Steriogram: “Walkie Talkie Man” (2004)
Though dubbed Auckland, New Zealand’s smartass retort to Sum 41 by Allmusic, Steriogram are so much more. On their second album, the David Kahne-produced Schmack, the band combine pop punk with Beastie Boys-style white boy rap, Nirvanaesque riffage, Weezer’s gawky sense of humor, and classic rock reference all to glorious effect.
Tyson Kennedy’s snark rap vocals play against Brad Carter, who carries the chorus melody on “Walkie Talkie Man”, and it’s all pinned on a mighty Kinks-inspired riff and an exuberance that schmacks of too many energy drinks.
I recommend reading along to this one.
Well you’re walkin and a talkin
And a movin and a groovin
And a hippin and a hoppin
And a pickin and a boppin
Those bods are being bad
You better take a stand
You gonna wake up that thing in your hand
You’re looking all around
There is trouble to be found
Make sure when you find it you get to say it loud
Gotta code three
Need back up
Bring me my bright pink fluro jacket
He’s fat and he don’t run too fast
(Well you’re walkin and a talkin)
But he’s faster than me
(You’re my walkie talkie man)
Last night at the show we saw him
(Well you’re walkin and a talkin)
Going out of his tree
(Go Go Go Go)
Well you’re walkin and a talkin
And a freakin and a yellin
And a bossin and a speakin
And a lookin and a pointin
Always tell us what to do
With your high top shoes
And you wave your torch
With your black short shorts
Don’t let em get away
Don’t think they can play Nail ’em to the wall
Cause you really need to say
Gotta code three
Need back up Bring me
My bright pink fluro jacket
He’s fat and he don’t run too fast
(Well you’re walkin and a talkin)
But he’s faster than me
(You’re my walkie talkie man)
Last night at the show we saw him
(Well you’re walkin and a talkin)
Going out of his tree
(just the drums!)
He’s fat and he don’t run too fast
But he’s faster than me
Last night at the show we saw him
Going out of his tree
He’s fat and he don’t run too fast
But he’s faster than me
Last night at the show we saw him
Going out of his tree
He’s a walkie talkie man!
Well you’re walkin and a talkin
And a movin and a groovin
And a hippin and a hoppin
And a pickin and a boppin
Those bods are being bad
You better take a stand
You gonna wake up that thing in your hand
You’re looking all around
There is trouble to be found
Make sure when you find it you get to say it loud
Gotta code three
Need back up
Bring me My bright pink fluro jacket
The Grammy-nominated video is pretty yarn good, too:
