Starting as a parody of the booming third-wave ska scene in Southern California (their first show, reportedly, was played with fourteen members, at least half of which were wielding horns), The Aquabats played third-wave ska with surf guitar sounds and b-movie inspired lyrics. Over time, their sound became even more eclectic, dropping much of the surf guitar leads and ska rhythms for more varied influences.
Their current sound blends upbeat rock and roll, new wave, punk, and ska/rocksteady with synth largely replacing their horn and woodwind section. Notable influences upon The Aquabats are Devo, Oingo Boingo, Madness, and Toy Dolls.
The Aquabats’ current lineup is The MC Bat Commander (vocals), Ricky Fitness (drums), Crash McLarson (bass), Eagle "Bones" Falconhawk (guitar) & Jimmy the Robot (keyboards/tenor sax). Former members like Chainsaw, The Prince of Karate; Prince Adam; and Catboy have been known to come back into the fold for the occasional show.
The Aquabats's most recent album is Kooky Spooky... In Stereo!, released on August 21, 2020. via Gloopy Records.
Powdered Milk Man
The Aquabats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A cloud of white upon the horizon
My pallet knows, this is a bust
Breakfast is wrecked
For the chidren of the nation
These cheerios, soggy and tainted
Have gone to waste in
This milk of devastation.
Taste is based
From the bones of zombies
The dust is ground
It’s not safe to eat or drink
When powdered milk’s around!
Call in the troops
Cause here’s a scoop
For you and your group
There’s a drink around town
And it tastes like foo
The man in the tin suit
Bearing bitter fruit
Breakfast cereal turns to soup
Tastes like puke
Oh no!
It’s the powdered milk man
Oh no!
Holding the powdered milk can
The super villain comes a creepin’
When you’re sleepin’
And must be stopped anyway we can
You stand before me I will defeat you
You will not break me I will not take you
You’re just another unearthy poison
Someone will stop you
You and your kind, step back!
Whoa ho ho ho powdered milk man
Whoa ho ho you must die!
Whoa ho ho ho, powdered milk man
Whoa ho ho ho whoa!
Whoa ho ho ho powdered milk man
Whoa ho ho ho you must die!
Whoa ho ho ho powdered milk man
Whoa ho ho ho you must die!
The Aquabats's song "Powdered Milk Man" is a satirical take on the horror of powdered milk, a common food product in many impoverished communities. The lyrics narrate the disappointment and disgust the children of the nation feel when all they have for breakfast is a bowl of soggy cheerios tainted with powdered milk, which is made from ground dust and bones of zombies. The singer calls for the troops, warning of the dangers of this fake milk, which is not safe for consumption. The powdered milk man is represented as a super villain who comes creeping when you are sleeping and must be stopped in any way possible.
The song is a commentary on the state of poverty in America, which often leads to malnourishment and lack of basic necessities. The powdered milk man is a personification of this hardship, representing the struggle that many people go through to put food on the table. The lyrics also reveal the horrors of consuming unhealthy food, which not only affects the physical health of people but also affects their mental and emotional health.
The Aquabats's "Powdered Milk Man" is a catchy song with a powerful message that highlights the reality many people face with issues like poverty and poor nutrition. The band brings humor and fun to an otherwise serious and sensitive subject, reminding listeners of the importance of access to healthy food and the impact it has on people's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
The wind blows and I see dust
As the wind blows, I see a cloud of white dust rising in the horizon
My pallet knows, this is a bust
I can taste the dust in my mouth, my breakfast is ruined
Breakfast is wrecked, For the children of the nation
This powdered milk has ruined breakfast for kids all over the country
These cheerios, soggy and tainted, Have gone to waste in, This milk of devastation.
The Cheerios are now ruined and inedible because they have been contaminated by the terrible taste of this powdered milk
Taste is based, From the bones of zombies
The terrible taste of this powdered milk comes from the ground bones of zombies
The dust is ground, It’s not safe to eat or drink, When powdered milk’s around!
The ground dust from this powdered milk is not safe to consume in any form
Call in the troops, Cause here’s a scoop, For you and your group, There’s a drink around town, And it tastes like foo
It's time to alert everyone about the dangers of the powdered milk and its terrible taste
The man in the tin suit, Bearing bitter fruit, Breakfast cereal turns to soup, Tastes like puke
The man responsible for the powdered milk is uncaring and continues to produce a terrible product that ruins breakfast for everyone
Oh no!, It’s the powdered milk man, Oh no!, Holding the powdered milk can, The super villain comes a creepin’, When you’re sleepin’, And must be stopped anyway we can
The powdered milk man is a super villain who must be stopped, even if it means taking drastic actions
You stand before me I will defeat you, You will not break me I will not take you, You’re just another unearthy poison, Someone will stop you, You and your kind, step back!
The people will not stand for this villain ruining their breakfast and lives with his poison, and they will fight back with all they have
Whoa ho ho ho powdered milk man, Whoa ho ho you must die!, Whoa ho ho ho, powdered milk man, Whoa ho ho ho whoa!
The battle against the powdered milk man is real, and people will not rest until he is defeated and his product is gone forever
Contributed by Muhammad F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bagofgroceries
Nice to have the Baron at the show. He never forgot his roots after joining Blink-182.
@fasterdays
Technically, his roots go further than The Aquabats, all the way back to Feeble.
@MC_Mega-Jessup
This has to set the record for longest time between release of song and release of music video.
@cmckittrick91
Tiny dancer maybe
@MC_Mega-Jessup
Oh wow, I didn't know he released a video for it last year.
@P-Bok
Neverment by American Football
@FachtnaHarmonia
22 years later....
@camillaquelladegliaggettiv4303
American football would like a word
@lordbeebus9842
Does anyone realize how talented this band is??!!! Sooooo underrated.
@LordBarrington
The Return of Baron Von Tito 🤟🤟