VICIOUS CIRCLE
Liner Notes/Lyrics to Split LP w/ Perdition
VICIOUS CIRCLE formed in late February '84 and performed our first gig just two weeks later. The members of the band are: Paul - vocals (17), Russel - drums (19), Les - guitar (19), and Alby - bass (21). We've never had any lineup changes apart from the experimental stages when me and Less were just getting things together. In the 10 months we've been together we've performed around 40 gigs including three trips to Adelaide, once to Sydney and a few in the country. We've had two songs on a local compilation LP called "Eat Your Head", a track on the "International Peace Compilation", and soon a split LP with Perdition to be released in the U.S.A. We record an album in February and hope to be in the States in August with Upright Citizens. We've also appeared on a number of tapes around the world and have a 9 song tape called "Foolish Ideas" released in New Zealand.
The city we're from is Melbourne, which generally has more to offer than other Australian cities as far as constructive bands and people. We don't have much difficulty finding gigs and I find that people here are starting to get together more and have a good time with a good feeling at gigs. There somethimes is trouble (that's expected anywhere though) but not really much at all. There are a few people that complain about the way things are but they don't seem to get off their ass and do something alternative instead of just complaining. Things are going well for our band, so naturally enough we think things are real good at the moment. The standard of bands in this city is outstanding, I think, bands such as Permanent Damage, Civil Dissident, Depression, Perdition (nto from Melbourne, but they play here as often as in their hometown - Adelaide) and Murder Murder Suicide can match any bands in the world. Then there's bands who aren't so great musically but are developing and have a feeling about themselves, such as: The Tribe, Death Sentence and a few others who I enjoy watching as much as the established bands. The number of people at gigs can vary depending on where the gig is (we play some small places), generally we get anything from 150 to 400 people.
We realize that there were other Vicious Circles around though we didn't when we named ourselves that. I don't think we could ever change our name so we've grown with it and achieved a fair bit with that name, there's a lot of bands around with the same name but generally people know which one you're referring to. The Tribe wronte a song which they were gonna call Vicious Circle but named it Nasty Triangle instead coz of us. I can't see us changing our name to that tough! The name is important to us as we live life as a Vicious Circle, people are always struggling in many ways. People are struggling to survive in a lot of ways, there's people starving, people going through emotional hassles, people suffering form greed, people trying to cope with a drug addiction and of course the whole planet is under threat of a nuclear war. People just have hassle after hassle, where does the vicious circle start and where does it end?
We just came out with the sound which naturally comes from the 4 (now 5) people in our band joining together and making music. A tuneful thrash I'd say. It's funny when people try and compare us to other bands, we've been compared to everything from MDC to Discharge. I suppose we've been compared to MDC more than anyone else and it was quite amazing when a guy down here form San Francisco told us that Paul reminds him a hell of a lot like Dave MDC in his onstage movements, we've never seen MDC. We listen to a hell of a lot of stuff and I suppose some of that ocmes thru into our music but we don't purposely try to copy anyone. I'll give you an idea of what each of us listens to at the moment: Paul - MIA, Die Kreuzen, Scream, COC, Suicidal. Les - The Freeze, Husker Du, Subhumans. Russell - Rutte, Anti-Cimex, Terveet Kadet, Poison Idea, Gang Green, Wretched, Slayer, etc. Alby - Riistetyt, DOA, Toxic Reasons, Social Distortion, Asta Kask, the Fits, Clash, Alarm, etc. In Melbourne there are a lot of people into American bands, they are also open to European bands but the records aren't easy to get. Other parts of Australia are more into English stuff and surprisingly haven't bothered to hear much American stuff.
We all have a hand in writing the songs, if someone has an idea they bring it up at practice and we work on it, whether it be music or lyrics. Basically what we're trying to get across in our lyrics is common sense, if people used more common sense and thought about things that are going on and did something towards satisfying their own piece of mind, the world wouldn't be in the mess it's in at the moment. We sing about what we think are important issues and try to bring some awareness across, I don't think we could do any joke songs, the only song we do for fun is a cover of Terveet Kadet's "Outo Maa", the rest are all meaningful songs (which we find fun in playing). Here's the lyrics to some of our songs:
We're trying to get across some good music with decent lyrics. I wouldn't label us a political band but we are politically aware and cover political topics, ahat's because we feel strongly about certain aspects of politics and we give our opinion on that so people can think about it for themselves. I'd always support something like the "International Peace Compilation" coz it's incredibly informative and give exposure to a lot of great bands who really do give a fuck about what's going on and are willing to join gotether and do something about having a future where we can live as equals. It might not do a great deal towards obtaining world peace but at least it's a start and might even make some rednecks open their minds towards the stupidity of violence.
