Band members are as follows:
Vic Ruggiero - Keyboards, Vocals
Jay "Agent Jay" Nugent - Guitar
Dave Hillyard - Saxophone
Glen Pine - Trombone, Vocals
Marcus Geard - Bass
Ara Babajian - Drums
Former members and contributors:
Marq "Q-Maxx 4:20" Lyn - Vocals
TJ Scanlon - Guitar
Luis "Zulu" Zuluaga - Drums
Jeremy "Mush One" Mushlin - Trumpet, Vocals
Allen Teboul - Drums
Dunia Best- Vocals, Flute
Jeff "King Django" Baker - Trombone
Tobias Fields - Congas
Eric "E-ROC" Singer - Alto Saxophone
Victor Rice - Bass
Dave Hahn - lead guitar
Justin Redekop- Trumpet
The next album released was Redlight, on HellCat Records in 1997. This album solidified their sound and further fixed the line-up.
The band released its latest album, entitled Self Medication, in May of 2008.
86 The Mayo
The Slackers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And your latest inventions have all left you feeling cold
Well its then the gypsy says, "come on over man, have no fear"
She says, "Daddy died last year
And I wish he were here"
So all your grand ambitions, they're doing what they're told
They say the women dug this river
They filled it with their tears
And Daddy died last year
Well I wish he were here
So if you want to see me, I'm at the bottom of the stair
It's the place where no one looks for me, it's the place where no one dares
And if you think the times have been changing, it's anywhere but here
See, Daddy died last year
And I wish he were here
So the Congressmen and the concubines, they're all happy in their cage
And the women who surround them, 5hey're are all cute and under-age
At least we'll be remembered, screaming "Revolution's near!"
And daddy died last year
Well I wish he were here
So the lawyers come bleeding me, with papa's old harpoon
They hold it in a glove made of this barren woman's womb
She says she wants my bones to decorate his tomb
See, Daddy died last year
And I wish he were here
Oh, Daddy died last year
And I wish he were here
Daddy died last year
And I wish he were here
"86 The Mayo" by The Slackers is a song that speaks about feeling isolated and neglected in society despite all attempts to be successful and accomplish one's dreams. The first verse depicts a person who has tried their best but feels overwhelmed by life's challenges. The gypsy appears as a symbol of hope and reassurance, urging the person to come to her and not fear anything. The gypsy lost her father the previous year and wishes he were still with her. This line introduces the theme of loss and mourning that runs through the rest of the song.
In the second verse, the lyrics say that the person's "grand ambitions" are now "doing what they're told" and confined at the bottom of the river where old white fingers go. This line is a reference to capitalism and how societal pressures can suppress one's individual desires and stifle their potential. The river was dug by women and filled with their tears. It is a metaphor that represents the struggles and sacrifices made by women for the survival and prosperity of their families. The line "Daddy died last year, well, I wish he were here" is repeated, emphasizing the sense of loss and grief that the character is experiencing.
In the following verse, we find the character isolated and alone, hidden away at the bottom of the stairs where no one bothers to look for them. The chorus is repeated again with the addition of "if you think the times have been changing, it's anywhere but here." The line is a critical commentary on contemporary society and how it has failed to address issues that have been ongoing or worsening for decades. The chorus ends, yet again, with "Daddy died last year, and I wish he were here."
The fourth verse talks about the corrupt politicians and their underage mistresses, painting an image of a world where the powerful use their status to exploit others. The line "At least we'll be remembered, screaming 'Revolution's near!'" is a call to arms, a reminder to fight for change and make sure that the current oppressive structures do not continue. The last verse speaks about a woman who wants to use the singer's bones to decorate her father's tomb, which is another metaphor for exploitation and objectification. It ends with the chorus one final time, with the ever-present sense of loss and longing for what can never be returned or regained.
Line by Line Meaning
When all your good intentions just leave you feeling old
When you try to do the right thing but it doesn't make you feel better
And your latest inventions have all left you feeling cold
Even your newest ideas aren't giving you passion or excitement
Well its then the gypsy says, "come on over man, have no fear"
When you're feeling lost, a wise and caring person will take you in
She says, "Daddy died last year
And I wish he were here"
The gypsy's father died and she misses him dearly
So all your grand ambitions, they're doing what they're told
Down at the bottom of the river where the old white fingers go
Your big plans are forgotten and rotting away, like corpses in a river
They say the women dug this river
They filled it with their tears
Women's suffering created this long-standing misery
And Daddy died last year
Well I wish he were here
The gypsy still mourns the loss of her father
So if you want to see me, I'm at the bottom of the stair
It's the place where no one looks for me, it's the place where no one dares
If you want to find the gypsy, look in the shadows or out-of-the-way places
And if you think the times have been changing, it's anywhere but here
Things may be different elsewhere, but not in this hopeless place
So the Congressmen and the concubines, they're all happy in their cage
And the women who surround them, they're all cute and under-age
The powerful and their young mistresses are content living in their bubble
At least we'll be remembered, screaming "Revolution's near!"
Even if they're ignored, the rebels will fight for change
And daddy died last year
Well I wish he were here
The loss of the beloved father still hurts
So the lawyers come bleeding me, with papa's old harpoon
They hold it in a glove made of this barren woman's womb
She says she wants my bones to decorate his tomb
The legal system is exploiting the weak, and a twisted person wants to desecrate the dead father's grave
See, Daddy died last year
And I wish he were here
The father's death is a recurring thought
Oh, Daddy died last year
And I wish he were here
The loss of the father is deeply felt
Daddy died last year
And I wish he were here
The singer still misses their father
Contributed by Jordyn D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.