We felt we had finally captured our sound, but the band was no more. JZ, Mark, and I had already been playing as The GasHounds, so our attention went there and a whole new batch of songs and recordings.
When JZ and I went through all our studio tapes from start to finish (1985-89), we revisited the thought we had long ago- can we capture our essential sound? We feel these recordings present the band as we always felt we should have been on record.
So, ladies and gentlemen, This Is The Alter Boys!
2) The Alter Boys are an American band including members of the bands Dog Fashion Disco, Mushroomhead, and Unified Culture, as well as MTV's Jackass. They play in various musical styles, and released their debut album in 2005. They are currently on Jason Popson's label "Fractured Transmitter" .
Vocals - Todd Smith, Jason Popson
Additional vocals - Craig Martini, Mike Martini, Ryan Dunn
Guitar - Todd Smith, Mike Martini
Bass - Craig Martini
Keyboards - Matt Rippetoe
Woodwind - Matt Rippetoe
Accordion - Mike Martini
Famine Ghost
The Alter Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dissapointment never fails
These blood shot eyes focus on your flaws
Now reach for the shortest straw
Wide awake these nights, nightmares at ease
Now I become an anomaly
Shortness of breath program destruct
Cotton candy framed a paper cut!
Take one last breath fill up your lungs
Pay it back take it back-back where it belongs
Take one last breath fill up your lungs
Pay it back take it back-back where it came from
I swear on my mother's eyes
I had nothing to do with your demise
I'm lost without you
So let's propose a toast to the famine ghost
Open empty mouths,all tied in knots
Memories I thought that I forgot
These stomach pains, strain of disease
Can't hear my prayers ignore my pleas
A mothers child, a soldier's guilt
Smell the flowers before they wilt
Send a funeral wreath, a folded flag
A yellow ribbon wrapped around a body bag!
Take one last breath fill up your lungs
Pay it back take it back-back where it belongs
Take one last breath fill up your lungs
Pay it back take it back-back where it came from
I swear on my mother's eyes
I had nothing to do with your demise
I'm lost without you
So let's propose a toast to the famine ghost
Back and fourth from work 40 hours till home
Everyday the same this haggard life is my own
Hungry mouths need value meals
Super size my future and these 18 wheels
I'm as blue as my collar and this bruise of mine
Hammered down teamster bought box of pine
I swear on my mother's eyes
I had nothing to do with your demise
I'm lost without you
So let's propose a toast to the famine ghost
Pay it back take it back-back where it belongs
Pay it back take it back-back where it came from
The lyrics of "Famine Ghost" by The Alter Boys depicts the struggles and challenges of everyday working-class people. The singer seems to be describing his life, the hardships he goes through, and the feeling of disappointment that never leaves him. He speaks of how he has crawled through glass and slept on nails, bearing the pain and enduring the struggle. Despite this, he still can't escape the nightmares that plague him every night.
The chorus "Take one last breath fill up your lungs, pay it back take it back-back where it belongs" could be interpreted as a plea to retrieve something that has been taken from the people, to restore what they believe to be their rightful place in society. The phrase "Pay it back take it back-back where it came from" could mean taking back their power and proving their worth. The singer also acknowledges the loss of loved ones and how it has affected him, expressing his sorrow and offering a toast to the "famine ghost."
The lyrics describe a world where people are struggling to make ends meet, where a soldier's guilt and a mother's pain intertwine with the everyday struggles of a working-class man. The song resonates with those who find themselves stuck in the same routine, the same haggard life, and the same disappointments. Ultimately, "Famine Ghost" is a dark song about the struggles of everyday life, enduring despite the struggle, and the realities of loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Crawled across this glass, slept on these nails
I have endured incredible suffering and pain
Dissapointment never fails
I am constantly let down
These blood shot eyes focus on your flaws
I am hypercritical of others
Now reach for the shortest straw
I am willing to take risks and accept negative outcomes
Wide awake these nights, nightmares at ease
Now I become an anomaly
I am always awake and have become abnormal due to fear and anxiety
Shortness of breath program destruct
Cotton candy framed a paper cut!
Even though the injury is small, it still hurts and can cause destruction
Take one last breath fill up your lungs
Pay it back take it back-back where it belongs
Take one last breath fill up your lungs
Pay it back take it back-back where it came from
Take a moment to reflect and then return things to the way they should be
I swear on my mother's eyes
I had nothing to do with your demise
I'm lost without you
So let's propose a toast to the famine ghost
I am innocent and hurting without you, so I will honor our struggles with a toast
Open empty mouths,all tied in knots
Memories I thought that I forgot
These stomach pains, strain of disease
Can't hear my prayers ignore my pleas
I am holding on to painful memories and physical suffering, but my cries for help go unheard
A mothers child, a soldier's guilt
Smell the flowers before they wilt
Send a funeral wreath, a folded flag
A yellow ribbon wrapped around a body bag!
Life can be short and full of sorrow, so cherish your loved ones before it's too late
Back and fourth from work 40 hours till home
Everyday the same this haggard life is my own
Hungry mouths need value meals
Super size my future and these 18 wheels
I'm as blue as my collar and this bruise of mine
Hammered down teamster bought box of pine
I work hard but my life is mundane and exhausting, my family's needs are basic but difficult to meet, and my future is uncertain and dependent on my job
Pay it back take it back-back where it belongs
Pay it back take it back-back where it came from
Return everything to its rightful place
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Karl Healy
RIP Ryan Dunn!! i hope this album goes platinum!
Mike Martini
Band Members: Vocals: Todd Smith (Dog Fashion Disco, Polkadot Cadaver), Jason Popson (Mushroomhead, Unified Culture), Drums: Eric Matthiews (Pro-pain, Red Giant), Bass: Craig Martini (Unified Culture, Paul Gilbert), Guitar: Mike Martini (Unified Culture, Original Pranksta), Horns: Matt Rippetoe (?) Keys: Will Rast (MIA, ?) (keys on album by Jeff Segal [Dog Fashion Disco])
bob picard
take one last breath, fill up your lungs, love these guys
Kay Martini
Super talents ~ Proud of my boys !
bob picard
love this song, todd is remarkible in this song, and jay man is the topping on the cake
Cortsovski
I would like so much if someone could upload this whole album yo Spotify :c
I only found other band called the same way but I prefer these boys </3
snarky
It’s on Spotify now in case you haven’t seen 😊
DJ Williams
first off jason popson is one of if not the best multi-talented vocalists on the planet and i also want to remind you that if you dont like it dont listen to it. ive seen him 8 times in concert in most of his bands including mushroomhead pitch black forecast and the alter boys.
John Michael
i bought this cd back in summer 05 and damn this song take sme back then i used to pop it on every time i left this girls house near the beach at 5am especvially the beginning part of this song.
wisconsinkzracer
I miss j man as much as anyone else, but this is prety cool, good to see im doing well for himself, dam I miss that growl :)