DEVIATOR
Written by
Garth Coupland
The Band known as
DEVIATOR started out as THE ACLE HEAVY BAND then AZTEC
THE BEEBY BROTHERS BAND then STORMDRAIN then RUSTY NUTS and
DEVIATOR which was the last name we gigged under. All this between 1977
and 1986. We adopted RED Z as our name just as we folded in 1986 when I rejoined
the Police. At this time the Band consisted of long term members Harry Beeby (Lead
Guitar), Adrian “Zed” Read (Rhythm Guitar), Simon Bateman, (Bass Guitar), Phil
Allen (Drums), now sadly deceased and me (Vocals & Blues Harp).
We wrote and performed our own original material which could perhaps be now
described as Blues based Heavy Rock influenced by Bands such as AC/DC, Deep
Purple and Black Sabbath. Of course we added our own individuality to the music as
we always consciously tried to avoid being seen as copyists or too influenced in any
one direction. Basically, Harry or Zed would come up with a riff or an idea and I
would write the lyrics and vocal melody. In my opinion “Zed” Read ranks with the
“Greats” when it comes to the writing of the classic Heavy Rock riff and it was our
then inexperience as musicians which caused a failure to do justice to his work. Good
recordings exist of at least 12 of our songs and I’m sure they would be available to
the ardent collector for a small fee!
Looking back, we did actually play quite a lot of gigs(Yes, looking back we did... Zed)
in numerous venues; Pubs,Holiday camps,
a Mental Hospital(We were lucky to get out...Zed),
private parties, Nightclubs and outdoors!
We rehearsed in back rooms, front rooms, garages and for some years in a Rat infested
Barn! I remember those days as good days with good guys (and girls!)
After getting divorced, in 2001 I started the Band THE DIVIDE with my son Ross
and Simon from the old days. Marsh and Bill Cosy are also with us. Zed
remains with us in spirit as we perform four songs he had a major hand in writing.
You might say that THE DIVIDE carries musical genes from DEVIATOR into the
future, ensuring that DEVIATOR will never die!
Here are some of the Lyrics from DEVIATOR songs. I wrote them, so I can say what
I like about them! If I just leave the song’s title on the page it means that I prefer to
forget the mediocrity of the words. Some weren’t too bad so I’ve written them down
for posterity; however, they do lack the depth and maturity of THE DIVIDE material;
which I am reasonably satisfied with and sometimes proud of.
Never grow old in attitude and you’ll die ever young!
ROCK ON!
Garth
Aztec, he ain’t dead. A SOLDIERS CRY
He’s alive and living in your head.
Aztec, get out of bed.
Go find yourself some love.
Lazy dog in the sun.
Get on your feet and run.
Aztec, your time has come.
Go find yourself some love. Alright!
Go find yourself some love.
Get out of the grave and rock ’n roll!
Aztec he ain’t dead.
He’s alive and living in your head.
Aztec you heard what I said.
Go find yourself some love. Alright!
Go find yourself some love. Alright!
Go find yourself some lo-o-o-o-ove.
Alright!
HEY! SUZIE!
(Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right!)
I open my eyes and I rise with the sun.
I love life. I’m a country boy. I don’t want to carry a gun.
But they’ll take anyway and break me. Then they’ll make me go to war.
I’m tired of killing other men. Ain’t gonna fight no more.
So come on! It has to be done.
Lay down the gun and the war is won.
Sing “Hallelujah” to the Lord.
I think of all the time it took me to grow inside my Mother’s womb.
Then I write her a letter and tell her I’m safe, and hope to see her soon.
(From you loving Son.)
Tomb, womb. Now ain’t that strange that them two words should rhyme.
I don’t wanna die, don’t wanna die,
I’m sure that you don’t wanna die before your time?
So come on! Let’s all go home.
Lay down the bomb. The time has come
to sing “Hallelujah” to the Lord.
(It’s a long way to Tipperary It’s a long way to go.
It’s a long way to Tipperary It’s a long, long way to go!)
Politicians well fed and warm, they argue plot and plan.
But they never have to raise their hands to fight their fellow man.
But you and I, we suffer, die. Our bodies lie and rot.
For what? Oh! I hear you cry. “It’s the only Life that I’ve got!”
So come on! (Left!) Let’s (Right!) spread the word.
Lay down the sword. Let’s all be heard.
Come on! (Load!) Let’s (Fire!) all say “NO!”
Tell the Officers where to go.
Sing “Hallelujah” to the Lord.
DÉJÀ VU
Hey! Suzie! Ooh! Put on that dress.
Come on! You know the one I mean. The one that makes you look a “mess.”
The one that makes you look as if you’re going out tonight.
Gonna make the boys get up and fight.
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Suzie! Ooh! Put on that dress.
Come on Baby. Don’t be shy.
Put it on. Ooh! Ah! Ah! Oh!
Come on Baby. Oh! My my
Let’s go! Let’s go!
Hey! Suzie! Ooh! Put up your hair.
Come on! You know the style I mean. The style that means “beware!
Oh! Come on Baby! Don’t be shy.
Put it up. Ooh! Ah! Ah! Oh!
