When Faith No More broke up in 1998 Mike Patton created the record label Ipecac Recordings, returned to work with his other band Mr. Bungle, and formed the experimental metal supergroup Fantômas with Buzz Osborne of the Melvins and Dave Lombardo of Slayer. Patton met Duane Denison in 1999 at a Mr. Bungle concert in Nashville and the two began exchanging music and jamming.
During May and June 2001 the band recorded their eponymous debut album in Nashville. The album was released on October 30, 2001, it was produced by Joe Funderburk. After the release of Tomahawk the band began touring extensively, playing in many countries around the world, including the United States, Australia, Europe and Japan. They generally headlined shows but were the supporting act for bands such as Tool. When opening for Tool on their 2002 summer tour of North America, the band was frequently booed for insulting the crowds.Tomahawk also played at various festivals, including the 2002 Big Day Out festival in Australia.
Second album Mit Gas, recorded with producer Joe Barresi, was released in 2003. Tomahawk took part in the "Geek Tour" during 2003, which featured labelmates the Melvins and Fantômas. During the band's early years they were known for dressing up as police officers in promotional photo shoots and during concerts. The band went on a short hiatus from 2004 to 2006 after finishing touring for Tomahawk and Mit Gas in late 2003 as the members began to focus on other projects.
The band's third album, Anonymous, was released on June 19, 2007 through Ipecac Recordings. Kevin Rutmanis left the band during the recording; reasons for his departure are unknown. For the album, Denison and Stanier recorded their parts in Nashville, and then sent their finished product to San Francisco where Patton added his vocals and samples. No live shows were performed during this period. Tomahawk remained inactive from 2008 to 2011.
In July 2011, Mike Patton announced that Tomahawk was preparing to record its fourth album. In early 2012, Tomahawk announced that Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, Fantômas, John Zorn, MadLove, Trevor Dunn's Trio-Convulsant) would play bass for the band. On April 21, 2012 the band released Eponymous To Anonymous, a box set containing the band's first three records released on vinyl for the first time. In late 2012, the band began playing their first live shows since 2003. On December 3, 2012, a full-length video for first single, "Stone Letter", was posted online. Oddfellows was released January 29, 2013. The band were scheduled to play in Mexico for the first time on March 21, 2014 but withdrew due to an illness. On April 9, 2014 the band announced they would be releasing two previously unreleased tracks from the Oddfellows recording session. The single, entitled M.E.A.T., was first released on May 23, 2014 on vinyl.
In February 2020, Duane Denison revealed that Tomahawk had been writing and recording new record material. On the 21st of January 2021, a single called "Business Casual" was released, which also revealed the name of their upcoming fifth album as Tonic Immobility, which has later been released on March 26, 2021. Bassist Trevor Dunn remarked in 2021, "Me and Duane [Denison] and John [Stanier] recorded all of our parts for that record about four years ago actually. Duane had finished the music and I guess Mike was busy at the time, so John and I flew down to Nashville and recorded with Duane. Then over the years, we’ve just been waiting for Mike, and he’s been doing other stuff so it took a while. I think the pandemic kind of helped spur it along because he was stuck at home, so he wrote the vocal melodies and the rest of the lyrics at his studio in San Francisco.
Critics have described the band's sound as alternative metal, alternative rock, avant-prog, progressive rock, and post-rock. In 2002, the band considered their genre to be "cinematic rock", since all members were fans of film soundtracks. Butch Lazorchak of the Boston Herald has compared the band's sound to 1970s hard rock groups such as Blue Öyster Cult.
The band's self-titled first album combines rock with elements of experimental music, country music, and hardcore; critic Blake Butler of Allmusic described their debut album as one of the most straightforward rock-oriented projects of Patton, otherwise known for his wildly eclectic music. Their second album Mit Gas features influences from metal as well as punk rock. The album also includes instrumental segues. The band's 2007 album Anonymous incorporates Native American music elements. Their latest album Oddfellows features a more accessible sound which the band has labeled as "avant-pop". The record includes influences from jazz music.
There are other artists with the same name:
2) Chinese band Tomahawk from Beijing. Plays Death Metal (early) - Half Thrash/Groove Metal (now).
3) Liquid Drum & Bass Producer -- Tom Kelsey aka. Tomahawk.
4) Swiss Hip-Hop Artist Thomas Murer (aka MC Tomahawk) -- 14 years ago, inspired by American Hip Hop and German stuff he had heard, he began to explore a hip hop career. Based out of Zug, Switzerland, he formed a trio with DJ Slice and Kniss Beatz. After it dissolved in 2005, Tomahawk began to focus on solo projects.
You Can't Win
Tomahawk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So mark your territory, 'cause it's on.
(Put / punch) your banjo, we're gonna mow 'em down, we've got a feelin', it's even breathin'.
