Originally together from 1981-1983, they played basement and club shows fairly often. Aside from the 1983 cassette Flex Your Mind, though, no recorded material was available from them until 1998's Devolver CD-R anthology. Several songs on the album were produced by their friend (outsider psychedelic singer-songwriter) Bobb Trimble.
At their first-ever gig, the band distributed a simultaneously prank-ish and poker-faced "manifesto", using 60s rock album liner notes as a wobbly template. It began:
"...Was it only 3 or 4 weeks ago that the future PREFAB MESSIAHS first pooled their cosmic energies and talents, and – crooning their messages about our Plastic Age – decided to totally revolutionize Pop Music? The Concept was shocking in its boldness – 4 young men with a Destiny – from the Store 24 to Mister Donut their eyes burned with what they saw, even as they lapped it up faster than a small order of McDonald's fries. Reality could not keep the PREFAB MESSIAHS down! Still, if the Media is the Message, just what are these guys talking about? In short, they're talking about you and me and no one in particular – about the kind of Eternal Struggle that most "bands" and "musicians" don't even realize exists..."
Armed with borrowed guitars, puny amps, and a mission to confound the status quo, the three Clark University undergrads began a unique post-punk musical trajectory through the burgeoning-yet-insular Wormtown (Worcester, MA) underground.
The stark reality of the Reagan Era had already taken hold, with its yuppie-driven consumerist, conformist and "product"-focused fetish culture. In an attempt to deal with it all, our heroes sought refuge in the Dada reverie and post-WWII existentialism that ended up yielding their moniker. In the New Religion of mall culture, product placement and instant gratification, "prefab messiahs" like Ronald McDonald and the Pillsbury Dough Boy were trotted out by their corporate masters to replace the old guard of unprofitable prophets.
That was the working Concept, at least – and the The Prefabs mischievously (naively?) married it to an unlikely collision of primitive post-punk, grainy psych, and left-field garage pop – all at a time when terms like "indie" and "alternative" weren't even bandied about yet.
The Prefab Messiahs have reunited (or as they say, "re-franchised") several times for the Wormtown Anniversary Bash festivals, including the 20th in 1998 and the 25th in 2003. The anniversaries marked time since the first issue of the '70s/'80s punk fanzine Wormtown Punk Punk Press.
An appearance of the "2008 franchise" of the Prefabs occured at the Wormtown 30th Anniversary Bash on May 3, 2008, in a combined set with Bobb Trimble. Guest members in this franchise included Gary War and Ned Egg (Gary was a member of Ariel Pink's band; also, Gary and Ned previously comprised the band Chas. Mtn.).
In early 2011, Almost Ready Records (known for their The World's Lousy With Ideas compilation series) issued a 7" single of archival Prefabs material, "Franz Kafka / Prefab Sun".
In December 2011, Fixed Identity released Peace Love & Alienation, a collection of eight archival Prefabs songs newly remastered by Jay Rajeck (of TRS-80), who has also worked with Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti. Two of the songs were produced by Bobb Trimble in 1982.
In June 2012, the band embarked upon on a four-date 30th Anniversary "Reunion micro-Tour™" with Bobb Trimble's Flying Spiders, playing shows in New York and Massachusetts. Other bands playing on the tour included Spectre Folk, Sore Eros, Weyes Blood and the Dark Juices, and Secret Lover.
In September 2013, Burger Records reissued the Prefabs' Devolver on cassette. Also beginning in 2013, the band began their first new sessions in 30 years, recorded by Doug Tuttle (formerly of MMOSS) and Jesse Gallagher (ex-Apollo Sunshine; recorded the first Quilt LP).
On March 10, 2015, Burger Records and KLYAM Records co-released the 8-song Maxi-EP Keep Your Stupid Dreams Alive, the band's first new sounds in 32 years. The album peaked at #58 on the CMJ Top 200 Radio chart, and was widely praised.
