The Accused regrouped in 2003, playing live shows in the Seattle area, then releasing the album "Oh, Martha!" on their own CONDAR Records label. This "comeback record" landed on Revolver magazine's Top Ten albums of the year and "Writer's Lists" from Metal Maniacs magazine. However, that line-up was short-lived. In 2005 3 members formed another band, Toe Tag and left The Accused. Guitarist and founding member, Tom Niemeyer continued on with The Accused recruiting 3 replacement members in the months following the walk-out by Cook, Alex Sibbald and Steve Nelson.
The next line-up consisted of Brad Mowen, Pete Hodous, Mike Peterson and Niemeyer. They perform and recorded as The Accused until 2008. That line-up released two new songs, 'Scotty Came Back' and 'Fuck Sorry', January 26, 2007 via the band's Official website, as free downloadable .MP3 files.
In 2009, The Accused released a full album of new materail, "The CURSE of Martha Splatterhead"
through Southern Lord Records. That same year, The Accused flew to Birmingham England for an appearance at SUPERSONIC Festival and London England debut gig the next night before flying back to the States to tour the West Coast USA in support of their Southern Lord release.
The out-of-print back-catalog of The Accused's albums released between 1985 and 1990 is currently available as re-releases on both Compact Disc and, scheduled for 2014, limited edition vinyl re-pressings of their popular Combat Records releases as well as vinyl offerings from their stint on NASTYMIX Records.
The Accused is considered to be an important progenitor of the 'crossover' style that bridged the gap between hardcore punk and thrash metal, which later influenced and inspired dozens of 'grindcore' and some 'crust punk' bands.
The Accused are currently, periodically performing live and are scheduled to release a selection of new materail in 2014.
The Accused Are:
Guitar: Tommy Niemeyer
Drums: Josh SInder
Vox: BRAD Mowen
Bass: Chris Napalitano
Incomplete List of Former-Members:
Chibon "Chewy" Batterman - bass
Dana Collins - drums
Blaine "Fart" Cook - vocals
John Dahlin - vocals
Mike "Nyge" Peterson
Alex "Maggot Brain" Sibbald
Steve "O Ring" Nelson
Down & Out
The Accüsed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see these fools passed out
At any time of the day
Crashed out in a bed of piss
So tell me
Who's job is it to tend these few people?
Back to self-sufficiency and respect
I turn my head it puts chills in my heart
If I give you some change to clear my mind
Would I have played my part?
There's a man who has a dream
But never seems to make it
'Cause everytime he gets some, someone tries to take it.
A second chance at life, no one will give him
In an alley wat is where he's livin'
You see him there you walk by laughing and smirking
Thinking to yourself it's only his fault, he ain't working.
That might be true but it's only half the story so
Kick back while we tell you his story.
He came back from the war a veteran
The only thing he learned to do was kill and shoot a gun.
That comes in handy when you're fighting a war
But when you came back to society you need much more.
So all he had was terror in his mind
No job skills so a job he couldn't find.
The only thing he had was memories
Of his friends being killed and crying and dying babies.
So he grabbled bottle for an escape
From all the mental torment that the war had made.
Now you're calling him a bum 'cause he can't get none
While you're sitting at home not willing to get some.
Sharing and caring is what he needs now
Some support for his marals, some help for his ego.
So he can go to the top where every man can
And all he really needs is a helping hand.
So tell me
Who's job is it to tend these few people?
Back to self-sufficiency and respect
I turn my head it puts chills in my heart
If I give you some change to clear my mind
Would I have played my part?
Cold dark and lonely
Broken and abused
Homeless hungry and hated
Forgotten
Only remembered on the streets
And they're down, down and out.
The Accüsed's song "Down & Out" is a powerful lament about the realities of homelessness and poverty. The lyrics speak of seeing people passed out on doorsteps and in alleyways, with empty bottles in their arms, and the singer wonders whose job it is to tend to these people, and to help them regain self-sufficiency and respect. The song goes on to tell the story of a man who returned from war with only memories of death and destruction in his head, and no job skills to help him readjust to society. He turns to alcohol to escape his mental torment, and is now called a bum by those who don't understand his struggle. The song ends with a haunting refrain of "cold dark and lonely, broken and abused, homeless hungry and hated, forgotten, only remembered on the streets, and they're down, down and out."
The lyrics of "Down & Out" are a powerful indictment of a society that too often turns a blind eye to the plight of the homeless and the poor. The song's message is clear: we must all take responsibility for our fellow human beings, and work together to support those who are down on their luck. The Accüsed's aggressive, punk-inflected sound only adds to the force of their message, making "Down & Out" a song that demands to be heard.
Line by Line Meaning
On doorsteps and in alleyways
I see homeless people lying on the streets
I see these fools passed out
I see homeless people unconscious
At any time of the day
Homeless people are found lying on the streets anytime
Crashed out in a bed of piss
Homeless people sleep in a dirty environment
Empty bottle cradled in their arms.
Homeless people hold empty bottles while sleeping
Who's job is it to tend these few people?
Who is responsible for taking care of these homeless people?
Back to self-sufficiency and respect
The goal is to help the homeless achieve independence and dignity.
I turn my head it puts chills in my heart
It is disheartening to see homeless people suffer.
If I give you some change to clear my mind
If I give money to homeless people to ease my guilt
Would I have played my part?
Would I have done enough to help them?
There's a man who has a dream
There's a homeless man who wants to succeed.
But never seems to make it
But he is unable to achieve his dream.
'Cause everytime he gets some, someone tries to take it.
Whenever he gains something, someone steals it from him.
A second chance at life, no one will give him
He needs help to get back on his feet.
In an alley wat is where he's livin'
He lives in a dirty alley.
You see him there you walk by laughing and smirking
People mock him and do not offer help.
Thinking to yourself it's only his fault, he ain't working.
Society thinks homelessness is due to laziness.
That might be true but it's only half the story so
Homelessness could be due to multiple factors, so don't jump to conclusions.
Kick back while we tell you his story.
Listen to his story before judging him.
He came back from the war a veteran
He served in the military.
The only thing he learned to do was kill and shoot a gun.
His military training did not prepare him for civilian life.
That comes in handy when you're fighting a war
Military skills are useful in combat.
But when you came back to society you need much more.
But outside the military, there are other skills required to succeed.
So all he had was terror in his mind
He suffered from PTSD after the war.
No job skills so a job he couldn't find.
He was lacking skills required to secure employment.
The only thing he had was memories
All he had were painful memories of the war.
Of his friends being killed and crying and dying babies.
Scenes from his military days caused him to suffer from PTSD.
So he grabbled bottle for an escape
He turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism.
From all the mental torment that the war had made.
Alcohol was his way to deal with the PTSD caused by the war.
Now you're calling him a bum 'cause he can't get none
He is being labeled as a failure for being homeless.
While you're sitting at home not willing to get some.
People who judge the homeless do not make an effort to help.
Sharing and caring is what he needs now.
The homeless need more support and kindness.
Some support for his marals, some help for his ego.
They need assistance in various forms to get back on their feet.
So he can go to the top where every man can
With support, the homeless can also be successful.
And all he really needs is a helping hand.
All they need is someone to help them turn their lives around.
Cold dark and lonely
Homeless life is full of misery and isolation.
Broken and abused
Homeless people may be victims of abuse.
Homeless hungry and hated
Homeless individuals suffer from food insecurity and may be despised.
Forgotten
Society has failed to acknowledge and care for the homeless population.
Only remembered on the streets
They are only noticed when they are on the streets.
And they're down, down and out.
Homeless people are downtrodden and in need of help.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind