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.
Rider
The Slackers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A rider on the rail
I'm just a rider on the rail
Where's this train a-going?
(Fuck if I can tell)
But I'm just a rider on the rail
Don't ask the captain, please
'Cause I'm sure he's long forgotten
The days when he was young,
And he carried by the ton,
Your corn and coal and cotton.
I'm just a rider
A rider on the rail
I'm just a rider on the rail
Where's this train a-going?
(Well, far as I can tell)
But I'm just a rider on the rail
Now stand in your place,
And man, don't look in my face
'Cause I'll do for you no favor
With no sense of remorse,
We'll stay our plotted course
From this we will not waver
If you want my reasons for
Just why I joined the war
Well I'll tell you, I, I had to
'Cause when they tell you, "Son,
Stand straight and take this gun"
Well they also point one at you
I'm just a rider
A rider on the rail
I'm just a rider on the rail
Where's this train a-going?
(Prob'ly straight to hell)
But I'm just a rider on the rail
You can call me captain,
You can call me what you will
But I'm just a rider on the rail
I'm just a rider on the rail
Well I'm just a rider on the rail
The Slackers' song "Rider" is a contemplative reflection on life's journey and the uncertain path one may take. The repeated phrase "I'm just a rider on the rail" emphasizes the idea that humans are mere passengers in life, riding along a path without ultimate control or understanding of where it will lead. The lyric "where's this train a-going? (Fuck if I can tell)" reinforces the idea of unknown destination and lack of control. The image of a train and its conductor symbolizes the inevitability of life's journey and the idea that it is not always clear where one is headed.
The song also touches on societal issues, with a reference to the captain who "carried by the ton, your corn and coal and cotton." This line alludes to the exploitation and abuse of laborers during the Industrial Revolution and the injustice that was perpetrated in the name of progress. The final verse references a soldier's experience in war, describing the pressure to enlist and the realization that the enemy is in the same position but reversed, also being forced to fight.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm just a rider
I have no control over this train or where it's going, I am just a passenger
A rider on the rail
I'm not a conductor or engineer, just a person riding along the tracks
Where's this train a-going?
I have no idea where this train is headed
(Fuck if I can tell)
I really have no clue where we're going
Don't ask the captain, please
The captain probably doesn't know where we're going either
To tell you what's the reason
There may not be a clear reason for this train ride
'Cause I'm sure he's long forgotten
The captain has likely been doing this for so long that he doesn't remember why either
The days when he was young,
The captain is likely seasoned and experienced in conducting trains
And he carried by the ton,
He would transport heavy loads of goods and materials
Your corn and coal and cotton.
These are some examples of the types of materials he would transport
Now stand in your place,
Stay in your assigned seat or spot
And man, don't look in my face
Don't try to get anything out of me, I don't have any information
'Cause I'll do for you no favor
I won't be able to help you in any way
With no sense of remorse,
I won't feel bad about not being able to assist you
We'll stay our plotted course
We'll continue on our set path and destination
From this we will not waver
We won't change course, there's no point in trying
If you want my reasons for
If you're curious about why I'm doing this
Just why I joined the war
I don't think anyone is asking but if they were, I joined the war
Well I'll tell you, I, I had to
It was a necessity for me to join
'Cause when they tell you, "Son,
When you're told to do something by an authority figure
Stand straight and take this gun"
Like being conscripted into the military and being given a weapon
Well they also point one at you
You have to follow orders or you'll be met with a weapon pointed at you
(Prob'ly straight to hell)
The destination may not be a good one
You can call me captain,
I may be given the title but
You can call me what you will
It doesn't really matter what you call me
Well I'm just a rider on the rail
I'm just a passenger on this train and not in control
Contributed by Colin N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.