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
Ideal Man
The Toasters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Big business rakes in the dollars
Giving disco boys a pair of fake collars
Even though you need an image to follow
Then make money from the garbage he swallows
Trapped in a web that you don't understand
Forced out in the cold by the family plan
Talking bout the Ideal Man
So when they get you at the end of the day
Holding out your hand for a penance in pay
With your tongue hanging out and a hole in your brain
Don't you think that your going insane
Finally discover that you haven't got it made
Don't know what to do when you make it to the end of the day
So let's examine the ideal guy
With his toothpaste smile
And his Jiorucci tie
All that money
Lessons to learn
All those brain cells get too burned
Cause he's trapped in a web
Forced out in the cold
With his tongue hanging out
Just waiting to get old
Yo, Where'd I put that guitar?
So here we are at the end of the day
Holding out our hand for a penance in pay
Hole in your pocket, hole in your brain
Don't you think that you're going insane?
Finally discover that you haven't got it made
Don't know if you make it if you make it to the end of the day
The Toasters' song "Ideal Man" is a scathing criticism of the shallow, materialistic aspirations of modern society. The opening lines reference how big business is profiting from the young generation's obsession with trends and fads, even though they're only giving them counterfeit facsimiles of what they crave. The lyrics highlight the absurdity of chasing after an "Ideal Man" or an "Ideal Life" when it's all just a facade designed to extract money from consumers. The artist argues that people are trapped in a web of consumerism and advertising they can't quite comprehend, which only creates a sense of alienation and loneliness.
The chorus describes the futility of pursuing this empty dream. It says that in the end, people will realize they were chasing an illusion, and the money they spent will have left them with nothing. The third verse of the song gives a picture of what society regards as an "Ideal Guy," a plastic-happy man with a fake smile, rich clothes, and a fat wallet. The lyrics point out that this "Ideal Man" is too busy keeping up appearances, sacrificing his happiness and intellect just to keep up with the Joneses.
Line by Line Meaning
Big business rakes in the dollars
Large companies make a lot of money
Giving disco boys a pair of fake collars
They sell fake trendy items to young men
Even though you need an image to follow
People feel pressure to fit in with a certain image
Then make money from the garbage he swallows
The companies make money from selling cheap and low-quality products to people
Trapped in a web that you don't understand
People are caught up in a system that they don't fully comprehend
Forced out in the cold by the family plan
People are sometimes excluded and left out by their own family's expectations
With your tongue hanging out dick in your hand
People are clueless and lost, not knowing what to do
Talking bout the Ideal Man
People discuss and idolize the perfect standard of a man
So when they get you at the end of the day
By the end of the day, people become vulnerable to temptation and manipulation
Holding out your hand for a penance in pay
People settle for very low payments for their work
With your tongue hanging out and a hole in your brain
People are mentally and physically exhausted and drained
Don't you think that your going insane
People are aware of their mental state and wonder if they're losing their mind
Finally discover that you haven't got it made
People realize that they haven't achieved the success they hoped for
Don't know what to do when you make it to the end of the day
People are lost and uncertain about what to do with their life
So let's examine the ideal guy
Let's take a closer look at the perfect man
With his toothpaste smile
With his fake and insincere smile
And his Jiorucci tie
Wearing expensive and trendy clothing
All that money
Having a lot of wealth
Lessons to learn
There are still things to learn and improve on
All those brain cells get too burned
People are overworked and mentally exhausted
Cause he's trapped in a web
The perfect man is also stuck in a system he can't understand
Forced out in the cold
The perfect man is also excluded from time to time
With his tongue hanging out
The perfect man is also clueless and lost
Just waiting to get old
People realize they're aging and time is going by too fast
So here we are at the end of the day
Once again, we're at the end of the day
Holding out our hand for a penance in pay
Once again, settling for low payments
Hole in your pocket, hole in your brain
People are broke and mentally drained
Don't you think that you're going insane?
Once again, questioning their sanity
Finally discover that you haven't got it made
Once again, realizing they haven't achieved their goals
Don't know if you make it if you make it to the end of the day
Once again, questioning their success and future
Contributed by Miles D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.