Credit such significant notoriety to the fact that American Eyes never settled on playing standard fare, stand ‘n’ stare rock music from its inception. Instead, the quintet had always been a dark-edged neo-gothic punk act that’s incorporated prominent dance rhythms within its material, whether it’s on the band’s first two self-released recordings, or their SideOneDummy debut EP, Never Trust Anything That Bleeds.
Hailing from the westernmost region of Los Angeles County — Agoura Hills, to be exact — American Eyes’ members Henry, Richardson and Gold actually shared sandboxes together, having known each other since pre-school. The three didn’t really materialize into a musical act until their years at Agoura High, where they met locals Anthony and Johnson — it’s also the same institution of which members of Linkin Park, Hoobastank and Incubus had attended (but, of course, ended up in an entirely different musical genre). Originally formed under a different name, the pre-American Eyes act gave the members ample opportunity at which to cut their teeth.
Since high school wasn’t the act’s forte, Henry, Richardson and Gold opted to swap their chance at higher education for a shot at bigger venues and more recordings. With a renewed spirit, a more focused concept and a few years of steady experience already underneath their collective belts, the set launched American Eyes in 2002. But the launch wasn’t exactly the propulsive lift-off that the act had been anticipating.
“When we first started, no one would book us because we had a really bad reputation around L.A.,” says Henry. “We played an all-ages show and kids were going nuts — it was a typical hardcore show. Next thing I know, I see a chair getting thrown through a window. The cops came and it made the front page of the local magazine. A week later, we played at USC and I put my foot through the grand piano on accident. No venue would book us. Troubadour? No. Knitting Factory, Roxy, Whisky? No way.”
The only place that gave the band a shot was a gay club in West Hollywood — and American Eyes was the first band to ever play there. Packing in their audience amidst the cage dancers, American Eyes soon grabbed the attention of local radio stations and other promoters. Next thing they knew, they were welcomed back into L.A.’s club scene — selling out nearly every local show they’ve played since.
That doesn’t mean that American Eyes have toned down their act. Actually, Henry mentions that the group was recently asked to leave another local venue — the reason given was that Henry had endangered the crowd by climbing up the side pillars and hanging upside down while singing — in short, just going nuts. “We’re just always looking for trouble,” Henry admits. “I believe it’s fun, it’s music.”
An American Eyes show isn’t just a band slamming through a handful of songs and making a quick exit — it’s a total production that goes well beyond the scope of five guys playing music on stage. For example, the band’s Valentine’s Day gig in 2005 featured a kissing booth and a snow machine. “We throw events, we don’t throw concerts,” Henry adds.
The chatter of their famed shows and a well-connected Henry caught the attention of the SideOneDummy record label execs, who inked a deal with the band after catching a seemingly rousing practice session in 2004.
Enter Never Trust Anything That Bleeds, American Eyes’ six-song label debut. Produced by Michael Patterson (Puff Daddy, Notorious B.I.G., Beck) and Gavin MacKillop (Sugarcult, MXPX), the concept EP was devised around a relationship in Henry’s life, and all the ensuing emotional twists and turns. “It was a turning point in my life. I’d got out of high school, I was out in the world, I had a girlfriend for five years and we had broken up. You didn’t know anything, you didn’t trust anybody, not even yourself. You just had to keep your eyes open.”
Never Trust Anything That Bleeds leads off with the electro-charged “Knife Fight With A Girl (True Story),” a song about confusion, incomprehension and the emotions of having to sever ties with a former love. Next comes the propulsive “Telephone Wires,” followed by the anthemic “Carry On For Keepsake,” which grapples painfully with a sense of loss in the wake of a tumultuous relationship. “The Girl With The Broken Heart (By The Way)” is a straightforward rocker, which then leads into the sweeping, orchestral ballad, “The Day We Died,” of which Henry addresses internalizing his frustration. The song is a collaboration featuring vocals by Curt Smith of Tears For Fears fame. “Recording with Curt was surreal,” Henry exclaims. “I had to kick myself!” The disc’s massive send off is the upbeat, sing-along track “Radio.” “With that song it’s like, it doesn’t matter, I can do whatever I want to do,” Henry notes. “I’m doing what I love to do. And hopefully one day, she’ll hear this song on the radio and be like, ‘Wait, I fucking blew it.’”
And it’s that intriguing dichotomy of tormented, frustrated lyrics and danceable, stimulating rock (“We make happy music to cry to,” says Henry) that’s made American Eyes such a favorite — especially online, through their MySpace profile. “We put ‘The Day We Died’ on MySpace and tons of people were hitting us up, saying ‘Oh my God, that song is reading what I’m thinking.’ The lyrics can totally bum you out but the music is happy. It’s all right to be sad. It’s all right to grieve.”
