Unwound are an American post-hardcore band based in Olympia, Washington, Un… Read Full Bio ↴Unwound are an American post-hardcore band based in Olympia, Washington, United States. They were formed in 1991 by Justin Trosper (guitars and vocals), Vern Rumsey (bass), and Brandt Sandeno (drums), all of whom had previously been in a band called Giant Henry. Brandt Sandeno quit Unwound in 1992 and was replaced by Sara Lund. This lineup would remain in place until the band's dissolution in 2002. The group was strongly associated with the label Kill Rock Stars throughout the 1990s. Unwound was sharply dissonant and angular, often resorting to unusual guitar tones, and associated with post-hardcore and noise rock. The band toured frequently, preferring "all ages" clubs and are noted for their strong DIY ethic. The group spawned numerous side projects.

In July 2022, Unwound announced reunion shows set for 2023, featuring Jared Warren of Melvins and Big Business on bass, replacing Vern Rumsey who sadly passed away in 2020.
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Terminus
Unwound Lyrics

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Break me i'm not broke
Take me i'm not took
Cake me i'm not cooked
Fake me i'm not fucked
Wake me i'm awake
Shake me i'm a jerk
Wash me i'm a lake
Make me i'm a crook

In light of my seven weeks of
Melting pleasure, melting pleasure
Hold me i'm a gun, six shots and i'll be gone
Hold me i'm the one, tomorrow i'll be gone

Kill me i'm not dead
Will me i'm not read
Drain me i'm not bled
Brain me not a head
Fill me i'm a tank
Blame me i'm a blank
Wash me i'm so clean
Love me i'm so mean

In light of my seven weeks of
Melting pleasure, melting pleasure

Hold me i'm a gun, six shots and i'll be gone
Hold me i'm the one, tomorrow i'll be gone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Unwound's song Terminus are enigmatic and open to interpretation. The repetitions of commands such as "break me" and "kill me" create an intense, almost violent energy that conveys a sense of frustration and desperation. The lines "hold me I'm a gun, six shots and I'll be gone" and "hold me I'm the one, tomorrow I'll be gone" suggest a feeling of being trapped and mentally suffocated, possibly seeking a way out or a release from inner turmoil.

The lines "in light of my seven weeks of melting pleasure" are particularly intriguing. It could be a reference to a specific period of time that the singer experienced intense pleasure, possibly related to substance abuse or other forms of self-destruction. The repeated references to being "fake," "blank," and "mean" hint at a deep sense of disillusionment or self-loathing.

Interestingly, the repetition of certain words in the lyrics creates a sense of both repetition and distortion, as if the singer's thoughts are spiraling out of control. The overall effect is one of intense emotion and raw vulnerability, inviting the listener to share a glimpse of the singer's inner landscape.

Line by Line Meaning

Break me i'm not broke
I may appear fragile but I am not actually broken

Take me i'm not took
You may think you have control over me, but you do not

Cake me i'm not cooked
I may seem finished, but I am not fully developed

Fake me i'm not fucked
You may think I am deceitful, but I have not been ruined

Wake me i'm awake
I am alert and aware

Shake me i'm a jerk
I may act foolish or strange, but it is just a facade

Wash me i'm a lake
I am a deep, vast, and constantly changing entity

Make me i'm a crook
I may appear to be a criminal, but I have not committed any crimes

In light of my seven weeks of Melting pleasure, melting pleasure
Reflecting on the past seven weeks of intense emotion and experience

Hold me i'm a gun, six shots and i'll be gone
I am like a loaded weapon, capable of causing great harm to myself or others

Hold me i'm the one, tomorrow i'll be gone
I am significant in this moment, but my importance will diminish over time