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Half Alive in Hollywood

by Mike Keneally & Beer for Dolphins

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1.
Dog #1: Woof! Dog #2: Bark bark bark bark bark bark! Dog #2: Woof! Mike: Test, test, one two. Test, test. One, two, three, four… (Band plays “Career/Quimby”. Toss commits error on the ending.) Mike: Oops. Toss: (unintelligible) Mike: Try that line, one, two, three, four… (Band practices line.) Toss: One more time? Mike: Sure. One, two, three, four… (Band practices line.) Mike: One more. Three, four… (Band practices line.) Bryan: One more time? Mike: Sure. (laughing) One, two, three, four… (Band practices line.) Toss: (laughing) Huh, huh. Mike: (to engineer) We won’t be doing that much, but it was short enough into it, and that was a horrible enough mistake, that… Toss: Yeah. Mike: (laughs)
2.
Mike: (to engineer) OK, Bryan, Bryan is experimenting, give us about thirty seconds to just play. (A short improvisation ensues.) Mike: (to Bryan) You gonna play with it open? Bryan: I’m in the head… Mike: …we go. We up? One, two, three, four…
3.
(instrumental)
4.
I Can't Stop 06:11
I CAN’T STOP (the “Mike can’t remember the words” version) Crazy men do crazy things. “gimme all you got tonight” the radio sings…(click) I would drive a million miles today, still get rejected, but I wanna play — I see the world where people do what they meant to (HA) Look at that, over there, (mumble mumble) got a care, can’t help thinking that it isn’t fair – ah, Hope to God I don’t become like him, Will I remember how I felt when I wrote this, Or am I singing this with my brain off? (Answer to question just posed: Yes, you are, dipshit) Call a cop. I can’t stop. I might drop drop drop. I can’t stop. I’m the pawn. I’m the toy. In this world o’men I’m the little boy Sooner or later there will come a time Ehhll I can raise my head above the slime I’ll take a deep long breath and NIN like a moron, wah Look at that, over there, He hasn’t got a care, Can’t help thinking that it isn’t fair. Hope to God I don’t become like him, Will I remember how I felt when I wrote this, Or am I singing this with my brain off? (Answer: still yes.) Call a cop. I can’t stop. I might drop drop drop. I can’t stop. (A lengthy solo ensues.) Call a cop. I can’t stop. I might drop drop drop. I can’t stop. (A nice little improv section here. I like the way it resolves just before the vocal comes back in.) Faces lie, handshakes hurt. Telephone just makes you feel like dirt. Thing they great you think you got the knack Oo in a conference can we call you back FROM NOW ON I RESOLVE TO AVOID HUMILIATION (right) Look at that, over there, He hasn’t got a care, I can’t help thinking that it isn’t fair. (Sung with genuine anguish at my own inability to remember the words): I CLIMB ABOARD A BIG JET PLANE TAKE A TRIP RIGHT TO HIS HOME AND WHILE HE’S SLEEPING PAINT THIS ON HIS BEDROOM WALL IN PIG BLOOD Call a cop. I can’t stop. I might drop drop drop. I can’t stop. Call a cop. I can’t stop. I might drop. I can’t stop.
5.
Open Up! 05:28
Open up Why don’t you open up, open up? Open up Why don’t you open up, open up? Oh, you’re so guarded. Nearly departed. You live in the wrong side of your heart. These days go on forever Night’s the same as day How can we make contact If you never got nothing to say? Open up Why don’t you open up, open up-ppp-puh? Open up Why don’t you open up, open up? You got big changes in your life. You live in the wrong side of your heart. I drove to the circus, and what did I see? I can’t tell if you’re dead or alive. Just a wink or a gesture to guide. Oh you’re so childish. Don’t get much mileage. Open up Why don’t you open up, open up? Open up Why don’t you open up, open up? Address the changes in your life. Adjust to the warm side of your heart. Oh, you’re so gua-wah-wah-uh-harded. Nearly departed. Open up Why don’t you open up, open up, open up, open up? Open up Why don’t you open up, open up. (Improv.) Why can’t you show some interest in you?
6.
My Dilemma 05:59
