Zimmers Hole is a humorous thrash/speed metal band from Vancouver that bega… Read Full Bio ↴Zimmers Hole is a humorous thrash/speed metal band from Vancouver that began life as a side project in 1991 for members and friends of Strapping Young Lad, with their debut album being produced by Devin Townsend and released on his label Hevy Devy Records. Lyrics took inspiration from comedic anecdotes from tours past, backed by middle-of-the-road "metal flying V riffs", usually stolen from Kiss and Morbid Angel. Details of the bizarre back stories for all the songs were posted by Chris Valagao and Tracy Turner on the official SYL forums around 1999.

In 2001, when Strapping Young Lad was done touring, Jed and Byron got Devin Townsend to produce their second album Legion of Flames, released on his label Hevy Devy Records. It was a big step-up from their previous album, with song parodies such as Gender of The Beast" (Number of The Beast, Iron Maiden), "Sodomanaz" (Go For a Soda, Kim Mitchell), and spoofing Metallica's "Master of Puppets" in the song "Evil Robots" with the line "Napster, Napster, where's the cash that I've been after?". The album also contained a straight-out cover of Joni Mitchell's "This Flight Tonight" with humorously altered lyrics.

In August 2007, Zimmers Hole signed with Century Media Records for the release of their third studio album. Byron and Jed had this to say:
“Now with Zimmers Hole signing a fresh, new deal with Century Media, we have decided to give this band our full and undivided attention. No more 'side-project' status here; the men of the HOLE are fired up like a city on fire and we entered Vancouver's famed Armoury Studios today to begin tracking the new release. [...] As you can see, it's all about having a good time with the HOLE. Make no mistake though, we are very serious about our love of metal; it made us who we are, and we wear our influences on our sleeves proudly. We are now more focused than ever before and are so excited about the new album. So excited in fact, that the combined length of our erections may just reach out and touch ya!”

Shortly after, drummer Steve left the band and in December 2007 was replaced by Gene Hoglan, another former Strapping Young Lad member. Gene joined in time to start the recordings for the new album. With this roster, Zimmers Hole now has 3 of 4 former SYL members, with Devin Townsend as vocal producer. The band entered Vancouver's Armoury Studios in the same month to record the album, entitled When You Were Shouting at the Devil... We Were in League with Satan released on March 11, 2008 through Century Media Records.

In an interview with MTV on April 2008, vocalist Chris Valagao explained the origin of the album's name:
“I believe David Vincent of Morbid Angel was having a conversation with one of the guys from Forbidden," he recalled. "They were drinking and fucking around, and they got into this argument over who's more metal. The dude from Forbidden, at one point, turned to Dave and said, "Dude, when you were shouting at the devil [a reference to Mötley Crüe], I was in league with Satan [a reference to Venom]," and Jed was in the room and picked up on that. So we started saying it as a joke. That little statement applies to a whole bunch of shit. Basically, "When you were a poseur, I was the real deal".

That's How Drunks Drink
Zimmers Hole Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Drink...
'cause that's how drunks drink
Barf on your t.v. empties off the balcony
Set all your demons free..

'cause that's how drunks drink
'cause that's how drunks drink...

Can't quite get my fill...
Pass me a pint of swill
That's right! i've got no will...
'cause that's how drunks drink...

...just one drop more...
He is so dry
I am so dry
He needs to score
...just one drop more...

...just one drop more...
You are so dry
I am so dry
You need to pour
...just one drop more...
...just one drop more...
...just one drop more...

Wake up feelin' green..coffee and
Irish cream
O.j. and jim beam.. 'cause that's how
Drunks drink

Drink...drink...drink...
'cause that's how drunks drink!!

You are so dry
I am so dry
You need to score
...just one drop more...
You are so dry

I am so dry

You need to pour
...just one more...

Overall Meaning

The song "That's How Drunks Drink" by Zimmers Hole is a satirical take on the drinking culture that glorifies indulgence and excess. The lyrics depict the reckless and destructive behavior of alcoholics who drink to their heart's content, without any regard for the consequences. The opening lines "Drink...'cause that's how drunks drink, Barf on your t.v. empties off the balcony, Set all your demons free" set the tone for the rest of the song. The following lines "Can't quite get my fill, Pass me a pint of swill, That's right! I've got no will...'cause that's how drunks drink" further highlight the lack of control and discipline exhibited by heavy drinkers.

The chorus "Drink...drink...drink... 'cause that's how drunks drink!!" reinforces the central theme of the song. The verses "He is so dry, I am so dry, He needs to score, ...just one drop more..." and "You are so dry, I am so dry, You need to pour, ...just one more..." indicate the insatiable desire for alcohol that drives alcoholics to continue drinking despite its detrimental effects. The lyrics "Wake up feeling green...coffee and Irish cream...O.J. and Jim Beam..'cause that's how drunks drink" further emphasize the physical and emotional toll that heavy drinking takes on individuals.

Line by Line Meaning

Drink... 'cause that's how drunks drink
Exhortation to drink alcohol without restraint

Barf on your t.v. empties off the balcony Set all your demons free..
Act recklessly and unleash your inner demons

'cause that's how drunks drink 'cause that's how drunks drink...
Repetition of the first line to emphasize that drinking to excess is the norm

Can't quite get my fill... Pass me a pint of swill That's right! i've got no will... 'cause that's how drunks drink...
Admission of inability to stop drinking low-quality alcohol

...just one drop more... He is so dry I am so dry He needs to score ...just one drop more...
Compulsive need to continue drinking despite being already intoxicated

You are so dry I am so dry You need to pour ...just one drop more... ...just one drop more... ...just one drop more...
Repetition of the previous line, emphasizing the persistent urge to consume more alcohol

Wake up feelin' green..coffee and Irish cream O.j. and jim beam.. 'cause that's how Drunks drink
Remedy hangover with a mixture of coffee, Irish cream, and more alcohol

Drink...drink...drink... 'cause that's how drunks drink!!
Encouragement to keep drinking excessively

Contributed by Sarah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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