Soon after, a mutual friend, Tal Bayer moved in. He was very much into ska and reggae and suggested that the band play some of the catchy songs that they loved to drink to. It proved to be the direction they needed, as well as an easier style to cover. Soon, The Slugs were skipping classes and practicing for hours to learn songs by Madness, The Specials, Bad Manners, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Skatalites, The Business, and others. Unfortunately, the name The Slugs was already taken and the band needed a new name. Some British neighbors used to refer to the heftier guys in the band as Pietasters, which is British slang for "fat guys". The name stuck and The Pietasters were born.
A few months later, a similar band from the DC area, The Skunks asked The Pietasters to play a local ska night at a bar in Georgetown. The Pietasters were still rough around the edges, but when you’re in college, quality stage performances take second place to getting free beer. Soon, The Pietasters were playing every dive bar in DC. The manager of one such bar befriended the band and helped them record their first record, The Pietasters, more commonly known as Piestomp.
In the summer of 1993, The Pietasters set out on their first national tour in a used school bus they'd bought for $900. The tour was haphazard with stops in Ohio, Oregon, Kansas and even many stops in Canada. By the end of the tour, almost all of the original members quit the band. To this day, only trumpeter, Carlos Linares, and lead singer, Steve Jackson, remain as original members.
The Pietasters auditioned many players and decided on Jeremy Roberts, Toby Hansen and Alan Makranczy as their horn players, Rob Steward (Covington) on drums, and Paul Ackerman on keys. Tom Goodin remained on guitar. The new line-up continued to tour whenever possible, and soon attracted the attention of Bucket Hingley, front man of The Toasters and owner of Moon Ska Records. He asked if The Pietasters wanted to be a part of a tour package called, "Skavoovie 94". The Pietasters accepted and were soon touring with The Toasters and The Scofflaws. The tour was much more organized than their last outing and proved to be very educational. By the end of the tour, The Pietasters were scheduled to record "Oolooloo" on Moon Ska with Victor Rice producing.
Oolooloo came out in the summer of 1995. The Pietasters continued to tour the country, and even managed to record "Strapped Live" between stops in Raleigh, NC and the Black Cat Club in Washington, DC. "Strapped Live" was released in 1996 and quickly became a fan favorite and the closest thing to a live Pietasters show. Throughout this period, The Pietasters had been recording new songs, re-recording older ones, and recording some covers. The results ended up as "Comply", and the song selection foreshadowed their next release.
While touring with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, the band made a stop in Los Angeles. Backstage at the show, Tim Armstrong from the band, Rancid, approached the band and asked if they'd like to be a part of a new label he was putting together. The Slackers, Hepcat and Dropkick Murphys were already committed and he wanted The Pietasters on board.
After clearing such a move with Moon Ska, The Pietasters signed with Epitaph Records and their next album, Willis was recorded and released in 1997. A tour of the US soon followed as well as their first ever tour of Europe. The Pietasters also made appearances on the Warped Tour and opened for such acts as The Reverend Horton Heat, Cherry Poppin Daddies, and Ozomatli.
By 1999, The Pietasters were in the studio again to record Awesome Mix Tape #6 for Epitaph's Hellcat Records. They finished the album and hit the road again touring Europe with the Warped Tour, then the US again with the Pilfers and Spring Heeled Jack, and closing out 1999 with an opening stint for the legendary Joe Strummer. Years of touring finally took it's toll on Paul Ackerman and Tom Goodin, who amicably left the band. Bassist Todd Eckhardt also left the band and was replaced by Jorge Pezzimenti of The Decpticonz. Erick Morgan, formerly of The Skunks, took over keys, and Toby Hansen replaced Tom Goodin on guitar.
In late 2001, The Pietasters were well into recording their next album when they learned that former bassist, Todd Eckhardt, had died in his sleep. The news was extremely hard on The Pietasters and their fans. The Pietasters soldiered on and released a new album Turbo, a nickname of Todd's, in 2002. The new album's blend of Jamaican riddims and Northern Soul won praise from fans and critics alike. It even caught the attention of James Brown who asked The Pietasters to be his backing band at a sold-out concert in Washington DC in 2003. The following year, The Pietasters released their first ever DVD, Live at The 9:30 Club. In 2006, The Pietasters played the International Ska Circus in Las Vegas.
On August 21, 2007, seventeen years after their inception, The Pietasters released a new studio album entitled, "All Day".
