…So I freaked out.
I was ready to go record a new album, but it was
going to be a long time until the band would be able to get the new songs
down. It was hard enough getting
together for practice, let alone booking studio time. Plus, I started this band as an acoustic
project, and though Wretched. Filthy.
Ugly. Is one of my favorite albums, we had definitely strayed from my
original vision and I wasn’t content with the sound anymore.
Wes had recently joined the band, Travis had joined
and quit, and Kevin wasn’t able to dedicate enough time for the amount of
practice we were trying to fit in.
Members kept changing and the acoustic sound was getting lost. Over the years, I had allowed a cocktail kit,
keyboards, and electric guitar to jump into the mix, but now I was ready for
some quietness.
I wanted to emphasize the lyrics and slow things
down a bit. I wanted to go solo. I booked some studio time without talking to
the band, and I gathered some of my favorite songs to play by myself along with
some new ones I had planned to use for our next “punk” album. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen with
us since I knew Cris liked to play the kit, Wes liked electric guitar, and
Gregg was comfortable on the keys, but I was so tired of how loud everything
had gotten and I missed that acoustic sound.
On December 16th, 2011, I met Anthony
Fanger at his apartment in Fort Wayne.
We listened to music, watched movies, got fucked up, and stayed up most
of the night. After a few hours of
sleep, we got up, got breakfast, and met Geoff Montgomery at his studio. I spent most of the 17th laying
down eleven songs for Harley Poe’s new album Satan, Sex and No Regrets.
Geoff recorded my vocals and guitar simultaneously without a
metronome. If I fucked up a song, we’d
just start over. Toward the end I lost
my voice and settled for some imperfections, but was ultimately very satisfied
with what was happening. I called Gregg
after a bit to come over and throw down some upright and things were beginning
to come together.
After Christmas, the rest of the band joined in and we
spent a day adding the guitjo and upright bass, a day doing some backups and
brushes, and a final day mixing. We
recorded an album over a couple Saturdays on a whim, and I think it’s our best
work. There was a moment that I almost
left the band out, which would have been a huge mistake, but good thing for me
I was forced to my senses and realized Harley Poe doesn’t function correctly
without those assholes. We all channel
the same Spirit. The members that make
up Harley Poe are a body. We live by the
flesh, we are controlled by our sexual nature, and we regret nothing.
So here are the lyrics to the new album. No more guessing and no more emails, please.
STILL
HERE. This song is Harley
Poe’s first real love song. It’s dedicated to the girl of my dreams; the
girl I’ve shared my life with for the last seventeen or so years. When things turn to shit, the end will come
quickly, and it will be short and sweet just like this song.
Plants
are brown sky is red everyone we know is dead
And
I’m happy for them ‘cause we’re still here
You’re
still alive and so am I the world belongs to us now
Except
for those who’ve lost their minds they’re still out there
But
so what? I haven’t seen them in awhile
Don’t
lose hope just give me one more smile
‘Cause
I’m still here
So
now will you do shrooms with me? no one here to judge you as far as I can see
And
the government can’t do shit about it
Pick
your favorite car we’ll take the keys and drive it far
And
then make love in the back seat while we’re still lit
It’ll
be fun you know we’ll have a good time
Until
the Earth chooses not to provide
We
make such a lovely pair with our middle fingers in the air
EVERYBODY
KNOWS MY NAME. I’ve already explained
this song in the Wretched. Filthy. Ugly. post a year or two back.
I’m
the one I am ignored when your teenagers are bored
Foolishness
will hand their careless lives to me
They
don’t fear what they don’t know
Through
their ignorance I glow
As
they flicker from this dream I’ll set them free
Through
cancer and disease I’ll take with me whom I please
No
need to run you can fight and face defeat
Through
religion and deceit and science and conceit
Try
to stop me but in the end I can’t be beat
I’ll
be at it once again you’ll all face me in the end
It
should be fun as I swat you down like flies
So
when it’s time for you to go don’t you cry ‘cause don’t you know
It’s
appointed once for every man to die
But
what happens when you’re dead ain’t my problem but I’ve read
You’ll
burn in Hell for all eternity
Life
wasn’t all that great but please make no mistake
It
gets much worse after you’ve met me
I’m
the reason your sick ones pray to God as they lie there still
I’m
the reason they cry out because I kill through different sources I may use
And
everybody knows my name everybody knows my name
Everybody
plays my game and everybody knows my name
As
I close my eyes to die I will not fear I will not cry
As
I travel down this road I gave my all I took my load
As
I lay my head to rest God you know I did my best
Was
it you or I who turned? Whose fault is it that I must burn?
