All parts of the album Tiger and the Duke were recorded individually and each member was only able to hear the part they contributed to the album. The only member who heard the whole album during its recording process was Balling. The group released their next album Lover, the Lord Has Left Us... on May 30th, 2006.
Keith Goodwin was announced as one of the vocalists for the next album, taking on the pseudonym of 'The Penguin'.
The Sound of Animals Fighting have only performed live four times, all of which were released on a DVD, entitled "We Must Become The Change We Want To See". Three of their four shows took place in California (Anaheim, L.A., and San Diego), USA, and one in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
With the release of The Ocean And The Sun, the band issued a series of 400 masks, 100 of each of 4 designs, paired with a 7" for a limited preorder of the album. This was the first and only vinyl release and novelty item sold by the band.
In 2022 the band would be revived with a similar line-up as before, and would release the 4 track EP "APESHIT" (their first musical content in 14 years) to promote their 13 date tour across the US in January of 2023.
Original Lineup(Tiger And The Duke):
The Nightingale - Rich Balling (Vocals), formerly of the Rx Bandits.
The Walrus - Matt Embree (Lead Guitar), Lead Vocals/Guitar for Rx Bandits.
The Lynx - Chris Tsagakis (Drums), Drums for Rx Bandits.
The Tiger - Randy "R2K" Strohmeyer (Guitar), Guitar for Finch.
The Tortoise - Derek Doherty (Bass), Bass for Finch.
The Skunk - Anthony Green (Vocals), Vocalist for Circa Survive.
The Bear - Chris Fudurich (Mixing and Programming), Produced for Rx Bandits, Nada Surf, and Allister.
The Raven - Marc Mcknight (Artwork), Bass for Atreyu.
The Swan - Vanessa Chibba (Public Relations)
The Dog - Chris Haynie (Author of Story that Accompanies the Music)
The Ferret - Kyle Homme (Engineer)
The Octopus - Charlie Adams (Patrone)
The Armadillo - Rich Zahniser (Engineer, Vocals), Ex-Hippos
The Llamma - Matthew Kelly (Vocals), Vocalist for The Autumns
Previous Lineup(Lover, The Lord Has Left Us...):
The Nightingale - Rich Balling (Vocals), formerly of the Rx Bandits.
The Walrus - Matt Embree (Lead Guitar), Lead Vocals/Guitar for the Rx Bandits.
The Lynx - Chris Tsagakis (Drums), Drums for the Rx Bandits.
The Hyena - Ryan Baker (Recording, Mixing).
The Skunk - Anthony Green (Vocals), Vocalist for Circa Survive.
The Giraffe - Stephen O'Malley (Album Artwork), Guitarist for Sunn O))).
The Ram - Craig Owens (Vocals), former Vocalist of Chiodos and Cinematic Sunrise.
The Penguin - Keith Goodwin (Vocals), Vocalist for Days Away and Good Old War.
The Wolf - Matthew Kelly (Vocals), Vocalist for The Autumns.
Previous Lineup (The Ocean and The Sun):
The Nightingale - Rich Balling (Vocals), formerly of the Rx Bandits.
The Walrus - Matt Embree (Guitar, Bass, and Production), Lead Vocals/Guitar for the Rx Bandits.
The Lynx - Chris Tsagakis (Drums), Drums for the Rx Bandits.
The Skunk - Anthony Green (Vocals), Vocalist for Circa Survive.
The Wolf - Matthew Kelly (Vocals), Vocalist for The Autumns provides guest vocals on "On The Occasion Of Wet Snow"
Current Lineup (APESHIT):
The Nightingale - Rich Balling (Vocals), formerly of the Rx Bandits.
The Walrus - Matt Embree (Guitar, Bass, and Production), Lead Vocals/Guitar for the Rx Bandits.
The Lynx - Chris Tsagakis (Drums), Drums for the Rx Bandits.
The Skunk - Anthony Green (Vocals), Vocalist for Circa Survive.
The Wolf - Matthew Kelly (Vocals), Vocalist for The Autumns
The Penguin - Keith Goodwin (Vocals), Vocalist for Days Away and Good Old War.