Discography:
Studio albums:
The Pietasters - 1993 on Slug Tone Records
Oolooloo - 1995 on Moon Ska Records
Willis - 1997 on Epitaph Records
Awesome Mix Tape vol. 6 - 1999 on Hellcat Records
Turbo - 2002 on Fueled by Ramen
All Day - 2007 on Indication Records
Rare Albums, EP's, Singles, and Others:
The Ska-Rumptious 7 Inch"" - 1992 on Slug Tone Records
All You Can Eat (EP) - 1992 on Slug Tone Records
Soul Sammich - 1994 on Slug Tone Records
Ocean - 1996 on Moon Records
Strapped Live! (live album) - 1996 on Moon Records
Comply - 1996 on Moon Records
Out All Night (Promo) - 1997 on Hellcat Records
Out All Night (EP) - 1998 on HellCat Records
Yesterday's Over (Promo) - 1999 on Hellcat Records
The Pietasters 1992-1996 - 2003 on VMS Records
Live at the 9:30 Club (DVD) - 2005 on MVD
Band members:
Current lineup:
Stephen Jackson - vocals
Toby Hansen - guitar, trumpet
Jorge Pezzimenti - bass
Rob Steward - drums
Alan Makranczy - saxophone
Jeremy Roberts - trombone
Carlos Linares - trumpet
Jon Darby - keyboard
Past members:
Talmage Bayer - vocals
Tom Goodin - guitar
Pat Kelley - guitar
Todd Eckhardt - bass
Chris Watt - bass
Ben Gauslin - drums
Eric Raecke - tenor saxophone
Rob French - trombone
Caroline Boutwell - farfisa
Paul T. Ackerman - keyboards
Erick Morgan - keyboards
Jeb Crandall - keyboards
Drunken Master
The Pietasters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pick up my foot and then the next one drop
Drunken style is his martial art
You can't push him around like no old hand cart
Sleep on nails and I eat broken glass
I am no fool i keep my mind intact
Stumble down the street people passin' remarks
Cause when me walk, me walk and kotch
I am the drunken master
Test my crew bukup on a disaster
I am the drunken master
Don't be a bull in a china shop
Pick up my foot and then the next one drop
Stumble down the street people passin remarks
Cause when me walk, me walk and kotch
Sleep on nails and I eat broken glass
I am no fool i keep my mind intact
Drunken style are me martial art
Can't push we around like no old hand cart
I am the drunken master
Test my crew bukup on a disaster
I am the drunken master
Yi, er, san ,si, wu, liu, chi, ba
Screamin comin atchya drunken master
Ba, chi, liu, wu, si, san, er, yi
Kick karate from me high dea me knee
Troddin the fertile crescent with me nine section whip
Scrip itta writ in heiroglyphic sanskrit
Mix this music just like a chemist
Wordsmith by osmosis
Mystic chopstick inna your brainbasket
Like a locksmith your cerebelum gets picked
Esoteric like a jedi mind trick
You'll get your fix on his kicks
Yi, er, san ,si, wu, liu, chi, ba
Screamin comin atchya pietaster
Ba, chi, liu, wu, si, san, er, yi
Just like joon rhee, nobody bothers me
Test my crew bukup on a disaster
I am the drunken master
I am the drunken master
Test my crew bukup on a disaster
I am the drunken master
The Pietasters’ song “Drunken Master” is a tribute to the martial artist style of the same name. The lyrics describe the confidence and skill of someone who has mastered the art of fighting while under the influence. They challenge listeners not to be like a bull in a china shop, but to pick up their feet and walk with purpose. The drunken style is referred to as their martial art, which they use to defend themselves against those who try to push them around.
The lyrics also describe their ability to endure pain, boasting that they can sleep on nails and eat broken glass without losing their mind. As they stumble down the street, they attract the attention of onlookers who pass judgment on their unconventional manner of walking, but they pay no mind. The chorus repeats the phrase “I am the drunken master,” reminding listeners of their skill and confidence.
Overall, the lyrics give the impression of someone who is almost invincible—able to walk through life unscathed despite any obstacles or challenges. The nod to martial arts and Eastern philosophy adds to the mystical quality of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't be a bull in a china shop
Don't act recklessly, be careful and cautious.
Pick up my foot and then the next one drop
I move with precision and control even when drunk.
Drunken style is his martial art
I fight using a unique style of martial arts that involves drunken movements.
You can't push him around like no old hand cart
I am not easily pushed around or controlled like a hand cart.
Sleep on nails and I eat broken glass
I am willing to endure pain and hardship to prove my strength.
I am no fool i keep my mind intact
Despite my reckless behavior, I am not foolish and maintain control of my mind.
Stumble down the street people passin' remarks
I may appear drunk and unsteady, but people should not underestimate my abilities.
Cause when me walk, me walk and kotch
When I walk, I do so with my own unique style and rhythm.
I am the drunken master
I am skilled in using drunken movements in martial arts.
Test my crew bukup on a disaster
Challenge my crew and see the consequences.
Yi, er, san ,si, wu, liu, chi, ba
Counting in Chinese numerical order, building anticipation for the next line.
Screamin comin atchya drunken master
I am a force to be reckoned with, approaching with loud screams.
Kick karate from me high dea me knee
I am skilled in a variety of martial arts techniques.
Troddin the fertile crescent with me nine section whip
I am travel to various places, carrying a deadly weapon with me.
Scrip itta writ in heiroglyphic sanskrit
I possess knowledge and wisdom from different cultures and languages.
Mix this music just like a chemist
I am skilled in creating music, much like a chemist creates mixtures.
Wordsmith by osmosis
My music and lyrics come to me naturally and effortlessly.
Mystic chopstick inna your brainbasket
My words have a powerful and lasting effect on your mind and thoughts.
Like a locksmith your cerebelum gets picked
My words and music unlock the hidden parts of your brain and psyche.
Esoteric like a jedi mind trick
My music and lyrics possess a mystical quality that is hard to understand, much like a Jedi's mind trick.
You'll get your fix on his kicks
My music and lyrics will satisfy your craving for a unique and powerful experience.
Just like joon rhee, nobody bothers me
No one can stop me, much like the famous martial artist Joon Rhee.
Contributed by Lily C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dead
on Set Me Up
The song is about former DC mayor, Marion Barry.
On January 18, 1990, Barry was arrested with a former girlfriend, Hazel Diane Moore, in a sting operation at the Vista International Hotel by the FBI and D.C. police for crack cocaine use and possession. Moore was an FBI informant when she invited Barry to the hotel room and insisted that he smoke freebase cocaine before they had sex, while agents in another room watched on camera, waiting for Barry to accept her offer. During the videotaped arrest, Barry says of Moore, "Bitch set me up.”