We know how cheap our freedom is.
But I'm a pissed washer, walkin' down the street like a speed ball.
Purrin', like a cat out on the prowl.
Well I'm taking them on, 'cause it's on.
And every power abused, and every item consumed. Now it's on, 'cause it's on.
It's on.
We are the police and now we're gonna start a riot.
It's on.
Now you'll see just how we're gonna start a riot.
We are the police and now we're gonna start a riot.
Don't know where to begin, it's all over again, and it's on, it's on.
And if you think your (free / afraid) then you'd better believe, that it's on, and it's on.
And we'll drink anything. If it burns and it's strong. 'Cause it's on, and it's on.
And the crop of the cream, ain't gonna fuck with me, 'cause it's on, and it's on.
And we ain't gonna propagate for you, 'cause it's on, and it's on.
Ain't gonna (?) taken care of, 'cause it's on, and it's on.
It's on.
We are the police and now we're gonna start a riot.
Certainty and now we're gonna start a riot.
We are the police and now we're gonna start a riot.
Certainty and now we're gonna start a riot.
The lyrics to Tomahawk's song "You Can't Win" are a call to arms, a demand for rebellion and resistance against those in power. The opening lines, "If you want to bleed, then come along with me, we're only half breeds but we'll be home free" suggest that the singer is inviting others who feel oppressed or marginalized to join them in a fight for freedom. The phrase "mark your territory, 'cause it's on" reinforces this idea of taking a stand and fighting for what one believes in, while the image of "putting/punching" the banjo suggests a physical act of defiance and agitation.
The lyrics then shift to a more personal view of the singer's own anger and frustration, as they describe themselves as a "pissed washer" and compare themselves to a "cat out on the prowl". This anger is directed towards those in power, who they accuse of abuse, consumption, and the suppression of history. The repeated refrain of "it's on" echoes this sense of urgency and readiness for battle.
The final lines of the song emphasize again the singer's rejection of those in power and the need for resistance and rebellion. The repeated lines "We are the police and now we're gonna start a riot / Certainty and now we're gonna start a riot" suggest a shift in power and a willingness to use force to achieve their goals.
Overall, the lyrics to "You Can't Win" are a powerful statement of defiance and resistance against systems of power and oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want to bleed, then come along with me, we're only half breeds but we'll be home free.
Join me if you're willing to fight, even if we're seen as inferior. We'll find our way to freedom together.
So mark your territory, 'cause it's on.
Get ready for battle because it's about to begin.
(Put / punch) your banjo, we're gonna mow 'em down, we've got a feelin', it's even breathin'.
Play your instrument fiercely as we attack our enemies with confidence that they're not invincible.
We know how cheap our freedom is.
We understand the cost of our struggle for freedom and how we can't take any victories for granted.
But I'm a pissed washer, walkin' down the street like a speed ball.
I'm angry and full of energy, striding down the street like a force to be reckoned with.
Purrin', like a cat out on the prowl.
Moving with a sense of intensity and purpose, like a cat stalking its prey.
Well I'm taking them on, 'cause it's on.
I'm ready to fight our enemies head-on because the battle is already underway.
And every power abused, and every item consumed. Now it's on, 'cause it's on.
Our enemies have been exploiting their power and resources for too long, and we've reached the point of no return.
The laws of history never (?) 'cause they're clear. 'Cause it's on, yeah it's on.
We know that history repeats itself and that we're facing familiar struggles. Our fight is necessary and unavoidable.
It's on.
This is it. The fight for our freedom has officially begun.
We are the police and now we're gonna start a riot.
We're taking control and starting a rebellion against those in power.
Now you'll see just how we're gonna start a riot.
The power we'll wield will be clear to our enemies as we clash against them.
Don't know where to begin, it's all over again, and it's on, it's on.
Despite feeling overwhelmed, we know we have to keep fighting because the battle won't just disappear.
And if you think your (free / afraid) then you'd better believe, that it's on, and it's on.
If you think the fight for freedom is over, think again. It's still happening and we're ready to continue.
And we'll drink anything. If it burns and it's strong. 'Cause it's on, and it's on.
We'll do whatever it takes to keep our spirits up and our will strong for the fight ahead.
And the crop of the cream, ain't gonna fuck with me, 'cause it's on, and it's on.
The best of the best won't intimidate us because we know the stakes and we're not backing down.
And we ain't gonna propagate for you, 'cause it's on, and it's on.
We're not going to be mouthpieces for the oppressors any longer. The time for action is now.
Ain't gonna (?) taken care of, 'cause it's on, and it's on.
We won't be taken care of by those in power any longer. It's time for us to seize our own destinies.
Certainty and now we're gonna start a riot.
We're certain of our cause and we're ready to create chaos in the name of freedom.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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