THE BLOWOFF SYSTEM



performed on:
Written during one of the first soundchecks with the expanded Plaastik lineup, this quickly became one of the highlights of the Information Tour, performed at almost every stop. It was expected that "The Blowoff System" would be one of the new tracks recorded for the PROJECTION CONSISTENCY compilation, but a DINOSAUR DISTRIBUTION FIENDS outtake, "Bed," and a new song, "Chill Bumps," were used instead, according to Jeff Jooce in reaction to the song's immense popularity. "It was agreed that a song that golden should be reserved for an album."

Thus, "The Blowoff System" was among the numerous songs tossed around in the sessions for the first Sony album in 1988. It was, in fact, considered a high priority and was cited early on as possibly the first single. It was not to be. The band attempted the song at least five times during the sessions and was never able to record it to their satisfaction. A particular problem seems to have been duplication of the grinding feedback sound that provides the hook; it came off as "contrived" in the studio. Nick Parker has said that none of the studio versions will ever be released, that they were too bad to even show up as b-sides. Band members have also dismissed it as "dated."

The frustration that surrounded this development was severe enough that the song was abandoned entirely on the next tour. However, it returned in a drastic electronic rearrangement on the European leg of the Science tour and a handful of shows the same year in America.


We own your kids
We hold your paycheck
We watch your house
We listen in

But don't worry
It's just a part
Of the system

We sell your possessions
We garnish your account
We erase your identity
We test your excrement

Because we don't care
But that's the way it is
It's the blowoff system

We read your letters
We read your diary
We read your face
We read your eyes

We know what you're gonna do
And sooner or later you'll do it
And then that's that.