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.
Wicked Wanda
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What was it that spawned ya
Who's responsible for your trash
A pretty little spider
With Hollywood in inside her
And no time to accommodate
A chicken scratch
I never
Avoid your screams
A paralyzed dream
Forever
Wicked, wicked Wanda
I'd rather date Rwanda
Then be involved in your moral trap
A pretty little spider
With Hollywood inside her
And no time to accommodate
There no kicks
One night jig
A feather
The basement screams
Apparent to me
Forever
To free of doubt and longing
Simple clarity, belonging
In a role untouched by history
To be art of something vaster
Then yourself, the frozen plaster
Breakout of your core categories
Strike...me square
Into the arms of the air
Strike...me square
Into the arms of the air
Stories not reality
I feel like a junk contraption
Truth is, I can't shake this vile fear
When I space out I'm direct
I've got the week or to reflect with
Free to be a temperamental tear
Strike...me square
Into the arms of the air
Strike...me square
Into the arms of the air
The lyrics of "Wicked Wanda" by Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks describe the titular character as a trashy, Hollywood-infused spider who is responsible for her own moral trap. The song opens with the question of what caused Wanda, followed by Malkmus expressing his aversion to her and wishing he would rather date Rwanda. He then likens her to a "chicken scratch" and "bare ass back," and mentions her screams and "paralyzed dream forever." The second verse is a repetition of the first, adding the lines "there no kicks, one night jig, a feather" and "the basement screams apparent to me forever." The final verse seems to take a more philosophical turn, with Malkmus expressing a desire for clarity and belonging in a role untouched by history. He then mentions being struck into the arms of the air.
The song as a whole seems to be a critique of superficiality and the Hollywood culture. Wicked Wanda is portrayed as a result of this culture, someone who is unable to accommodate due to her shallow outlook on life. Malkmus' comparison of her to Rwanda is interesting, as it highlights the extent of his dislike for her. The repetition of certain phrases throughout the song creates a sense of unease, as if Malkmus is unable to escape the grasp of Wanda and her influence. The final verse, with its talk of being struck into the arms of the air, seems to hint at a desire for transcendence and release from the constraints of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
Wicked, wicked Wanda
Addressing a person named Wanda suspected of bad influence
What was it that spawned ya
Asking about the origin of the bad influence Wanda is exhibiting
Who's responsible for your trash
Questioning who bears the burden of responsibility for the negative effects of Wanda's behavior
A pretty little spider
Describing Wanda as an attractive but dangerous figure
With Hollywood in inside her
Suggesting that Wanda is influenced by the superficiality and materialism of the entertainment industry
And no time to accommodate
Implying that Wanda is too busy or self-involved to consider the effects of her actions on others
A chicken scratch
Dismissing Wanda's work as low-quality
A bare ass back
Describing someone exposed and vulnerable
I never
Denying involvement or association
Avoid your screams
Acknowledging an unpleasant situation
A paralyzed dream
A state of feeling stuck
Forever
Indicating a sense of finality or permanence
I'd rather date Rwanda
Saying that Wanda is so undesirable as a partner that the singer would rather date an entire country with a history of conflict and genocide
Then be involved in your moral trap
Disapproving of the situation and the potential consequences of being associated with Wanda
There no kicks
Implying that the situation is not exciting or stimulating
One night jig
A brief sexual encounter
A feather
Something light and insignificant
The basement screams
Referring to a location where unpleasant sounds or events occur
Apparent to me
Something that is clearly evident to the singer
Forever
Indicating a sense of finality or permanence
To free of doubt and longing
Expressing a desire for certainty and peace
Simple clarity, belonging
Wanting to feel a sense of simplicity and belonging
In a role untouched by history
Describing a situation that is fresh and new
To be art of something vaster
Wanting to be part of something bigger and more significant
Then yourself, the frozen plaster
Breaking away from the status quo to avoid being stuck in a rut
Breakout of your core categories
Encouraging someone to break free from their established patterns of behavior and expectations
Strike...me square
Asking for a direct and forceful action
Into the arms of the air
Letting go of control and surrendering oneself to the experience
Stories not reality
Emphasizing the difference between fabricated tales and actuality
I feel like a junk contraption
Feeling overwhelmed and disorganized
Truth is, I can't shake this vile fear
Admitting to feeling a strong sense of dread
When I space out I'm direct
Saying that when the artist is not preoccupied or anxious, they are honest and straightforward
I've got the week or to reflect with
Having a temporary reprieve to contemplate and come to terms with something
Free to be a temperamental tear
Having the liberty to show a range of emotions and feelings
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
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