Oh, what are you thinking about today? That little reward again. If I’m your friend, do you want to play? Will you just get bored again? This is my dilemma, this is my concern. Sometimes I don’t know which way you will turn. This is my dilemma, this is… …not my idea of a bitchin’ time. My head hang low with woe. I see no reason, I see no rhyme. Why don’t you and I just go and This is my dilemma, this is my concern. Forever let us hold our banner high, high, high. This is my dilemma, this is… (And now, a guitar solo.) Oh, what are you thinking about today? That little reward again. If I’m your friend, do you want to play? Will you just get bored again? This is my dilemma, this is my concern. Sometimes I don’t know which way you will turn. This is my dilemma, this is my dilemma, this is my concern. How can ah convince you we will not burn? This is my dilemma, this is, aha. (And then, a bass solo.) (And finally, a drum solo.)
7.
(instrumental)
8.
False world, fucked world. Eyes of an enemy. Ran down to Uglytown and nabbed myself some nothing, Grabbed up all the nothing I could find. Treasure it (way), it’s all I got, I’ll share it with the fucking world. Let’s dance in the sunlight, oh. Blind life, unkind life. Darkened like-a brushfire hills. Those flames of frustration and pain, where did everyone go? Fifteen years ago I looked at the stars, and the bastards spoke to me: “You are as useful as a urinal in a convent” And I thought, is it that bad? Food for thought, now I’m sa-ah-ah-ah (toying with the noise gate afflicting vocal in headphone mix) (A lengthy attempt to channel the world’s despair via guitar) One, two, three, four… Let’s you and me get useless drunk and spend all of our money. There’s so much to buy, barrels of apples of my eye Piling up all around, so, whoa… Let’s go down to Uglytown And get fucked up together Mike (with last drop of energy): Five minute break, please. Toss: Heh, heh. Wild. Shit breakin’ everywhere. Bryan: Heh, heh, heh. Toss: Great.
9.
(Band is testing gear after a break.) Toss: Bryan, play something. (He does.) Bryan: Good? Mike: Yeah. Ready? Bryan: (cough) Wait a minute… (cough, cough) Mike: Hold on. Bryan Beller’s coughin’ = “Bryan Beller’s Cough-In”. Bryan Beller’s coffin? (Soon he’s gonna die.) Bryan: (justifiably disgruntled) “Soon I’m gonna DIE?” Mike: Yeah. (laughs) Toss: (laughs) Bryan: Yeah, well, let’s start then. Ready? Mike: (still laughing) Toss: One, two, three, four…
10.
Skunk 02:51
Bleak image that cause you pain. This palace is Skunk’s domain. His spirit’s an open sore. His whimsy results in war. Maybe it’s a battered childhood Maybe he could never smile good Sympathy, he never mastered. Maybe he’s a rotten bastard. But he ran his fingers down my spine. Tried to make his madness mine. Took me to a distant hillside, Tried to make my spirit cyanide. Tried to screw my heart and soul then. Took a step back and told him: “No, you won’t be killing my love for life”. He smile a wicked, his tooth a knife. He said he wouldn’t let me leave him. I said I would be glad to grieve him. He said I do what he shall will me. I said you’re gonna have to kill me. He said it isn’t wise to spurn him. I said I would be glad to burn him. He said he making my life his life. Took myself out a buckknife And I put a cut in his big red eye Boodehguddadiguddagiddefduuuu fly-hi I hear him screaming and how he cried He flying bleeding he by my side flyin’ to the sun and higher Bursting in a ball of fire Falling to the earth and water In the arms of Neptune’s daughter Blind and nearly dead I felt her Offering me food and shelter Quiet as a naked schoolmouse Found me an abandoned farmhouse Then she said to me you must come and hide I am here for you, come inside We remaining for seven days Free from enemy’s poison gaze A-wakin’ up from our sleeping We thought we heard a tiny weeping We took a peek out of the window Suddenly a massive wind blow And the whole place is torn to shreds Skunk laughing with one eye dead He tried to reach and grab my love That I won’t hear of I grabbed the sucker by his collar Said I’m gonna make you holler Tore his every leg and arm off Threw his noggin in the barn trough Made a stew from his intestine Safe to say I fully messed him Then there was a change in weather Sucker pulled himself together, well Thank God my lady had run away Skunk kill me with one foul spray Bleak image that cause you pain This palace is Skunk’s domain (Band plays “I’m Glad There’s Lemon-Freshened Thorax In You”)
11.
