In 1999, the band released their debut album, the tongue-in-cheek titled 'Greatest Hits'. It went on to win "Best Independent Album" in the L.A. Music Awards and has picked up a big fan response. In 2000, after forging a friendship with the alternative rock band Papa Roach, Alien Ant Farm signed with DreamWorks SKG for their first major studio album, called 'ANThology'. The band's tunes showcased an energetic sound that featured humorous, often cynical lyrics and a desire to take in all kinds of musical influences.
In 2001, their cover of the Michael Jackson song, "Smooth Criminal", was a #1 single in both Australia and New Zealand as well a #3 single in the United Kingdom and #1 on Billboard's Modern Rock chart. The song's music video features numerous homages to Michael Jackson's life and career as well as Jackson's many videos. The song was featured on the soundtrack of the first season of 'WWE Tough Enough' and in the movie 'American Pie 2'. Their following single, "Movies", also featured a quirky music video with references to classic films such as 'The Karate Kid' and 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory'. The tune became top 5 hit in the U.K. and a top 20 hit in New Zealand. The band began touring in promotion of these two singles and their album, which later went platinum.
In spring of 2002, the band contributed the track "Bug Bytes" to the first 'Spider-Man' soundtrack, giving them even more exposure after the Tobey Maguire film's major success. However, tragedy struck the group. In May 2002, the band was involved in a bus accident while touring in Spain. The driver, 26-year-old Christopher Holland, was killed, and lead singer Dryden Mitchell suffered a fractured C2 vertebra. The horrific event scarred the group permanently, and many fans speculated that the band might have to go on a long hiatus or even fold for a while.
Nontheless, Alien Ant Farm soon returned to the studio to work on their next album, titled 'truANT', which was released in 2003. Produced by Stone Temple Pilots' Robert and Dean DeLeo, the work found the band doubling down on their past style. The video for "These Days", the first single from the album, was filmed on top of a nearby building during the Red Carpet at the 2003 BET Awards. While that tune ended up having more modest success that the band had hoped, song "Glow" was a mainstream radio success, achieving long lasting Top 20 success in New Zealand. Two months after this album was released, however, the group's record label closed its doors. Some fans speculated that the outfit had some kind of black cloud of bad luck around them, despite the guys' talents.
In October 2003, guitarist Terry Corso split with the band, citing "irreconcilable differences". Soon after, he joined the popular alternative metal outfit Powerman 5000 for a time. Joe Hill was named the new guitarist in 2005. The musician had formerly served in the underground California rock outfit Spiderworks.
In 2004, the band recorded the song "Dark in Here" for the Punisher video game. Unfortunately, the band was forced to wait for Geffen to allow them to record another album. Label Universal Music had bought DreamWorks and assigned the band to the Geffen Records company, and it appeared as if corporate shenanigans had stopped the band's momentum in its tracks, the mainstream popularity having faded.
In 2005, the band recorded with producer Jim Wirt (who recorded their independent, debut release "Greatest Hits") and planned to release the album during that summer. However, Geffen shelved the album and subsequently denied the band the rights to release it themselves. The band hit the road and made bootleg copies of the album material available to all of their fans. This unofficial release was dubbed 3rd Draft by fans.
In late 2005, Geffen finally agreed to let the band release the album on another Universal label, Universal Music Enterprises (its catalogue division). On May 4, 2006, information began showing up on music store websites and release calendars about an upcoming release from the band. The band also released information about a DVD that same day. On May 30, 2006 the new album, Up in the Attic, was released digitally on iTunes. The first single was "Forgive and Forget", the one added track to 3rd Draft.
In April 2006, bassist Tye Zamora left the band and decided to go to college. He was replaced by Alex Barreto (formerly of hardcore bands Chain of Strength, Hardstance, and Inside Out). On June 29, 2006, the band performed on G4's Attack of the Show, and on July 18, 2006, Up in the Attic was released worldwide, along with BUSted: The Definitive DVD. Included on the DVD were music videos for "Forgive and Forget", "Around the Block", and "She's Only Evil". Notably, the three videos feature only Dryden Mitchell and Mike Cosgrove.
Since the July 2006 release of Up in the Attic, very little has happened. Their website remained unupdated from November 2006 until April 2007, the update promoting the Alien Ant Fans website, created by a long time Polish fan, Bartek.
The band released Around the Block, the second single from Up in the Attic, on iTunes Store in 2007.
On February 11, 2008, the band posted a statement on their website saying all the original members of the band are back together. It was also revealed that the band had "unofficially broken up" in 2007 due to the fact that 2006's Up in the Attic was their least successful album. Around this time, vocalist Dryden Mitchell formed a new band, Send the Sages. Guitarist Terry Corso and drummer Michael Cosgrove worked on a side project titled Ghost In The Flesh, bassist Tye Zamora worked with the band eEnik. Alien Ant Farm toured sporadically, and released a new live album, Alien Ant Farm: Live In Germany.
In 2009, they played the Sonisphere Festival in Knebworth, UK on August 1. They had also performed "Smooth Criminal" at the 2009 Vans' Warped Tour in memory of Michael Jackson, who had recently died.
On February 9, 2010, Alien Ant Farm posted on their official website that the original line up (Dryden Mitchell, Terry Corso, Tye Zamora and Mike Cosgrove) was back together for the first time since 2003. On February 27, 2010, the Alien Ant Farm official website released the band's first "webizode" titled Bassmasters.
