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
Tasters Choice
The Pietasters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every woman has the right to change her mind, ska ba da ba do ba day Every man deserves a second try, testify If you don't dare comply to give another try, yeah Make sure she mind is decide and bonified Every woman has the right to change their mind, ska ba da ba do ba day Every man deserves a second try, testify If you don't dare comply to give another try, yeah Decide, decide your mind get me strong and bonified
Love your woman good off to the max, no matter if she white No matter if she black. Love you woman good off to the max, no matter if she comes from The wrong side of the tracks Like me love Sally Brown, she came from downtown, Love Suzy Wong, she came from Hong Kong Love Stacey King, she came from Peking Love Trisha Smith, oh my god what a dish but
Every woman has the right to change mind, ska ba da ba do ba day Every man deserves a second try, testify If you don't dare comply to give another try, yeah Make sure she mind is decide strong and bonified I love the sisters when they up and don't leave, pick up your anger, Trick to make me see, and I love the sisters that just do as they please, pick your anger, Push up your sleeve, rub your knees, don't let them freeze Tasters please, your mama don't tease Got another soul mate from fistings and a fly but don't pound them Knees if it's to bits, geese.
Every woman has the right to change her mind, ska ba da ba do ba day Every man deserves a second try, testify If you don't dare comply to give another try, yeah Decide your mind get me strong and bonified (reggae sounds)
The Pietasters' song "Tasters Choice" is essentially about treating women with respect and giving them the agency to make their own decisions. The "tasters choice" refers to the singer's preferred choice of a soul sandwich, something that is satisfying and fulfilling. The lyrics suggest that treating women well, regardless of their race or background, is similarly satisfying and fulfilling.
The repetition of the phrase "Every woman has the right to change her mind" emphasizes the importance of respecting women's autonomy and their ability to make their own choices. The song also touches on the idea of second chances and the power of forgiveness in relationships. The lyrics encourage listeners to be understanding and willing to give others another chance, as long as they are sincere in their efforts to make things right.
Overall, "Tasters Choice" is a upbeat, fun song that promotes positivity and kindness towards others.
Line by Line Meaning
Now this one happens to be the tasters choice, spongy and moist
This specific situation is the most favorable, pleasant and easy-going, resulting in a lighthearted and carefree experience.
Natural progression stated for the model citizen after the soul sammich
A normal and expected series of events for a respectable individual after taking a moment of reflection and personal growth.
To all the cool, girls.
An acknowledgement of admiration and respect for all of the confident and independent women.
Every woman has the right to change her mind, ska ba da ba do ba day
Every female individual has the freedom to adjust her thoughts and feelings without guilt or shame.
Every man deserves a second try, testify
Each male individual deserves another opportunity to fix or improve upon their past mistakes.
If you don't dare comply to give another try, yeah
If you do not have the courage or willingness to offer a second chance, then the chance for reconciliation is lost.
Make sure she mind is decide and bonified
Ensure that her thoughts and feelings are fully formed and genuine before moving forward.
Love your woman good off to the max, no matter if she white
Treat your romantic partner with the highest level of affection, regardless of their skin color.
No matter if she black
Also emphasizing the importance of treating someone equally and with respect, no matter the color of their skin.
Like me love Sally Brown, she came from downtown
Using personal experience to illustrate the point that love should not be limited by someone's origins or social status.
Love Suzy Wong, she came from Hong Kong
Similarly, regardless of someone's cultural background or country of origin, they deserve to be loved and respected.
Every woman has the right to change their mind, ska ba da ba do ba day
Reiterating the importance of allowing women to have control of their own thoughts and emotions.
Decide, decide your mind get me strong and bonified
Encouraging women to make a clear and confident decision regarding their own lives and relationships.
I love the sisters when they up and don't leave, pick up your anger, trick to make me see
Appreciating and respecting women who are strong and independent, and using constructive communication to resolve any issues.
And I love the sisters that just do as they please, pick your anger, push up your sleeve, rub your knees, don't let them freeze
Similarly, valuing the autonomy of women who make their own choices, but also reminding them to take care of themselves.
Tasters please, your mama don't tease
A playful expression to request a certain type of behavior or action, without being too bossy or demanding.
Got another soul mate from fistings and a fly but don't pound them knees if it's to bits, geese.
A reference to seeking out new experiences and relationships, but being careful not to damage oneself in the process.
This song the tasters choice, spongy and moist, ride like rolls Royce
Referencing the enjoyable and effortless nature of this particular situation, particularly with regards to the rhythm and music of the song.
Tastes like fish on rice. Collie's like a joy, shut it like another voice.
Comparing the feeling or sensation of the experience to the taste and texture of a food, as well as using a metaphor to describe the sensation of contentment or happiness.
No one gives me no girls so why now give me no boys.
Addressing a potential concern or misconception about the artist's sexuality, and asserting that it does not matter in the context of the song or message.
Tellin' her once, but tellin' her twice, but tellin' her thrice
Repeating something multiple times with increasing emphasis or intensity, likely to ensure that a message or request is clearly understood and followed.
Bone it now, but bone it now, bit a bone it's not nice
Using a playful and suggestive expression to encourage a physical interaction or romantic encounter.
Throw the dice and a move, move your mice, voice your choice rejoice
Encouraging individuals to take risks and make confident decisions, while also celebrating the freedom and opportunity to do so.
Decide your mind get me strong and bonified (reggae sounds)
A final reminder to trust in one's own decisions and emotions, with the added musical flourish of reggae beats.
Contributed by Bentley L. 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.”