Veruca Salt was formed alongside the friendship of Louise Post and Nina Gordon. Introduced by Gordon's good friend, actress Lili Taylor, Gordon and Post quickly bonded and formed what is now known as Veruca Salt. Originally, the band was an Indigo Girls-inspired acoustic act, but the women quickly realized this wasn't their sound. They quickly enlisted bass player Steve Lack and eventually Gordon's brother Jim Shapiro joined as a drummer, even though he originally was just drumming as a favor to his sister.
Veruca Salt released a self-funded demo tape and shopped it to labels, and began to play a handful of small club shows. The buzz around the band grew furiously, and after only a few live gigs, the band was signed to Minty Fresh Records and began recording with producer Brad Wood. At the time Brad was popular due to having recently produced Liz Phair's critically acclaimed Exile in Guyville.
The band released an orange 7" single for the song "Seether" to radio. "Seether" was a bratty, distorted alt-rocker about an angry and misunderstood woman. Compared to the rest of Veruca Salt's material, "Seether" was very pop, so much so that Gordon said that when she wrote it, she didn't think the rest of the band would like it. They sent "Seether" to radio, as it was the most radio-friendly song they had written and the reaction was unexpectedly positive. Unfortunately, the album wasn't complete and they found themselves rushing to complete the album, before "Seether" lost its radio momentum. It ended up peaking at #8 on the Modern Rock charts.
Geffen Records signed the band after an intense label bidding war and American Thighs was released October 25, 1994. It peaked on the Billboard Top 100 at 69 and was certified Gold. The follow-up single "All Hail Me" failed to chart Top 40 on Modern Rock, and the last single from the album, "Number One Blind", written by Gordon, did better than the previous single at 20 on Modern Rock chart, but nowhere near as well as "Seether". Gordon and Post were unhappy with the song's video, and it was pulled after airing fewer than five times on MTV.
To support this album, Veruca Salt opened for such acts as Hole, Live and PJ Harvey, as well as their own headlining club tour.
The band released an EP in 1996 titled Blow It Out Your Ass It's Veruca Salt to tide fans over until their next album.
After touring for American Thighs, Gordon and Post entered the studio with Bob Rock to record their second album. They were inspired to work with Bob after hearing Metallica's "Enter Sandman" on the loud-system before a Veruca Salt concert at an outdoor music festival.
Eight Arms to Hold You, which was released February 11, 1997 on Geffen Records, proved to be a difficult and dividing album. Some fans of American Thighs were disappointed by the polished, hard-rock and distinctively Bob Rock production, in comparison to the laidback indie buzz-bin vibe of American Thighs. The new album garnered mixed reviews from music critics as well. Band members have since admitted that this album was difficult for the band, and the recording process was extremely tense. However, Eight Arms to Hold You sold well due to the success of the first single "Volcano Girls", written by Gordon. It was a catchy, power-pop tantrum that matched "Seether"'s success, peaking at #8 on the Modern Rock charts. This album, however, didn't have longevity, and despite peaking higher (Billboard Top 100 at 55) than American Thighs, sales dropped off drastically when the second single "Shutterbug" failed to chart despite a high budget video and Saturday Night Live performance, as well as other promotion. Three more singles were sent to radio ("The Morning Sad", "Straight" and "Benjamin") but none of them did well enough to warrant a video. However, the Gordon-penned "Benjamin" was released internationally as the third and last commercial single from the album despite having no video and no promotion. "Benjamin" also failed to chart. Shapiro left the band soon after the release of Eight Arms and was replaced by Stacy Jones (of Letters to Cleo and now American Hi-Fi). Jones toured with the band on the Eight Arms tour, but never recorded with them.
Veruca Salt toured extensively for Eight Arms to Hold You, opening for Bush as well as a lengthy international headlining club tour.