Always And Forever and upcoming sixth studio album (2011–present)
Alien Ant Farm playing in 2015
The band's "ANTicipation" 2011 Tour took place across the continental U.S. from July to October 2011. They also took part in the "Michael Forever Tribute Concert" which took place on October 8, 2011 in Cardiff, Wales. Alien Ant Farm started writing new material and in July 2012 started recording their fifth album, Always and Forever, at Groovemaster Studios in Chicago in July 2012. In March 2013 they set up a crowdfund, using PledgeMusic, to finance the album's release. The first single from Always and Forever, "Let 'Em Know", was released in May 2013. Also in the summer of 2013, Alien Ant Farm participated in "The Big Night Out Tour", opening for Hoobastank and Fuel.
Founding member and bassist Tye Zamora left Alien Ant Farm in March 2014 and was replaced by Tim Peugh. At the same time, Michael Anaya joined as a touring member of the band, providing backing vocals, percussion, and keyboards. Another single, Homage, was released in September 2014, followed a month later by E.P. Phone Home. The album Always and Forever was released on February 24, 2015.
On March 31, 2016, Alien Ant Farm announced on their official Facebook page that they were writing material for a new album.
On May 17, 2016, the band took part in the Make America Rock Again super tour throughout the summer and fall of 2016. In addition, they announced a headlining tour where they intend to perform the album Anthology in its entirety. In 2018 they toured as part of the "Gen-X Tour", alongside Buckcherry, P.O.D., and Lit.
On May 8, 2020, the new single "Everything She Wants" was released digitally on streaming services. It is a cover of the song by Wham!.
Crickets
Alien Ant Farm Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can see your face
I know you'll get here soon
And we'll leave this place
I would just lay in the mustard seed
And watch you climb the trees
Look for fool's gold in the scary creek
Splash you, cold, and hear you scream
No one's here to see us
I'm kinda liking you too
No one's here to believe us
And I don't wanna share you
[Chorus]
Years gone by and this creek's all dried
Funny little things never work out
Years gone by and this creek's all dry
Funny little things never work out
Monday's came to soon
And you went away
Lord knows I think of you
Every single day
We would just lay in that beat up car
And laugh until we cried
We took our shoes off and went a bit too far
I see it in your eyes
No one's here to see us
I'm kinda liking you too
No one's here to believe us
And I don't wanna share you
[Chorus]
No one's here to see us
I'm kinda liking you too
No one's here to believe us
And I don't wanna share you
[Chorus]
Years gone by and this creek's all dried
Funny little things never work out
Years gone by and this creek's all dry
The lyrics to Alien Ant Farm's song "Crickets" describe a fond memory of a summer romance. The singer is anticipating the arrival of their lover, and they reminisce about their time spent together, particularly in a creek where they used to play, look for "fool's gold", and splash each other cold. They recount their laughter and their connection, enjoying each other's company in the absence of others.
Despite their affection for each other, the realistic tone of the lyrics reveals a sense of inevitability that their relationship won't last. The chorus repeats the sentiment that "years gone by and this creek's all dried / funny little things never work out". It's clear that the singer recognizes the transience of their summer fling and the reality that circumstances will force them apart.
Overall, the lyrics of "Crickets" are bittersweet and sentimental, capturing the magic of a fleeting summer romance that is doomed to end. The song is both nostalgic and melancholic, evoking a sense of longing for a time and a person that can never be recaptured.
Line by Line Meaning
Dog day afternoon
It is a hot summer day and the time of day is afternoon.
I can see your face
The singer is able to visualize the person they are referring to.
I know you'll get here soon
The singer has the expectation that the person they are referring to will arrive soon.
And we'll leave this place
The artist and the person they are referring to have plans to depart from their current location.
I would just lay in the mustard seed
The artist would comfortably rest in a patch of land filled with small yellow flowers.
And watch you climb the trees
The singer would be an observer while the other person would climb up the trees.
Look for fool's gold in the scary creek
Both are engaging in a search for a yellow mineral in the nearby creek that can often mistake for gold.
Splash you, cold, and hear you scream
The artist would create a large splash of water that would make the other person scream from the sudden coldness of the water.
No one's here to see us
The situation they are in is private and nobody else is around.
I'm kinda liking you too
The artist is also attracted to the other person.
No one's here to believe us
In case they share their rapport with someone, they are not anticipated to be believed.
And I don't wanna share you
The artist feels possessive of the other person and doesn't want to share them with anyone else.
Years gone by and this creek's all dried
Several years have passed and the creek they used to spend time in is now dried up.
Funny little things never work out
Things that seemed trivial or minor in hindsight do not always result in what is desired.
Monday's came too soon
After the weekend, the workweek has come around again too quickly.
And you went away
The other person that the artist is referring to has left or moved away.
Lord knows I think of you
The artist remembers the other person often, but the extent of their recollection isn't known to anyone, except for God.
Every single day
It happens every day, without fail.
We would just lay in that beat up car
The two of them would pass time laying down in a rundown car.
And laugh until we cried
Both of them would laugh so hard that they cried in joy.
We took our shoes off and went a bit too far
They indulged in an activity or went to a place where they should not have gone barefoot.
I see it in your eyes
The artist is able to perceive something reflected in the eyes of the person they are speaking about.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
r0ttingb0ne
on Smooth Criminal
@ciggywater yess
ciggywater
on Smooth Criminal
Love this version much better.
Aaron Bernhard
on Wish
muie