On January 26, 2018, Lolipop Records and Burger Records will co-release the 10-song Psychsploitation Today, the band's fourth album.
Orange Room
The Prefab Messiahs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So you don't have to
He lives in an orange room
Just to upset you
He lives in an orange room
Don't look inside there
He lives in an orange room
Squirrels in the wall
Drunks down the hall
Useless college degree
Dead-ender jobs
Hated by snobs
Dread what the future will be
Squirrels in the wall
Drunks down the hall
Useless college degree
Dead-ender jobs
Hated by snobs
Dread what the future will be
He lives in an orange room
That's what he's after
He lives in an orange room
Ignore the laughter
He lives in an orange room
Amid the clutter
He lives in an orange room
What does it matter?
What does it matter?
In the song "Orange Room" by The Prefab Messiahs, the lyrics depict a person who inhabits an orange room, seemingly as a deliberate act to provoke or unsettle others. The repetition of the line "He lives in an orange room, so you don't have to" suggests that this person is intentionally choosing an unconventional or unconventional living environment, possibly to challenge societal norms or expectations.
The lyrics continue to emphasize the enigma surrounding this orange room, cautioning against peering inside and hiding from it. This could symbolize the fear or discomfort people may have when confronted with something different or out of the ordinary. The orange room serves as a metaphor for a person's unique perspective or unconventional choices that may not conform to societal standards.
The following lines introduce a series of contrasting images that evoke feelings of dissatisfaction and pessimism. The mention of "squirrels in the wall" and "drunks down the hall" suggests a sense of chaos and disorder, perhaps representing the challenges and struggles one might face in life. The mention of a "useless college degree" and "dead-ender jobs" implies a frustration with the limitations and disappointments of modern life. The line "hated by snobs" could reflect the disdain or judgment that unconventional individuals may face from more conformist or judgmental circles.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the person living in the orange room is undeterred by societal expectations or others' opinions. The lyrics state that he lives there regardless of the negativity or laughter he may receive. This can be seen as an act of self-empowerment and rebellion against the pressures of conformity and societal norms. The clutter and insignificance of the orange room are highlighted in the lines "He lives in an orange room, amid the clutter. He lives in an orange room, what does it matter?" This suggests that the person finds value and contentment in his own unique space, regardless of how it is perceived by others.
Overall, "Orange Room" by The Prefab Messiahs seems to celebrate the idea of embracing individuality and defying societal expectations. The orange room represents a space where one can freely express themselves and reject the constraints of conformity. It encourages listeners to embrace their own unique perspectives and choices, regardless of how they may be perceived by others.
Line by Line Meaning
He lives in an orange room
He deliberately chooses to live in a bright and bold space
So you don't have to
To spare others from the discomfort or unconventional lifestyle
Just to upset you
His intention is to provoke and challenge societal norms or expectations
Don't look inside there
He advises against examining or judging his personal space
You cannot hide there
His orange room is not a place to escape or seek refuge
Squirrels in the wall
There are disturbances or issues hidden within the living environment
Drunks down the hall
Neighbors or individuals nearby who are not in control of their behavior
Useless college degree
His higher education did not bring practical or meaningful opportunities
Dead-ender jobs
He is stuck in unfulfilling or dead-end employment
Hated by snobs
He faces disdain or disrespect from those who consider themselves superior
Dread what the future will be
He has apprehensions or concerns about what lies ahead
That's what he's after
His purpose or desire is to live in the orange room
Ignore the laughter
He suggests disregarding the mockery or ridicule directed at his choice
Amid the clutter
His orange room is filled with disorganized or messy belongings
What does it matter?
He questions the significance or importance of his unconventional living situation
What does it matter?
He repeats his previous inquiry about the relevance or consequences of his choices
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Xerox Feinberg, Doc Michaud, Trip Thomson, Mattyboy Horn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
doomsday horror
This is Gold!!
Beatrix
Sounds like somebody wants to paint that orange room black.
Xeth Xethtoon
Why not?