SUPPLIED-DEMISE
Calculating games of supremacy
Modest smiles as you plan your strategy
Methods that deceive and disguise the truth
Tactics of deception hiding the proof
Face the facts look at their lies
Corrupt politicians supplied demise
Such determination for pathetic needs
Killing for authority
Killing for money
Tyrany and greed
Policies on which you feed
The justice system is filled with cracks
Economic stability built of our backs
Simplistic smiles all the while
As names are recorded and put in file
Dining over death done in style
From an office chair on telephone dial
Such determination for pathetic needs
Killing to maintain
Killing no remorse
Hatred and force
Policies on which you feed
Our pockets are lined at your expense
Complete capitalisation is what we represent
We'll fill you full of artificial peace
Distort your vision
So our corruption may increase
Our play is that of selfish greed
Establish authority then do as we please
Such determination for pathetic needs
Supplied demise, supplied demise
Will you ever realise
You can't live off greed
Does it give you a satisfaction
That people die for your needs
COCONUT SONG
Will it ever change
Or have we gone too far?
We alter the destiny of freedom
You're born into this world
But do you think you're free?
We're taught to live by rules
"Respect authority"
The many uniforms
That don't stand for justice and freedom
You can buy your freedom
If the price is right
This so-called democracy
Doesn't always work out right
As long as we have money
We'll always have freed, yes greed
Life bought and sold
Is just something we don't need
Have you ever bought something
You really don't need?
We elect the people
That determine needs
Cutting the vein of freedom
Can we bare the scars, the scars
Living in a world of rapid change
A world where people fear for their lives
We began with a wheel
And ended up with a missile
That could end the world at any moment
First there was a seed
From that seed came life
From that life came thought
From that thought we changed our lives
The process is slow
It changes everyday
A planet of complication
Where lives are washed away
This world we live in
It holds much beauty
It's just the people who exist in it
That could end it one day
Thoughts of today's profits
Money spent to buy death's way
Lives begin to fray
All our lives are on the line
If we really want a better world
We could make it better today
That's if we stopped killing each other
And looked for another way
We'd have to forget about power
And look for a better way
We're all in danger
Of losing so much
Why can't we stop this madness
Before long we'll be too far out of touch
DWELLING ON THOUGHTS
Why live your life in a shadow of doubt
Dwelling on thoughts you should forget
Living in the past can bring back pain
Nothing lasts forever, we're bound to change
Surpassing your feelings
Confused thoughts
I tell myself it's nothing
But, I'm hiding from myself
Hiding from myself
Using a shell to disguise the pain
Looking for an answer
As it stares you in the face
I look into your eyes
And it's plain to see
Caught between myself and what's to be
Hiding form what you see to escape reality
Divisions between feelings
When we have "So much to give"
"So much to give"
They'll insult your intelligence
Because your head's screwed on right
Could never see the point
In hate out of spite
Feel the pain as it grows inside
They've got the power to twist our lives
Domination, government control a stem of injustice
The prices we pay for their mistakes
They call it justice!
What kind of justice?
From the seed of despair
To the roots of destruction
Poeple in molds with set functions
Encouraging ignoracne brainwashed from birth
What do you want from life "Peace"
Or power to hold "Life in your hands"
"Life in your hands"
How can you dwell on hate
One day you'll see your own face
You're closing your mind completely
You think that you know it all
It's all part of the ignorance
That eats away at you
Can't you realize
You're just playing the fool
Are people laughing at you "Or with you"
"Or with you"
DISTANT CRY
Using knowledge as an instrument of fear
People being trained like machines
You think about freedom
While you're denied your rights
Reality, more than a distant cry
Business profits rose
As someone died of starvation today
I hope Einstein's nightmare
Is never unleased in this way
Blank face, no expression
Emotions dwindle, set me free
Oppressed people cry for freedom
While you strip life of dignity
Taking what you can, life as a fee
Political dictators incarcerate the poor
The rich are justified by their status of wealth
While the poor remain in the indignant hold
Have you ever come to the conclusion
The truth's been hidden and not told
Underdeveloped countries in the third world
Countries where famine is so formal
People starve and die of disease everyday
Why should life be destined to end this way?