Mike: What were we gonna do next? Uhh…oh, “Dolphins”. Bryan: Let’s do “Dolphins”. Mike: And “Miracles”. Bryan: And let’s get it right, since this is the…this is gonna be the really first time we do it on good tape. Mike: Right, exactly. (two guitar chords) Wanna rehearse it once before we record? (to Engineer): We’re gonna rehearse something before we, before we tape it. It’s only, like, a minute long. (Bryan practices “Dolphins” bass line.) Mike: Buh…you wanna try the, the stupid fast version? Toss: Why not? Mike: Buh doon doon doon gadingg, OK. Toss: Stupid fast? Mike: Doodle a didden didden diddle it, Ba Da Ba Down Ba Dogga Deh Down, one, two. OK? A-one, two, three, four… (The first “Dolphins” attempt is made. Beller commits a strong wrong and bangs his bass to commemorate the fact.) Mike: Ha, ha, ha. (Toss keeps playing.) Bryan: I’m gonna have to… Mike: Eh heh, you’re playing solo, Toss. Bryan: Sorry, I’m gonna have to stand next to my amplifier. Mike: That’s fine. Ready? A-one, two, three, four… (Band plays “Dolphins” successfully.) Mike: Shall we? Rooster: Cock-a-doodle-doo! Toss: Did you get that on tape? (laugh) You did? Mike (unaware): No. Bryan: That wasn’t on tape? Mike: No! That was an…uh… Bryan: That was fuckin’… Mike: That was a practice, I told you that was practice. Bryan: I knew we were gonna get it right! Mike: (laughs) Toss: Yeah. Mike: That wasn’t perfect. Toss: No, it wasn’t. (Bryan practices end lick.) Mike: Let’s look, duh..I think the tape is rolling now, by the way. (laughs) Bryan: What? Mike: I think the tape is rolling now, by the way. (laughs) Bryan: Oh. (plays blues outro lick) Mike: Ready? OK. I’m very conservative with the tape.
12.
Mike: A-one, two, three… (Another attempt is made. Bryan fucks up again.) Bryan: That was… Mike: Do it again, one, two, three… (They make it all the way through.)
13.
(instrumental)
14.
1988 In Hell 04:01
One, two, three, four… (The song is played, sort of.) Mike: Magic. Bryan: Ho, ho, ho, yeah. Mike: (laughs) Bryan: (coughs)
15.
Mike: Two, three, four… And when the ground goes cinder, the buildings— Mike: Bryan Beller. One, two, three, four… And when the ground goes cinder, the buildings tumble in And you’d rather go to Sweden ‘cuz the clouds are nice and the Weather’s really pleasin’ and they have good rice You can jump all you want but ownership of the planet soon reverts to the cow… Mike: Try it again. Ha, ha…the triplet—the triplet at the end of that thing’s slower. “Verts to the cow.” (Band practices line in question.) Mike (to engineer): Ready when you are, MAN. (Assorted sounds. Toss plays a Wackerman-esque drum lick.) Mike: We c—we cool? (chuckling) Raddley dat… Little slower. One, two, three, four… And when the ground goes cinder, the buildings tumble in And you’d rather go to Sweden ‘cuz the clouds are nice and the Weather’s really pleasin’ and they have good rice You can jump all you want but ownership of the planet soon reverts to the cow… (Bryan falls out of rank during the last line, attempts to rejoin, fails.) The statel—(vocal collapses in giggles) Bryan: I had it right the other time, goddammit… Mike: Bryan, Bryan… (Bryan and Toss have a real-time xenochronous moment which greatly amuses Mike.) Mike: Ha, ha…just do that rhythm in that part…heh…play that rhythm but do the accents with your feet. Toss: Ha. OK. Mike: OK.
16.
Mike: A-one, two, three, four… And when the ground goes cinder the buildings tumble in And you’d rather go to Sweden ’cause the clouds are nice and the Weather’s really pleasin’ and they have good rice You can jump all you want but ownership of the planet soon reverts to the cow YAYY!!!!! The stately cow Time to sweat or fret is NOW It’s so heav’, it’s inev’, the day of the…cow When Bossy stands unbridled, proud, amidst the ruins’ midst Finally ticks off “humans” from the “Bad to Bossy” list You can jump all you want but it’s the day of the cow I speak to you as a man who has eaten more meat Than you can shake an androgenous country-slash-torch vocalist at I accept my fiery fate One less day of living per bargain burger pla-ee-ee-eete Top of the food chain (for now) But soon to fall to ashes at the hoof of the vengeful cow Studies indicat-t-t-t-t-te The grau may have wrath but edoo not oper…ate In the realm of the sophisticate And has she the capacity To distinguish ‘twixt broth-dribbler me And the vegan in booth three? Time to leave your ivory tow’ Watch it Tex, it’s inex’, the day of the cow Wrlehh spite one’s best intentions we might all burn equally Doh doh not PC it’s hah be ah be tah be dom You can robbily da naan it’s the day of the cow
17.
Snowcow 03:07
(instrumental)
18.
(instrumental)
19.
