Zappa disbanded the original Mothers of Invention line-up in 1970 to create music under his own name, but shortly reformed an entirely new band sometimes known as "The Mothers". This new incarnation had a strong vaudeville style and were much bawdier than before, with new vocalists Flo & Eddie, previously of the Turtles, taking the lead. After Zappa was pushed offstage in the Rainbow Theatre in 1971, he broke up this second band and concentrated on a jazzier style with a short-lived big band called the Grand Wazoo, but returned with a third lineup of the Mothers in 1973. This reformed group retained musical similarities to the previous group and the chamber music of the late '60s Mothers, but with a tighter, funkier sound; George Duke's soulful vocals being perhaps the most memorable addition. Whilst members of the new Mothers frequently appeared on albums credited solely to Zappa, three albums, Overnite Sensation, Roxy & Elsewhere and One Size Fits All display the name Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention.
The Mothers of Invention (1966-1969)
Frank Zappa - Musical director, guitar & vocals
Ray Collins - Lead vocalist, harmonica, tambourine, finger cymbals, bobby pin & tweezers 1966-early 1967, September 1967-August 1968
Jim Black - Drums
Roy Estrada - Bass & guitarron; boy soprano
Elliot Ingber - Alternate lead & rhythm guitar early 1966-September 1966
Jim Fielder - guitar, piano late 1966-February 1967
Don Preston - keyboards November 1966-August 1969
Bunk Gardner - woodwinds November 1966-August 1969
Billy Mundi - Drums November 1966-Decmber 1967
Euclid James Motorhead Sherwood - soprano, tambourine baritone saxophone & Roadie 1966, September 1967-August 1969
Ian Underwood -Woodwinds,Saxophone July 1967-August 1969
Arthur Dyer Tripp III - drums, timpani, vibes, marimba, xylophone, wood blocks, bells, small chimes December 1967-August 1969
Lowell George - Rhythm Guitar November 1968-May 1969
Buzz Gardner November 1968- August 1969
Core discography (note that the band's canon is nebulous, due to the often poorly demarcated overlap with Frank Zappa's solo discography; this list additionally omits albums released after the breakup of the band)
1966 - Freak Out!
1967 - Absolutely Free
1968 - We're Only in It for the Money
1968 - Cruising with Ruben & the Jets
1969 - Uncle Meat
1970 - Burnt Weeny Sandwich
1970 - Weasels Ripped My Flesh
1971 - Fillmore East - June 1971
1971 - 200 Motels
1972 - Just Another Band from L.A.
1972 - The Grand Wazoo
1973 - Over-Nite Sensation
1974 - Roxy & Elsewhere
1975 - One Size Fits All
1975 - Bongo Fury (with Captain Beefheart)
Concentration Moon
The Mothers of Invention Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Over the camp in the valley
Concentration Moon
Wish I was back in the alley
With all of my friends,
Still running free:
Hair growing out
Every hole in me
How did it start?
Thousands of creeps
Killed in the park
AMERICAN WAY
Try and explain
Scab of a nation
Driven insane
Don't cry
Gotta go bye bye
SUDDENLY: DIE DIE
COP KILL A CREEP! pow pow pow
Gary Kellgren: Tomorrow I get to do another Frank Zappa creation . . .
and the day after that . . . and the day after that . . .
also at the same time I get to work with The Velvet Underground
which is as shitty a group as Frank Zappa's group
JCB: Hi, boys & girls, I'm Jimmy Carl Black,
and I'm the Indian of the group
Concentration Moon
Over the camp in the valley
Concentration Moon
Wish I was back in the alley
With all of my friends,
Still running free:
Hair growing out
Every hole in me
AMERICAN WAY
Threatened by US
Drag a few creeps
Away in a bus
AMERICAN WAY
Prisoner: lock
SMASH EVERY CREEP
IN THE FACE WITH A ROCK
Don't cry
Gotta go bye bye
SUDDENLY: DIE DIE
COP KILL A CREEP! pow pow pow
The Mothers of Invention's "Concentration Moon" reflects on the dark underbelly of American culture through ominous and surreal imagery. The first verse sets the stage with a focus on "Concentration Moon," which could be interpreted as a reference to the United States' concentration camps during World War II, or more broadly, as a symbol of state control and oppression. The singer yearns to return to the alleyway with their friends, where they feel a sense of freedom and individuality - a stark contrast to the conformity symbolized by the concentration camp.
The second verse delves deeper into the theme of American violence and aggression. The lyrics reference the "American way" and how it leads to a culture of killing, as seen in the violence that erupted in parks across the country. There is also a reference to the "scab of a nation driven insane," which could be interpreted as a reference to the corrupt power structures or the general malaise of the time. Against this backdrop, the singer acknowledges the inevitability of their own death, but does so with a sense of detachment, as if bidding farewell to a world that was never really their own.
Overall, "Concentration Moon" paints a picture of a society on the brink of collapse, overridden with violence and oppression. It is a commentary on the darker side of American culture, and the power structures that keep it in place.
Line by Line Meaning
Concentration Moon
The intense focus on a particular group or community
Over the camp in the valley
The people who are being concentrated are placed together in a remote location
Concentration Moon
The intense focus on a particular group or community
Wish I was back in the alley
The artist wishes to return to a simpler time when they were not being concentrated
With all of my friends, Still running free:
The artist remembers a time when they were not being concentrated and could enjoy the company of friends and freedom
Hair growing out Every hole in me
The singer is expressing their disgust at the physical symptoms they are experiencing due to being concentrated
AMERICAN WAY
A sarcastic reference to the ideology and policies of the United States
How did it start? Thousands of creeps Killed in the park
A critique of the violent methods used by the government to control and oppress its citizens
AMERICAN WAY Try and explain Scab of a nation Driven insane
Further critique of the United States' policies and their negative effects on the people
Don't cry Gotta go bye bye
A dismissive attitude towards the situation and a willingness to leave and move on
SUDDENLY: DIE DIE COP KILL A CREEP! pow pow pow
A violent and shocking statement, possibly meant to shock the listener and convey a sense of outrage
Gary Kellgren: Tomorrow I get to do another Frank Zappa creation . . . and the day after that . . . and the day after that . . . also at the same time I get to work with The Velvet Underground which is as shitty a group as Frank Zappa's group
An unrelated statement from a member of the band who is expressing their excitement about working on new projects
JCB: Hi, boys & girls, I'm Jimmy Carl Black, and I'm the Indian of the group
An introduction by a member of the band who is referencing his Native American heritage
AMERICAN WAY Threatened by US Drag a few creeps Away in a bus
Further critique of the United States' policies and their violent methods of control
AMERICAN WAY Prisoner: lock SMASH EVERY CREEP IN THE FACE WITH A ROCK
A violent and extreme response to the oppressive policies of the government
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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