The Story So Far.....
Concieved in July 1994 with almost the same line up as today (the only difference being that vocalist Alex used to double up on bass), the band went through a lengthy gestation period (adding bassist Simon Bayliss in 1995 and replacing him with local hardcore man Martin Holt in 1997) before emerging with the 'Kicking Pigeons EP' in 1998.
Having sold 5000 copies at pub gigs the [spunge] boys decided that there was enough potential to jack in the day jobs and make the band a full time concern.
Having soon gained a manager in Dave Juste of Birmingham's Xposure Rock Cafe (a regular early haunt), [spunge] hit the road, and would eventually notch up well over three hundred gigs in just two years.
Less than a year later in 1999, [spunge] released their debut album Pedigree Chump on MoonSka Europe and thus set about introducing the band and their unique brand of ska, dub, punk and comedy to a wider audience.
Unfortunately Martin got sick of being on the road, so good friend Jarvis from local pop-punks B-Movie Heroes jumped in on bass despite being a guitarist and stayed there!
Their second album Room For Abuse was recorded at DEP International Studios (owned by UB40 strangely enough) and released on Sucka-Punch Records in 2000, featuring the single 'Ego' plus covers of Bob Marley's 'No Woman No Cry' and Sublime's 'Santeria'
The album version of 'No Woman No Cry' - complete with new lyrics from Alex - was the first cover of a Bob song ever to receive permission to be altered by the Marley family as Ziggy liked it so much.
All this attention brought them to the eyes of B-Unique and a deal was signed in February 2002.
The first single to be taken from the new album ‘The Story So Far' was 'Jump On Demand'. Produced by John Cornfield (Muse, Oasis), 'Jump On Demand' hit the Top 40 despite being ignored by radio and mainstream media magazines and also topped the Kerrang! TV chart for two weeks.
Following up this success was going to be difficult with next single 'Roots', but the band still managed to chart in the top 50 again with zero radio play showing that their army of fans were as loyal as ever.
However, things between the band and the label B-unique|Warners weren’t rosy. Both releases had been delayed after the band had arranged sold out tours and promotional appearances meaning that things were not coinciding as they should.
The album, 'The Story So Far' was then scheduled for release at the end of August 2002. On the same day as the Reading and Leeds festivals which the band were playing. Great timing. No, the band didn't think so either.
Most of their fans were at the festivals and wouldn't have the money to buy festival stuff and the album at the same time.
The band then recorded a cover of 'Oliver's Army' with Steve Harris, which Alex Donnelly at Radio 1 said he would A List, Alex having seen the band at a press show at London's Camden Monarch in July and at Reading. For once the band would have radio support for a release, who knew what that could mean?! The label again asked for a tour to go with the release and a huge UK tour was arranged for November/December 2002:
The band were in full control of all the promotion for the tour and most shows were sold out with over 15,000 tickets sold to [spunge] fans, with no financial support from the label, and no press coverage at all.
The single wasn't released.
Another meeting in December between label and band management had [spunge] pointing out that the label had let the band down again, that there had been 5 different production managers in 6 months (including 3 in seven days!), that the press representative had not even contacted the big four magazines to arrange press for the tour (a fact confirmed by the editors), and that overall the organisation was a sham. The label agreed. 48 hours later [spunge] and B-Unique parted company.
Despite this the band went on to play the very 1st Download Festival at Castle Donington in July 2003, alongside acts such as Audioslave, NOFX and Metallica as well as several other smaller festivals to great crowds.
This proved to the band that there was still a great audience out there for them and they decided it was time to make some big changes to the way things were being dealt with.
Firstly the band decided to part company with their manager Dave Juste mainly due to a difference of opinion in how the band should grow. After this split the band decided that, rather than get another manager, why not manage themselves? So that's exactly what they did.
This proved to be a good move all round with the gigs and the songs coming on stronger than ever. The next move seemed pretty obvious to [spunge]. They didn't have a label and they wanted to get more tunes out to the masses, so with this in mind they decided to start up their own label DENT’ALL RECORDS, for themselves and other bands that didn't get the help they deserved.
On Feb 23rd 2004 the label released it's first CD called ‘THAT SHOULD COVER IT’ a collection of covers [spunge] have done, some previously unavailable live demos and two BRAND NEW [spunge] songs to wet the appetite before the next full length album.
