The true identities of the members of TISM have been kept secret. For this reason, the band often appear in balaclavas when they play concerts, although they have also been known to indulge in ridiculously complex costumery to the same end. They have been thought to have been influenced by The Residents in this regard. However, the true identities of the members are common knowledge among fans of the band.
Numerous rumours have arisen as to why the members of TISM do not reveal their identities. One of which is that due to the highly controversial nature of their lyrics, if people were to know their true identities they could risk legal action. Another is that they are all, in fact, school teachers and need to keep their reputation in check. The latter theory is supported by the fact that the band's tour dates virtually always coincide with school holidays.
The band members have created pseudonyms for themselves.
Current known members include:
* Ron Hitler-Barassi: Vocals
* Humphrey B. Flaubert: Vocals
* Jock Cheese: Bass
* Eugene de la Hot-Croix Bun: Keyboards and samples
* Jon St. Peenis: Saxophone
* Les Miserables: Dancing
Past members are:
Tokin' Blackman (R.I.P. 2008)
Genre B. Goode
Leak Van Vlalen
Tony Coitus
Steak and Charles Kidney
Hits include:
(He'll Never Be An) Ol' Man River
Greg! The Stop Sign!!
Everyone Else Has Had More Sex Than Me
All Homeboys Are Dickheads
Whatareya
Thunderbirds Are Coming Out
On the 9th April 2008 James "Tokin' Blackman" Paull died after a 15 month battle with lung cancer. Jock was the guitarist with the Aussie legends for 16 years. He was 50 years old.
My Generation
TISM Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The younger generation are generally wrong?
When you think your parents are pretty OK
It's hard to write a good teen rebellion song
My generation; they think that rebellion
Is keeping your bathroom dirty
My parent's house is clean and neat
Oh under thirty!
My generation
My generation
My generation
My my my my my generation
Don't you know graffiti is reactionary?
Be revolutionary; join the parenthood crew!
My parents watch TV and go to bed
And you can all snigger behind their backs
But most other people who play rock and roll
What they need is a damn good smack
They need a damn good smack!
My investigation
Leaves no hesitation
In reevaluation
Of estimation of
My generation
My generation
My generation
My generation
My my my my my my my my my my my my my my my my my generation
My generation
My my my generation
My generation
Woohoo
My generation
My generation
I said
My generation
My generation
Woohoo
My generation
Why don't you all just give up {the/for?} family
My generation
My generation
My generation......
The lyrics to TISM's My Generation seem to poke fun at the idea of teenage rebellion and the idea that youth culture is synonymous with rebellion against the establishment. The first two lines of the song establish the concept that the singer is in a unique position where they think the younger generation is wrong but they also think their parents are alright. This leaves them at an impasse, with nothing interesting to sing about.
The chorus repeats the phrase "My Generation" several times, which is likely a nod to the famous song of the same name by The Who. It could also be a nod to the idea of generational identity, that each generation is defined by a certain set of characteristics, and that in this case, the singer is part of the generation who is not interested in rebellion.
The lyrics critique the idea of rebellion being defined by something as mundane as a messy bathroom, and suggests that the real "revolutionary" act would be to join the "parenthood crew." This is a humorous way of pointing out that the idea of rebellion is often just an illusion, and that conformity is more widespread than people might think.
In the final verse, the singer seems to be suggesting that many rock stars and musicians are not actually rebellious, but instead simply rely on the image of rebellion to sell records. This is reinforced by the line "what they need is a damn good smack," which implies that they are not genuine in their rebellion.
Overall, TISM's My Generation is a satirical take on the concept of teenage rebellion and generational identity. It pokes fun at the idea that people are defined by their age, and suggests that rebellion is often just an act, rather than something that is genuine.
Line by Line Meaning
What do you do when you truly think
When you genuinely believe the younger generation is mostly wrong,
The younger generation are generally wrong?
When you think the youth are mistaken about many things?
When you think your parents are pretty OK
When you believe your parents are doing fine
It's hard to write a good teen rebellion song
It becomes tricky to produce a compelling song about teenage rebellion
My generation; they think that rebellion
My age cohort is of the opinion that resistance is just failing to keep your bathroom clean
Is keeping your bathroom dirty
Rebellion is merely neglecting to tidy up your washroom
My parent's house is clean and neat
My folks' home is tidy and well-organized
I never trust a person under thirty
I don't have faith in anyone younger than thirty
Oh under thirty!
Anyone who has not reached three decades of age!
Don't you know graffiti is reactionary?
Have you failed to comprehend that graffiti is counterproductive?
Be revolutionary; join the parenthood crew!
Instead, be a revolutionary and join the club of parents!
My parents watch TV and go to bed
My folks watch boob tube and retire for the night
And you can all snigger behind their backs
And go ahead and snicker about them once they're gone
But most other people who play rock and roll
However, many other rock musicians
What they need is a damn good smack
Could benefit from a good hard slap
They need a damn good smack!
They deserve a good beating!
My investigation
My inquiry
Leaves no hesitation
Leaves me with no doubt
In reevaluation
Regarding reconsideration
Of estimation of
Of the estimate (judgement) of
My generation
My age cohort
My my my my my generation
My age cohort… (repeated)
Why don't you all just give up {the/for?} family
Why not just abandon the concept of a family altogether?
Contributed by Isaac N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
William
on I Might Be a Cunt but I'm Not a Fucking Cunt
why can't i listen to the song?