only experienced or understood intuitively
Cause we're fading fast
Our world is falling apart quickly
Like a stone
In a solid, unchanging way
Come fading fast
The end is coming soon
Into the picture you own
Into the story of your own life
Little Nicky Nicky Nicky
A musician in Ocean Beach, California
Down in Ocean Beach he's strumming
Playing his guitar in a hippie beach area
He used to carry his guitar around his back
Used to always have it with him
And we'd just walk to certain places
Hanging out and meeting up to go to shows or events
Lock for gigs to illuminate
Seeking out gigs to gain exposure and fame
Smoking weed in our truck
Having marijuana in our vehicle
The cops pull up
The police arrive
How can they not know?
How is it possible that they are unaware?
It was so so so so so so invisible
It was difficult to detect
Heavy heavy heavy heavy heavy smelter
A metal foundry that releases a lot of pollution
Fuck it
A disregard for consequences or social norms
Is it funny enough?
Is the situation amusing or inappropriate?
The serious business is void enough
Important work is pointless
My duty to the Republic
My responsibility to my country
Is to use double speak because the Halo's off
In order to survive, I must speak vaguely and noncommittally
I know what everyone wants
Understanding what people desire
What everyone wants is a blow job
People crave sex and pleasure
Baby steps up Everest
Slow progression up the metaphorical mountain of life
So much trash to burn
Lots of negativity and bad habits to overcome
We will stick it where the sun don't shine
We will rid ourselves of our negative ways
As the world turns
The cycle continues
You star fading fast
Your world is in decline
Faded fast
Declined quickly
You are fading fast
You are losing what you once had
You are gone
You have lost everything
Look out
Be cautious
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheChadls
I love this album! Great song! Can't say enough!
@suicidesqueeze
Wish they'd repress this shit
@julianedolvitsch7293
I want more stephen malkmus and the jicks shows in  Porto Alegre - Brazil!
@evygil
JACK BLACK IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A DECENT HUMAN BEING WHO GIVE HIS TIME TO SPREAD LOVE AND INSPIRATION. LOVE THIS GUY AWESOME ISM.....
@Drymouth11
wtf, Malkmus's voice has not gotten older!
@davidfox6535
He's a fucking Genius.. what a song writer. so original.
@kierkanrufox6641
Fantastic song and music video! Mirror Traffic really grew on me as an album. You are loved for who you are Mr. Malkmus!
@FreakinKoolMedia
DC PIERSON!!!!! HE WROTE ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS!!!!! (the boy who couldn't sleep, and never had to)
@sfkram
"I'm not what you think I am. I'm the king of Siam"
@DylanBarrett23
"how could they not know?" classic