The first seeds of Psycho Realm were sown in the tough downtown Pico-Union neighborhood, right across the street from Doheny Park. First-generation Americans and the eldest two of the four Gonzalez boys, Jack and Gustavo, a.k.a. "Duke," grew up in the contentious neighborhood in the mid- and late-1980s.
"Our side of town is the 'Sick Side' of town. They have the South Side, North Side, East Side, whatever. Our side is the Sick Side," Jack explains over a lunch of Argentine Lomo and Mimosas on Hollywood's Melrose Avenue one recent Sunday, fresh off a series of concert dates in Italy.
The patriarch of the Gonzalez family came to the U.S. from Mexico at the age of 15 and supported his family by painting cars. Their house was filled with music: classic oldies, which surface prominently in Psycho Realm's tracks, along with regional Mexican music and giants of the 1960s and '70s like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix.
Immersed in hip-hop as a middle-school student, Jack's neighborhood friend, Yonjo, got ahold of a record featuring a guy out of Miami rapping in Spanish. They threw it on the turntable and, inspired by what they heard, the boys wrote a Spanglish rap about all of the friends they grew up with and the growing specter of neighborhood gang warfare that would crest just a few years later in the early 1990s.
Older brother Duke was attending Cal State Northridge (CSUN) at the time, and Jack and Yonjo made the trip out one weekend to see Latin hip-hoppers A Lighter Shade of Brown play the on-campus pub. When the following act was late to the stage, a deejay friend of Duke's threw on an instrumental beat and persuaded Jack and Yonjo to get on stage. Their song about the neighborhood characters got the crowd going crazier than the headlining act, and Jack was hooked.
Eventually, Yonjo dropped out to work for his family's business, Duke got in on the act, and his days at CSUN soon came to an end as well. "I think he went with the intention of doing something, but didn't know what he wanted to do," says Jack. According to his little brother, Duke spent most of those two years with his '79 Regal backed up to the door of his dorm room, juicing up the batteries on his hydraulics with free electricity, courtesy of the Cal State University system. When the party was over, he left.
By now Jack was attending the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies' (LACES) magnet high school Mid-City. Always a talented writer, he once won an essay contest for an opportunity to travel to the Soviet Union, but those plans were derailed by the ill-timed collapse of communism. Jack also played first-chair trumpet in the band and rubbed elbows in Miss Cox's music class with Lucas MacFadden (a.k.a. DJ Cut Chemist of Jurassic 5, Ozomatli and the Brainfreeze projects with DJ Shadow), and a certain actor you may have heard of named Leonardo DiCaprio.
Jack admits that he and his boys used to give Leo a hard time, but when they ran into each other years later at a Playboy magazine party, there were no hard feelings. "He was like, 'Hey, your music's tight.' I was like, 'You're acting's dope,'" Jack remembers.
After graduating from LACES, Jack also took a stab at higher education, attending Santa Monica College on scholarship, taking random courses for credit like weight training. "My dad always wanted us to do the college thing," he says. "Get a good job, make eighty-, a hundred-thousand-dollars a year. Live the good life, you know?" But with an infant daughter to support (he's now the proud father of five girls) and a waning interest in academics, Jack decided that his energy was better spent working and nurturing Psycho Realm's music.
About that time, Psycho Realm caught what could be considered the band's big break. It was 1993 and they were playing a free "End Barrio Warfare" show at the Olvera Street Plaza downtown, which happened to be attended by B-Real of Cypress Hill. B liked what he heard, met with Jack and Duke after the show, and eventually signed Psycho Realm to his production company and the Ruffhouse/Columbia/Sony label, mentoring the fledgling duo. "He was a good mentor," says Jack. "He helped us structure our songs more.
Live shows, he taught us how to work the crowd."
B-Real was so impressed with Psycho Realm that he actually wanted to join the group and make it a trio, but Jack and Duke were reluctant to let anyone else in the fold. "We had the mentality of the old rock bands: If you can't do an album on your own, you ain't shit," says Jack. The brothers told B-Real they would pass, but he was persistent. "We told him if you're going to be in the group, you've got to do all the promotional stuff, too. You don't get superstar status. And he was down with it, so we were like, 'Let's do the whole album.' And we did the whole first album with him."
The Big Debut
When it came time to put out their self-titled debut album in 1997, Jack and Duke were adamant that it was credited only to Psycho Realm, minting them as their own brand. Sony didn't go for it. "On everything, every sticker, it said, 'Featuring B-Real of Cypress Hill,' " recalls Jack. "You can't really blame them because they're sinking so many dollars into it. They're going to go for the marketing aspect." It wasn't all bad news, though. Even now, when Cypress Hill comes up, Psycho Realm usually gets a mention, and vice-versa.
