The Disco Biscuits are also well-known for their ability to run long sets together, sometimes even playing their songs backwards, in styles referred to as "inverted" and "dyslexic." An inverted version of a song occurs when the band starts a song by playing its ending segment, followed immediately by its beginning segment and a jam that segues out of that song and into another. A dyslexic song is played the same way as an inverted one, with its main difference being that the pieces of the song are not played consecutively (e.g. ending of 1 -> 2, 3, 4, beginning of 1 -> 5). Another technique employed by the band is a fakeout, which occurs when the band plays a jam that usually leads into one song, but segues into another unexpectedly.
Due to the separation of their segments, dyslexic songs can begin on one night's show and end the next night. The nature of their setlists is both a blessing and a curse; while the myriad variations on their songs are interesting to hardcore fans of the band, it can confuse people who are not already familiar with their catalog. This forces the listener to be immediately willing to immerse themselves in the Disco Biscuits' large catalog, which can prove to be a rather overwhelming task for novices to undertake. On the other hand, many are fascinated by the game of "what song are they going to play next", and are disappointed when their ears are attuned enough to know the answers in advance.
The band has 2 rock operas as part of their catalog: the Hot Air Balloon (written by guitarist Jon Gutwillig) and the Chemical Warfare Brigade (written by bassist Marc Brownstein).
On 11/5/04 The Disco Biscuits announced that drummer Sam Altman was leaving the band to attend medical school. The band had toured only sporadically from the end of the summer of 2003 until Sammy's official departure was confirmed. The band announced that Allen Aucoin would replace Altman as the full-time drummer on 12/12/05, ending months of speculation.
In 2007, the band co-headlined the D.U.M.B. (Disco-Umphrey's McGee-Biscuits) tour with Umphrey's McGee. Bandmembers from both Umphrey's and Bisco have further more found each other in the Brain Damaged Eggmen, a Pink Floyd and Beatles coverband
Discography
* Encephalous Crime (self-released, 1996)
* Uncivilized Area (1998)
* Bisco Lives (2000)
* They Missed the Perfume (2001)
* Señor Boombox (2002)
* TranceFusion Radio Broadcast Vol. 1-4 (2003)
* Wind at Four to Fly (2006)
* Rocket 3 (2007)
* Planet Anthem (2010)
Hot Air Balloon
The Disco Biscuits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a hot air balloon, he crossed the sea
Once an airship tycoon, turned buffoon
Leaving his home marooned, attempted to flee
The life he's begun.
In the blink of an eye, he spies
The shore where he's fantasized, his baby to be
Just give me one more try, to chase down my dream
Before I am done.
Unsure from the day, she prays
Hoping their getaway, will still come to be
Watching stars ricochet, she strays
Beyond the alleyway, where no one can see
Not anyone.
In the blink of an eye, she spies
The spot in the foggy skies, she's been longing to see
Camoflaged by the tides, she hides
Where the water and wind collide, she's soon to be free
From what she's begun.
In a hot air balloon
Corrinado flies over the sea
For Leora today
And in one day
He went from his cell to the sky
At his last chance to fly
The lyrics to The Disco Biscuits's song Hot Air Balloon are rich and full of meaning. The song tells the story of Corrinado, an airship tycoon who has fallen on hard times and decides to escape his troubles by fleeing in a hot air balloon. The song is full of vivid imagery that paints a picture of Corrinado's journey, from his attempt to flee his troubles by crossing the sea in a hot air balloon to his eventual encounter with Leora, the woman he loves.
The first verse of the song reflects on Corrinado's journey, describing his attempt to cross the sea in a hot air balloon. The lyrics refer to Corrinado as a "buffoon" who has been "marooned" and is attempting to flee his problems by running away. The song suggests that Corrinado has experienced a drastic fall from grace, going from an airship tycoon to a man who is desperate to escape his troubles.
The second verse of the song focuses on Leora, the woman Corrinado loves. The lyrics describe Leora as someone who is uncertain about the future and is hoping for a getaway that will allow her to stay true to her dreams. The lyrics suggest that Leora is willing to take risks in order to pursue her dreams, and that she is willing to do whatever it takes to be free. The song ends with Corrinado and Leora coming together in a moment of freedom and hope as they fly over the sea in the hot air balloon.
Line by Line Meaning
In the light of the moon, too soon
He started his journey too early and too soon under the light of the moon.
In a hot air balloon, he crossed the sea
He used a hot air balloon to cross the sea and began his journey.
Once an airship tycoon, turned buffoon
He was once a successful airship tycoon but became a ridiculous, foolish person who doesn't know how to move forward.
Leaving his home marooned, attempted to flee
He left his home behind and attempted to escape his failures by flying away in a hot air balloon.
The life he's begun.
He has started a new life and is headed towards a new destination.
In the blink of an eye, he spies
He suddenly saw something that caught his attention very quickly.
The shore where he's fantasized, his baby to be
He saw the shore where he had dreamed of building a life with his loved one.
Turns his gaze to the skies, he cries
He looked up towards the sky and expressed his emotions by crying.
Just give me one more try, to chase down my dream
He pleaded for one more opportunity to pursue his dreams.
Before I am done.
Before he reaches the end of his life or journey.
Unsure from the day, she prays
She has been uncertain and anxious throughout her journey and prays for a positive outcome.
Hoping their getaway, will still come to be
She hopes that their planned escape will still be possible and successful.
Watching stars ricochet, she strays
She watches the movement of the stars and wanders away from her worries and troubles.
Beyond the alleyway, where no one can see
She moves towards a place where no one can observe or judge her actions or emotions.
Not anyone.
Nobody can interfere with her decision or journey.
The spot in the foggy skies, she's been longing to see
She sees the place or destination she has been wanting to reach despite the foggy weather or unclear vision.
Camoflaged by the tides, she hides
She conceals her feelings by blending in with the surroundings and keeping them hidden from others.
Where the water and wind collide, she's soon to be free
She is heading towards the place where the water and wind meet, and that's where she might finally find freedom from her problems.
From what she's begun.
She is escaping from something she started earlier and starting something new.
Corrinado flies over the sea
The character Corrinado is flying over the sea in a hot air balloon.
For Leora today
He is flying for Leora on this particular day.
And in one day
Within a single day, he accomplished a significant journey.
He went from his cell to the sky
He moved from a confined space to a limitless space in the sky.
At his last chance to fly
This is his final opportunity to fly and achieve his dreams.
Contributed by Scarlett F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jared Stroud
Most underrated band on the planet
Celery Man
just niche.......only fer jam band fans
tmbisco1
The Biscuits and this song in '99 changed my life!!!
socalfluffhead
Song--and whole rock opera--is F-ing AMAZING and anyone who doesn't understand it's greatness or thinks Chemical Warfare Brigade is better (ha) can choke on Brownie for all I care.
Boots O'Riley
Daniel Muth requested this for his 100th show
Forrest Cook
love
tmbisco1
it's in the middle of a rock opera. Just saying if you haven't seen the "complete" Hot Air Ballons, you wopuldn't get the vibe...check it out...peace :)
Boots O'Riley
it's actually the last song of a rock opera. just sayin.
Alicia Lyons
<3
charlie renegade
are disco biscuits and "the disco biscuits " the same.??