American Eyes receive and continue to respond to personal e-mails seeking advice on many of their fans’ issues. “It’s like therapy,” he says. “That’s how we’ve gotten to where we are, because we’ve made personal connections with everyone. We’re going through the same thing they are.”
It’s no surprise American Eyes have caused kids to uncross their arms and take notice. And Los Angeles is just the starting point.
Telephone Wires
American Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm tangled up for good
My mom says don't get carried away
Tonight I will sleep so good
My tiny match is burning constant apathy
Your tiny lungs are screaming for some suffering
I'll hold you close at night
Well, all dolled up, now put on all your make up
You're screaming look at me
All tied up and contagious
Come on, lets celebrate
We gotta celebrate
Get hot hot hot
My flesh is cold and your skin is on fire
I bite my lower lip to bleed with desire
Oh, the simple things
Don't fuck with simple things
Let's scam all night and hold on
Get up and get off
We're all getting hot hot hot
Touch me, feel me, hot hot hot
Pick up the phone and turn a trick or two
Take it back now so good
With your power and your batteries
Turn me on
With our collision we start a fire
That no one can save
Lets make love for no good reason
Smear that make up off don't even
Tell me you name
Lets do bad bad things
For just one night we will say
Goodbye
The song, Telephone Wires, by American Eyes discusses the idea of a sexual encounter, with the use of a metaphor of telephone wires that have become tangled up. The first verse begins with the subject becoming entangled and infatuated, represented by a phone wire. They may be in trouble but are willing to take the risk. The song also highlights a contradiction between needing to be responsible yet wanting to indulge in risky behaviour. The last verse portrays the regret that the two people may feel after the passionate encounter.
The lyrics are contrasted by the music. The chorus has a catchy upbeat melody that creates a sense of excitement and celebration. However, the verses are toned down, with a slower tempo and softer melody, which mirrors the exploration of the complicated and dangerous relationship between two people.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn me on telephone wires
I am entranced by the sight of the telephone wires and I want to be engulfed by them
I'm tangled up for good
I am so consumed by my desires that I cannot get out of the situation I am in
My mom says don't get carried away
My mother tells me to calm down and not let my emotions control me
Tonight I will sleep so good
I will be at peace and content with myself tonight
My tiny match is burning constant apathy
I am indifferent to things and my spark to ignite emotions is almost gone
Your tiny lungs are screaming for some suffering
You want to feel something so much that it feels like your tiny lungs are shouting for that sensation
I'll hold you close at night
I will comfort you and keep you safe at night
I'll tuck you in for a while
I will take care of you and put you to bed for a bit
Well, all dolled up, now put on all your make up
You are putting on a show by dolling yourself up and applying makeup
You're screaming look at me
You want people to notice you and pay attention to you
All tied up and contagious
You are restricted but still able to easily influence others
Come on, lets celebrate
Let's have fun and enjoy ourselves
We gotta celebrate
It is important for us to celebrate
Get hot hot hot
Let's get excited and passionate
My flesh is cold and your skin is on fire
I am emotionally numb while you are feeling everything intensely
I bite my lower lip to bleed with desire
I am so overwhelmed by my desires that I resort to painful measures to cope
Oh, the simple things
The little things in life are sometimes the most important and meaningful
Don't fuck with simple things
We should not try to complicate or ruin things that are already simple and enjoyable
Let's scam all night and hold on
Let's keep going all night and hold onto this feeling
Get up and get off
Let's move and feel alive
We're all getting hot hot hot
We are all feeling passionate and excited
Touch me, feel me, hot hot hot
Contact me, experience me, feel that passion
Pick up the phone and turn a trick or two
Make some calls and get into some mischief
Take it back now so good
Experience something good and memorable and then reminisce about it later
With your power and your batteries
You have the energy and capability to make things happen
Turn me on
Excite me and make me feel something again
With our collision we start a fire
When we come together, sparks fly and we start something great
That no one can save
What we start will be unstoppable and out of our control
Lets make love for no good reason
Let's have sex for the sake of it, without any expectations or reasons
Smear that make up off don't even
Don't worry about the makeup and just be yourself
Tell me your name
I want to know who you truly are
Let's do bad bad things
Let's get into trouble and make some memories
For just one night we will say goodbye
We will part ways after tonight and say goodbye, even if it's just for one night
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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