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.
The Girl With The Broken Heart
American Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They are raping minds and building kids to sell
Ruin your make up and wash it down
Tear your magazines, don't join the crowd
We are not a part of what they say
We are the majority
A million questions running out of our mouths
Oh, by the way
No one seems to care
Oh, by the way
By the way
Won't you sell yourself to misery?
'Cause talk is cheap and so are we
Well, the media it's spinning
It's goddamn out of control
Don't sell out
There is no truth in what they say
Don't rape her mind
She's so beautiful
My tender girl, she's so untouchable
Protect yourself and just close your eyes
We are all American eyes
[Chorus]
Sell yourself for what you need
The way you live your life
You're never gonna be free
'Cause we're in love
Oh, we're so in love
With the girl with the broken heart
Who's the girl with the broken heart?
We're in love
And she bleeds on me
The opening lines of "The Girl with the Broken Heart" suggest a rebellion against the government's manipulation through conditioning the youth. The lyrics speak of the youth's frustration and the realization that they are more than just statistics, which the government often treats them as. The line "They are raping minds and building kids to sell" implies that the government preys on the youth for their gain, stripping them of their identities, and conditioning them to become profitable in society.
The song's chorus further emphasizes the disillusionment of the youth with their surroundings, a million questions running out of their mouths, and no one seeming to care. The lyrics suggest a feeling of being trapped in a society that is corrupt and irrelevant. The line "Won't you sell yourself to misery? 'Cause talk is cheap and so are we" hints at the youth's susceptibility to the society's pressures, which can lead to self-destruction.
The song also highlights the importance of protecting oneself against the society's negative influences. "My tender girl, she's so untouchable, protect yourself, and just close your eyes. We are all American eyes" implies that it is crucial to guard oneself and one's loved ones against the negative impacts of society.
Line by Line Meaning
We are not statistics populated by government authorities
We refuse to be defined by the numbers and data collected by those in power
They are raping minds and building kids to sell
The government and media are manipulating and brainwashing youth for profit
Ruin your make up and wash it down
Forget about superficial appearances and the pressure to look a certain way
Tear your magazines, don't join the crowd
Reject the mainstream media's messages and don't conform to societal norms
We are not a part of what they say
We don't align ourselves with the lies and propaganda of authority figures
We are the majority
We are united and strong in our resistance against the powers that be
A million questions running out of our mouths
We have endless doubts and uncertainties about the world around us
No one seems to care
Our concerns and issues are often dismissed and ignored
Won't you sell yourself to misery?
Why succumb to despair and hopelessness when you can strive for something better?
'Cause talk is cheap and so are we
We must take action instead of just talking about change
Well, the media it's spinning
The media is constantly churning out distorted versions of reality
It's goddamn out of control
It's gotten to a point where the media has lost all semblance of truth and morality
Don't sell out
Don't compromise your beliefs or values for personal gain
There is no truth in what they say
Falsehoods and misinformation run rampant in the media
Don't rape her mind
Don't subject someone else to the same mental manipulation and abuse
She's so beautiful
The girl with the broken heart is unique and special in her own way
My tender girl, she's so untouchable
Despite her pain, she remains unbreakable and resilient
Protect yourself and just close your eyes
Shield yourself from harm and negative influences, even if it means turning a blind eye
Sell yourself for what you need
Compromising oneself for personal gain will never lead to true fulfillment
The way you live your life
The path one chooses to take will ultimately shape their future
You're never gonna be free
True freedom cannot be attained through superficial means or societal constructs
'Cause we're in love
The artist and others empathize with and care for the girl with the broken heart
Oh, we're so in love
The feelings of compassion and empathy are deep and strong
Who's the girl with the broken heart?
The focus shifts to the girl herself, her pain, and her story
And she bleeds on me
The weight of the girl's pain and suffering is felt by those who care for her
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Julie
got anything from the Space EP from 2007 before they dropped off the face of the earth?