Finding limited mainstream success, Unsane are nonetheless hugely influential; writer Patrick Kennedy writes that "while developing the blueprint for noise metal bands to follow, Unsane cut a remarkable swath through underground music, inspiring a devoted, cult-like following around the globe."
Unsane was formed in 1988 by singer/guitarist Chris Spencer, bass guitarist Pete Shore and drummer Charlie Ondras. They met as students at Sarah Lawrence College. The band was supposed to have their début album recorded in 1988 by Circuit Records as "Improvised Munitions" , but Ernie Triccaro, the owner of Circuit Records, never released the album.
In the early 1990s, Unsane was part of a scene of loud, noisy, like-minded rock groups in New York City's East Village, often playing concerts with bands like Pussy Galore, Cop Shoot Cop, Surgery, Helmet and the Reverb Motherfuckers (Unsane's first show was as the opening act for the Reverb Motherfuckers). Members of Unsane were very active during this era and played in other bands like Boss Hog and the Action Swingers.
Ondras died of a heroin overdose in 1992, and was replaced temporarily by Anthony DeLuca and then permanently by Vinnie Signorelli (formerly of Foetus and NY icons Swans). In 1994, Shore departed from the band for unknown reasons and was replaced by Dave Curran.
The band toured heavily, and signed to Atlantic Records, who released Total Destruction in 1993 -- it was Unsane's only major-label release. Their third album, Scattered, Smothered & Covered, was issued by Ampehetamine Reptile. The music video for the single "Scrape" was made for a mere $200, yet earned significant play on MTV. The video alternates between lo-fi rehearsal footage of Unsane, and a series of serious skateboarding wipeouts.
They continued touring heavily (including a stint opening for metal icons Slayer), but did not release a new album until Occupational Hazard, issued by Relapse Records in 1998. Later that same year - in seeming fulfilment of the album's title - Spencer was attacked by four people after playing a concert in Vienna, Austria. He ended up in hospital suffering internal bleeding and underwent major surgery. As a result of Spencer's injury, and touring over ten months of the year, the band decided to take a break in 2000.
During the interim, Spencer moved to California where he formed a new band with Dave Curran called The Cutthroats 9, releasing one album on Man's Ruin Records. Curran also started a band called The J.J. Paradise Players Club and Signorelli opened a tattoo shop in Brooklyn.
Unsane reformed in 2003 upon Spencer's return to New York, and released a greatest hits record, Lambhouse, followed by Blood Run two years later.
Ipecac released Unsane's sixth studio album, Visqueen on March 13, 2007.
Unsane's latest album was released on March 20, 2012, entitled "Wreck".
Alleged
Unsane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
some people live in the place,
my block,
can you guess my race,
stuck up
he got hit on the ground
were going down town
were going down town
that's our rent
that block
some people look out of place
you're lost
within a state of disgrace
no god, you can't keep what I found
come here
we're going down town
we're going down town
that's our rent
In Unsane's song, Alleged, the lyrics deal with issues of race, identity, and belonging. The song is written in the first person, with the singer making observations about their neighborhood and the people who live there. The opening lines, "some people live in the place, my block, can you guess my race," immediately draw attention to the issue of race, suggesting that the singer is aware of the racial tensions in their neighborhood.
The second verse begins with the phrase "stuck up," which could be a reference to the way the singer feels about some of the people in their neighborhood. This feeling is reinforced by the next line, "he got hit on the ground," which suggests that someone who was previously arrogant or entitled has been humbled. This sense of schadenfreude is echoed later in the song when the lyrics say "within a state of disgrace, no god, you can't keep what I found."
Overall, the song seems to be about a neighborhood or community that is struggling with issues of identity and belonging. The singer is acutely aware of these tensions and seems to be wrestling with their own place within this environment. The repetition of the phrase "we're going down town, we're going down town" suggests a desire to escape, perhaps to find a place where they can truly belong.
Line by Line Meaning
Get out
Leave this situation immediately
some people live in the place,
There are individuals that reside in this location
my block,
This is my neighborhood
can you guess my race,
Can you correctly identify my ethnicity?
stuck up
Arrogant or conceited behavior
he got hit on the ground
He was physically assaulted and fell to the ground
come here
Approach me or gather around
we're going down town
We are traveling or moving towards the city center
we're going downtown
We are traveling or moving towards the city center
that's our rent
That is the cost of living in this particular area
that block
That particular section of the neighborhood
some people look out of place
Certain individuals appear unfamiliar with their surroundings
you're lost
You are confused or disoriented
within a state of disgrace
You are experiencing shame or dishonor
no god, you can't keep what I found
My personal discovery or achievement cannot be taken away from me by any higher power
Contributed by Benjamin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@peterclegg4786
Saw Unsane last night in Huddersfield UK, never thought I would get to see them live but so worth the wait all these years to see them. Incredible band!
@user-ob1tq1ck6j
Великая группа. Приедут ли они в Россию?
@therealohsoretro
I've had this song stuck in my head for 20 years.
@d-fensive
23 years now.
@greatdiosghosties2762
Lucky
@BenjaminGates1776
It's dope but don't beat scraped
@dnewman3805
I know. When you live downtown and you catch a glimpse of a certain type of person it starts playing again- for me anyway. Ha!
@beelbrother1648
same!
@samandcarlie
They might not be millinaires living in Hollywood, but this band is FUCKING REAL MUSIC.
@minimalappeal
one of the best songs made with a harmonica and a telecaster