Chris writes and delivers all the rhymes, and comes up with the initial musical ideas for the songs, often supplying a bass line or guitar part. Dan takes the bare skeleton that Chris provides, and fleshes it out, programming drum beats, samples, organ, piano & synth parts, etc.
The result is music that's hip-hop and rap, but isn't afraid to bring in any other element that pops into Dan & Chris's minds - punk, jazz, psychedelic. The recording process is almost a stream of consciousness approach for some elements, with first takes often being the tracks that define the direction of the music.
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The group has recently morphed into a real, touring band, and contributions from the new band members will show up on the new full-length CD, along with the usual studio collaborations between Dan & Chris.
Tomb Diggin' Shovels
The Mad Conductor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you been diggin' that tomb straight out the womb
to emerge in a uniform
so i guess that you best stick to writin' jingles
cause i got more craft in my trash than you got in your singles
yo, i copped this tape and it sent my dome into a crazy place
it kinda had me in a dope like state
not enough to steal each one of my dimes, nickels and pennies
so why waste all this time on rhyme riddles if anything i'll just jump the gun
like john wilkes-booth when its time to run
hop the horse c'mon ride long
don't look now but i got your tounge, i love the blood but i dont do sun
i sleep in a coffin so i cant see day
tomb diggin shovel gonna ease the pain
no drugs in the womb, but i was born insane
i got bugs in my room and they're eating my brain
6-26-85 my first impression
4-5-22-12-9-14 but a name shouldn't dictate direction
call the hospital now you got a mixtape infection
let em run a couple tests on the lobe in the front
like, how many weeks in a minute
rudeboy spacetime, no you cant speak til yer diner is finished
have fun digesting the microphone sickness
RUDE GIRL SLAMDANCE
Dr. teeth conductor mayhem
many, many volts, not one to be grounded
you closed your eyes cause you liked how it sounded
shook it to the left, took it to the right
like that's how your sphere got mounted
o yeah, better better put ya motherfuckin' mic down son
In The Mad Conductor's song "Tomb Diggin' Shovels," the first line points to the possibility of someone making a gross mistake due to misinformation. The chorus speaks of digging a grave straight out of the womb and emerging in uniform. Moving forward, the artist suggests that sticking to writing jingles might be the better career path for some people. The artist, however, claims to have more talent in their worst work than the singles of those individuals who might make such a mistake.
The verse talks about how the artist's music sent the listener into a sort of high or trance-like state. The musician questions the number of bribes that would be enough to make them drop the mic on stage. The musician says that he cannot be convinced to give up the mic by any number of bribes. The artist then explains that he is about to run away, referencing John Wilkes Booth, and describes sleeping in a coffin. The artist is determined to take his music to the limit, and his Tomb Diggin' shovel is a tool he uses to ease his pain.
Line by Line Meaning
($$$)Oh, my friend, you have been grossly misinformed
Addressing a friend, the singer states that they've been given completely incorrect information.
you been diggin' that tomb straight out the womb
The friend has been focused solely on one thing their whole life, from birth onward.
to emerge in a uniform
Their efforts will only lead them to conform with societal expectations, with no individuality or creativity.
so i guess that you best stick to writin' jingles
The artist suggests that their friend may not have the talent or originality to produce something more complex than commercial jingles.
cause i got more craft in my trash than you got in your singles
The artist brags about their own musical talent, stating that even their discarded work is more artistic than their friend's polished productions.
yo, i copped this tape and it sent my dome into a crazy place
The singer obtained a copy of a particular album that had a powerful impact on them.
it kinda had me in a dope like state
The album caused the singer to feel strongly under its influence.
so, how many pigs would it take for me to let go of the mic backstage?
The artist rhetorically asks how far they would have to be pushed to give up their passion for music.
not enough to steal each one of my dimes, nickels and pennies
The artist affirms that they would not sell out their values for any amount of money.
so why waste all this time on rhyme riddles if anything i'll just jump the gun
The artist questions the point of pursuing complex wordplay if it doesn't reflect real emotion or meaning. They claim they'd rather be blunt with their message.
like john wilkes-booth when its time to run
The singer compares themselves to the infamous assassin John Wilkes Booth, implying they are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals.
hop the horse c'mon ride long
The artist encourages the listener to join them on a wild journey of creativity and passion.
don't look now but i got your tounge, i love the blood but i dont do sun
The singer is proud of their ability to shock and surprise with their words, but also admits to having a darker side that they don't usually expose to daylight.
i sleep in a coffin so i cant see day
The singer metaphorically states that they are so consumed by their art that they sleep in a coffin to block out the outside world.
tomb diggin shovel gonna ease the pain
The singer uses a metaphor to describe their music-making process as a way of finding solace within their own mind.
no drugs in the womb, but i was born insane
The artist implies that they were born with a predisposition towards creativity and madness, rather than inducing it with drugs or other means.
i got bugs in my room and they're eating my brain
The artist admits to having a chaotic and cluttered mind that is constantly generating new ideas and thoughts.
6-26-85 my first impression
The singer references the date of their birth as a way of revealing their personal history and individuality.
4-5-22-12-9-14 but a name shouldn't dictate direction
The singer references a string of numbers as a way of further highlighting their uniqueness and defiance of convention.
call the hospital now you got a mixtape infection
The artist uses a humorous metaphor to describe the contagious nature of their music, likening it to an infectious disease.
let em run a couple tests on the lobe in the front
The artist references part of the brain as a way of suggesting that their music has a deep psychological impact on listeners.
like, how many weeks in a minute
The artist poses a nonsensical question as a way of demonstrating their disregard for traditional measures of time or progress.
rudeboy spacetime, no you cant speak til yer diner is finished
The singer uses a specific phrase to create a sense of identity and exclusivity, and jokes that anyone in their presence must wait to speak until they're done eating.
have fun digesting the microphone sickness
The artist acknowledges that their music can be intense or overwhelming, but encourages listeners to embrace it anyway.
RUDE GIRL SLAMDANCE
The singer uses a specific phrase as a kind of rallying cry or call to action.
Dr. teeth conductor mayhem
The singer gives themselves a fanciful, alliterative pseudonym to further cement their image as a unique and imaginative artist.
many, many volts, not one to be grounded
The singer asserts that they are full of energy and creativity, and that they refuse to be held back or restrained by anyone else's expectations.
you closed your eyes cause you liked how it sounded
The artist suggests that someone was so moved by their music that they couldn't bear to look away, and implies the song's hypnotic qualities.
shook it to the left, took it to the right
The artist uses a rhythmic turn of phrase as a way of describing how easy it is for them to create new sounds or ideas.
like that's how your sphere got mounted
The singer implies that their creativity is responsible for a listener's success or happiness, and that they are the key to finding personal fulfillment.
o yeah, better better put ya motherfuckin' mic down son
The singer delivers a final, aggressive directive to anyone else in the music industry who might try to challenge them or their authority.
Contributed by Julia B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.