Wooden Shjips is a vital and refreshingly inspired quartet from San Francis… Read Full Bio ↴Wooden Shjips is a vital and refreshingly inspired quartet from San Francisco playing loud rock ‘n’ roll in a style heavily influenced by the experimentalism of psychedelia, classical minimalism and garage rock excess. Started as an experiment in rhythmic primitivism and group improvisation, the current lineup brings a more structured rock approach to its performances, utilizing a traditional lineup of drums (Omar Ahsanuddin), bass (Dusty Jermier), organ (Nash Whalen), guitar (Erik “Ripley” Johnson) and vocals.

Its songs sound something akin to the icy garage rock of early Echo & The Bunnymen crossed with the sun-bleached tremolo-punk of the Scientists. There are hints of krautrock, the trance-inducing organ haze of Suicide, Deerhunter style dance-drone, classic desert-fried garage psych and the mysterious, obscure Japanese lysergic-rock band Les Rallizes Denudes all mixed into one explosive whole on Wooden Shjips self-titled Holy Mountain debut.

The experience of Wooden Shjips (yes, shjips, not ships) has been equated to that of the Japanese phenomenon called maboroshi, which is somewhat similar to seeing a mirage or hallucinating in time. In the context of imagination/dreams, maboroshi is attributed to past occurrences and can take on a meaning like "phantoms." The group's songs seem to exist in a dream state in which anything is possible.

Wooden Shjips released two acclaimed records in 2006, beginning early in the year with the self-released 10” EP Shrinking Moon for You. The record quickly sold-out, after capturing the attention of well-regarded tastemakers, such as Tom Lax and Byron Coley, who penned rave reviews on Siltblog and in The Wire magazine, respectively. A 7” followed on the Sick Thirst label, and received similar praise from music bloggers, as well as from veteran scribe David Fricke in Rolling Stone.

The band has three new releases lined up for 2007: the LP/CD for Holy Mountain, a 7” for Sub Pop and a 7” for Pollymaggoo Records. They played at NoisePop 2007 with Roky Erickson in March, as well as playing a packed showcase at the SXSW Music conference in Austin, TX.

Motorbike
Wooden Shjips Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lie

Is there a place deep within
A place where you hide your darkest sins

Lie

There's a strange kind of ambiance

It's surrounding you, Lure me towards the truth

Candles die down as you leave the room
In my heart you leave no gloom
As you lure me, I know the truth
You're a leprechaun, I see you through

Lie

Is there a place deep within
A place where you hide your darkest sins

There's a strange kind of ambiance,
It's surrounding you Lure me towards the truth

Overall Meaning

"Motorbike" by Wooden Shjips is a psychedelic rock song that features a repeating riff, hypnotic percussion, and cryptic lyrics that speak to the listener in a mysterious dialect. The song is a swirling soundscape of fuzzy guitars, throbbing bass, and repetitive drumming that envelopes the listener in a trance-like state.

The lyrics to "Motorbike" are evocative and cryptic, with a recurrent phrase, "Lie," punctuating the stanzas. The song could refer to a person's inner world and the hidden parts that they might not want to reveal to the outside world. The motif of hiding sins and luring someone towards the truth adds to the mysterious aura of the song. While the line "You're a leprechaun, I see you through" seems like an out-of-place quip and could be interpreted in several ways. The overall effect is that the song tells a story of a hidden self that is revealed in a dark and mysterious environment.

Line by Line Meaning

Lie
Acknowledging the theme of deception in the song

Is there a place deep within
Asking if there is a hidden part of oneself

A place where you hide your darkest sins
Questioning if one hides their worst actions and thoughts

Lie
Again acknowledging the theme of deception

There's a strange kind of ambiance
Describing a peculiar atmosphere

It's surrounding you, Lure me towards the truth
Feeling drawn towards the real nature of the situation

Candles die down as you leave the room
The light of truth disappears with the departure of the deceiver

In my heart you leave no gloom
Despite the loss of illumination, the artist feels no sadness

As you lure me, I know the truth
The act of deception has now revealed itself

You're a leprechaun, I see you through
The true nature of the deceiver is now recognized

Lie
Restating the recurring theme of deception