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.
Witch Mountain Bridge
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A spell could save you
The wine that we threw into a chasm
Came right back to you
Now it's all so straight and narrow
And the skeptics rule the nation
The servants scream
The stupid sin
Pneumatic witch caves
Give you astute impression
Of the realms of the magic arts
Yes, it's all over your head
So enjoy the dim vacation
A sermon reads
"never wear black"
There is no now
You can tape that to your deviled brow
Time came before the end my lord
Explain your cattle call
What we need is a soft second serve
Of your fine approximations
Shepherd read
Always wear black
The song “Witch Mountain Bridge” by Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks seems to be a nostalgic reflection about a time when magic and spells were considered a legitimate means of solving problems. The first verse refers to this belief by saying “in better times, a spell could save you” and how wine that was thrown into a chasm would magically return to the person who threw it. However, the lyrics then shift to the present and how everything is now “straight and narrow” and how the skeptic’s rule the nation. The servant’s advice to “always wear black” is another reference to the idea of magic and witchcraft.
The next verse continues the theme of magic, as the lyrics describe “pneumatic witch caves” that provide an “astute impression of the realms of the magic arts”. This imagery suggests that there was once a time when people believed in the existence of witches and their powers. The last part of the verse again references the idea of “never wear black” as a way of avoiding negative forces or bad luck. The chorus is somewhat ambiguous, but it seems to suggest that time is more cyclical than linear, and that there is no real present moment to live in. The final lines about the shepherd reading “always wear black” is likely a metaphor for the way people often cling to superstitions or outdated beliefs even when they don’t have any real basis in reality.
Line by Line Meaning
In better times
A reference to the past when people believed in spells and magic that could save them from danger.
A spell could save you
Refers to the belief that spells and potions had magical powers to protect people from harm.
The wine that we threw into a chasm
A reference to people throwing wine or other offerings into chasms as part of a ritual to appease the gods.
Came right back to you
Belief that whatever offering or sacrifice made to the gods would be returned to the person as a blessing.
Now it's all so straight and narrow
Refers to the current time when people no longer believe in spells or magic and follow a rigid, conventional way of life.
And the skeptics rule the nation
Refers to the power of skepticism and rational thinking over superstition and magic in modern times.
The servants scream
Refers to desperate people who still believe in magic and wear black as a symbol of mourning or protection.
"always wear black"
Advice given by magical servants to their masters as a way of warding off evil spirits.
The stupid sin
Refers to people who dismiss magic and witchcraft as foolish or sinful without understanding its true power.
Pneumatic witch caves
Refers to the hidden places witches use to practice their magic which are invisible to the ordinary eye.
Give you astute impression
Makes the observer understand the reality and significance of magical practices.
Of the realms of the magic arts
Refers to the magical kingdoms and dimensions where witches draw their power from.
Yes, it's all over your head
Refers to the belief that magic and its powers are beyond the understanding of rational minds.
So enjoy the dim vacation
Acknowledges that understanding the true power of magic requires time and patience.
A sermon reads
Words of wisdom intended to guide believers in their spiritual journey.
"never wear black"
Indicates a reversal of advice given to believers to represent their rejection of the magical way of life.
There is no now
A reference to the timelessness of magical practices which are not bound by the limits of time and space.
You can tape that to your deviled brow
An admonishment to non-believers that they will pay for their skepticism in the afterlife.
Time came before the end my lord
Refers to the cyclical nature of time and how the present is affected by the past and future.
Explain your cattle call
Challenge to skeptics to explain their conventional way of life and how it is better than the magical way.
What we need is a soft second serve
Request for an explanation of their beliefs and a demonstration of their understanding of the magical way of life.
Of your fine approximations
Request for the skeptics to provide better explanations for their beliefs that are backed by reason and experience.
Shepherd read
Guidance from wise religious leaders who encourage people to follow their conventional way of life.
Always wear black
Advice to non-believers to follow the symbolic way of life that represents their rejection of the magical way.
Contributed by Adam N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.