IMA
KILLER. This song was originally written
for Joshua Hull’s new film Idiot Gore,
but the production has been delayed. The song is about two people that might have once loved each other, but as time
goes by, people change, motives are revealed, new truths are realized. People can be so deceitful, and sometimes the
ones closest to you can be complete strangers.
Olive
green was the color of her pretty eyes
Soft
and warm was the feeling in between her thighs
69
is the number that we used in bed
I
forget how many times that you fucked with my head
God
damn I don’t think I’ll ever understand
God
damn could I ever really be your man?
I
know I never want to be alone
How’d
I ever think that I could call you my own
I
used to think I really knew you well
Who’d-have-thought
you’d go astray? Oh baby
After
years and years of following
Who’d-have-thought
that we’d end this way?
And
I’m a killer everything’s gonna be alright
I’m
a killer everything’s gonna be alright
I’m
gonna kill her if I see her at that party tonight
‘cause
I’m a killer everything’s gonna be alright
94
was the year that you said I do
95
was the year that you said we’re through
96
tears is what I cry cry cry
But
I’ll never ever know why you lie lie lie
I
don’t know what my spirit needs
But
right now I want to watch you bleed
We
both know that you’re no good for me
Que
sera sera whatever will be will be
Used
to think you really knew me well
Who’d-have-thought
I’d go astray
After
years and years of following
Somehow
I knew that we’d end this way
I
love you I need you I want you I cut you up
Please
help me I can’t see but our Father has shown me
Without
you I can’t feel I’m useless but you’re not real
‘Cause
you’re not mine and I’m a killer
FATHER
McKEE. You can thank Cris for this
one. He came up with the title and the
first line back when we were on tour in New York, and I just went with it. I don’t like religion. I don’t care for people
who follow it blindly. I hate
hypocrites. I hope this song upsets
people. It’s supposed to.
Father
McKee touched me in more ways than one
I
learned of sexuality through God’s chosen son
I
sang for him and I prayed with him and I did it on my knees
Father
McKee taught me how to say please
Amazing
grace how sweet the sound
He
used to make me sing that tune as he was going down
I’d
meet him in confession and we’d drink up all the wine
Me
and father McKee we had a good time
Father
McKee said that we were free
He
keeps me safe from the enemy
Father
McKee laid his hands on me
He
helped me to see the Devil lives inside of me
Father
McKee doesn’t love me as much as I hate him
I
found out just the other day that he’s been touching Tim
An
orphan and a choir boy he’s got one up on me
As
I lay them down I pray God forgive thee
Father
McKee I know not what I do
But
it was you who made those videos
Atheists
and pagans hear my plea
I’ll
be set free to manifest the beast in me
TRANSVESTITES
CAN BE CANNIBALS TOO. This song first
appeared on Harley Poe’s debut album “In the Dark.” It’s one of my favorites, so I’ve included a
stripped down version on the new record.
Besides, our first album is out of print. I consider myself different from most
people. It’s hard to find others that
share in my enthusiasm for the garbage in which I revel. It’s not a big surprise that I get made fun
of a lot by others. But I like being
different, I like walking alone, and I like feasting on the sheep who’d feel
much safer if I were just like them.
