Initially playing covers, the band soon ventured into writing their own material and released a single in 1980. Although undeniably a metal band, Zoetrope was also active in Chicago's hardcore punk scene, sharing bills with locals hardcore bands and hanging out at O'Banions, a Chicago punk bar (Ken Black and Barry Stern also produced the self-titled LP by Chicago-based hardcore band Life Sentence in 1986).
Following the release of a couple of demo tapes, the group was signed to Combat Records and issued their first LP, Amnesty, in 1985. In 1987, the band traveled to Los Angeles to record their follow up, A Life of Crime, with producer Randy Burns (Megadeth, Nuclear Assault). During the recording sessions, Ken Black left the band and returned to Chicago to sort out substance abuse issues. He was replaced by Louis Svitek. Although Svitek appears on the album's cover, Kevin Michael later confirmed that Ken Black had finished his guitar parts before leaving Los Angeles. During the tour supporting A Life of Crime, Svitek was recruited for M.O.D. by Billy Milano. After the tour, Barry Stern jumped ship to fellow Chicagoans Trouble. Kevin Michael eventually returned with a new line up for 1993's Mind Over Splatter but the band folded for good soon after.
Louis Svitek later played with the Chicago punk band Lost Cause, Ministry, Mind Funk, Pigface, The Hollow steps (also featured Ken Black on a few cuts) and Project 44. He currently runs Wu Li Records, a hip-hop label based in Chicago. Original member Barry Stern filled in on drums for a tour with Cathedral and made a guest appearance on the self-titled debut by Debris Inc., which featured former members of Saint Vitus and Trouble. Barry died on April 1, 2005, from complications after hip-replacement surgery. He was singing for the local band D-Connect at the time of his passing. Trouble dedicated their 2007 album Simple Mind Condition to his memory.
Zoëtrøpe: are a 3 piece all girl band based in East London, find them here: http://www.last.fm/music/Zoëtrøpe
There is also a finnish post-rock project called Zoetrope: http://www.mikseri.net/artists/?id=56904
another chance
Zoetrope Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To right my wrong
I didn't mean to kill her
It was insanity
She didn't want to give me
The love I need
So I began to whip her
And then I took her life
Cry
Scream
Dripping blood
She's dead
A little teenage doll
And a fifth of J.D.
Is all you need to pull off
A dirty deed
So if you choose to do so
You might just pay
And you may never get
Another chance
Cry
Scream
Dripping blood
She's dead
So now that you're a killer
Are you satisfied?
Do you believe in fate
Or are you just plain dumb?
You had to have it your way
You didn't compromise
So now you're in the slammer
And not a thing to say
Cry
Scream
Dripping blood
She's dead
The lyrics of Zoetrope's song Another Chance depict a disturbing story of a man who committed a violent act against his lover. He realizes his wrongdoing and wishes to have another opportunity to make things right. He admits to his crime but offers an explanation that he lost control and became insane when his partner denied him the love he desired. The violence escalated to the point that he took her life.
The haunting chorus of the song, comprising the words "Cry, Scream, Dripping blood, She's dead," amplifies the intensity of the situation. The second verse of the song seems to be a warning to others who might be tempted to act in a similar manner, stating that a little alcohol and a young victim might seem tempting but could lead to severe consequences.
The bridge of the song serves as an introspection of the killer. He questions himself for his actions and asks whether he is satisfied or just plain dumb. He acknowledges that his desire for the love he craved led him to commit the heinous crime, and now he has nothing to say as he is in the prison.
Overall, the song depicts a dark and unsettling story of domestic abuse and murder. The agony in the voice of the singer and the heavy metal instruments add to the melancholic tone of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I need another chance
I wish I had the opportunity to go back in time and correct my mistakes
To right my wrong
To make amends and correct the harm I have caused
I didn't mean to kill her
I did not intend to take her life
It was insanity
I acted out of sheer madness and irrationality
She didn't want to give me
She refused to give me
The love I need
The affection and care I desired
So I began to whip her
As a response, I physically abused her through the act of whipping
And then I took her life
As a result of my actions, I ended up taking her life
Cry
The sound of someone shedding tears
Scream
The sound of someone shouting in terror or pain
Dripping blood
The sight of blood flowing out continuously
She's dead
She has passed away and is no longer with us
A little teenage doll
An innocent young girl
And a fifth of J.D.
A bottle of Jack Daniel's whiskey
Is all you need to pull off
It only takes a few things to succeed in committing something nefarious
A dirty deed
An immoral or unethical act
So if you choose to do so
If you decide to take such actions
You might just pay
You may face the consequences of your actions
And you may never get
You might not receive the chance to correct your mistake
Another chance
A second opportunity to make things right
So now that you're a killer
Now that you have taken someone's life and committed murder
Are you satisfied?
Are you content with what you have done?
Do you believe in fate
Do you think that what has happened was meant to happen?
Or are you just plain dumb?
Or were you simply foolish and made a stupid decision?
You had to have it your way
You insisted on doing things your own way
You didn't compromise
You refused to make any compromises
So now you're in the slammer
You are now imprisoned
And not a thing to say
Without anything to defend yourself or justify your actions
Contributed by Savannah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.