So hush little chicken, go grab your bear Fall deep into sleepy and dream of hair And of prime cut steaks running blood red rare, yeah You can beg to the Lord to silence the screams You can close your eyes to the blood that streams You can ask the Coen Brothers to the direct your dreams But I know one thing, and that’s the Earth’s foundation will shake. Every bone in every body you ever loved is gonna break. Ain’t it a shame? I know you can’t believe it but it’s “bye bye” The night draws nigh. You can try to kid yourself that this isn’t happening, it’s entirely too outlandish but what can I say? It’s time. It’s the end of the world as you know it and you don’t feel fine. Sit back, and wait, and take it as well as you can, take it as well as you know how. It’s not like other options are open to you now. It’s the day of the cow. Mike: THANK YOU VERY MUCH GOOD NIGHT. Ha, ha. Ah ha ha ha ha. Heh, heh. Bryan: Finally! Mike: Eh. You got that right? Bryan: That was really, really cool. Mike: OK, heh, heh. Bryan: I really dug that. Mike: OK, good. Heh, heh. Bryan: I’m just starting to fucking wake up now, goddammit. Mike: Ah ha ha ha, let’s go back and do it all again then.
20.
(Band plays.) Mike (to Toss): OK, now, go…what was that fake Latin rhyth—rhythm you were doing? Toss: Fake Latin? Mike: Yeah, during… (Toss plays rhythm, Mike and Bryan play along.) Mike (to Bryan): Do something in the hole. (Bryan searches.) Rooster: Cock-a-doodle-doo! Mike: Something rhythmic. (Bryan searches some more.) Mike: But leave the hole for “burr nit”. Bomp, bomp… (Bryan miraculously performs a unison bass line with Mike’s “bomp bomp” and continues in that vein.) Mike: Yeah. (To Toss:) In that section, go the rock thing. Toss: Ha ha. Mike: Three, four…
21.
Mike: Switch… Switch… Switch… Improvise. Latin! Keep going. (Toss switches instead.) Mike: Latin. (Toss reverts to Latin in the nick of time.) Mike: (laughing) Switch. Play in 7/16. Stop. OK. Toss: Ha, ha! Bryan: What’s it called, Mike? Mike: Uh, that’s called, uh…”The Unhappy Monologist.” Dedicated to Spal…
22.
It would be my pleasure to dive into the ocean Find the buried treasure, present it all to you. Sing away the pain, the chaos and the strain No love by any measure could exceed my love for you. Wash me clean and make me whole when I get wrecked. Kiss my mouth and eyes. I beg you to protect. Give me the desired effect. You say that the bloom has gone off of the rose A demon inside of you feeds and it grows Though you travel afar I am someone who knows That a part of you’s staying with me. For all the acclaim and adoring you’ve seen You’ll never forsake us, we’re building a dream. You’ll never betray me and our little Bean. A part of you’s staying with me. Wash me clean and make me whole when I get wrecked. Kiss my mouth and eyes. I beg you to protect. Give me the desired effect. Hey. Wait. We’ll dance beneath the rain. I’ll sing away your pain. Won’t let you be insane. I hurt with love for you. Wash me clean and make me whole when I get wrecked. Kiss my mouth and eyes. I beg you to protect. Give me the desired effect. Hey. Wait.
23.
(instrumental)
24.
Dhen Tin 01:14
One, two, three, four… Don’t take this the wrong way, baby I gotta leave this party now It’s only been ten minutes but I just gotta go It really doesn’t matter how The smell of Dhen Tin, assaulting my senses The smell of Dhen Tin, getting to me Normally I wouldn’t be the one to object That burny cinnamon aroma It’s reaching my nasality in such concentration I don’t wanna lapse into chewing gum coma The smell of Dhen Tin, assaulting my senses The smell of Dhen Tin, getting to me The smell of Dhen Tin, assaulting my senses The smell of Dhen Tin, getting to me Come on, come on, let’s go There’s a coffee shop open all night You can buy me cheescake And I’ll even let you take a bite Dhen Tin, Dhen Tin, Dhen Tin A stick at a time and the odor’s fine Dhen Tin, Dhen Tin, Dhen Tin But when forty heads chew It can murderlize you It’s chemical warfare and nothing less I just can’t take it no more Give my regrets to Lolita and Jess Coat and my hat and the door Soon it’ll be like before Deal with the Dhen Tin no more And after the cheescake we’ll go the store And buy a blue box of Farina
25.
Cheddar 03:21
uh…One, two, three, four…
26.
The Car Song 05:47
