moe. is an American jam band, formed at the University at Buffalo in 1991. … Read Full Bio ↴moe. is an American jam band, formed at the University at Buffalo in 1991. The current lineup includes: Rob Derhak (bass, vocals), Al Schnier (guitar, vocals, keyboard), Chuck Garvey (guitar, vocals), Vinnie Amico (drums), and Jim Loughlin (percussion).

The band's first record, Fatboy (1992), established the band as a favorite of the same 1990s scene that became popular through bands such as the Dave Matthews Band, Phish, and Widespread Panic. moe. has toured with the 1997 Furthur Festival, appeared at Woodstock '99, have played in Central Park, were the opening band for The Allman Brothers and The Who, and performed at Radio City Music Hall on New Years Eve 2006 and 2007.

They also host the annual festival moe.down at Snow Ridge Ski Area in Turin, NY. Started in 2000, the festival runs for three days and occurs every Labor Day weekend. The festival has attracted a wide variety of musical talent. Acts range from newer bands just emerging onto the scene (such as Tea Leaf Green, Nellie McKay and Raq) to big name acts and jam rock staples, such as Les Claypool, Blues Traveler, and Mike Gordon (of Phish fame); to pop rock icons, such as Leo Kottke, The Flaming Lips, The Violent Femmes; and most recently, Perry Farrell. Each year, the amount of moe.down attendees has steadily increased. moe.down I attracted around 3,000 people while moe.down VI in 2005, had attracted close to 7,000.

During an interview, guitarist Al Schnier was asked to describe moe. for those who have never heard their music: "It's an amalgamation of a wide variety of the history of rock, all regurgitated and recycled through the eyes, ears, hands, whatever of the guys in our band and all of that with a sense of adventure, a sense of humor, also a constant desire to push the envelope. All in this arena of taking chances, improvising live, and making things up on the spot."

Their official site can be found at www.moe.org

Recreational Chemistry
moe. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well I'm fading away
And I can't find the way to the door
So I'll sit here on my bed all day
While I'm whiling away
The best part of a day on the floor
I'll sit here on my head all day
I like being alone
I like getting stoned so hang out

And honey disconnect the phone
Well I've already gone
And smoked the whole damn lawn right out
So honey pack another bong

[Chorus]
Just like a chicken wired to your brain pan
It's recreational
Recreational chemistry that's the game plan
It's recreational

Just like a chicken wired to your brain pan
It's recreational
Recreational chemistry that's the game plan
It's recreational

Well people think that I'm mad
But it ain't that bad, they don't know
They haven't had the things that I've had
People think I'm insane
That I'm rotting my brain, they don't know
And I haven't got the time to explain
People think that I'm lazy
That I'm stoned and crazy, I don't know
And I can't imagine what they see
All the powders and pills

And circumstantial chills, I don't know
I guess that's how I get my thrills

Overall Meaning

The song "Recreational Chemistry" by moe. is a tune that explores the themes of drug use and the loneliness that accompanies it. The singer in the song appears to be struggling with addiction and the effects it is having on his life. The first verse talks about how the singer is fading away and cannot find the way to the door. He spends his days sitting on his bed, whiling away the hours on the floor. The singer likes being alone and getting stoned, but he wants his lover to disconnect the phone so they can be together. The second verse reveals that people think that the singer is mad for using drugs, but he disagrees. He argues that they haven't had the experiences that he has had. The singer also doesn't have the time to explain himself to others. He thinks that people think that he is lazy and crazy because of his drug use, but he cannot imagine what they see. He enjoys using drugs, and he explains that it is how he gets his thrills.

Overall, the song is about the effects of drug use and how it can isolate us from others. The singer is struggling with addiction and the judgment of the world while still finding comfort in his drug use. The refrain, "just like a chicken wired to your brain pan, it's recreational chemistry that's the game plan," reinforces the theme of drug use as a type of chemistry, a science that people use to escape the harsh realities of life.

Line by Line Meaning

Well I'm fading away
I'm feeling disconnected and lost

And I can't find the way to the door
I'm struggling to figure out my next steps

So I'll sit here on my bed all day
I'll stay in my room and avoid the world

While I'm whiling away
As I spend my time idly

The best part of a day on the floor
Most of the day lying around

I'll sit here on my head all day
I'll retreat in my headspace

I like being alone
I enjoy solitude

I like getting stoned so hang out
I find pleasure in smoking marijuana

And honey disconnect the phone
Let's avoid interruptions

Well I've already gone
I'm already high

And smoked the whole damn lawn right out
I've consumed all the weed