[spunge]’s first Dent’All Records release ‘That Should Cover It’ was a great success for the band with sales of the CD still going strong. Reception for the album was (and still is!) great with many people liking the covers better than the original versions by the Artists themselves!
This was a great boost to the band as it showed that they hadn't made a mistake by doing their own thing.
During 2004 the band returned to the studio for a short while to record two more brand new tracks for the next album with the intention of producing a video for one of them to release to coincide with a major tour in Oct/Nov 2004.
The two tracks chosen to record were ‘Backstabber’ and ‘One More Go’, the second track being the most likely candidate for the video release. They follow on the tradition of catchy riffs and infectious chorus’ that has become the [spunge] trademark.
A video was comissioned through Goblin Pictures for the song 'One More Go' and was sent out to all the tv stations etc in the hope of it getting played on air.
While all this was going on they also decided to put on an all-dayer at Cheltenham Town Hall. Hosted by Dent'all Records and [spunge] this was to become EXTRACTION FEST 2004 - something that they hope to host annually if possible. The show was a great success and they waited to hear which stations would be playing the new video.
The video wasn't added to ANY playlists, various excuses were made but the upshot was no-one was going to see this awesome video. They booked up the UKKO tour and went out and played it live to the masses instead. Another blow for [spunge] but it would take more than that to shake them.
The band decided that if the TV stations and labels didn't want 'One More Go' then they would release it themselves and why not a full length DVD ('The High Life') with the video on as well while they were at it!
The single and DVD were to be released on the same day, 21st March 2005, and to coincide with that they booked another tour entitled the ONE MORE GO TOUR to help promote both releases. The tour was great and although there were a few hiccups with getting the single into the shops on time, the releases came about and both did great, again with no backing from radio or tv.
With more bands being added to the label and the continued success of ‘That Should Cover It’ and the DVD 'The High Life' things are going from strength to strength.
Next plans are to tour in Norway after a long time away and another major tour in Oct/Nov 2005 after which they will be going into the studio to record the next full album, yet to be titled. [spunge] have 17 new songs written (4 of which are already recorded) and are writing more all the time. They are hoping to release the next full length studio album in early/mid 2006.
In early 2006, Wol decided to part company with the band after over a decade due to a change in circumstances.. [spunge] are still going strong as a 4 peice and will be recording the next full length album this year.
To Be Continued......
Friend Called Fred
[spunge] Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It might be all the dreams I've had
It could be all the things I've seen
All the things I wish I'd been
I'd like to introduce you
My friend called Fred, you got one too
He's the guy who tells you what to do
He's the one who knows better than you
I kinda find it hard to sleep
So I try my hand at counting sheep
But all I got was repetition
You can't get to sleep by doing addition
My friend called Fred is always right
He gets the last word every night
But now that really is a pain
'Cause what he says is all the same
My imaginary friend
Many's the time I wanna kill ya
Know I shouldn'y moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
My friend called Fred is never bored
He just steals what he can't afford
And no he never gets the blame
'Cause he just uses a false name
Look at this guy who's stood by me
It's obvious he's out his tree
He's acting like a crazy man
But I think that's part of the pl
The lyrics of [spunge]'s song "Friend Called Fred" may appear to be about an imaginary friend named Fred, but upon closer inspection, it is a reflection on the internal battle between one's conscious and subconscious mind. The first stanza sets the stage for the song, with the singer admitting to feeling like he is "going slightly mad" because of the dreams he's had and the things he's seen. He then introduces his imaginary friend, Fred, who seems to have control over his decision-making. In the second verse, the singer struggles to sleep and turns to counting sheep, but repeating the same action only makes him feel more awake. He reveals that Fred is always right and gets the last word, but what he says is always the same, indicating the limitations of the subconscious mind.
The final verse shows the singer attempting to rationalize Fred's behavior, describing him as a "crazy man," while also acknowledging that his friend has the power to make bad decisions without consequence. Ultimately, the singer seems resigned to his friendship with Fred, admitting that while he may want to "kill" him, his friend is always there when he wants to be alone. The song can be interpreted as a commentary on the struggle between one's conscious and subconscious thoughts, with Fred representing the latter, and the singer acknowledging the complexities of the human mind.
Line by Line Meaning
I think I'm going slightly mad
I am feeling like I'm losing my mind.
It might be all the dreams I've had
I think my dreams might be driving me crazy.