Mike: Thank you, man… Bryan Beller on bass. Toss Panos on drums. I’m Devin Townsend. Never seen you try so hard, never really wanted. Why’d you have to sell that car? What’s the big idea? If you were a stupid man I might understand your plan As it is, I’ve got to say I’m screwed without a notion. Not as though you’re deep in debt, (not unless you’re lying) I can understand the jet, but why’d you sell the car? Should’ve kept an eye on you Should’ve called the police too For all you know the jerk who bought it drove it in the ocean. I really wanted your car. Never seen you try so hard. Drive your buddy crazy. Rammahamma dibs on car Now I’m getting mad! Take it from a man who’s pissed I could hit you with my fist Break in half your lava-lamp Drown you in its lotion I really wanted your car. I really wanted your car. I really wanted your car. Never seen you try so hard. Drive your buddy crazy. Where’s the justice? Where’s the love? Where’s the nearest gun? It’s the finest car in town.’d you sell it to that clown? He could be a—what’s that sound? It was an explosion. I really wanted your car. Woo! Thanks.
27.
I like ground zero, it makes me smile. It makes me happy all the while. Now, roll over, see the dawn and drink up. Please wake up. No way out, so why wait to see if our instincts seem more and more absurd. That’s no reason to… I say it is! You young rebel, you. Then you’ll see, c’mon, yeah Then you’ll see, c’mon, yeah Then you’ll see, c’mon, yeah Then… Right now! Roll over, see the dawn, for God’s sake, wake up. I like ground zero. It makes me smile. It makes me happy all the while. Thanks.
28.
Aglow 03:45
What you’ll want to do is speak to me of love. Where we’ll want to go is castle in the clouds I will bring you cheese and sing to you of joy We’ll fall right down, so in love we’re dumb. Love, we’re dumb. We’re so aglow. We’re damn aglow. We’re, ha, all we know. We’re, we’re so aglow. We’re, we’re damn aglow. We’re all we know. We’re, we’re so a… You are the funky bassline of my life, I am your rock. We need so VCR, we have each other’s eyes. I am your rock. We’ll jump through hoops of molten love. We’ll fall asleep and wake right up and play side four of “Sheik Yerbouti”… ..e’re, a-we’re so aglow We’re, a we’re damn aglow We’re all we know Ad-uh-renal flo-o-o-o-ow Uh-we’re, we go and… If Ronny Graham comes disguised as dirt to filthify and sully our love We just won’t let him just won’t let him just won’t let him, we will give him a shove We just won’t let him just won’t let him, we will be as scrubbing bubbles of love We jump through hoops of molten love Fall asleep and wake right up and play side four of “Sheik Yerbouti” And if I have another weekend like the one that I just had I’ll overcome it and I will not let you know I’m sad I will not take a pillow and apply it to my face And experiment to see how long before I need to gasp The golden key unlocking doors of glee is in our grasp And so the horse of wisdom wings his girth right to our place We’re so aglow We’re so aglow We’re so aglow We’re so aglow
29.
Lightnin’ Roy Lightnin’ Roy (ahem) Ran all around ’til his head was flame (all right) (here we go) Went to a bar and decided to change his name to Lightnin’ Roy Lightnin’ Roy Ran all around ’til his head was flame (don’t do that again) Went to a bar and decided to change his name to Lightnin’ Roy Oh, Lightnin’ Roy! Hang all around ’til his head was flame Went to a bar and decided to change his name (bom bom bom bom bom bom bom bom bom bom bom) To Lightnin’ Roy heh, heh, heh… Keep clapping… It works… ha, ha… Thank you…very much. Toss: Beller takin’ it out, man!
30.
Blameless 02:57
(cough) Blameless are you, blame me Carving a face in a tree A bolt from above and at this point My face became me I am the floating face The children throw baseballs at me The experts determined I’m six feet wide And my tears could fill the sea Last week I floated by your house My nostrils flared with unrequited love I’m scared for you to see What has become of me If there is a God There’s no skin on his face A fiendish skull that rains terror on me I am the floating face Without redeeming grace Don’t gloat in your rat race Don’t laugh at my fat face God said “just you hold on, this was not some callous feat of mine. Your fate was predetermined in another space and time.” And Face said, “My apologies”, both had ginseng tea. What happened next remains perplexing to a man that’s me. Ah, ah, ha, ah, ha, ah-oo ah. Thanks. Toss: “Skunk”? Bryan: Really? Toss: No, “Dolphins”. Mike: No! Bryan: Oh, we switched it. Toss: We switched it? Mike: Yeah. It goes like this…
31.