 |
| Original illustration from In the Dark by Joe Whiteford |
I
hate the way that I look in my own clothes
So
I wear my wife’s when I go to the town
You
think it’s gross when I’m wearing her pantyhose
You
call me sick and you call me a clown
I
think I may I think I might have human tonight
Don’t
come to me ‘cause I’m coming to you
I
think I may I think I might have you for a bite
I’m
gonna cook me up some he-man stew
‘Cause
transvestites can be cannibals too
And
I’ll feel better after I eat you
‘Cause
I hate people when they’re not polite
If
you end up on my table then it serves you right
And
when I was young I wore my sister’s clothes
I
liked to paint my nails and I had secrets no one knows
But
now that I’m grown up I cook dinner for my wife
I
still carry my secrets along with a butcher’s knife
I
hate the popular people ‘cause I ain’t popular
I’ll
eat these words tomorrow ‘cause I’m bipolar
It’s
okay to be different unless you’re all by yourself
You
think you’re so fucking special but you’re just like everyone else
I
just don’t understand the reason why I sin
Why
can’t I be a bigger man and walk away when
You
tear me down and make me feel like I’m worth nothing?
But
then again I’m sure that you deserve what you’ll be getting
So
you don’t like being tied up well I don’t like being me
You’re
so shallow-minded you think I’m only what you see
Take
me out of the herd and put me on display in front of your friends
Not
knowing that this mistake could lead to your miserable end
‘Cause
I’m rude I’m ugly I’m everything you hate
And
I’m here tonight to put you on my plate
I
don’t care for your opinion I don’t want your point of view
Tonight
I’ll have a feast with compliments to you
THE
HEARSE SONG. This isn’t my song and
there are many different versions and lyrics to it. It is also called “Worms” and it’s an old
Halloween song that I heard as a kid. My
version is just a combination of some of the different lyrics I’ve found for it
over the internet and in books. Look it
up.
TAXIDERMY GIRL. Someone once said to me, “For a guy who’s
only been in one serious relationship, you sure write a lot of songs about
heartache and breakin’ up.” Well this is another one of those songs. The relationship I share with my wife is pure
bliss, so it’s easy for me to imagine how shitty life would be without
her. It would be such a shock to ever
find out that it’s all just a lie. If I
lost her to someone else I don’t think anyone in this world would be able to
fill the void.
You
were young you were bright you were a star in the night you were gorgeous
How
it turned me on as you danced on our lawn in your wedding dress
Then
one day out of the blue you said baby we’re through I don’t love you
You
said I found someone new who does all of those things you can’t do
Well
you left with your things in his car you went far but I found you
I burst through the door as you were playing
his whore oh how could you?
And
I held up my knife and screamed you stole my wife now you’ll pay
You
cried as I slashed him and I yelled shut up and hear what I say
This
is what I said: you are my wife and I am your husband
God
brought us together but I’m fixing to take you apart
I’ll
pack you with sawdust and dress you up in pretty things
Without
you as my wife I’ve no reason for life but I’ve still got my art
I’ve
got my art
I
tied you to a chair ‘cause life just ain't fair but what can you do
You
broke my heart so I’ll tear him apart and soon I’ll kill you too
Unless
you repent of your sin and come back home to your husband where you belong
I’m
gonna tear out your eyes and your insides as I sing this song
THAT
TIME OF THE MONTH. These lyrics are also
explained in an earlier post.
The
moon tonight it shines so bright reflects off your teeth as you snarl and bite
Your
breasts grow hair you know I don’t care you’re still my gal but I would not
dare
Upset
you now there’s sweat on my brow I swallow my pride as you start to growl
That
time again because of your sin you’re on the rag and the killings begin
Up
and down the streets of town I look for a wolf but she can’t be found
Oh
girl is it wrong when you’re in that thong
When
I know that you won’t be a girl for long
You
slut you tease you dancing sleaze I’m on my knees and I’m begging you please
Come
home before you change for the worse
It
runs in your family girl you got the curse
You’re
emotional to say the least but you make a lovely beast
It’s
not your fault that you’re a bitch not like a vampire or a witch
You’re
on all fours it turns me on but I think that I should run
You’re
ravenous it’s your time of the month
Sometimes
I wish that you were dead
Despite
the way you move and how you play with my head
And
God has left you empty and the mark is on your hand
A
silver bullet in your heart I hope you understand
There’s
blood all over your face and there’s hair all over the place
And
there’s hair all over your face and there’s blood all over the place
I
AM THE LIVING DEAD. This song was
written for the soundtrack of a zombie film supposedly being shot here in
Kokomo. It’s simply about living in this
city, growing up, and doing your best not to become like the other sad souls
that are trapped here. Many people think
this town is a dead end, so they leave just to find another dead end in a
bigger city. But it’s not Kokomo that is
dead—it’s the people that choose to stop living. If more people with ambition and a sense of
adventure would stick around long enough to make things exciting, then this
town wouldn’t seem so sad. Instead it’s
left here with those who are brain dead and would rather exist only to consume. But one doesn’t need to live in Kokomo to
become the living dead. I do my best to
stay alive no matter what city I’m in.