Nina Gordon left Veruca Salt in early 1998 amid rumors of stolen boyfriends and physical altercations with bandmate Louise Post. Post, now the only original band member, recruited a new band, consisting of Stephen Fitzpatrick (guitar), Suzanne Sokol (bass) and Jimmy Madla (drums), and continued to record and perform under the Veruca Salt moniker. The new band signed with Beyond Records. The first album with the new lineup was 2000's Resolver.
December 2002 saw the release of both Resolver and lead single "Born Entertainer", in Australia through Embryo Records / MGM. Following the release of "Born Entertainer" Embryo Records / MGM released the single "Officially Dead" which contained newly recorded tracks as well as a remix of 'the Same Person. The band toured Australia, including the "Splendour in the Grass" festival alongside bands such as Placebo and Coldplay. 'Yeah Man' was released as a radio only single.
After planning to take some time to step away from the music industry the band once again toured and performed at some festival shows in Australia. The tour took in the capital cities as well as performances at both the "Falls Festival" and the newly created Southbound festival in Perth. The band completed the 2 week tour and upon arrival back in the United States performed a show at the iconic "Viper Room". The band debuted the tracks 'Blissful Queen' and 'Circular Trend' live, both would end up on the album "IV"
2005 saw another couple of line-up changes with Sokol and Madla leaving, being replaced by Solomon Snyder on bass and Michael Miley on drums for the recording of the EP Lords of Sounds and Lesser Things (LOSALT). The band then went on tour as Post, Fitzpatrick, drummer Kellii Scott and bassist Nicole Fiorentino. LOSALT was released and sold independently at the bands shows and via the website and included six new songs. The title of the EP is an extract from Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. This preluded the full length album, "IV", released September 2006 and accompanied by a US tour. The lead single "So Weird" was released to radio at the end of October 2006.
They recorded a cover of Neil Young's song "Burned" for a 2007 Breast Cancer Benefit album due for release in October 2007. The band became inactive sometime after that, announcing in 2012 that they had entered an indefinite hiatus.
In 2013, the original lineup of the band reunited. In 2014, the band released the single "The Museum of Broken Relationships." and went on a tour of the United States and Australia. The band's first album in nine years, "Ghost Notes", was released in July 2015.
- Damage Done
Veruca Salt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got a car crash
A new stash
Stage fright
Who do you worship now
You got a mistress
A new bitch to get you high
Fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-find it
Or you're gonna freak out
You're fucking out of your mind
Can't you see the damage done
Is all over now
You can't cry anymore girl
Cause your tears dried up
With the needle and the score yeah
Lie-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie-like it or not
You can't stop
Such a heavenly ride
Memorize the number
Got a beep-beep-beeper
The bump on Riverside
Check my best friend out
She's burned out
But she's beautiful inside
Can't you see the damage done
Is all over now
You can't cry anymore girl
Cause your tears dried up
When you woke up on the floor
Can't you see the damage done
It's all over now
You don't try anymore girl
And I need you now
Like I never did before
These moments are sacret
You're my religion my love my life
Venice beach
Orange sunset
I say life
You say suicide
And I try to stop you girl
I try to keep you close
Try to take you home
We're two girls with one soul
Two girls with one soul
Two girls with one soul
My angel
Haleakala
Haleakala
Can't you see the damage done
It's all over now.
Veruca Salt's "Damage Done" is about the destructive power of addiction, the impact of which is often felt not only by the addict but also by those close to them. The song speaks to the chaos caused by a car crash, a new drug stash, and growing dependence, which leads to the numbing of emotions and the loss of control. The lyrics suggest that the singer has lost touch with reality and is desperately seeking something to fill the void left by the damage done. The lines, "Who do you worship now, You got a mistress, A new bitch to get you high," suggest that the singer, filled with despair, has turned to drugs and a new lover to ease the pain but has found no relief.