Doff om semmr emmr aeroplane, yeah Ah damma semmez ayeh sow, now Mah sammez amma zamma how’s everybody doin’ tonight, all right (laughing) Hah bleddeh zyu manennay ow now ‘Cause I never seen a bodda bedda bonow, webba dow daut Manna zyeh zau zamma na nau (Bryan’s mic is off) With the power (still off) Of soul (…………..is possible) Anything is possible (With the power) With the power (Of soul) Of soul (Anything is possible) Wooo Hey, everybody how you doin’ tonight It sure is weird playin’ for a bunch of guitar players I always think I must not be playing fast enough for you out there Or using enough weird scales, so I hope you’re having a good time, out there (Microtonal voice/guitar interlude followed by simultaneous guitar/piano thing) (With the power) With the power (Of soul) Of soul (Anything is possible) Anything is possibuh-uhle (With the power) With the power (Of soul) Of soul (Anything is possible) Anything is, eh ecka, eh enna anything is (With the power) With the power (Of you) Of you (Anything that you wanna do) Anything is, that, thatcha anything you wanna do is a-yup (With the power) With the muh—with the power (Of soul) Wuddle up (Anything that you wanna do) Debba deddeloh waddeh beh zyehbudd uh deddehloduh deddehloduh I’m sorry I don’t know the words to that song. Toss: Ahhh huh!!
32.
Bad Dolphins 02:14
Toss: Aahhhh…fuck you…
33.
Ahh ahh ahh ahhh Ahh ahh ahh ahhh We came from the land of the ice and snow Where the midnight sun where the hot springs blow Howba dibba daw We drive our ships to new lands Fight the horde, sing and cry Valhalla, I am coming On we sweep With threshing oars Our only goal will be the Western shore Ahh ahh ahh owww Ahh ahh ahh ah ah owww We came from the land of the ice and snow Where the midnight sun where the hot springs blow Out in fields so green We whispered tales of gore Of how we calmed the tides of war We are your overlords On we sweep With threshing oars Our only goal will be the Western Sss… So now you better stop And rebuild all your ruins For peace and trust can win the day Despite all your losing Mike: Thanks. Toss: Ha ha! I couldn’t even hold my sticks! You see that? Bryan: I gotta tune. Toss: I broke, like, four sticks. Mike: Thank you.
34.
Toss: One, two, three… Mike: Eh heh, huh, eh, heh, huh, heh, doh…Fuck! I’m sorry. Start again. I keep forgetting this song’s in three…I’m a rock and roll guitar player, y’know… Toss: One, two, three… Charge (heh, heh) card Glass eye Moose wander freely until they die Spoon guy Charge card Raisins and soup, mother I’d barf on your ma If I had raisins and pie Spoon guy There’s an old saying a sailor said to me Kiss a dead herring and luck will come to thee This is my failing, this is my destiny I’m a spoon guy, me Mother, father, what’s becoming of me? Pan-heroic tyranny? Polymetric cacophony? “Take your pan-heroic tyranny and stick it in a tree! For Spoon Guy is ME!” Oh yeah!
35.
Uglytown 08:27
False world, fucked world. Eyes of an enemy. Ran down to Uglytown and nabbed myself some nothing, Grabbed up all the nothing I could find. Treasure it (way), it’s all I got, I’ll share it with the fucking world. Let’s dance in the sunlight. Blind life, unkind life, ah Darkened like buh-rushfire hills. Those flames of frustration and pain, where did everyone go? Fifteen years ago I looked at the stars, and the bastards spoke to me: “You are as useful as a urinal in a convent” And I thought, is it that bad? Food for thought, now I’m sad (Improv section) Ha! (During stop-time section): Audience member: Woo! Audience member: (whistling) Audience member: Woooo… Audience member: (more whistling) (Toss starts playing groove for some interesting reason.) Bryan (to Toss): We still got a chord to go. Mike (to Toss): Yeah, there’s one more bump, you know. Toss: I know. Bryan: OK. (The band bumps, then Toss returns to the groove.) Mike: HA HA HA! One, two, three, four… You and me get useless drunk and spend all of our money. There’s so much to buy, barrels of apples of my eye Piling up all around, so… Let’s go down to Uglytown And get fucked up togeh.. …therrrrrrr Yooowwwwwwwww Thank you.
36.