It could be all the things I've seen
Perhaps all the things I have witnessed have hurt me.
All the things I wish I'd been
I am sad about the things I wanted to experience but couldn't.
I'd like to introduce you
I want you to meet my friend.
My friend called Fred, you got one too
Do you have an imaginary friend like mine named Fred?
He's the guy who tells you what to do
Fred is the one who instructs me on what to do.
He's the one who knows better than you
Fred is always right, even more than I am.
I kinda find it hard to sleep
I have difficulty falling asleep sometimes.
So I try my hand at counting sheep
I attempt to count sheep to aid me in sleeping.
But all I got was repetition
All I get is the same thing over and over again.
You can't get to sleep by doing addition
Simply counting won't help me drift off.
My friend called Fred is always right
I follow Fred's advice, as he is always correct.
He gets the last word every night
Fred always has the final say, even when I'm sleeping.
But now that really is a pain
This becomes bothersome because he repeats himself.
'Cause what he says is all the same
He always says the same things, with no variation.
My imaginary friend
Fred is a figment of my imagination.
Many's the time I wanna kill ya
I sometimes feel like I want to get rid of Fred.
Know I shouldn'y moan
I shouldn't complain, but sometimes I do.
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
Fred is always a comfort when I want to be solitary.
My friend called Fred is never bored
Fred always has something to do or entertain himself.
He just steals what he can't afford
Fred takes things he can't purchase.
And no he never gets the blame
Fred never has to face the consequences of his actions.
'Cause he just uses a false name
Fred doesn't have to worry about being connected to his crimes because of his fake name.
Look at this guy who's stood by me
This person standing next to me is acting strangely.
It's obvious he's out his tree
He's clearly not in his right mind.
He's acting like a crazy man
His behavior is erratic and not normal.
But I think that's part of the plan
I think acting crazy is part of his personality or intentions.
Contributed by Charlie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
disheveled
I think I'm going slightly mad
It might be all the dreams I've had
It could be all the the things I've seen
All of the things I wish I'd been
I'd like to introduce to you
My friend called Fred
You got one too
He's the guy who tells you what to do
He's the one who knows better than you
I kind of find it hard to sleep
So I tried my hand at counting sheep
But all I got was repetition
Can't get to sleep I do addition
My friend called Fred is always right
He has the last word every night
But now that really is a pain
'Cause what he says is all the same
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
My friend called Fred is never bored
He just steals what he can't afford
And no he never gets the blame
'Cause he just uses a false name
Look at this guy who's stood by me
It's obvious he's out of his tree
He's acting like a crazy man
But I think that's part of the plan
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
I think I'm going slightly mad
It might be all the dreams I've had
It could be all the the things I've seen
All of the things I wish I'd been
I'd like to introduce to you
My friend called Fred
You got one too
He's the guy who tells you what to do
He's the one who knows better than you
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
James H
Its starting to feel like summer, and this song is the perfect way to kick it off
disheveled
I think I'm going slightly mad
It might be all the dreams I've had
It could be all the the things I've seen
All of the things I wish I'd been
I'd like to introduce to you
My friend called Fred
You got one too
He's the guy who tells you what to do
He's the one who knows better than you
I kind of find it hard to sleep
So I tried my hand at counting sheep
But all I got was repetition
Can't get to sleep I do addition
My friend called Fred is always right
He has the last word every night
But now that really is a pain
'Cause what he says is all the same
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
My friend called Fred is never bored
He just steals what he can't afford
And no he never gets the blame
'Cause he just uses a false name
Look at this guy who's stood by me
It's obvious he's out of his tree
He's acting like a crazy man
But I think that's part of the plan
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
I think I'm going slightly mad
It might be all the dreams I've had
It could be all the the things I've seen
All of the things I wish I'd been
I'd like to introduce to you
My friend called Fred
You got one too
He's the guy who tells you what to do
He's the one who knows better than you
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
My imaginary friend, many's the time I wanna kill ya
No I shouldn't really moan
But you're always there when I wanna be alone
Jessica Howkins
Id like to introduce to you, my friend called Fred, you got one too!
Sky High And Free
Ah love this song alot :) Makes me feel fluffy T_T
ben varley
this band is the sort of band you should buy there c.d
gary blewitt
This takes me back to 1998!
Psy1402
Favourite [spunge] song ever.
josh Elwood
man this tune take me back
James Louth
class
punk rock Michelle
👌