Formed in 2003 from the remnants of local shoegazer cult favorites The Bella Low, the group released its debut LP, “Trust Electricity” on Reverb Records in 2004. The record turned some critical ears in the industry. MAGNET featured them in the current “Band to Watch” article, and The Boston Globe described their music as - “dreamy and decadent in all the right places". The six-piece soon began making a name for itself in the Northwest, and the press continued to take notice: “The Upsidedown create a psychedelic sound with all the hazy swirl and tambourines one would expect...and carries layers of sonic fog and grit. The sound is textured, and the performances polished.” - The Oregonian . “The Upsidedown is a diligent band that's been around the Portland block and paid their dues. Let's relish the last moments of this band's locality before they are stolen from us" - The Portland Mercury
The Upsidedown's second full-length studio album, “Human Destination”, recorded at The Dandy Warhols' Odditorium, was released on the Warhols' new label, Beat The World Records in 2008. The Odditorium provided The Upsidedown an environment conducive to making a complete, fully engaged record, playful and smart, and as energetic as their celebrated live shows. The musical landscape is as vast as it is familiar and warm. Several tracks from “Human Destination” were featured on the NBC TV series "Trauma", and the FX series' "Sons Of Anarchy" and "Greek" in 2009. Again in 2010 their music garnered more television placements including the popular HBO series “True Blood” and the FOX CW series' “The Vampire Diaries” and “Life Unexpected”
The Upsidedown's third full-length studio album, “The Town with Bad Wiring” will be released on the Reverb Records label September 28, 2010. The new album features a heavy hitter list of friends including the likes of R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, The Brian Jonestown Massacre's Colin Hegna (who also did the majority of engineering), and The Dandy Warhol's Peter Holmstrom. The 12 individual tracks on the record are without doubt the most provocative, psychedelic, sexy, rock songs The Upsidedown has recorded...so far.
Part of the closely-knit Portland music community, The Upsidedown have performed with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Raveonettes, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Richard Butler, The Duke Spirit, The Black Angels, Colin Meloy, The Dears, and The Walkmen. In the fall of 2008 they joined label mates The Dandy Warhols on their coast to coast U.S. and Canada tour.
In 2009, Jason Anchondo from Los Angeles joined the band (percussion/keys, formerly in The Warlocks, and Spindrift), completing the current line-up
Jsun Atoms – Vocals/Guitar/Keys
Matt Moore – Vocals/Guitar/Harp
Tristan Evans – Vocals/Bass
Brett Kron – Guitar/Keys
Bob Mild – Drums/Percussion
Jason Anchondo - Drums/Percussion
Pepper Spray
The Upsidedown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
I don't back down even if they try to put me out, out
Had the whole crowd sayin' I ain't gon' make it now, eh
They can't see my vision, can't see I'm winnin'
Can't see my vision, can't see I'm winnin'
Oh lord, tell me did you pepper spray these villains? Eh
I don't back down even if they try to put me out, out, eh
This the hall of flames and I came to get real loud, eh, eh
They can't see my vision, can't see I'm winnin'
Oh lord, tell me did you pepper spray these villains?
Can't see my vision, can't see I'm winnin'
Oh lord, they don't know I go zero to a hundred, woo
I go...
Oh lord, tell me did you pepper spray these villains? Yeah
Tell me, tell me did you pepper spray these villains?
Usually I'm lowkey but I'ma speak up
This how mad yo Moses will sound through the speakers
Had some non-believers tryna team up
Just to get a piece of price I dream of
But my life is an album, don't need a feature
Cause I'm droppin' Picassos and Mona Lisas
Got the type of art that could put a smile on Jesus
But they tryna take my life like we're in the theatres, no, no
I don't back down even if they try to put me out, out
Had the whole crowd sayin' I ain't gon' make it now, eh
They can't see my vision, can't see I'm winnin'
Oh lord, tell me did you pepper spray these villains?
Can't see my vision, can't see I'm winnin'
Oh lord, tell me did you pepper spray these villains? Eh
I don't back down even if they try to put me out, out, eh
This the hall of flames and I came to get real loud, eh, eh
They can't see my vision, can't see I'm winnin'
Oh lord, tell me did you pepper spray these villains?
Can't see my vision, can't see I'm winnin'
Oh lord, they don't know I go zero to a hundred, woo
I go...
Oh lord, tell me did you pepper spray these villains? Yeah
Tell me, tell me did you pepper spray these villains?
I will never have a problem survivin'
Pockets lookin' green like tropical islands
Villains camouflage their evil with kindness
To catch you off guard and run with your diamonds
But I keep makin' moves, has leavin' 'em speechless
It's like D.A.W. got telekinesis
No, they don't see the truth, they're seein' my weekness
They wanna take my power and keep it a secret
No though, I don't back down even if they try to put me out, out
Had the whole crowd sayin' I ain't gon' make it now, eh
They can't see my vision, can't see I'm winnin'
Oh lord, tell me did you pepper spray these villains?
Can't see my vision, can't see I'm winnin'
Oh lord, tell me did you pepper spray these villains?
The Upsidedown's song "Pepper Spray" is about overcoming obstacles and staying true to oneself in the face of adversity. The first verse talks about not giving up even when others try to bring you down. The lines "They can't see my vision, can't see I'm winnin' / Oh lord, tell me did you pepper spray these villains?" suggest that the singer has faced opposition and wonders if someone had to use pepper spray to protect them from their enemies.
The second verse delves deeper into the idea that people may try to bring you down or discredit your success. The lines "Had some non-believers tryna team up / Just to get a piece of price I dream of" suggest that some may try to latch onto your success for their own gain. However, the singer maintains that their life is like an album, and they don't need anyone else to feature on it. The line "Got the type of art that could put a smile on Jesus" suggests that the singer is confident in their abilities and their vision, even if others may doubt them.
Overall, "Pepper Spray" is a song about staying true to oneself and overcoming obstacles. It encourages listeners to persevere through difficult times and not let the negativity of others hold them back.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't back down even if they try to put me out, out
I refuse to give up, even if others try to stop me
Had the whole crowd sayin' I ain't gon' make it now, eh
People doubted me and thought I would fail
They can't see my vision, can't see I'm winnin'
Others don't understand my goals and my successes
Oh lord, tell me did you pepper spray these villains?
Did you take action to protect me from those who want to harm me?
Can't see my vision, can't see I'm winnin'
Others still don't understand my goals and my successes
Oh lord, they don't know I go zero to a hundred, woo
They don't realize how quickly I can achieve great things
This the hall of flames and I came to get real loud, eh, eh
I am ready to make a big impact and make my presence known
Usually I'm lowkey but I'ma speak up
I am normally quiet, but now I will speak out
Had some non-believers tryna team up
People who didn't believe in me tried to bring me down
Just to get a piece of price I dream of
They wanted to benefit from my success without helping me achieve it
But my life is an album, don't need a feature
I am the star of my own life and don't need anyone else to make it successful
They can't see my vision, can't see I'm winnin'
Others still don't understand my goals and my successes
But they tryna take my life like we're in the theatres, no, no
They want to take away my opportunities and successes
I will never have a problem survivin'
I am strong and capable of overcoming any obstacle
Pockets lookin' green like tropical islands
I am financially successful
Villains camouflage their evil with kindness
Bad people sometimes act nice to trick others
To catch you off guard and run with your diamonds
They want to take advantage of me and steal what I've worked hard for
No, they don't see the truth, they're seein' my weekness
They are blind to my strengths and only see my vulnerabilities
They wanna take my power and keep it a secret
They want to make sure that I am not successful and keep their own power
Contributed by Alyssa H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.