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
threw it all away
moe. Lyrics
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You livin' in a tin can suckin' on balloon now
Hey, hey, funky tan thought you gotta prove how
You givin' in to flim flam, fuckin' on the moon now
Me-oh-my-oh monkey man
You think you gotta live it up
I think you've got a funky plan
Hey, hey, monkey man whacha gonna do now?
You livin' in a tin can, suckin' on balloon now
You threw it all away
You threw it all away
Crouched in the corner of your filthy cage
Lookin' like a rocker just like Jimmy Page
Mr. Homo Sapien I do not like the shape you're in
I do not like the things you do
I don't know what to tell you too
You drive around in big cigars
Smokin' on your foreign cars
You're burnin' dinosaurs for fuel
You shop in rhino stores for jewels
Me-oh-my-oh monkey man
You think you gotta live it up
I think you've got a funky plan
I think you better give it up
Hey, hey, monkey man whacha gonna do now?
You livin' in a tin can, fuckin' on the moon now
You threw it all away
You threw it all away
Crouched in the corner of your filthy cage
Lookin' like a rocker just like Jimmy Page
Hey, hey, monkey man whacha gonna do now?
You livin' in a tin can suckin' on balloon now
Hey, hey, funky tan thought you gotta prove how
You givin' in to flim flam, fuckin' on the moon now
Me-oh-my-oh monkey man
You think you gotta live it up
I think you've got a funky plan
I think you better give it up
Hey, hey, monkey man whacha gonna do now?
You livin' in a tin can, fuckin' on the moon now
You threw it all away
You threw it all away
Crouched in the corner of your filthy cage
Lookin' like a rocker just like Jimmy Page
The lyrics of moe.'s "Threw it All Away" appear to be a critique of modern consumerist society and the destructive behavior it can encourage. The song's protagonist is addressed as "monkey man," a term which could suggest someone who is easily manipulated or controlled. The lyrics go on to describe the "monkey man" as living in a "tin can" and "sucking on balloon now," alluding to the idea that he is living in a world that is suffocating and artificial. The second verse adds to this criticism, accusing the "monkey man" of driving "around in big cigars" and "burning dinosaurs for fuel." The song seems to suggest that the world we live in, with its emphasis on material possessions, has caused us to lose touch with our natural environment.
The chorus of the song is a repeated refrain: "You threw it all away / Crouched in the corner of your filthy cage / Lookin' like a rocker just like Jimmy Page." Here, the "filthy cage" could refer to the materialistic world which has ensnared the singer, while the reference to Jimmy Page could be seen as a commentary on the excesses of the rock and roll lifestyle.
Overall, "Threw it All Away" seems to be a cautionary tale about the perils of consumerism and the importance of staying true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hey, monkey man whacha gonna do now?
Asking the monkey man what he will do now
You livin' in a tin can suckin' on balloon now
Living in a small and confined space, consuming recreational drugs
Hey, hey, funky tan thought you gotta prove how
Addressing someone with a cool appearance and questioning their motives and the need to prove themselves
You givin' in to flim flam, fuckin' on the moon now
Being deceived by trickery, engaging in sexuality, while being in an unlikely position
Me-oh-my-oh monkey man
An exclamation addressed to the monkey man
You think you gotta live it up
Thinking that one has to enjoy all the pleasures of life
I think you've got a funky plan
Believing that the monkey man has a unique way of life
I think you better give it up
Suggesting that the monkey man should abandon their ways
You threw it all away
Referring to the monkey man's wasted potential
Crouched in the corner of your filthy cage
Hiding away in a dirty and cramped space
Lookin' like a rocker just like Jimmy Page
Appearing like a famous rock musician Jimmy Page
Mr. Homo Sapien I do not like the shape you're in
Addressing humankind and expressing dissatisfaction towards their current state
I do not like the things you do
Disliking the actions of humankind
I don't know what to tell you too
Being at a loss of words
You drive around in big cigars
Traveling in large luxury cars
Smokin' on your foreign cars
Consuming recreational drugs in fancy vehicles
You're burnin' dinosaurs for fuel
Using up non-renewable resources as energy sources
You shop in rhino stores for jewels
Purchasing precious objects obtained by illegal means
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: AL SCHNIER, CHUCK GARVEY, ROB DERHAK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind