In their role as consummate outsiders, the band has turned down major record deals and have opted instead to run down their own track where, with the help of collaborators such as Joe Jackson, they have recorded over 15 albums and DVDs as well as countless videos, singles, EPs, and compilation tracks. Their music has appeared in film and on television. They have penned film-scores and themes for kids’ programming on Nickelodeon. They have recorded jingles for AOL, Miller, Cisco Systems, Michelob, and Coca-Cola amongst others.
However, it is on the road that the band has carved out their reputation and will surpass, at some juncture in 2007 the milestone of 4,500 live concerts performed throughout the world. They have been dubbed “Pioneers of Ska” (by Billboard) the “ Miles Davis of Ska and the “Ramones of Ska” alike. Tour plans for 2007 include 7 weeks in Europe (with go Jimmy Go) starting on February 1st, followed by 6 weeks in the USA with the Briggs starting in April. The band will participate in this year’s Warped Tour from July 18th until August 12th. A west coast tour is planned for the fall as well as more European dates, including England, in November
The band has had more line-up changes than the average band hot dinners, however this has only served to make them stronger and has translated into a monster set of substitutes that would make even Manchester United jealous. The band is currently going out as (the power) 5-piece: Bucket, band founder and major songwriter, is on guitar and vocals, Duckie is on drums, Jahson Nwagbaraocha is on bass and chats, Jeff Richey on sax and Greg Robinson is on the t-bone. Expect to see some special guests and familiar faces on this upcoming tour! This line-up is currently in the studio in Valencia (Spain) laying down tracks and the One More Bullet will be out early in 2007 on Stomp Records in North America and Megalith, Leech and MoonSka World labels in Europe. A Japanese release will appear on Diskunion and on Radiola records in Brazil.
The band is currently sponsored by the following partners: Jagermeister, Sam Ash, Draven Shoes, SKA Brewing Company, Modern Action Shirts, and Eastpak
Direction
The Toasters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What to do and how to be
I got 97 channels but there's nothing on TV
Information superhighway
Modem is on full
May as well hotwire a socket
Right into my skull
50 weekly tabloids
In my face to keep abreast
Of Michael's indiscretions
Or the size of Dolly's chest
Oprah's on a diet
She's talking 50 pounds
I need that junk food ballance
Keep my feet down on the ground
Direction...
Computer network junkies
Calling on the phone
I got one eight hundred call lines
Pumping right into your home
Need some extra knowledge?
Got a database to loan
File it under couch potatoes
In the twilight zone
Direction! Direction! I need direction...
Direction! Direction! Direction!
Which way to go!
Direction!
I don't know!
The Toasters' song "Direction" is a commentary on the information age and how overwhelming it can be to navigate through the endless streams of information that bombard us on a daily basis. The lyrics lament the fact that too many people are telling the singer what to do and how to be, and that there is nothing on TV despite having a wide variety of channels. The singer references the "information superhighway" and how it feels like they may as well hotwire a socket right into their skull due to the constant connectivity. The chorus is a cry for direction, as the singer feels lost and overwhelmed by the constant barrage of information.
The verses touch on different aspects of the media that contribute to the overwhelming feeling of needing direction. The weekly tabloids that are constantly in the singer's face, the obsession with celebrity scandals, and the pressure to diet and lose weight like Oprah all contribute to the feeling of being bombarded by outside influences. Even computer network junkies calling on the phone or having a database to loan only add to the feeling that there is too much information to handle.
Overall, "Direction" is a call for guidance in an age where information overload is a daily struggle for many.
Line by Line Meaning
Too mnay people tell me
I am constantly being told what to do by others
What to do and how to be
The people around me are dictating my actions and personality
I got 97 channels but there's nothing on TV
Despite having many options for entertainment, none of them are satisfying
Information superhighway
The internet and all its information
Modem is on full
I am constantly connected to the internet
May as well hotwire a socket
It feels like electricity from the internet is flowing directly into my brain
Right into my skull
I feel overwhelmed and consumed by technology
Direction! Direction! I need direction...
I am lost and in need of guidance
50 weekly tabloids
I am bombarded by gossip magazines
In my face to keep abreast
They are constantly in my face, trying to keep me informed
Of Michael's indiscretions
News of celebrities' personal lives
Or the size of Dolly's chest
Insight into famous people's physical attributes
Oprah's on a diet
Even talk show hosts' diets are news
She's talking 50 pounds
Oprah is trying to lose a significant amount of weight
I need that junk food ballance
I need something simple and comforting in this overwhelming world
Keep my feet down on the ground
Something to keep me grounded and bring me back to reality
Computer network junkies
People who are consumed by technology
Calling on the phone
Constantly calling and communicating with others
I got one eight hundred call lines
Even more ways to connect and consume information
Pumping right into your home
It's all coming into my house and into my personal space
Need some extra knowledge?
Always in search of more information
Got a database to loan
Access to a wealth of information
File it under couch potatoes
All this information is causing people to become passive and unproductive
In the twilight zone
In a strange and overwhelming world
Direction! Direction! Direction!
I am desperate for guidance and purpose
Which way to go!
I am lost and unsure of my path
I don't know!
I am completely lost and without direction
Contributed by Isaiah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.