Jonathan Hischke (Bass) and Steve Choi (Guitar and Keyboard) are also in the touring lineup, however have not been listed with monikers.
My Horse Must Lose
The Sound of Animals Fighting Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our house is a house that moves just like the Ocean
Just like the Ocean
My angel, Empathy
Drawn me beneath the wings, want slender fingers
Of our home's to feather leaf
My neck, a pink bird
Swoon in the belly
And I don't wanna sing, I don't wanna say no
I don't wanna sing, I don't wanna say no
Luck today, my firehawk, gorgeous he will lay in gems
Luck today, my firehawk, gorgeous he will lay in gems
These words are simply small black statuaries
Between you and me, I don't wanna sing
I don't wanna say no
I don't wanna sing, I don't wanna say no
Luck today, my brother, gorgeous he will lay in gems
I don't wanna say no
Luck today, my brother, gorgeous he will lay in gems
Okay
(German?)
The lyrics to "My Horse Must Lose" by The Sound of Animals Fighting are filled with abstract language and vivid imagery that make it difficult to pinpoint a specific meaning. However, there are certain themes that can be observed throughout the song. The opening line depicts the singer's house as a moving entity, much like the ocean. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, as it implies a certain sense of unease or instability. The line "My angel, Empathy, Drawn me beneath the wings" suggests a longing for comfort and protection, but also a feeling of being trapped or suffocated. This is echoed later in the song with the line "Mother is a mouth upon my neck, a pink bird," which is simultaneously beautiful and unsettling.
The repeated refrain of "I don't wanna sing, I don't wanna say no" could be interpreted as a resistance to speaking the truth or expressing oneself fully. This could be seen as a reflection of the singer's desire for protection and security, as speaking out could potentially put them in harm's way. The lines "Luck today, my firehawk, gorgeous he will lay in gems" and "Luck today, my brother, gorgeous he will lay in gems" may be a reference to a sense of entitlement or arrogance, as the singer seems to be expecting good fortune simply because of their status as a sibling or a member of a certain group.
Overall, the song seems to be exploring themes of identity, belonging, and protection. The abstract language and vivid imagery paint a picture of a world that is uncertain and unpredictable, where the only constant is the need for safety and comfort.
Line by Line Meaning
Our house is a house that moves just like the Ocean
Our home is an unpredictable entity, constantly shifting and changing like the ebb and flow of the ocean
My angel, Empathy
The person addressed as 'my angel' possesses the ability to empathize with others
Drawn me beneath the wings, want slender fingers
The singer desires to be protected and comforted by the person they refer to as 'my angel', who they imagine as having gentle, delicate hands
Of our home's to feather leaf
The home in question is imagined as having the ability to create a comforting, safe environment
Mother is a mouth upon
The artist personifies their maternal figure as being suffocating and controlling
My neck, a pink bird
The singer envisions themselves as being trapped and powerless, represented by a delicate bird trapped in the grip of a predator
Swoon in the belly
The singer experiences a physical reaction, perhaps nausea or dizziness, due to the emotional turmoil caused by their circumstances
And I don't wanna sing, I don't wanna say no
The artist is overwhelmed and feels like they lack a voice or agency in their situation
Luck today, my firehawk, gorgeous he will lay in gems
The artist hopes for good fortune for someone referred to as 'my firehawk', who is seen as beautiful and valuable
These words are simply small black statuaries
The words that are being spoken hold little meaning or importance
Between you and me, I don't wanna sing
The singer does not want to vocalize their true feelings or intentions
Luck today, my brother, gorgeous he will lay in gems
The artist extends their hope for good fortune to their brother, who is also seen as valuable and deserving of success
Contributed by Annabelle P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Austin O'Donnell
Legendary album. So unique, the epitome of a musical gem in every sense. I take pride in growing up with this album, along with other bands my brother showed me.
Todd Jones
FINALLY!! the original version.
Griffin Frank
31 years old. Goddamn this takes me back to high school..life flashes before my eyes everyday. Goddamn help me and heed my words, enjoy each day as if your last. Lest you live a life of regret.
TannerTHPS
I’m 24 now and this was my favorite song 10 years ago
Karina M. G.
I’m 27 now loved this since I was 15💜
x-rayvision
Yes. My childhood