(Mike starts song while Toss is still messing around.) Toss: Are we on? Tie me to the mainmast I’ll hang until the dawn I couldn’t feel more strongly It’s time for moving on Proper ways of doing things Improper ways of not I can feel my heart break As I watch potential rot Pardon the short notice But one heeds the heart at cost I couldn’t face the morning If I let these thoughts be lost So tie me to the mainmast now I’ll hang until the dawn We sail without direction The rudder long since gone A very special episode Tonight we wave goodbye I heard there’ll be a spinoff So dry that reddened eye So tie my to the minivan I’ll…time to hit the road I feel my spirit changing now A goodbye kiss for toad
37.
An unknown man and his friend Were thinking about the end Covering each other in hope And what’s gonna happen down the road Performing miracles That was where I found ’em Sitting in a circle With the tools of hope around ’em One said “this is what’s true, I’m presenting my case to you. The truth is a necessary evil.” I don’t wanna hear it and I don’t believe you, ah… Performing miracles How could someone top it Been around it and I hope it’s not too late to stop it Dah dah dot dah dot dahh dahh Dah dah dot dah dot dahh dahh Dah dah dot dah dot dahh dahh Dah dah dot dahhh The freedom to make mistakes is Gone along with the breaks-uh I can’t believe it when I hear you say There might be something more important than survival today Man has given birth to multiple inventions, ah Miracles are nothing if you got the wrong intentions Performing miracles That was where I found ’em Sitting in a circle with the tools of hope around ’em Dah dah dot dah dot dahh dahh Dah dah dot dah dot dahh Dah dah dot dah dot dahh dahh Dah dah dot dahhh Mike: Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Toss: Ha ha! Bryan: Heh! Mike: Hey. Thanks. We just got a couple more, and then, we’ll be done and then we’ll f…can finally have dinner. Um…thank you very very much for coming tonight, nice crowd, and uh, I hope you enjoyed yourself, ’cause we did. Again, that’s Bryan Beller on bass…Bryan Beller! “Bryan Beller’s coughin’, Bryan Beller…” And uh, and that’s Toss Panos, the legendary, San Diego’s own Toss Panos on drums. Uh, heh heh heh. Toss: Hee hee. Hee hee. Mike: I’m Adrian Vandenburg, we hope you enjoyed yourself this evening. Bryan: (laughing heartily)
38.
(instrumental)
39.
Gyspy Queen 02:08
Toss: Ha ha ha ha…
40.
Scotch 04:47
And this is my pledge Whenever I fear those rumors I’ll scotch them right away When evil words are spread about you Words swinish and numerous I’ll leap from the ledge I conquer those who would doubt you I’ll swoop and scotch And bring you a bright new day I will scotch I’ll unbesmirch >From the shadow I will lurch I will scotch Unsully your name You’ll never be the same (starting to sing the wrong verse): And when I return to my — Banana bring pain I bring the force of the sun and he’s a small stain A pack of wandering dogs With pure hate Dare to speak against you Dead, they’re dead, they’re… I will scotch Revoke the bad Slanderers will wish they never had Exhibited such bias toward disdain Never be the same I will scotch I’ll unbesmirch From the shadows I will lurch I will scotch Unsully your name You’ll never be the same When-en I return to my room I sob and sob and sob in my tiny room gloom Who is there to protect me? Where is my shining light? And hang up pork and beans Sob ’til morning’s light I will scotch Honor restore Those who would defy me I’ll implore To cast away words that defame You’ll never be the same I will scotch I’ll unbesmirch >From the shadow I will lurch I will scotch Unsully your name You’ll never be the same I will scotch I’ll unbesmirch From the shadows I will lurch I’ll scotch Unsully your name You’ll never be the same Bryan Beller. Toss Panos. I’m Mike Keneally. Thanks for coming. Good night. Bryan’s mother is here and it’s her birthday today! Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, Happy birthday Mrs. Beller… Good night.
41.
Jeff Forrest: “Land of Broken Spleens”, Take One, we’re rolling. The world is full of assholes, they strut and abuse They disrespect women, they haven’t got clues I, intrepid pacifist, would welcome their demise I’d speed it along, I’d sautee their eyes Assholes in a pot boiling I’d pay to see and buy a ticket for thee Let’s watch them die, let’s watch, you and I Homophobes and racists: fuckers and jerks I’ll sponsor their castrations and peelings of smirks I, intrepid pacifist, would yank out their lungs The chisel I’d wield, to chunk out their tongues Assholes in a pit, buried The shovel I’ll bring With glee I will sing Let’s watch them die Let’s watch, you and I Ha ha ha ha! (scream) (scream) (scream)