Timing was not on their side, however. Simultaneously, Cypress Hill, Nas, and the Fugees were all on the Ruffhouse label, and they all had big radio hits. Not being a radio-friendly group, Psycho Realm fell into a no-man's land, and consequently fell through the cracks. "They didn't know what to do with us," laments Jack. "Two Mexican guys from L.A. rapping. They were just like, 'What is this? How can we market this?' "
Psycho Realm eventually decided it was best to part ways with Sony. "Sony did give us a worldwide promotional campaign, so we're known all over the world now," says Jack. "We can go to Europe and have promoters pay us to do shows. And we have fans that are coming to the shows all over the world – Mexico, South and Central America, Europe, Australia."
With a DIY work ethic, the Gonzalez brothers have also cultivated a vast network of independent distributors around the globe, keeping their music, their fans – and their profits – close to their chests. Jack breaks it down: "Instead of making eighty cents a record, we're making six or seven dollars a record. It's more of a direct contact with the streets, too, because on a day-to-day basis I'm going around to stores dropping off product. People at the shows buy it, people see me on the streets. I'm out there every day. It's being accessible. I think a lot of people can relate to us and the fact that we're in everybody's face, we're standing next to everybody, it makes it that much more real."
The ugly face of Los Angeles street violence got a little too real for Psycho Realm in late January 1999, just a month before their second album, "A War Story, Book 1," was scheduled for release on their own Sick Symphonies label. After a Delinquent Habits show at the El Rey theatre, Duke and a few friends went in search of late-night nourishment, ending up at Tommy's burger stand at Beverly and Rampart. Following an altercation in the parking lot, Duke was shot in the neck, severing an artery, with the bullet ending up right between the "L" and the "O" of his "Los Angeles" tattoo.
War Story II
By the time Jack made it to the scene, Duke was already on his way to County-USC Medical Center, and only his jacket remained in the street, ringed by yellow police tape. He caught up with Duke in the hospital hallway, barely alive and disfigured by swelling, bandages and clamps. Duke survived, and the police arrested the shooter, but his injuries left him a quadriplegic at 28.
Jack calls the months after Duke's misfortune "The Dark Ages." "I wasn't really doing much," he says. "Not really making music, just cruising the streets." Duke eventually convinced Jack to get back to making music, and he hooked up with dedicated foot soldiers of the Psycho Realm promotion machine and fellow Angelenos, Street Platoon. Together they recorded "The Steel Storm," released in 2001. Dad went to nursing school so he could care for Duke full time and Psycho Realm eventually got back on track.
Now, along with his musical contributions, Duke runs Psycho Realm's cyber-domain, maintaining the Web site and mailing list. And L.A. hip-hop's favorite sons released their long-awaited third album, "A War Story, Book 2," in November 2003. On one of the 15 new tracks, "Poison Rituals," MTV News' Kurt Loder even recounts the night Psycho Realm's lives changed forever at the burger stand. Standout and single-worthy tracks also include head-bobbing party track "Good Times" and street anthem "The Killing Fields."
By all appearances, Psycho Realm barely missed a step. When they threw a record-release party at the El Rey, the same theater where they attended the Delinquent Habits show that fateful night in 1999, Sick Soldiers lined up around the block, and the 600-plus fans that were turned away incited a near-riot. The L.A.P.D. even showed up, decked out in riot gear, though the situation eventually ended peacefully.
"We do it all ourselves," says Jack. "For two guys [Street Platoon], me and my brother, who's quadriplegic, we're not doing too bad."
ONLINE:
For a list of independent retailers carrying Psycho Realm's catalogue, tour dates, news, and merchandise, visit www.psychorealmonline.com.
I'm Gone
The Psycho Realm Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had a dream that touched me deep down inside
Oh, yes I did, oh
I dreamed that she was gone
I'm gone, I'm fucked up man
Give me some, give me bumps, get me up man
I'm stumbling, drunk, I'm struggling but
I'll be straight man just give me a fucking blunt
Give me some, give me bumps, get me up man
I'm stumbling, drunk,
Man I don't give a fuck, it's alright tonight cause I'm gone
Let my heart get religious and ...
