Static was finished just before our second gig with Jim in the line-up,  and that’s where it made its live debut. For us, there are generally two kinds of songs (aside from the distinction to good and shit music that is), those we first play live and then record, and those we record straight away. Static belongs firmly in the former category, and in fact, it began life as more of a jam track than a fully structured song.

Certain sections of Static were initially included simply as cues for us to signal changes between parts, as the arrangement was still quite loose at the time. I even remember writing the lyrics on my wrists in case I forgot them during the set, as I wasn’t exactly sober that night! That little trick turned into a bit of a tradition for a few years and, combined with this approach, it eventually gave rise to a signature stance I now take at the mic.

Even after all this time, I’m still very happy with how the lyrics turned out. There isn’t a single line I would change. The alliterative rhymes in both bridges still get me every time we perform it.

The title Static is a play on words: it reflects both a resistance to change and the crackling, hissing sounds of a poor telecoms connection as a metaphor for the barriers that can arise between two people trying to communicate.

I’m still very pleased with how the lyrics turned out for this one; as even after all these years, there isn’t a single line I would change. That includes the poetic inversion of ’cause just’, which I used as an intentional break from the expected rhythm to improve the flow and add emphasis, while also hinting at a double meaning of a righteous cause, I have been unsure of at times. On a related note, the alliterative rhyme in both bridges still gets me every time we perform the song!

The title is a play about being resistant to change, and the crackling and hissing noises on a telecoms reception, symbolic of the barriers between two people’s communication.

At later gigs, we started dropping the recorded version’s middle eight in favour of extended solos, spoken-word interludes, or more abstract ad-libbed lyrics. It kept the performance fresh each time, making it a fascinating ride at all times not being sure where it will take us each time, despite Static paradoxically being the most boring song to practise, and the first one to skip during practice sessions.

In terms of the guitar work, I think we were aiming for a sound that blended Post-Punk with Americana. I remember playing a lot of Nick Cave and Madrugada records to Alex, our guitarist at the time, to give him a sense of what I had in mind. The final result was really well received by some respected figures in the industry, with one of our favourite local DJs even describing it as ‘Dionysiac’,  which we couldn’t but take as high praise. Many explained it has a Doors-like quality about it with some even parallelizing that with the End, encouraging me using ‘the killer awoke before dawn […]’ narration in the song from that point onwards.

Peace and love,
Thanos

[Verse]
It feels quite you
When you’re drowned in darkness
Lust overwhelming you

I stand astounded
Feelings’ slackness
Just scanning the next truth

[Hook 1]
You’re craving for my sex
(In) your lost soul’s inner depths
For you’re in your first real false steps
You’ve never died before

[Verse 2]
Do what you do
Just ’cause they see it all wrong
Convinced once more it’s you

Seeing when you wanna see
You need to belong
Right things on time for you

[Hook 2]
So tell me who you are
Before we get that far
Drop your disguise for my surprise
That’s what I’m longing for

[Bridge]
Life on the edge for you
To see beyond the hedge
Please tell me who you are
Not any truth that bends

You always do what you do
Just ’cause they see it wrong
Please babe I’m not that strong
Drop your disguise for my surprise

[Outro]
No intention to hide
So twisted inside
Next strong wind to ride