about

Originally released as a double album on Immune Records in 1996, Disc One: Live in a Studio comprises tracks 1-22 and Disc Two: Live on a Stage comprises tracks 23 - 41!

Mike:

These two CDs were each recorded in much the same location during two successive Februarys – CD 1 in 1995 (in the digital studio at Musicians’ Institute in Hollywood), CD 2 in 1996 (on stage in the concert venue of the Institute). Both discs were recorded live direct to master tape, with minimal mixing options available afterward. Sonic anomalies exist and are detailed within, but it sounds fine. The titles are largely drawn from my solo albums, but the treatments are massively different, so hopefully the Keneally faithful won’t feel rooked (I was planning on delaying the release of this album until after the next solo album, but my “following," such as it is, has demanded to hear it now, so whatever). There are also a few songs which haven’t been released before, and some cover tunes. Above all these discs are documents of what Beer For Dolphins circa ’95 – early ’96 (MK, Bryan Beller and Toss Panos) sounded like when we were in a mood to rage. Now dive in.”

Random fact: Originally 1,000 copies of the CD were printed with the wrong music on Disc 1. Ah, the 90's! This paragraph has been your reward for reading this far.

credits

released August 27, 1996

Personnel:

Mike Keneally: vocals, guitar and keyboard
Bryan Beller: bass
Toss Panos: drums
(Tom Freeman: drums on "Vent")

Producer: Mike Keneally

Tracks 1-22 Engineered by T.J. Helmerich
Special thanks to all the students who assisted
Audio captured secretly on DAT by Ryan Eldred

Edited by Ryan Eldred and Mike Keneally

Special sound effects, equalization, and sci-fi audio maneuvering by Ryan Eldred

"The Desired Effect" mixed by T.J. Helmerich; edited by Carlos Jaramillo and Mike Keneally

Tracks 23 - 40
For Musicians Institute:
Christopher F. Torrey (prod. mgr.)
Robert Keirstead (prod. asst. mgr.)
Kenneth Williams (audio engineer)
Howard Karp (audio engineer)
Dave Lopez (audio engineer)

Audio captured forthrightly on DAT by Michael Harrison
Edited by John Golden and Mike Keneally

Designs and illustrations: atticus wolrab

“Vent” engineered by Jeff Forrest; mixed by Jeff and Mike (during the “Boil That Dust Speck” sessions)

license

all rights reserved

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about

Mike Keneally San Diego, California

Mike Keneally has been a lot of things in his 35 year career: stunt guitarist/keyboardist, singer/songwriter, orchestral composer, producer, music director, painter, and more. After getting his start in Frank Zappa’s legendary 1988 big band, Keneally released his first solo album hat. in 1992. Since then he has released dozens more and is working on a new double album.

Learn more at keneally.com
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