The Butchies are a punk rock band from Durham, North Carolina, that existed… Read Full Bio ↴The Butchies are a punk rock band from Durham, North Carolina, that existed from 1998 to 2005, and are currently on a hiatus. The Butchies has been referred to as "queercore crusaders" and the frequent focus of their lyrical content concerns lesbian themes.

Made up of guitarist and frontwoman Kaia Wilson, bassist Alison Martlew, and drummer Melissa York, the band has been performing together since the recording of their first album, Are We Not Femme? in 1998. Since then, the trio has recorded three subsequent albums, Population: 1975 in 1999, 3 in 2001, and Make Yr Life in 2004. They have also appeared on a number of compilations of note, including Being Out Rocks, produced by the Human Rights Campaign (Centaur Productions, 2002), and Fields And Streams (Kill Rock Stars, 2002). In 2005 the band announced a hiatus.

The first three albums were released by the now-defunct Mr. Lady Records, run by Kaia Wilson and Tammy Rae Carland. It was named after Wilson's first solo LP, Ladyman, created after leaving Team Dresch. The label also released the first two Le Tigre recordings. Make Yr Life was released by Yep Roc. The track, "Sex (I'm a Lesbian)" appeared on Mr. Lady's 1999 sampler album, New Women's Music Sampler. In 2001, a live rendition of the track, "Disco", appeared on another sampler album, Calling All Kings & Queens.

Kaia Wilson had previously performed in Adickdid and Team Dresch, appearing on their first two albums, Personal Best and Captain My Captain; Melissa York was also in Team Dresch, playing drums on the second LP and, prior to that, performing in Vitapup and Born Against.

The Butchies also played on the 2001 Amy Ray (of the Indigo Girls) album Stag on Daemon Records and backed her up on tour.

Lydia
The Butchies Lyrics

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Did you get what you're asking for

Lydia Lydia comes around
Lesson number one lessen the sound
In breaking this sonic looming disc
A close encounter is the 1st risk

A psychic a physic a break down

E.s.p e.s.pecially pro and found
Mistaking this floating space for right
And shaken gravity

Did you get what you're asking for
Did you get what you're asking for

Hideous hideous people kill
Destroying fields & rock & stars
You're dying and vying for the break
To be on top of us

Did you get what you're asking for
Did you get what you're asking for

Lydia Lydia comes around
Lesson number one lessen the sound
You're dying and vying for the break
To be on top of us

Did you get what you're asking for
Did you get what you're asking for

Did you get what you're asking for
Did you get what you're asking for

Overall Meaning

The Butchies' song Lydia seems to be a commentary on society and the dangers of progress. The reference to Lydia in the song could be metaphorical, representing someone who embodies the societal attitudes the song critiques. The lyrics suggest that humanity may be attempting to push the boundaries of technology and science too far, causing harm to themselves and their environments. The line "hideous people kill, destroying fields & rock & stars" could be interpreted in a number of ways, such as referring to environmental destruction, war, or the exploitation and oppression of marginalized communities.

The song mentions the risk of breaking "this sonic looming disc," which could be a reference to a sound barrier or something larger, such as the balance of the natural world. The reference to "e.s.p. especially pro and found" suggests a preoccupation with the paranormal or supernatural, perhaps as a way of seeking answers beyond science and reason. Ultimately, the song asks the question of whether humanity is getting what it wants or if progress is coming at too high a cost.

Line by Line Meaning

Did you get what you're asking for
Questioning if you received the desired outcome from your request.

Lydia Lydia comes around
Lydia appears on the scene.

Lesson number one lessen the sound
First lesson is to reduce the noise level.

In breaking this sonic looming disc
Breaking the sonic looming disc.

A close encounter is the 1st risk
The initial danger is a close encounter.

A psychic a physic a break down
Mental, physical, and emotional deterioration.

E.s.p e.s.pecially pro and found
Extra Sensory Perception, especially sudden and conclusive.

Mistaking this floating space for right
Erroneously believing this levitating space is correct.

And shaken gravity
Disturbed equilibrium due to gravitational force.

Hideous hideous people kill
Ugly and repulsive individuals destroy.

Destroying fields & rock & stars
Wrecking nature, terrain, and celestial bodies.