Come on Baby. Oh! My
Let’s go! Let’s go! Into the night! Hey! Hey!
You are my life and you are the best thing I’ve ever had.
Oooh! I love yah! I need your love so bad!
Hey! Suzie! Ooh! Let down your hair.
Take off that dress and let me see your sexy underwear!
Oh! Come on Baby! Don’t be shy.
Take ’ em off! Ooh! Ah! Ah! Oh!
Come on Baby. Oh! My my!
Let’s go! Let’s go!
Coz I need you with me all the time.
Coz I need you with me all the time.
THE DEALER
I’ve got this feeling I’ve been here before.
You know? That feeling you just can’t ignore.
And they call it “Déjà vu.”
Yes! They call it “Déjà vu.”
Could it be a glimpse into some future time?
Or perhaps some long forgotten past of mine?
It’s frightening, but it’s true.
Yes! They call it “Déjà vu.”
It’s spooky but I don’t know why I
get the feeling that I’m about to die.
Then the feeling fades and starts to fly ..away away.
Science tells us that it’s easy to explain.
Zat it’s to do viz ze two sides of our brain.
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
I don’t like it. Do you?
Yes! They call it “Déjà vu.”
Am I seeing what I saw in a dream?
Is it the key to the celestial scheme?
Seems to me things are not what they seem ..to be!
MR MEGRAINE
The mean street cop says “you gotta keep a clean street, boy!”
He says “I’m takin’ you in for livin’ off the skin, boy!”
I said “Hey! Blue man, go easy on the heat now!”
“Let me show you some easy meat!”
“Let me hawk you some mutton that’s clean and fresh!”
“Coz I’m The Dealer. Yeah! A dealer in flesh!”
“If you want it dirty or you like it clean.”
“For you it’s free, man! You know what I mean?”
“Coz I’m The Dealer. AHH! The Dealer in her love.
“I’m The Dealer.CH AHH! The Dealer in her love.
For the right price you got the whole of the vice squad, boy!
They say “We’re movin’ you out coz you keep hangin’ about, boy!”
I said “Hey! Black jacket don’t you hustle me!”
“Coz we do the hustlin’ oh! Don’t you see
for an easy life, what is your desire?”
“Come on, man, what do you require?”
“If you want it dirty or you like it clean.”
“For you it’s free, man! You know what I mean?”
Hey! Man! Let me hear some of that heavy traffic!
Now I want you to imagine this is New York at night.
You go on the green, but I go on the red light!
“If you want it dirty or you like it clean.”
“For you it’s free, man! You know what I mean?”
“Coz I’m The Dealer. CH AHH!
The Dealer in her love.
“I’m The Dealer. CH AHH! The Dealer in her love.”
I’m The Dealer. A broken heart healer!”
“I’m a squealer. Man! A big wheeler!”
“I’m a rustler, a bustler, big city hustler!”
“If you want it dirty or you like it clean.”
“For you it’s free, man! You know what I mean?”
“If your road is sex I drive a love machine!”
“For you it’s free, man! You know what I mean?”
“Oh! You know what I mean, yeah?”
BRAKELIGHT BLUES
Well I got something wrong with me,
seems like a virus in my mind.
I got this pain running round inside my head
and a cure for it I can’t find.
When I try to get up it gets me down.
I’m seeing starlight in daylight.
I’m tired of putting up with being put down.
In my head there’s a strobe light.
Oh!
Hey! Mr Migraine.
Why don’t you leave?
Hey! Mr Migraine.
Why don’t you leave me alone?
Oh!
Why don’t you leave me alone?
Well I been thinking ‘bout my ills
and a cure for this condition of mine.
I’ve tried drink and drugs and all kinds of pills,
but all they do is buy me some time.
I ain’t gonna let Mr Migraine get
a better grip on me.
So hear me shout “Mr Migraine, GET OUT!”
You won’t ever get the better of me.
Oh!
Hey! Mr Migraine.
Why don’t you leave?
Hey! Mr Migraine.
Why don’t you leave me alone?
THE YOUTH OF TODAY
Well, I’ve been traveling on this road too long.
I’ve been traveling on this road too long.
I can feel those Blues coming on.
Burn Baby! Burn Baby!
I want to go my own peed.Yeah!
Well those Brakelight Blues are making me not care.
I’m behind a guy who thinks he’s really smooth.
He’s got Rock ‘n’ Roll tapes on, Man! He’s in the groove.
And a bank of Brakelights like Vegas on the move!
Burn Baby! Burn Baby!
I want to go my own speed. Yeah!
Well those Brakelight Blues are getting in my Hair.
Watch me drive with no hands!
See them blue lights tearing after me.
See them blue lights tearing after me.
I wish those Police men would leave me be.
Burn Baby! Burn Baby!
I want to go my own speed. Yeah!
Well those brakelight Blues are getting in my hair.
(Repeat of first verse and chorus.)
(Repeat last line twice.)
JCB ROCK
Born in 1968.
Got a fist full of nothing and a head full of hate.
“The Youth of today.”
“The Youth of today,” they say,
have got no tomorrow.”
“No job son, guess you’ll have to wait.”