Wake
up look around everybody’s dead living in this town
But
we’re bright and young and we don’t care
‘Cause
we know that we’re gonna get out of here
It’s
their fate their luck it’s where they belong
They
drag themselves around with the same old song
Who’d-have-thought they’d get a bite out of me
Fuckin’
up the cards and my destiny
I
always thought I was different from the bunch
Now
all I can think about is eating you for lunch
I
am the living dead a single thought floating in my head
I
got a hunger growing deep inside it’s alive it’s alive
Now
I know it could be worse but is a zomibied humanity really a curse?
No
fear I’m already dead never have to worry about who’s in my bed
Or
friends a job it’s all obsolete the only thing that matters is what I will eat
Blood
brains the Holy Grail I got my eye and it’s focused and I’m not gonna fail
I
always thought I was special but I’m not
I’m
nothing but another piece of meat making up the lot
There
was a time I was alive but now gone are the good old days
I
had my dreams but so it seems that living was just a faze
VAMPIRE’S
NIGHT OUT. There are a lot of users in
this world, but that’s okay, because some people really like being used. Sometimes I think we’re each destined to be
one or the other.
 |
| Original illustration from In the Dark by Joe Whiteford
|
Went
to a bar I saw you sitting there pretty as sin and your skin so dang fair
You
offered me a drink I said “no, but that’s sweet”
You
didn’t have a clue I saw you as meat
Talked
for awhile you started to smoke a cigarette
You
said you wanted to party I said “I bet”
College
girl like you with nothing to do
Let’s
go back to my place and I’ll show you a thing or two
Went
back to my apartment started to mess around
But
when I showed her my fangs she showed me a frown
I
said I don’t want you I want your blood
Nothing
personal but you got to do what you got to do
To
make it in a world that doesn’t even care about you
You
were in the wrong bar during the wrong night
These
are the cards you were dealt so why fight?
I
wish it could be a better way but we really weren’t given the choice
You
see I’m at the top of the food chain baby and in my world you don’t have a
voice
I
shouldn’t complain you shouldn’t complain
In
a world where death is so much gain
OUIJA.
Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if I’d made different choices; taken
a different road. Though I treasure the
life I’ve been given, what if…? Life is
all about making choices and then living with those decisions. I do my best to accept the consequences of my
actions while I’m alive, but who knows—there might be hell to pay when I die.
Gonna
play a show at a house tonight
Gonna
turn up the tunes gonna turn down the lights
Kids
lookin’ ripe and lookin’ good
Who’s
to say I wouldn’t only if I could?
I
feel I missed my road when I said no
But
you can’t have it all that’s how things go
So
I’ll just play my guitar and when I’m through
I’ll
sit all by myself thinking of you
After
awhile getting high in the bathroom gets old
Drinking
too much well it’s making my face look oh so old
Now
let’s do something different now that we’re all here
Nothing
wrong with dancing and drinking beer
But
I’m without my Lord so I brought my board
Place
your hands on the Ouija in one accord
Friend
are you near? Friend can you hear?
Enter
our lives you have nothing to fear
How
did you die? Possess me and cry
Do
as you will but don’t you lie
Can’t
you see can’t you see can’t you see I’m in pain?
Give
me some truth to the other side
At
least tell me your name
Do
what you want
If
you were evil then do evil (then I’ll do evil)
If
you were good did you regret it?
Were
you successful? Were you clever?
When
you wanted it did you get it?
Well
here’s your chance do it again
Do
it through me but it’s still your sin
I
want to taste it no consequences
We’ll
give each other our second chances
Who’s
to say I won’t ‘cause I know I could?
