Tera Melos play a brand of math rock music characterized by quickly alternating rhythmic patterns, start-stop dynamics, improvisation, two-handed tapping on the guitar, extended open-ended bridges, and the use of effect pedals and samplers. After releasing a four song demo in 2004, they self released their untitled debut full-length on October 4, 2005. The album comprises eight tracks, and was re-issued in 2008 on Sargent House. While some of the tracks on the album feature distorted vocals that are somewhat undecipherable, (guitarist) Nick Reinhart started contributing more prominent vocals to the music with the release of their 2007 split with By the End of Tonight, called Complex Full of Phantoms.
Right before they started recording their second EP Drugs to the Dear Youth, one of the guitarists, Jeff Worms, left the band. It is rumored that Worms left to become a football star. This has been confirmed by Worms, although he has not cited what college he is currently playing for. On January 19, 2007, Tera Melos released the LP on Sargent House. ‘Drugs’ for short, was a step away from the previous sound they had before and farther into more progressive and original regions.
Tera Melos have over the past few years, developed a cult-like fan base around the United States and have recently gained some popularity in Europe, Asia, and South America.
Tera Melos announced on their MySpace page on April 2, 2007, that drummer Vince would be leaving the band to pursue other things, namely returning to college to pursue a career as a math professor. The band began searching for a new drummer shortly thereafter. After a little more than a year, the band announced the addition of John Clardy as their new drummer. Originally the band had planned a long-awaited LP release after touring, however they ended up releasing an EP of covers, featuring songs by The Beach Boys and Polaris, entitled Idioms, Vol. I.
On November 7, 2009, Tera Melos confirmed a new album due out in 2010 in a myspace bulletin. The post stated that the band was set to begin recording the next day, November 8. The new album, titled Patagonian Rats, was released in September 2010, and like their 2007 split with By the End of Tonight, it included vocals.
Aped
Tera Melos Lyrics
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Call the cops it's my primate and I'll need a bat
'cause he's freaking out
I took a shovel and and hatchet to the back of his head
He's not settled down
With Coca-Cola and the navy under his belt
it's all figured out
brain snapped back from the corner to the front of his head
What did you do with it? x 2
He's a animal
We've got animals
Please that animal
We've got animals
Call the cops it's my frame and she's missing a friend
And I'm freaking out
Peeling back skin
To reveal what it's really about
That you can live without
Cut her hair and it really set him over the edge
On a bender
Call the cops it's my primate I'm worried about
'cause he's freaking out
Aped
Nowhere is safe
When there's a thief around
Stealing your face
Aped x 4
There is unknown
Centered in the womb
When shit gets sour
I can feel your, head against my womb
Everything you've done
Doesn't ring a bell, but shit is sour
I can feel, your head against my womb
They can have your skull
She can have the key
Because it's too sour
I can feel, your head against my womb
The lyrics to Tera Melos's song Aped are quite cryptic, but the main theme is animalistic behavior and how it can lead to chaos and violence. The song opens with the repeated question "What did you do with it?" which is left unanswered, creating a sense of mystery and possibly guilt. The first verse describes a primate that has gone out of control and needs to be subdued with a bat. The primate is described as having Coca-Cola and the navy "under his belt," which could be interpreted as symbols of power and control.
The second verse is even more violent, as the singer describes cutting off someone's hair and causing them to go on a bender. The third verse introduces the idea of an unknown force centered in the womb, which can become sour and lead to negative consequences. The lyrics also mention stealing faces and having one's skull taken, which could symbolize loss of identity or control.
Overall, the song seems to be warning against giving in to primal urges and the potential for chaos and destruction that comes with it. The lyrics are abstract and open to interpretation, but they seem to be advocating for self-control and self-awareness in the face of our animal instincts.
Line by Line Meaning
Call the cops it's my primate and I'll need a bat
The singer needs to call the cops because they have a distressed primate that they can only handle with a bat.
He's not settled down
Despite the singer's efforts to calm the primate down, they are still agitated.
With Coca-Cola and the navy under his belt
it's all figured out
The primate has consumed Coca-Cola and possibly alcohol, which the singer believes is causing the primate's distress.
brain snapped back from the corner to the front of his head
now he's freaking out
The primate has experienced a head injury, causing them to become even more anxious.
He's a animal
We've got animals
Please that animal
We've got animals
The artist acknowledges that they have a wild animal in their possession, but they also recognize that we are all animals and should treat each other with respect and kindness.
Call the cops it's my frame and she's missing a friend
And I'm freaking out
The singer is missing a loved one and is concerned that they may have been taken by the same primate.
Peeling back skin
To reveal what it's really about
That you can live without
The singer is referring to the act of self-discovery, and the pain that goes along with it. They express that it is necessary to peel back the layers and face the truth, no matter how painful, in order to move forward.
Cut her hair and it really set him over the edge
On a bender
The artist cut someone's hair and this caused the primate to become even more agitated and possibly aggressive; they describe it as going on a 'bender'.
Call the cops it's my primate I'm worried about
'cause he's freaking out
The artist is still concerned about the primate and feels that they need to involve law enforcement because they cannot handle the situation alone.
Aped
Nowhere is safe
When there's a thief around
Stealing your face
Aped x 4
The artist alludes to the idea of someone stealing their identity or their face; they feel threatened and unsafe, comparing this act to that of a thief.
There is unknown
Centered in the womb
When shit gets sour
I can feel your, head against my womb
The singer is referencing the unknown that is inherent in being born, and how it is centered in the womb. They also express that they can feel someone's head against their womb during difficult situations.
Everything you've done
Doesn't ring a bell, but shit is sour
I can feel, your head against my womb
The artist does not understand or remember someone's actions, but is still impacted emotionally by the situation at hand.
They can have your skull
She can have the key
Because it's too sour
I can feel, your head against my womb
The singer is implying that someone else can have what they want, because it is causing them too much pain. They again mention feeling someone's head against their womb during this difficult time.
Contributed by Audrey R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.