The Dead Milkmen's songs found moderate success on alternative and college radio stations. Videos, notably Punk Rock Girl, even found their way onto MTV in the late 1980s. Topics for their music include satire on the 1980s music scene, toxic waste, jellyfish afterlifes, UFOs, conspiracy theories, and cover bands.
Irreverent absurdity fueled their initial popularity, particularly among college DJs. However, this genre was somewhat abandoned with the 1992 release of Soul Rotation, a much more subtle album.
After the Dead Milkmen went on indefinite hiatus in 1994, Genaro and Sabatino formed a new band, Butterfly Joe. Sabatino was also in the punk rock bands Narthex, Big Mess Orchestra, and Hunger Artists. Genaro was in a band called Touch Me Zoo. Linderman was in a band called Burn Witch Burn. Schulthise left music in the early 1990s after developing tendonitis, preventing him from playing bass, and committed suicide in 2004.
The Dead Milkmen took the stage again for two consecutive nights in November 2004 at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia to play a show in memory of Dave Schulthise. Proceeds were donated to a variety of mental health organizations and to a Serbian monastery that Schulthise supported.
The band reunited in 2008 and released a new album (The King in Yellow) in 2011.
Howard Beware
The Dead Milkmen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While the sun is shining, that'd be cruel
Howard beware 'cause we're gonna get you
We know where your kids go to school
Howard Howard beware
Howard Howard beware
Howard Howard beware
You'll hide from the shadows
And everybody knows
Howard beware the Russians they don't like you
Might as well drop the bomb on you
Howard beware the government won't protect you
Like to see you turned into Howard stew
Howard Howard beware
Howard Howard beware
Howard Howard beware
Cause you're so easy to scare
You'll hide from the shadows
And everybody knows
Howard beware the neighbors wanna kill you
Might just all form an angry mob
Howard beware your mother has disowned you
Says that you're a pervert and a slob
Howard Howard beware
Howard Howard beware
Howard Howard beware
Cause you're so easy to scare
You'll hide from the shadows
And everybody knows
The Dead Milkmen's song Howard Beware, with its repetitive and almost nursery rhyme-like structure, is a satirical exploration of paranoia and fear-mongering in American society. At its core, the song seems to be a warning to the titular Howard to be careful and vigilant against a series of ever-shifting dangers that are lurking around every corner. The opening lines, "Howard beware 'cause we don't wanna hurt you / While the sun is shining, that'd be cruel," suggest both a deep sense of empathy for Howard's predicament and a recognition of how easy it is to manipulate and frighten others.
As the song progresses, we hear of a variety of different threats that Howard must be wary of. The Russians, the government, and even Howard's own neighbors and mother are all presented as potential enemies who might be out to get him. The constantly shifting nature of these threats serves to underscore the song's critique of the way that fear can be used to manipulate and control people, even when the danger is largely hypothetical or exaggerated.
Overall, Howard Beware is a powerful critique of the ways that paranoia and fear can be exploited in American culture to keep people divided and afraid. Its clever lyrics and catchy melody make it a memorable and thought-provoking piece of social commentary.
Line by Line Meaning
Howard beware 'cause we don't wanna hurt you
We are giving you a warning, Howard, because we don't want to cause you any harm.
While the sun is shining, that'd be cruel
It would be savage to cause you distress during a time of ease, like when the sun is shining.
Howard beware 'cause we're gonna get you
We are coming after you, Howard, and you should be on the lookout.
We know where your kids go to school
We have personal knowledge of your children's whereabouts, which puts you in a vulnerable position.
Howard beware the Russians they don't like you
You should be cautious of the Russians, Howard, because they have expressed animosity towards you.
Might as well drop the bomb on you
It's almost as if it would be better to use a catastrophic weapon against you, Howard, rather than engage with you.
Howard beware the government won't protect you
You cannot rely on the government to safeguard you, Howard.
Like to see you turned into Howard stew
It seems that some people would find pleasure in turning you into a soupy dish, Howard.
Howard beware the neighbors wanna kill you
Your neighbors have violent intent towards you, Howard, so you should be wary of them.
Might just all form an angry mob
Your neighbors might unite together to form a hostile group, Howard.
Howard beware your mother has disowned you
Even your own mother has abandoned you, Howard, and she thinks poorly of you.
Says that you're a pervert and a slob
Your mother has called you a deviant and a dirty person, Howard.
Howard Howard beware
Howard, we really mean it, you should be concerned and vigilant.
Cause you're so easy to scare
It doesn't take much to intimidate you, Howard.
You'll hide from the shadows
You tend to retreat from threatening situations, Howard, even if the danger isn't visible.
And everybody knows
It's quite apparent to everyone, Howard, that you are an easy target.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GENARO, LINDERMAN, SABATINO, SCHULTHISE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joey Hoey
I know I'm young but not that young. I think My punk knowledge is pretty creditable. That being said, this band is awesome and very talented whether they like it or not. This is coming from a black metal, anarcho, grind, 80s hardcore , d-beat, train hopping, listening crust punk!!!lol I will always love this band and it was an honor to see them play live in new Orleans. Was bored so Just felt like ranting out positively. Lol
Jarrod Schroeder
Im still Amazed that i still know these songs !Had this Cassette when i lived in Onalaska wisconsin in 1990, always jammed to this tape by The Dead Milkmen! Still love The Dead Milkmen today!
Visual Creation Studios
Thank you!