Hollocaine is like three songs in one. It starts off pretty unassuming, like just another mellow tune but when you get to the chorus, all hell breaks loose. There’s that high pitched shrieky sound on a loop, and you’re like, “Why are there children screaming in the background?” Meanwhile, the whole band has kicked in and there’s this snakey bass groove that slides underneath it all and suddenly you’re dancing. Then it goes back to folky but the violin brings in this strange melody. Then there’s a totally funky bass and drums breakdown before the screaming kids are back with the chorus. And then things start to really get weird.
Played live, the violin gets layered on top of itself and there’s a moment where the rest of the instruments fall away and everyone’s voices blend together in this gorgeous mimicry of the strings and then the band crashes back in for the big finish. I always feel like I have to catch my breath once it’s over. I was so thrilled the band played it on their anniversary tour. It was one of the many songs that soared due to the addition of Karl Odlum on keyboards.
As for the slightly unsettling sample used in the background, it was first used in Public Enemy’s 1991 track ‘By the Time I Get to Arizona’, but the original sample is from a Jackson 5 television performance of ‘Walk On’. And now you have it in your head. You’re welcome. – S
Here’s a killer version from a Glen solo gig in 2003 where he tries to get the audience to sing the sample, then asks if there are any rappers in the audience. Spoiler alert: there kind of is!
And here it is nearly 8 years later, played on the first night of the anniversary tour.
.