Another Kind of Violence

Two main versions:

* "Pulsing Keyboard Version" (1981) - Traumstadt II (3:56), Four in One (4:02)

Called "Violence."

After a quick vocoder count-down ("one...two...one, two, three") the song begins. Everything degenerates during the last minute, slowly fading out.

It actually starts with the second verse ("Well-respected in the shed"), possibly an early demo version before the additional lyrics were written.

Instruments: Pulsing bass synth; pulsing white-noise synth; two incomprehensible vocoder voice tracks panned around, sometimes laughing; single vocal track.

* "Lurky Version" (1981) - Only Dreaming (6:19), Chemical Playschool 2 (6:06), Ancient Daze (6:04), Ancient Daze CD-R (6:18)

Contains the full lyrics, and is in a different key.

All mixes start with a backwards segment of "Amphitheatre," into which the drum pattern gradually fades up, though both Chemical Playschool and Ancient Daze (CD) mixes cut out fifteen seconds of it. The effect on the evil drone switches suddenly after about five minutes. All versions end with a sudden synth chord, followed by a brief fadeout of the drums and melody keyboard, though the Only Dreaming fadeout is about ten seconds longer

Instruments: Evil keyboard drone with varying modulation; high-pitched keyboard melody which sometimes becomes wind/crash/beep effects; single drum machine pattern; single vocal track; backwards vocal/keyboard source that comes and goes.

Sounds a Lot Like:

"Waiting for the Call" and "Sex," because it's the same tune. It can't be a coincidence that "Sex and Violence" is a common phrase used to describe the ills of the entertainment industry (often "gratuitous sex and senseless violence").

What It's About:

A study of three characters involved in various forms of violence: a bored guy who has decided to visit his girlfriend for a night of sex; a sadistic religious hypocrite; and the victim of some sort of attack. No moral statement seems to be made, it's just a series of evocative, gritty scenes.

Lyrics (adapted from the Cloud-Zero archive):

Ahhhh, I'm feeling low, that pansy's on the radio,
should be at work, but sod 'em 'til tomorrow.

Think I'll nip round to the bird's house 'cos I've heard that her mum's away.
I'll raid the neighbour's garden, present her with a nice bouquet.
She'll be so pleased, we'll go upstairs and up and down on the eiderdown.

'Til six. 'Til the night time. The right time.
Night time's the best time.

Well-respected in the shed, got "B.M." tattooed on his head.
They call him Flash, his real name's Fred, he's listening.

But the girls, they desire him as he rips at their barricades;
and boys, they admire him as he skips with his razor blade.
Carves the bible on your eyeball, takes your money, leaves you crumpled on the floor.

It's his hobby. He's having fun.
His hobby, having fun. Fun fun fun.
'Til daddy takes the T-Bird away.

In a place where no one goes, a sparkling crimson channel flows.
A victim lies with all his clothes disheveled.

Tries to rest on an elbow, grits his teeth as he feels the pain.
Reflection in a puddle winces "cheese!" from its inner drain.
And shadows gather round him, feel his pulse, give him blankets for the night.

He'll be alright. Through the night.
Sleep with the shadows. Shadows.

Trivia:

There are many possible organizations that "B.M." could stand for, among them "Baader-meinhof" and "boatswain's mate." I'd hate to cast a vote, myself.

Why You Should Care:

Maybe those shadows in the last verse are the "City Ghosts?"