On April 30, 2006, the band played the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. They were offered the opportunity after a fan, unbeknownst to the band, entered them in a contest held by the festival on MySpace in which voters were to "nominate their favorite band for an open slot at the festival".
All members are known to switch instruments live (for instance, Josh Lambert playing drums while Toto Miranda plays guitar, or Yvonne Lambert playing guitar while Josh Lambert operates the electronics), but each member can be said to play a primary instrument.
Yvonne Lambert is one of the few modern rock musicians to consistently play the theremin on recordings and in performances. The instrument appears on many of the band's tracks. The theremin is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without discernible physical contact from the player. It is named after its Russian inventor, Professor Léon Theremin, who patented the device in 1928. The controlling section usually consists of two metal antennas which sense the position of the player's hands and control oscillators for frequency with one hand, and amplitude (volume) with the other, so it can be played without being touched. The electric signals from the theremin are amplified and sent to a loudspeaker.
Josh Lambert: guitar, bass, keyboards
Toto Miranda: drums, guitar, bass
Yvonne Lambert: samplers, keyboards, theremin, glockenspiel, guitar
Ryan Figg: guitar, bass, keyboards
Octopus Project toured with Explosions in the Sky in 2011 for US venues.
Death Graduates
The Octopus Project Lyrics
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Change down to real, ship beside your secret
Oh-oh-oh no, oh-oh-oh no, oh-oh-oh no, oh-oh-oh no
Shake down to water, shake down with water
Change down to real, ship beside your secret
Oh-oh-oh no, oh-oh-oh no, oh-oh-oh no, oh-oh-oh no
Oh-oh-oh no, she's covered in stone, oh-oh-oh no, what's down below?
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh no, secrets are been told, oh-oh-oh no, what's down below?
Oh-oh-oh no, she's covered in stone, oh-oh-oh no, oh-oh-oh no
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
The Octopus Project's song "Death Graduates" is a highly interpretive piece that elicits a deep emotional response through its dark, mysterious, and foreboding lyrics. One interpretation of the lyrics is that they portray the story of someone who is searching for the truth and has discovered that things are not what they seem. The phrase "shake down to water, shake down with water, change down to real" suggests the act of cleansing oneself, both physically and spiritually, to reveal the truth. The phrase "ship beside your secret" perhaps signifies the journey towards uncovering the truth, which is likened to a ship sailing beside the person's secret. The repetition of the phrase "oh-oh-oh no" creates a sense of fear, warning the listener of the impending danger that comes with discovering the secrets hidden beneath the surface.
As the song progresses, the repeated phrase "she's covered in stone, what's down below?" introduces a new character into the narrative, someone or something that is shrouded in mystery and seemingly impenetrable. The phrase "secrets are been told" suggests that these secrets are not only being uncovered, but also that they are revealing something sinister or forbidden. The haunting melody and the repetition of the phrase "oh-oh-oh no" indicate that the ominous feeling is growing stronger, and something terrible may be lurking just below the surface.
Overall, "Death Graduates" is a cryptic piece that urges the listener to confront the truth, no matter how unpleasant or dangerous it may be. The lyrics evoke a sense of foreboding that is both intriguing and unsettling, leaving the listener to ponder the implications of what lies beneath the surface.
Line by Line Meaning
Shake down to water, shake down with water
Let go of your worries and let the calming effect of water wash over you
Change down to real, ship beside your secret
Stop pretending and be true to yourself, and confide in someone you trust
Oh-oh-oh no, oh-oh-oh no, oh-oh-oh no, oh-oh-oh no
A repeated expression of concern or worry
Oh-oh-oh no, she's covered in stone, oh-oh-oh no, what's down below?
A metaphorical statement about someone who appears stiff or unyielding on the outside, but with unclear or potentially concerning motives
Oh-oh-oh no, secrets are been told, oh-oh-oh no, oh-oh-oh no
An indication that there are secrets being revealed or exposed, leading to unease or worry
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
A repeated, ominous chant that intensifies the unease and fear
Contributed by Oliver R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.