Meanwhile the heads at the top
Rejoice over power
As lives are lost
And the death toll becomes higher
Mass manipulation
Controlling so many lives
Deception, they'll twist all logic
Distant, distant cries
Imagine not knowing what it is to be free?
Poeple caught in a constant struggle
Just trying to live their lives
We're placed into grid patterns
To fulfill their thoughtless needs
Obedience for the masses
Will you ever question why? No!
You'll live your life for someone else
Until your final cry
You're living in a world full of weird hidden lies
Have you ever stopped to think
It could be on the brink
Our next mistake could be our last
The final great irony, the big blast
Yes the big blast . . .
There will be no time to count your profits
Or recall the past
The curtain slowly drops
As the clock stops
And time won't stand still
Mass manipulation
Controlling so many minds
Deception, they'll twist all logic
Distant, distant cries . . .
VICIOUS CIRCLE
Circle of the doomed, they lay in a line
The line is straightforward, no time to change your mind
Created by society, a society ruled by fools
So much pain and anger, created by these fools
Why breed such hatred?
It doesn't accomplish anything
It just helps turn the cog
That keeps the vicious circle turning
PERSONALITY CRISIS
Sometimes I'm wondering, I want to find myself
I'm feeling so confused, looking for a way out . . .
Personality, personality crisis (2x)
It's like solving a puzzle or getting caught in a maze
I look in a mirror, I'm in a blind haze
Personaliity, personality crisis (2x)
In a state of confusion, you gotta sort yourself out
Find! Search! For the solution
And work your problems out! Let's work your problems out
TRAPPED (IN THE LIGHT)
What's my name? Where am I?
What's this place I'm in and why?
Trapped in a place, can't see the light
The walls are soft, and everything's white
Trapped, trapped, nowhere to run (4x)
Nowhere to hide (4x)
I feel I'm trapped, trapped in my brain
My brain's the cage, and I'm condemned within!!
CLAWS OF DEATH
You've been used and you don't know
Innocent and willing, their satisfaction grows
Cause you're young and they want what they see
So they'll use you
I need to be free, you need to be free
Se what's become of you, life has dragged you down
Set on a one way track, and it's going straight down
Uncertain of your future, you must realize one thing
The future's coming closer
And the claws of death are ripping at your skin!
CORPORATE DEATH SCEME
Spending billions of making bombs
Heads of government don't think it's wrong
Profit and guns are all they want
Do you think they care what we want?
Unemployment increase, more tension
The lust for power drives them on
Can't they see what they're doing
Death and destruction, it's so wrong
We want to take things as far as they will go, the more people we can get our music and ideas across to, the better. If you wanna get a message across then surely you'd be better off selling thousands of records like the Dead Kennedys for instance, rather than selling a few hundred and trying not to "sell out". We can only do so much here in Australia coz the music scene is so small and limiting, as far as underground music goes, that you reach a certain point then you aren't achieving anything constructive and just become stale. We want the world to hear our music, but we ain't ever gonna loose our values no matter what we achieve. We got on well with the audience coz they're our friends and we're a part of them which we won't loose sight of. At the moment the main goal is getting to the USA and seeing how that goes before planning our next move. I'd love to get to the stage of being able to tour Europe, it's a pitty we live so far from the rest of the music world. We're keeping busy right up till the tour with the recording of our album and more touring in Australia (we're already planning another trip to Adelaide and Sydney.
My Parents don't understand what it's all about, they think I'm gonna become a drug addict or something coz of the state of some of the people I hang around with. They get angry when I bring too many weird-looking people around. Paul's mum thinks it's ok coz it keeps us off the streets and she says Paul has become a more considerate person since joining the band. Pussell's mum is happy that he is doing something constructive with this band and that he hangs around with decent people. Russell comes from Perth which is right over the other side of Australia and his mum was pretty worried about him, but when she hears that we're going on tour, playing lots of gigs, and recording, she is real proud of him. Les' parents are fairly young and they've been through various youth cults, so they understand a bit more and don't really worry about it too much. Here in Melbourne we don't get too many hassles from people but you can run into yobbos now and then who think it's tough to hassle people who are different. I've noticed that in Adelaide and Sydney you have to be careful where you go. In Sydney we get yelled at by people in cars everythime we went for a walk and they always yelled the same thing: "Punk sucks". Most people probably think the media protrayal of punks being violent and mindless is true, but there are some who open their minds such as the owner of a pub called "the Napier", where we've been playing regularly, who really likes punks and recons we're better than the people who normally go into the pub. I like explaining to people what we're about if they give me the chance.
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