Osees (formerly 'Oh Sees') are a band from San Francisco, California, USA. … Read Full Bio ↴Osees (formerly 'Oh Sees') are a band from San Francisco, California, USA. The group began as an outlet for John Dwyer to release his instrumental, experimental home recordings, and over the course of several albums evolved into a full band. The band is noted for both its prolific album releases, energetic live shows, and their whimsical visual aesthetic that juxtaposes cartoon imagery and horror. The band has changed its name several times, being known as Orinoka Crash Suite, OCS, Orange County Sound, The Ohsees, Thee Oh Sees. Some say John Dwyer (of Coachwhips, Pink & Brown, OCS, Landed, Yikes, Burmese, The Hospitals, Sword & Sandals, Superpit, The Drums, The Trawgs, Zeigenbock Kopf and Dig That Body Up It's Alive!) is in Thee Oh Sees and he seems to be making this band the most serious project. He's done everything from noise to death metal to punk and now Thee Oh Sees.

Thee Oh Sees are no doubt the lightest of his excursions, but in contrast to the rest of his resume one could surmise that there are significant reasons for the change.

Thee Oh Sees have a lo-fi electric-acoustic sound that's usually soaked in reverb, making it as if you can hear and see the exact room they recorded in. It creates a very distinct mood that seems to fit their style, lyrics, and melodies.

What most people focus on is that Mr. Dwyer is in the band. While it's certainly a notable quality, the recent band members bring so much more to the table. The earliest recordings are Dwyer's solo recordings, mostly single instrument/vocal ditties that you can hear him working out. They're an intimate portrait of John, but without the recent material, the portrait would simply be incomplete.

Thee Oh Sees don't subscribe to any one style.

With the addition of Brigid Dawson, Petey Dammit, and a rotating cast of drummers, the sound has grown into the landscape that one man couldn't create alone. Brigid's soprano voice brings an almost hauntingly sensitive aspect to the lyrics and melodies, while Petey and Mike's pounding and insistent backline (and additional drums from Lars Finberg of The Intelligence on recent recordings) complete the frame in its entirety. Their energetic, sweat-laden shows coupled with their prolific recording schedule has garnered them a growing, dedicated fan base.

The catalog that this band has put together is growing and growing, albeit under several different monikers, and several different labels.

in 2017 it was announced that the band would change its name to simply 'Oh Sees'

in November of 2019, the band announced that they would be changing their name yet again to simply 'Osees'

Gelatinous Cube
Thee Oh Sees Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I see you standing there
With your cannibal's eyes
A meal is coming
It's wandering by

X-machine
A room a cube
Laid before me

Is a murderer's tools
What would you do?
X-machine
A room a cube
Laid before me
Is a murderer's tools

I see you standing there
With your cannibal's eyes
The clock is ticking

It's wandering by
What would you do?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Thee Oh Sees' Gelatinous Cube are a chilling commentary on the predatory nature of human beings. The first verse sets the scene with the singer observing someone with "cannibal's eyes" waiting for their prey. The second verse then describes a room or box, referred to as an X-machine, which contains the tools of a murderer. The repetition of the phrase "What would you do?" suggests that the lyrics are meant to be thought-provoking and challenge the listener to consider their own potential for violence and aggression.

The connection between the cannibalistic imagery and the idea of murder tools reinforces the theme of predatory behavior. The imagery of someone waiting for their next meal and the clock ticking adds a sense of urgency and danger to the lyrics. This song could be interpreted as a warning against the dangers of unchecked aggression and violence in society. The juxtaposition of the upbeat and catchy melody with the dark lyrics creates a dissonance that makes the song all the more unsettling.

Line by Line Meaning

I see you standing there
The singer notices someone present

With your cannibal's eyes
Describing the unsettling gaze of the person

A meal is coming
Implying that the person is predatory

It's wandering by
A potential victim is nearby

X-machine
Introducing a new concept or object

A room a cube
Describing the physical environment

Laid before me
Indicating the object is in front of the singer

Is a murderer's tools
Revealing that the X-machine is related to killing

What would you do?
Asking a hypothetical question about the situation

The clock is ticking
Adding urgency to the scenario

It's wandering by
Repeating the potential victim's proximity