TSUNAMI BOMB’s debut album, “The Ultimate Escape” on Kung Fu Records received critical acclaim, with Rolling Stone later naming it as one of their Top 50 Pop-Punk albums of all time. Despite line-up changes, TSUNAMI BOMB’s resilience has allowed them to release multiple albums through the years, including their most recent LP,
“The Spine That Binds” on Jello Biafra’s label, Alternative Tentacles Records. Their ability to infuse emotional depth into their impactful and unforgettable songs has long established their contribution to shaping the punk rock landscape.
With a longtime lineup consisting of founding bassist Dominic Davi, whose pulsating driving rhythms anchor the band's music, founding keyboardist/vocalist Oobliette Sparks, whose haunting melodies and powerhouse vocals add depth and texture, founding drummer Gabe Lindeman, whose thunderous beats drive the band's relentless energy, singer Kate Jacobi, whose emotive vocals lead the charge with passion and intensity, and guitarist Andrew Pohl, whose searing riffs and unforgettable dynamic tone elevate the band's sonic landscape.
Over the years, TSUNAMI BOMB has evolved and matured while always staying true to their signature sound. Continuing to push boundaries and deliver an experience that is both powerful and unforgettable, solidifying TSUNAMI BOMB’s place as a prominent force within the punk rock scene.
Discography
B-Movie Queens (1999)
Mayhem on the High Seas (1999)
The Invasion From Within (2000)
The Ultimate Escape (2002)
The Definitive Act (2004)
20 Going On...
Tsunami Bomb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Memory collecting before his time
Recall the old stomping ground
I see a tear welling up in his eye
No, you can't cheat time, don't let that control your life
Hold your breath, close your eyes, just jump in, the water's fine
These pleas fall on deaf ears
Ears that were once tuned to truth
Has seen it all, nothing else for him to do
No, you can't cheat time, don't let that control your life
Goes over your head, you look over your shoulder
When you turn back you're that much older
It slips away
Be what you're becoming
It slips away
And not who you were
It slips away
Grab hold of the here and now while you still have the chance
So are you giving up now?
As for adventures you're had your fill
Who says you're over the hill?
I think it was you and you know very well
You're holding yourself back
(Turn your face to the day)
When you could be doing anything
(Don't just dig your own grave)
When will you trust yourself
(Take with you what you learn)
The same as I do
(Be yourself, not who you were)
I want to see you use your capabilities
Build me an ocean then destroy it with your eyes
The song "20 Going On..." by Tsunami Bomb is about a young person who feels like they are already tired and burnt out at 20 years of age. The lyrics suggest that this young person has already experienced too much and collected too many memories before their time. They look back at their old stomping ground with a sense of nostalgia, but also with tears in their eyes. The singer cautions them against letting time control their life, urging them to jump into the water and not be afraid to live life to the fullest.
However, the young person's ears are deaf to these pleas. They have already dated "washed-up" old men who have seen it all, and they feel like they have had their fill of adventures. But the singer urges them not to give up, not to hold themselves back, and not to dig their own grave. Instead, they should trust themselves and take what they learn with them as they become who they are meant to be.
The chorus emphasizes the idea that time slips away and that the young person needs to grab hold of the here and now before it's too late. They need to be true to themselves and not who they were. The singer believes that this young person has capabilities and talents that they are not using to their full potential, and she wants to see them build an ocean and destroy it with their eyes.
Line by Line Meaning
Tired at 20 years old
Feeling exhausted and worn out at a very young age
Memory collecting before his time
Remembering events and experiences that one shouldn't have at such a young age
Recall the old stomping ground
Thinking back to the place where you grew up and used to hang out with friends
I see a tear welling up in his eye
Noticing a sense of sadness and regret in someone's eyes
No, you can't cheat time, don't let that control your life
Reminding oneself that time is inevitable and shouldn't dictate how we live our lives
Hold your breath, close your eyes, just jump in, the water's fine
Encouraging someone to take risks and embrace new experiences
These pleas fall on deaf ears
Not being heard or understood by the person you're trying to help
Ears that were once tuned to truth
People who used to listen to you and value your opinion have stopped trusting you
I dated washed up old man
Being in a relationship with someone who is older and has lost their passion for life
Has seen it all, nothing else for him to do
Being resigned to a life of boredom and predictability
Goes over your head, you look over your shoulder
Not understanding something, and feeling like time is slipping away while you try to catch up
When you turn back you're that much older
Realizing that time passes quickly and before you know it, you've aged much more than expected
It slips away
Life passes by quickly and it can be easy to miss out on important things
Be what you're becoming
Embracing change and growth, and not getting stuck in the past
And not who you were
Letting go of the past and embracing the present
Grab hold of the here and now while you still have the chance
Encouraging someone to live in the moment and not wait for the future
So are you giving up now?
Questioning someone's decision to stop pursuing their dreams and passions
As for adventures you're had your fill
Feeling like you've done everything there is to do and there's nothing left to explore
Who says you're over the hill?
Challenging someone who thinks they're too old to try new things
I think it was you and you know very well
Suggesting that the person has been holding themselves back and using their age as an excuse
You're holding yourself back
Being your own biggest obstacle to achieving your dreams
(Turn your face to the day)
Embracing positivity and optimism
(Don't just dig your own grave)
Avoiding self-destructive behavior and negative thinking
(Take with you what you learn)
Learning from your experiences and growing from them
(Be yourself, not who you were)
Being true to who you are now, and not holding onto old versions of yourself
I want to see you use your capabilities
Believing in someone's potential and encouraging them to reach for it
Build me an ocean then destroy it with your eyes
Showing off your creative and destructive power, and using it to make an impact in the world
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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