A Place to Bury Strangers are a power trio comprised of Oliver Ackermann (g… Read Full Bio ↴A Place to Bury Strangers are a power trio comprised of Oliver Ackermann (guitar / vocals), John Fedowitz (bass) and Sandra Fedowitz (drums). The band play a heavy, atmospheric wall of sound-influenced blend of psychedelic, shoegaze and noise rock.

A Place to Bury Strangers was formed in 2002 by David Goffan and Tim Gregorio. Current frontman and guitarist Oliver Ackermann had moved to Brooklyn, New York, United States, following the disbanding of his previous group, Skywave to join the group and become the primary songwriter after the departure of Goffan. They played their first show at Luxx in Brooklyn in 2003. Jay Space and Jono Mofo, both from the New York City-based band MOFO, joined the band when Tim Gregorio left. In 2006, APTBS handmade three different untitled EPs with different color schemes; these later become known as the Red, Blue and Green EPs.

In 2006, the band gained some acclaim following its Webster Hall performance with The Brian Jonestown Massacre. The band returned to Webster Hall in 2007 to play with one of their major influences, The Jesus and Mary Chain.

Throughout these formative years, the band's live shows became increasingly chaotic which earned them the title of New York City's "loudest band" from various indie reviewers and bloggers, as well as "the most ear-shatteringly loud garage/shoegaze band you'll ever hear" by The Washington Post. The New York Times applauded their revival of "the ominous, feedback-drenched drones of the 1980s".

In early 2009, APTBS signed to Mute Records. The band also announced another European tour and appearances at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Seaport Music Festival, Rock al Parque and Siren Music Festival. Their second album, Exploding Head, was released in October 2009. In early spring 2010, it was discovered that Jono MOFO had decided to leave the band for personal reasons (after recently getting married) rather than tour with the band during their US tour supporting The Big Pink. He was replaced for that spring tour by Dion Lunadon, formerly of the bands The D4 and The True Lovers.

On February 14, 2011, Ackermann stated that the band had begun working on their third full-length album. On January 10, 2012 A Place to Bury Strangers release the iPhone shot all Hipstamatic video for the first single So Far Away of the forthcoming Onwards to the Wall EP. On February 12, 2012, the band announced that Robi Gonzalez was taking over drumming duties for A Place to Bury Strangers. They also thanked former drummer, Jay Space, for his contribution to the band. On May 2, 2012, it was confirmed that the third album of the band, , was scheduled to be released on June 11 in the UK and Europe, and on June 26, 2012 in the US via Dead Oceans label. The band announced plans to support the release with a full North American tour in October 2012.

It was announced in early March 2013, that the band had recorded covers of songs from the Portland band, Dead Moon. They plan to release these covers on Record Store Day 2013 as an EP titled Strange Moon. In March 2013, the band began recording their 4th studio album. They recorded for several days at ABC Studios in Etne, Norway with Emil Nikolaisen of Serena Maneesh. Then, in May, APTBS released a 7" via Sweet Mistakes Productions, free with the Fractal Press Magazine, issue #135. The band also sold them without the magazine during their live shows. In late November, Ackermann and Lunadon had an interview with Drowned in Sound and said that there will likely be a tour following the 4th LP's release.

The band's fifth album, "Pinned", was released in 2018. The band also replaced Robi Gonzalez with drummer and singer Lia Simone Braswell.

In 2021, John Fedowitz (also a former member of Skywave)& his wife Sandra Fedowitz, both from Ceremony East Coast, replaced the rhythm section once again. Hologram EP was released July 16, 2021.

http://www.aplacetoburystrangers.com/

Smile When You Smile
A Place to Bury Strangers Lyrics

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I'm a little child
Smile when you smile
Joy when you're around
And sad when you are down

Cause I found love
I want you next to me
And I found life

With you here

You make life warm
You make me happy when you
Tell me everything will be okay, hey
Let's make love
You make me happy now but
You can see my heart change with the sun

Now I'm feeling sad so I want you

I want you
I still want you
I want you
I still want you

You won't talk to me
And I can't make you smile
I just bring you down
And you don't want me here
Though I still feel love
And want you next to me
Cause I feel life
When you're around

We made life warm
We were so happy then but
You won't tell me everything's okay
We had love
And I want it all again
I can see your heart change with the sun

Even though you're done I still want you

I want you
I still want you

I want you
I still want you

Overall Meaning

The song "Smile When You Smile" is a melancholic but beautiful love song. The lyrics are about being in love with someone and feeling happy and alive when they are around, but also feeling sad and lost when they are not. The singer expresses the desire to be with the person they love, even when things are not going well between them. The lyrics are deeply personal and emotional, conveying the pain and longing the singer feels for their love.

At the beginning of the song, the singer describes themselves as a "little child," which could imply vulnerability or a sense of helplessness. They then describe their emotional state as being tied to the other person's, feeling joy when they are happy and sad when they are down. The chorus expresses the singer's love and desire for the other person, wanting them to be near and sharing their life together.

As the song continues, the singer describes the warmth and happiness the other person brings to their life, but also the frustration and sadness when they are not communicating or when things are difficult between them. Despite these challenges, the singer still loves and wants the other person. They end the song by repeating the lines "I want you, I still want you," expressing their longing and desire for the person they love.

Overall, "Smile When You Smile" is a hauntingly beautiful song that captures the complexity of love and the desire to be with someone even when things are difficult.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm a little child
I feel vulnerable and innocent

Smile when you smile
I find joy in your happiness

Joy when you're around
Your presence brings me happiness

And sad when you are down
Your sadness affects me and brings me down

Cause I found love
I have discovered love

I want you next to me
I desire your presence in my life

And I found life
You bring meaning and vitality to my life

With you here
When you are present in my life

You make life warm
You bring warmth and comfort to my life

You make me happy when you
Your actions and words bring me happiness

Tell me everything will be okay, hey
Your assurance brings me comfort