There’s no going back through the old school gate.
A head full of nothing and a fist full of hate.
A life on the “Brew” and chips on the plate.
“The Youth of today.”
“The Youth of today,” they say,
have got no tomorrow.”
They say, “Youth of today.”
“The youth of today,” they say,
have got no tomorrow …none at all!”
We’re the Youth! Yeah! The Youth! We’re the Youth…. of today!
Parl-i-ar-ment in debate.
“Hear! Hear! Hear!”
Talking ‘bout, talking ‘bout the state of the state of the State!
They say that “you….
they say that “you….
they say “you got no tomorrow.”
Pickets waiting at the Factory gate.
Throw out all the Boys who’re always turning up late.
The Youth of today, well, “we just can’t wait”
“Just give us all a job and a starting date.”
“The Youth of today.”
“The Youth of today,” they say,
“got no tomorrow.”
They say “the Youth of today.”
“The Youth of today,” they say,
“have got no tomorrow.”
“Got no tomorrow!” “ Got no tomorrow!” They say, “you got no tomorrow!”
MIDNIGHT ROLLER
Alright so you’ve heard us play.
We want you all to get your, get your getaway.
But you ain’t gonna do it ‘til we make you sweat.
And, hey! You heard nothin’ yet.
I am tired of growing Wallflowers.
Tired of guys just looking smooth.
Writing this music took us hours.
And it’s designed….Hey! Hey!
It’s designed to make you move.
I am tired of circus Chimpanzees.
Tired of little tapping shoes.
We want you all to feel...ooh!...at ease.
All we’re trying to do...Hey! Hey!
We’re trying to make you move.
Freak out! Out! Out! Out!
Alright get your JCB.
C’mon and shift some Rock with me.
If it’s Rock you want then stoned you’ll get.
And, hey! You heard nothin’ yet.
I.M.L.T.M.C.
Take me, on the beach.
Take me, out of reach.
I’m burning deep inside.
Gonna make it on this tide.
I wanna make you mine all through the night.
I’m a midnight roller.
I’m a moonlight stroller.
I’m a midnight roller.
ROLLER!
Put me, on my feet.
Put me, on the street.
With a woman you’re walking tall.
Without one you’re nothing at all.
I wanna make you mine all through the night.
I’m a midnight roller.
I’m a moonlight stroller.
I’m a midnight roller.
Yes! I’m a midnight roller….let’s roll tonight!
Roller….Roller….Roller….Roller….
Hit me, if you dare. Oh! Do what you feel now!
Hit me, I don’t care.
I don’t care cos you look so fine.
Hit me low baby, I don’t mind.
I wanna make you mine all through the night. Cos come the night...
I’m a midnight roller.
That’s what I am, a roller.
Roll on twelve o-clock; a roller.
I’m a roller!
I run around!
Yes, I’m a roller!
I’ll let you down!
THE ORIGINAL
<
Got a machine and I drive her.
She’s supreme and I love her.
I’m gonna live for my car.
I pop her into top when I drive her.
No cop’ll make me stop and I love her.
I make love to my car.
I make love to my car.
I make love to my car.
I make love….to my car.
When I hit the gas when I drive her,
I burn away my ass and I love her.
I’m gonna die with my car.
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Green light means a screaming burn off.
Hit a few shits hanging round the turn off.
I make love to my car. Yes I do!
I make love to my car.
I make love to my car.
I make love….to my car.
Ya Ya Ya Ya..Yow!
DIE!
(Repeat second verse)
I make love to my car.
I worship my guitar.
I make love...to my car.
STAMPING GROUND
I don’t want to be like anyone else.
Anyone, anyone else.
I don’t want to sing like anyone else.
Anyone, anyone else.
When you are original, nobody wants to know.
So down the lonely road you go.
I don’t want to be one of the crowd.
Loud in myself but hiding in the shoal.
I don’t want to be seen as proud.
But I am; proud of my independent soul.
When you are original, life can be unkind.
No one loves a man when they can’t read his mind.
When they can’t read his mind.
When you are original; no one, no one wants to know.
When you are original, no one, no one wants to know.
(Murder Mile, Glasgow)
THE CRIMINAM
Oh! Let me take you down
to a place I ain’t been to for quite a while.
Oh! Let me take you down to my stamping ground.
It might make you cry but maybe it’ll make you smile?
Look over there’s the house where I was born.
And over there is where my Brother died.
Look over there’s where I had my first smoke
and my Brother told me that dirty joke.
And over there is where my Brother died.
Oh! Now you’ve seen this place.
I can see “what a slum” written on your face.
Oh! Don’t judge me, Babe, on this Town.
Don’t leave me, Babe! Don’t leave me, oh! Please don’t let me down.
THE COSMIC PUSHERMAN
UP FOR GRABS
THE RUNNER
TDOWN TRODDEN MAN
THE PUNK NUMBER
MISS CLAWS
GIRL ON THE MARSH
TRIPPING THE BRIGHT LIGHTS
GUT GAS
<
BACKSTREET ALLEY
$1,000,000 *
FLIES *
THE LOSER *
*(Recorded & performed by THE DIVIDE)