Middle east... listen to what I say, my ak spray
Do them, ... head off
Homie I'm gone, pour me a drink and it's on
Degenerate is what they say that we are
Grab my genitals and general or king you a pawn
I stand tall after a ... and 8 ball, that's all
But I'm past the ... medicine's all I need,
OG and a ... we puff hard a mass of trees, Amazon
Till it's all red lights like the camera's on
I hit the streets, ... one eye closed
Where I'll end up after tonight, only my god knows
Maybe back in the hood with some white in my nose
... with these 2 little dirty white hoes
I'm gone, I'm fucked up man
Give me some, give me bumps, get me up man
I'm stumbling, drunk, I'm struggling but
I'll be straight man just give me a fucking blunt
I'm fucked up man
Give me some, give me bumps, get me up man
I'm stumbling, drunk,
Man I don't give a fuck, it's alright tonight cause I'm gone
Black tall heroine, crack star veteran,
And that's yall, I'm on that jack ... gentleman
You can find me fucked up in bars off...
Call me Jack the ripper cause other way I'm killing them
Venom in my glass 74 cinnamon
No lemon, number 7 no minimum
Oh, so you concern how I'm living now
You need to shut the fuck up and keep feeling them
... most of the time, my good times are ignorant
So if you ... don't ask me next day, cause I won't be remembering it
I'm gone, I'm fucked up man
Give me some, give me bumps, get me up man
I'm stumbling, drunk, I'm struggling but
I'll be straight man just give me a fucking blunt
I'm fucked up man
Give me some, give me bumps, get me up man
I'm stumbling, drunk,
Man I don't give a fuck, it's alright tonight cause I'm gone
All my friends ... wrong, she was gone
My mama told me one day son, when ... for your own good
I'm wasted, blasted, woke up next to ...
I couldn't even tell her what's her name when she asked me
Sheets smell like liquor, carpet all ashy
...mouth like you reading ... nasty
I'm still gone but I'm already knowing
The only way to cure this shit is keep going
Force one down that hatchet
For every one I had last night I'ma see if I can match it
Drink fine water like ...and true masters
Sometimes all go harder and shooting bastards
Rail slide... axes, ... from the ... to the tomb, ... full crashers
I got black belt ... so approve nostrels, take more shots than a soldier shoots hostiles
Try to be cool, they say I'm too ... drop more truth than the gospels
I'm gone, I'm fucked up man
Give me some, give me bumps, get me up man
I'm stumbling, drunk, I'm struggling but
I'll be straight man just give me a fucking blunt
I'm fucked up man
Give me some, give me bumps, get me up man
I'm stumbling, drunk,
Man I don't give a fuck, it's alright tonight cause I'm gone.
The lyrics of The Psycho Realm's song "I'm Gone" speak to the struggles of addiction and self-destruction. The singer describes a dream where his lover is gone, which seems to trigger a spiral into substance abuse. He is "stumbling, drunk," and willing to do anything to get high - even resorting to violence: "My ak spray / Do them...head off." He acknowledges the harm that his addiction is causing in his life, such as waking up next to a stranger whose name he can't remember. Despite this, he seems resigned to his fate and says, "It's alright tonight cause I'm gone."
The song is a powerful commentary on the reality of addiction and the despair that often accompanies it. The singer's desperation and willingness to do whatever it takes to get high speaks to the all-consuming nature of addiction. The dream of losing a loved one also highlights the way that trauma and loss can fuel substance abuse.
Line by Line Meaning
While laying in the bed last night
The singer starts by describing the time when he had a profound dream that he is about to recount.
I had a dream that touched me deep down inside
The dream the singer had was very impactful and affected him emotionally at a deep level.
I dreamed that she was gone
The focus of the dream was a person who was no longer present in the singer's life, most likely someone who was important to him.
I'm gone, I'm fucked up man
After recounting his dream, the artist describes his own current state of being as feeling completely messed up and out of sorts.
Give me some, give me bumps, get me up man
The artist is requesting some sort of substance to help him feel better and get him back on track mentally and physically.
I'm stumbling, drunk, I'm struggling but
The singer is currently experiencing difficulty in functioning due to the state he is in, but he recognizes that he needs to push through this to become whole again.
I'll be straight man just give me a fucking blunt
The singer believes that smoking marijuana will help him feel better and return to a more normal state of being.
Homie I'm gone, pour me a drink and it's on
The artist is determined to continue indulging in substances, as he believes this is the only way he can feel better.
Degenerate is what they say that we are
The artist acknowledges that he and his group are seen as irresponsible and immoral by society at large.
Grab my genitals and general or king you a pawn
The artist is asserting his own masculinity and power, telling others that they are not as strong or dominant as he is.
I stand tall after a ... and 8 ball, that's all
The singer has recently been indulging in some sort of drug use, but he is still able to maintain his composure and appear strong.
But I'm past the ... medicine's all I need, OG and a ... we puff hard a mass of trees, Amazon
The artist is claiming that he only needs marijuana to feel better, and he and his friends smoke a lot of it together.
