Like a fluorescent-lit snack-aisle oasis in some desolate interstate road stop, brimming with Skittles and limited-edition Sno Balls, Tacocat's Easter-egg-hued pop-punk-pop is bubblegum-sticky with hooks, bound to brighten up the most drab stretch of bummer backroad.
The band's four-person, seven-layer-burrito came together organically: Lelah Maupin (drums) and Eric Randall (guitar) met in their native Longview, WA—two hours south of Seattle, the very town that Green Day named their breakout debut single after. Lelah's family room was wallpapered with framed Magic Eye posters, hence "Stereogram," the cross-eyed love letter to that bizarre ‘90s optical fad. She met lanky Eric while both worked at Safeway, wearing the chain's distinctive navy aprons before breaking north to Seattle. Eric's band The Trashies practiced and played in the basement of the 24/7 House in the Central District, where Long Beach, CA native Bree McKenna (bass) was living, amongst the dust, boxes, and spiders. Lelah met Butte, MT native Emily Nokes (voice, tambourine) in one excruciatingly early/boring graphic design class, slipping her a doodled-upon note; she soon noticed Emily's big voice while she sang along with R. Kelly on the radio. Emily and Bree hit it off one sloshy night at the Comet. Eric impressed Emily with his reenactments of scenes from Anaconda. Sometime around 2007, via countless raucous house party shows, the legend of Tacocat was born.
The foursome would quickly make a name for themselves with their simply energizing power pop, drawing on classic Northwest energy with an uncommonly upbeat, surfy swag that could only come from gray skies and hydroponic sunshine. Their sly and unabashed ‘90s revivalism has, in the past, found the band pondering Evan Dando and Waterworld—and Bree herself explains finding about riot grrrl via Napster and Julia Stiles in 10 Things I Hate About You. They've described themselves variously as "Feminist sci-fi" and "Equal parts Kurt and Courtney"; oh well, whatever…NVM.
NVM—Tacocat's second full-length album and first for Hardly Art, opens up like some mystery shoebox, wistful, instantly nostalgic: snapshots of mortifying exes ("You Never Came Back") and sketchy party situations ("Party Trap"), maybe a postcard with an alien smoking a joint. Cigarette cellophane-wrapped weed nugs, pain pill crumbs and wrapped tampons ("all the girls are surfing the wave, surfing the crimson wave today”), all serve as a roadmap through Tacocat’s bong-ripped reminiscences, scenarios all-too familiar and hilariously improbable. There's the notoriously inconsistent #8 Metro line ("F.U. #8") and the accountability-allergic, black-clad brick-heavers of "This Is Anarchy." The protagonist of "Psychedelic Quinceañera"—based on Bree—just wants to dance with rainbows, mind-expansion style, instead of having to wear a frilly dress in front of her whole family. Emily daydreams of a "Bridge to Hawaii," where even the destitute could walk their asses to paradise—before being snapped out of it by cat-calls from construction workers, business dads, and drunk hobos ("Hey Girl"); sweaty jerks telling her that she shouldsmile!
NVM all that, though: you should, and will, smile—either a wry little corner-lifter or a big ear-to-ear equator—and shake what's yours, when you hear the whippet-smart latest album from the world's favorite palindromic band. Text a friend.
--Larry Mizell, Jr.
volcano
Tacocat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whatever price I'll pay
You're super-futuristic
You wash my troubles down the drain
Even though I'll probably never have you
Have you on my one
Then one night in your arms, I knew that you would never do me harm
Volcano, I want to ride your air balloon
Friendly vapors kindly fly me to the moon
Volcano, I want to ride your air balloon
Friendly vapors kindly fly me to the moon
You make me happy in the sunshine, happy in the rain
Silver cloud of science
You wash my troubles down the drain
Even though I'll probably never have you
Have you for my one
Then one night in your arms, I knew that you would never do me harm
Volcano, I want to ride your air balloon
Friendly vapors kindly fly me to the moon
Volcano, I want to ride your air balloon
Friendly vapors kindly fly me to the moon
You make me happy in the sunshine, happy in the rain
Silver cloud of science
You wash my troubles down the drain
Volcano, I want to ride your air balloon
Friendly vapors kindly fly me to the moon
The song "Volcano" by the band Tacocat is a fun and upbeat ode to escapism through fantasy. The lyrics seem to describe a longing for a place or state of mind that provides relief from everyday troubles. The "volcano" is presented as a futuristic and otherworldly escape, where the singer can forget their worries and be happy. The lyrics "you wash my troubles down the drain" and "friendly vapors kindly fly me to the moon" give the impression of a cleansing and uplifting experience.
The singer also seems to be attracted to the idea of being with the "volcano" intimately, as suggested by the lines "have you on my one" and "one night in your arms, I knew that you would never do me harm". This could imply a desire for a deeper connection with the concept of the "volcano" beyond just a temporary escape from reality.
Overall, the song can be interpreted as a celebration of the power of imagination and of indulging in fantasy as a way of coping with reality. It also hints at the human longing for connection and intimacy, even in unexpected or unconventional forms.
Line by Line Meaning
Volcano, take me away
The singer desires the volcano to remove them from their current situation.
Whatever price I'll pay
The singer is willing to pay any cost to be taken away by the volcano.
You're super-futuristic
The volcano is seen as an innovative, advanced concept.
You wash my troubles down the drain
Being taken away by the volcano is seen as a way to forget one's problems and start anew.
Even though I'll probably never have you
The singer knows they will never be able to possess the volcano.
Have you on my one
The singer longs to have the volcano for themselves.
Then one night in your arms, I knew that you would never do me harm
The singer felt comfort and safety in being near the volcano and knew it would fulfill their desire without bringing harm upon them.
Volcano, I want to ride your air balloon
The singer desires to experience something new and exciting, represented by the air balloon.
Friendly vapors kindly fly me to the moon
The singer sees the volcano as a friendly entity that will take them on a journey to a new destination.
You make me happy in the sunshine, happy in the rain
The singer finds joy in the volcano regardless of external circumstances.
Silver cloud of science
The volcano is seen as a scientific wonder, represented by the image of a silver cloud.
Volcano, I want to ride your air balloon
The singer's desire for new experiences and adventure is reiterated.
Friendly vapors kindly fly me to the moon
The singer trusts that the volcano will provide them with a safe and enjoyable journey.
You make me happy in the sunshine, happy in the rain
The volcano is a source of happiness and positivity for the singer.
Volcano, I want to ride your air balloon
The singer's desire for adventure is emphasized once again.
Friendly vapors kindly fly me to the moon
The singer trusts in the volcano's ability to provide them with a safe and enjoyable journey.
You make me happy in the sunshine, happy in the rain
The volcano brings the singer joy and contentment regardless of external conditions.
Contributed by Sebastian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@PressureDroptv
Thx for watching! Love them all!
@mattadrev471
love this track!