It's been a long, strange trip for this outfit, which formed from the ashes of various collegiate bar bands in and around Berkeley, CA in 1994. The band has since released 7 albums on 5 different national labels, had 12 different members, logged over 50,000 miles, played hundreds of shows, contributed music to numerous film and television projects, and generally endured all manner of threats and pitfalls that haunt any band who dares to shoulder the Mantle of Rock. However, some things have never changed: Kelly on the skins, Scanlin on the wires/mics, and an unswerving dedication to and obsession with writing Songs. For Actionslacks the melody is key. It doesn't always have to be pretty, but if you don't have one, you don't have a song.
The penultimate album, Kids with Guitars, was an EP the band produced over the course of seven days in May of 2008, following a year of songwriting, demoing, and practicing (though never in the same room). It was initially released on-line (http://slacksaction.com/) on a pay-what-you-want basis, but is now available through iTunes and similar digital retailers or, more recently, as a CD release available through CDBaby.
The self-titled Actionslacks was recorded in mid-November 2009 and while it was slated for a Spring 2010 release, delays resulted in a release in early-October 2012.
John L. Sullivan
Actionslacks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
New silk suit and bloody hands
People stare when he walks by
No one looks him in the eye
But all the kids flocked to shake
The right hand that made him great
And that is why to this day
Did he meet the man
Did he shake his hand
Then let me shake the hand that shook the hand that shook the hand
Of John L. Sullivan
He went down to Baltimore
He went down to settle a score
People cheered when he took the mat
Knocked him out in twenty seconds flat
And children came from far and near
And talked about it for years
And that is why to this day
People always say
The lyrics of the song John L. Sullivan by Actionslacks tells the story of a successful boxer who's both admired and feared by people. He's wealthy and well-dressed with a new gold watch and derby hat, and a new silk suit, but his hands are bloody, indicating the battles he's faced in the ring. People stare when he walks by, but they are afraid to look him in the eye. Despite this, children come to him, eager to shake the right hand that made him great, which perpetuates the legend of John L. Sullivan. The chorus repeats the desire to shake the hand that shook the hand that shook the hand of John L. Sullivan, emphasizing the power and influence of the famous boxer.
The second verse of the song tells of Sullivan traveling to Baltimore to settle a score, and the crowd cheering as he takes the mat. He knocks his opponent out in twenty seconds flat, cementing his reputation as a skilled and ruthless boxer. The children who witness this event are in awe, and they talk about it for years. The final chorus repeats the desire to shake the hand that shook the hand of John L. Sullivan, reinforcing his status as a legend.
Overall, the lyrics of the song portray John L. Sullivan as a larger-than-life figure who is both revered and feared. Through his victories and his persona, he becomes a symbol of power and success in the eyes of both adults and children.
Line by Line Meaning
New gold watch and derby hat
He's got new fancy things, but there's a hint of something sinister about him, like he didn't get them through honest means.
New silk suit and bloody hands
He's got new fancy clothes, but there's a hint of violence about him, like he's not afraid to get his hands dirty.
People stare when he walks by
He's a bit of an oddity, something to be looked at and wondered about.
No one looks him in the eye
Despite the looks, people are afraid of him, like they know better than to make eye contact or challenge him in any way.
But all the kids flocked to shake
Despite that adult attitude, there's still something magnetic about him that kids just can't resist.
The right hand that made him great
He's a fighter, and his right hand has taken him very far.
And that is why to this day
Even though he's long gone, people still remember him and talk about him.
People always say
His reputation has survived him.
Did he meet the man
There's a question of whether or not someone actually met him.
Did he shake his hand
And if they did, whether or not they had the courage to shake his hand.
Then let me shake the hand that shook the hand that shook the hand
People are so drawn to him that they want to shake the hand of anyone who shook HIS hand, just to feel a little closer to him.
Of John L. Sullivan
The man himself - what a legend.
He went down to Baltimore
He went somewhere to fight, probably.
He went down to settle a score
He's not just fighting to fight - he wants revenge on someone or something.
People cheered when he took the mat
He's got a lot of fans who love to watch him fight.
Knocked him out in twenty seconds flat
And he doesn't disappoint - he's good at what he does and he gets the job done quickly.
And children came from far and near
He's got people of all ages and from all over interested in him.
And talked about it for years
He does something so impressive that people won't forget it.
Contributed by Hunter V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.