Their latest album, Nine Meals (2019), was tracked and mixed by the band in Brisbane and mastered by Jason Livermore (Propaghandi, The Descendents, All) at The Blasting Room in Colorado. It is the first album to feature lead singer and guitarist Rapido Bear (Mark Limb), who was the band’s videographer on its fabled journey through some of Japan’s smallest and loudest live venues in 2015. Toxic Bears' adventures through underground music scenes in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya and Gifu featured in The Guardian: "No record label, no promotion, no merch, no reason to tour Japan".
In 2018, Rapido succeeded founding Bears frontman Shane Robertson (Big Bear).
Drummer Jamie Coyle, guitarist Josh Robertson and former singer / bassist / guitarist Shane Robertson first played together in the early 1990s in melodic hardcore band Cage of Joy. The trio reformed in 2007 as Toxic Bears. Jamie had studied at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and played in jazz ensembles. Josh had been involved in Australian hip hop through Decipher. Bassist Scott Brady, who played with alternative rock outfits Cipher and Holocene, joined Toxic Bears in 2015.
Jamie’s “Pokerface” was an early example of the Bears’ garage fusion, a punk adaptation of a Cuban songo beat. “Yakuza Café” draws on Jamaican disco. “Thai Eyes” features a Purdie shuffle interlude. “Earth, Wind and Fire Ant” rides on a funk break and a Latin breakdown.
Songs drawn from Josh’s journalistic encounters include “Spymaster” - about the first woman to run MI5 - and “Thai Eyes” - about members of an outlaw motorcycle gang.
Toxic Bears write, record and play ritually in their own acoustically-engineered studio using gear purchased in a chain of secondhand stores in central Japan. They record live together in the same room. Only vocals, percussion and some guitar leads are overdubbed.
Glow
Toxic Bears Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your papers are in order
It's time you made your way
Kiss goodbye
Back before you know it
You guys will be fine
Butterflies
Fragile and hungry, taking to the sky
Wet
Over oceans, now you jet
Feeling bold
Cares all put on hold
This is the time
For sultry plans to align
You're all
Set
With honour, your only debt
Someone to be, not totally you
Take what you need, say it's good for you
INSTRUMENTAL
Soon, you arrive
In a room full of ideas, attention you must vie
Reception drinks
Glimpsing at a prospect, cheeky little wink
So, you flirt
Hand upon a shoulder, nothing too overt
Now you're drenched in sweat
With this new love, you have met
Soon it's cold
Desire fast consoled
You're in your prime
Another perfect crime
No regrets
As you draw another cigarette
Someone to be, not totally you
Take what you need, say it's good for you
INSTRUMENTAL
This time, it's the last
These guilty feelings they're gonna pass
The shame, it won't show
So savour your primal glow
Hall, stairs, and onto the street
A vow you'll never tell, a hope for a repeat
With the glow a source of sinful pride
To your happy home you're welcomed back inside
The lyrics of "Glow" by Toxic Bears depict a narrative of self-discovery and indulgence, capturing a journey of thrill and desire. The opening lines suggest a departure, urging the listener to embark on a new adventure with reassurance that everything is in order. The imagery of butterflies symbolizes transformation and freedom, as the singer sets off into the unknown, leaving behind familiar comforts. The mention of feet getting wet over oceans denotes a bold leap into uncharted territories, propelled by a sense of excitement and anticipation.
As the story unfolds, the lyrics delve into a world of seduction and temptation, where the singer finds themselves in a room filled with possibilities. The flirtatious encounter mentioned portrays a moment of fleeting passion, intensified by the physical closeness and allure of a new connection. The shift from boldness to coldness hints at the transient nature of desire, with emotions fluctuating rapidly as the thrill dissipates. Despite the temporary ecstasy, there is a sense of remorse and acceptance of consequences, reflected in the acknowledgment of a "perfect crime" and the refrain urging to take what one needs.
The final verses encapsulate a sense of secrecy and introspection, as the singer grapples with their actions and the allure of a past indiscretion. The reference to guilty feelings passing and the concealment of shame suggest a bittersweet realization of the fleeting nature of pleasures and the cost of indulgence. The return to a "happy home" signifies a return to familiarity and routine, juxtaposed with the lingering glow of a forbidden experience. The lyrics evoke a sense of forbidden allure and the complexities of human desires, capturing a moment of reckoning and reconciliation with one's inner conflicts and primal urges.
Overall, "Glow" by Toxic Bears portrays a vivid tale of indulgence, temptation, and self-discovery, woven through intricate lyrical imagery and emotional depth. It invites listeners to reflect on the complexities of human nature, the allure of forbidden fruits, and the transient nature of desires, ultimately culminating in a poignant exploration of inner conflicts and external indulgence.
Line by Line Meaning
Happy days
A period of joy and contentment
Your papers are in order
Everything is prepared and organized
It's time you made your way
It's time for you to move forward
Kiss goodbye
Bid farewell to the past
Back before you know it
You'll return before you realize
You guys will be fine
You will be okay
Butterflies
Nervous excitement
Fragile and hungry, taking to the sky
Vulnerable but eager to fly
Now it's feet
Now it's time to take action
Wet
Embarking on a new journey
Over oceans, now you jet
Traveling far and wide
Feeling bold
Confident and daring
Cares all put on hold
Setting worries aside
This is the time
Now is the moment
For sultry plans to align
For romantic intentions to come together
You're all
You're fully prepared
Set
Ready to go
With honour, your only debt
Your integrity is your priority
Someone to be, not totally you
Adapting to the situation, not losing your true self
Take what you need, say it's good for you
Prioritizing your own needs
Soon, you arrive
Arriving at your destination
In a room full of ideas, attention you must vie
Competing for attention in a stimulating environment
Reception drinks
Drinks to welcome you
Glimpsing at a prospect, cheeky little wink
Flirting with a potential opportunity
So, you flirt
Engaging in playful behavior
Hand upon a shoulder, nothing too overt
Showing affection subtly
Now you're drenched in sweat
Feeling nervous and anxious
With this new love, you have met
Embracing a new passion
Soon it's cold
The excitement fades
Desire fast consoled
Cravings quickly satisfied
You're in your prime
Feeling at your best
Another perfect crime
Another thrilling escapade
No regrets
No feelings of remorse
As you draw another cigarette
Indulging in a guilty pleasure
This time, it's the last
This time, it's the final occurrence
These guilty feelings they're gonna pass
The shame will eventually fade
The shame, it won't show
The guilt will be hidden
So savour your primal glow
Enjoy the satisfaction of your primal desires
Hall, stairs, and onto the street
Leaving the scene discreetly
A vow you'll never tell, a hope for a repeat
Keeping a secret, wishing for a recurrence
With the glow a source of sinful pride
Feeling a sense of sinful satisfaction
To your happy home you're welcomed back inside
Returning home to familiar comfort
Lyrics © Toxic Bears
Written by: Mark Limb
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bigkamo
I love how it switches between the classic Toxic Bears sound and the Detox Bears! Otsukaresama!
@BenGamingShorts
That poor young lady.I think that music freaked her out to much.