Till it's all red lights like the camera's on
The group continues smoking marijuana until their eyes are completely bloodshot and resemble the eyes of someone who has been caught on camera doing something wrong.
Where I'll end up after tonight, only my god knows
The singer is unsure of what will happen to him after he indulges in substances tonight, and he implies that he may be in a dangerous situation.
Maybe back in the hood with some white in my nose
The singer suggests that he may return to a disadvantaged area with cocaine in his system, which could put him at risk for violence and other negative consequences.
... with these 2 little dirty white hoes
The artist is with two women who are considered promiscuous and of low social status, implying that he is engaging in risky and potentially harmful behavior.
Black tall heroine, crack star veteran, and that's yall, I'm on that jack ... gentleman
The artist is describing himself and his group as addicted to a wide variety of drugs, from heroin to crack to cheap liquor.
You can find me fucked up in bars off...
The singer is saying that you can find him drunk and disorderly in bars consuming substances.
Call me Jack the ripper cause other way I'm killing them
The singer is comparing himself to a notorious murderer, implying that his own actions and decisions may lead to similarly harmful outcomes for those around him.
Venom in my glass 74 cinnamon, no lemon, number 7 no minimum
The artist describes the substance he is consuming as being strong, with no lemon to dilute the taste and a number seven designation that suggests it is potent and possibly dangerous.
Oh, so you concern how I'm living now, you need to shut the fuck up and keep feeling them
The artist dismisses any concern others may have about his lifestyle, telling them to mind their own business and let him continue on his destructive path.
... most of the time, my good times are ignorant
The artist recognizes that many of the times he enjoys himself the most are when he is being reckless or doing things that may ultimately harm him.
So if you ... don't ask me next day, cause I won't be remembering it
The singer suggests that he may not be able to recall what he has done or said while under the influence of substances, further emphasizing the dangers of his lifestyle.
All my friends ... wrong, she was gone
The artist reflects on the absence of someone who is important to him, acknowledging that many of his friends have also experienced loss in their lives.
My mama told me one day son, when ...for your own good
The singer recalls advice given to him by his mother, suggesting that he is aware on some level that his current behavior is not in his own best interest.
I couldn't even tell her what's her name when she asked me
The singer describes a situation in which he was so intoxicated that he could not recall the name of a woman he had been with.
Sheets smell like liquor, carpet all ashy, ...mouth like you reading ... nasty
The singer describes a scene of debauchery and messiness, with liquor stains on the sheets and an unkempt appearance.
The only way to cure this shit is keep going
The artist acknowledges that his substance abuse is a problem, but he believes that the only way to feel better is to continue indulging in substances.
Force one down that hatchet
The artist is preparing to consume more substances despite the negative consequences it may have for his health and well-being.
For every one I had last night I'ma see if I can match it
The singer is determined to continue consuming substances at the same rate he did the previous night, perhaps as a way to prove his own dominance or strength of will.
Drink fine water like ...and true masters
The singer suggests that he and his group are sophisticated in their substance use, comparing themselves to those who consume high-quality water and are masters of their craft.
Sometimes all go harder and shooting bastards
The artist suggests that at times, consuming more substances and engaging in reckless behavior can make him feel better or more powerful, even if it is dangerous.
Rail slide... axes, ... from the ... to the tomb, ... full crashers
The artist is describing dangerous and risky activities he and his friends may engage in while under the influence of substances, including riding rails and crashing hard.
I got black belt ... so approve nostrils, take more shots than a soldier shoots hostiles
The artist suggests that he and his group are very good at consuming substances, able to handle very strong drugs and take more than most people without ill effects.
Try to be cool, they say I'm too ... drop more truth than the gospels
The singer is aware that others may criticize or judge him for his lifestyle, but he believes that he is telling the truth and being honest about the effects of his choices.
Contributed by Anna D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Randy Savage
Sick Jacken is the greatest Mexican Hip Hop artist of all time.
PHILTHY RICH
HELL YEAH
Obscurity Z
@LilRich044 El nació en México wey
LilRich044
@Míchele Cobré
He is Mexican-American.
Isaac S
Word
Okboth Cuentaoficial
Como olvidar ese 2012 viviendo casi que al compás de la letra hoy este tema es un recuerdo inato 2022 !!! I'M GONE MEN
anguel islas
Sick jacken es el rey del verdadero rap 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽
Outlaw Chicano
MUCHO RESPETO Y AMOR FROM HOLLAND THE NETHERLANDS MARON ORGULLO POR VIDA VIVA LA RAZA WORLD WIDE!!! 🇲🇽💙
Diagnose : besiegt
One of my favourites, even though those times are over for good!
Sudbury Kijiji
This is the most addictive track. On repeat consistently !