Their sound has been described as an amalgamation of psychedelic rock, industrial, synth-pop and avant-garde. They have released over 40 records and continuously tour the world.
Members of the band have also collaborated with Nurse With Wound, The Dresden Dolls, Jarboe, HNAS, Jim O'Rourke, Skinny Puppy's cEvin Key, forming The Tear Garden. Ka Spel accompanied Skinny Puppy for a small part of their 1988 European 'Head Trauma' tour in Sweden. Key also appears on the 1994 album 9 Lives to Wonder.
Rattlesnake Arena
The Legendary Pink Dots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
springs were lancing. Silver dance. The ghetto ballerinas tiptoed,
blasting. Rattlesnake Arena burning red black red black. The gutter
sniper gasped beneath their melting mask's that kept on smiling. Dead
eyed. Dog's Breath. Choke! Rattlesnake Arena burning red black red black.
The stakes were low, the winner takes a wall to lean on, scrawl his name
on for a night. The story starts again.
The lyrics to The Legendary Pink Dots's Rattlesnake Arena paint a picture of a violent and dangerous setting, filled with chains swinging and iron boots with blades. The ghetto ballerinas are described as tiptoeing and blasting, creating a sense of chaos and tension. The image of the Rattlesnake Arena burning red and black is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the intensity and danger of the environment. The gutter sniper gasping and the dead-eyed, smiling masks add to the sinister tone of the lyrics.
The stakes in this arena are low, and the winner only gets a wall to lean on and scrawl their name on for a night. This suggests that the violence and danger of this environment are not glamorous or worthwhile, but rather a tragic cycle that continues to repeat itself.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of despair and hopelessness in the face of violence and aggression.
Line by Line Meaning
In Cut Throat Lane the chains were swinging.
In an area of violence and danger, the sound of metal chains swinging can be heard, indicating the presence of weaponry and danger.
Iron boots with blades on springs were lancing.
Heavy metal boots with hidden blades attached to springs are stabbing and piercing the ground, creating a sense of unease and danger.
Silver dance.
The violent and dangerous actions taking place in Cut Throat Lane are described as a macabre, deadly dance.
The ghetto ballerinas tiptoed, blasting.
Despite the danger, the people living in this area continue to move cautiously while also being ready to defend themselves from sudden attacks or explosions.
Rattlesnake Arena burning red black red black.
The chaotic, violent environment of Cut Throat Lane is compared to an arena where deadly rattlesnakes are fighting, and the alternating colors of red and black suggest the intense, ever-changing violence.
The gutter sniper gasped beneath their melting mask's that kept on smiling.
The shooter hiding in the shadows is depicted as a desperate, fearful person, wearing a mask that is melting from the heat of the area. Despite their fear, they continue to smile, perhaps to hide their true emotions or to intimidate others.
Dead eyed. Dog's Breath. Choke!
The shooter is described as having a blank, emotionless expression and breathing heavily, perhaps due to anxiety or exhaustion. The word 'choke' suggests that desperation is setting in.
The stakes were low, the winner takes a wall to lean on, scrawl his name on for a night.
Despite the violence and danger, the competition taking place in Cut Throat Lane is relatively low-stakes. The 'winner' of a fight gets the right to rest against a wall and write their name on it, a small but meaningful achievement in a dangerous and chaotic environment.
The story starts again.
The cycle of violence and danger in Cut Throat Lane is never-ending, and the 'story' of the community's struggles and hardships repeats itself with every new day.
Contributed by Gabriel C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.