The chorus of "Can't you see the damage done" is a metaphor for the irreversible changes caused by addiction. The line "you can't cry anymore girl, 'cause your tears dried up" signifies the emotional distance that follows the addiction, while "with the needle and the score yeah" refers to the depth and intensity of the singer's addiction. Overall, "Damage Done" portrays the undoing of the singer's life, and the end of the song suggests that she has given up, that "it's all over now," and that it's too late to save her.
Line by Line Meaning
Check the damage girl
Assuming the girl has suffered from a car crash and developed a new addiction, the singer is asking her to take a look at the state of her life.
You got a car crash
The girl has been injured in a road accident.
A new stash
The girl has a new addictive substance (like drugs) that she could rely upon.
Stage fright
The girl is scared of something (possibly the society, physical or mental aftermath of the car crash, and addiction).
Who do you worship now
The artist asking the girl about her religious or spiritual beliefs or who to depend upon.
You got a mistress
The girl has found a new partner in her addiction, as mistress generally refers to a woman who is having an affair with a married man.
A new bitch to get you high
The addiction is referred to as a 'bitch' that is helping the girl getting high.
Fi-fi-fi-fi-fi-find it
Urging the girl to locate something important (like inner strength) to avoid going insane.
Or you're gonna freak out
If the girl does not find something soon, she may go insane.
You're fucking out of your mind
The girl is already losing her mind.
Can't you see the damage done
The singer is asking the girl to notice how much she lost, probably due to the addiction and the accident.
Is all over now
Whatever the girl lost now, she can't recover it back.
You can't cry anymore girl
The pain, hurt, and depression have exhausted the girl's tears.
Cause your tears dried up
The girl does not feel like crying anymore.
With the needle and the score yeah
Possible reference to injecting the substance with a needle, and referring to each use of addictive substances as 'scoring.'
Lie-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie-like it or not
Regardless of whether the girl likes it or not, she can't stop the pleasurable euphoria that the addiction provides her.
You can't stop
The girl can't refrain herself from addiction.
Such a heavenly ride
The addiction offers the girl pleasure beyond anything she has experienced before and can be described as an immense heavenly feeling.
Memorize the number
The singer is asking the girl to remember the addictive substance's contact numbers (or dealer's phone number).
Got a beep-beep-beeper
Suggests the girl carries a beeper to remain updated about the availability of the substance.
The bump on Riverside
Refers to the location where the girl finds or buys her addictive substance.
Check my best friend out
The artist is urging the girl to see how her best friend has turned out, which is possibly a cautionary tale about addiction.
She's burned out
The best friend has been destroyed by the addiction.
But she's beautiful inside
Even though the best friend is ruined, they are still admired because they are good from the inside just like the girl.
When you woke up on the floor
The girl has fallen and passed out due to the addiction.
And I need you now
The singer is telling the girl that she needs her support now more than ever.
Like I never did before
The singer is asking for more profounde support from the girl.
These moments are sacret
The moments of companionship spent together are special and sacred.
You're my religion my love my life
The artist is declaring his affection and dedication towards the girl.
Venice beach
Referring to the location where the singer and the girl had the best time together, an area in Venice Beach.
Orange sunset
Refers to the sunset's calming and comforting visuals of the meeting of sky and water amidst the orange hue.
I say life
The artist is reminding her that even dark phases of life should be valued because they make life precious.
You say suicide
The girl, due to the pain, may believe that death or suicide is a better choice.
And I try to stop you girl
The artist is trying to help the girl by steering her away from negative thoughts.
I try to keep you close
The singer is trying to remain connected with the girl emotionally.
We're two girls with one soul
The artist and the girl are immensely connected and understand each other in ways that others might not.
Two girls with one soul
It re-anchors the idea expressed in the last line and reinforces the unique bond between the singer and the girl.
My angel
The singer refers to the girl as an angel, with its immense beauty and purity.
Haleakala
The track ends with the word 'Haleakala,' which is also the name of a dormant volcano in Maui, Hawaii.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Charles
on Volcano Girls
Louise and Nina are the two singers…