American Hi-Fi is a rock band originally from Boston, Massachusetts, best k… Read Full Bio ↴American Hi-Fi is a rock band originally from Boston, Massachusetts, best known for their 2001 hit Flavor of the Weak. Their musical style incorporates various elements of the pop punk, power pop, alternative rock, and pop rock genres.

To date they have released Four studio albums, as well as two live albums. Their self-titled album (2001, Island Records) was their best known release, with singles Flavor of the Weak and Another Perfect Day. Their 2003 follow up album Art of Losing had a slightly rockier edge to it and includes the singles The Art of Losing and The Breakup Song (both of which appeared on various movie soundtracks). However the album failed to meet the success of their first album and they were dropped by Island Records. Their third studio album Hearts on Parade was released by Maverick Records in 2005 with a much more poppy sound. It included the singles The Geeks Get the Girls and Hell Yeah!. There was much division between fans due to the "new sound" and poor record sales meant Maverick dropped American Hi-Fi in Autumn of 2005.
The band retured after 5 years, releasing their forth studio album Fight the Frequency but the album did not follow any sort of promotion nor much tour for support of the album.
As of 2012, the band is currently working on a new studio album and are now signed with Goomba Music.

American Hi-Fi have also released 2 Live albums. One released only in Japan called Rock N' Roll Noodle Shop: Live From Tokyo through Universal. The album is a live recording of a concert performed in Tokyo and includes mainly tracks from the self-titled album. However, it does include an early version of the track Teenage Alien Nation titled Waking Up to the End of the World, Happy (both from the Art of Losing Album) and cover of the Cheap Trick song Surrender.
The second live album was Live from Milwaukee.

According to an radio interview given by the band in 2001, their name came from a chance meeting with Keith Richards at a club. When they mentioned to him that they were looking for a name, he suggested "American Hi-Fi."

Frontman and founding member Stacy Jones previously drummed for the often mis-labelled all girl punk rock outfit Veruca Salt on their Eight Arms To Hold You tour but never recorded for the band leaving in 1998 to start American Hi-Fi.

Jones is a renowned producer and songwriter and has produced a mixed bag of artists from Hana Montana to Towers of London, also playing drums on various Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana tracks. Jones is also married to international photographer Jade Loop.

Band Lineup
Stacy Jones - Vocals, Drums and Guitar (2001-present)
Jamie Arentzen - Guitar and Vocals (2001-present)
Drew Parsons - Bass and Vocals (2001-present)
Brian Nolan - Drums (2001-2004,2007-present)
Jason Sutter - Drums on Hearts on Parade (2004-2007)

Wall Of Sound
American Hi-Fi Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It don't mean nothing
When you say it's gonna be alright
'Cause you'll tell me anything I want to hear
And it don't mean nothing

When you laugh at my jokes
'Cause it's all or nothing when I fall apart
Fade, fade, fade

Into you

You're under my skin now
I could shut out the world that we know
I'll try to be everything you want me to be
And I've gotta head start

But I'm making the same mistakes
'Cause it's all or nothing when I fall apart
Fade, fade, fade
Into you

Caught in the rush of the crowd
Lost in a wall of sound
You were ringing in my ear
Caught in the rush of the crowd
Lost in a wall of sound
You were ringing in my ear

My ear
Fade, fade, fade, fade
Caught in the rush of the crowd
Lost in a wall of sound

You were ringing in my ear
Caught in the rush of the crowd

Lost in a wall of sound
You were ringing in my ear

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of American Hi-Fi's song "Wall of Sound" tell the story of someone who is caught up in a relationship that is not healthy. The lines "It don't mean nothing when you say it's gonna be alright" and "You'll tell me anything I want to hear" express a sense of disillusionment with a partner who is not being truthful or sincere. The singer is aware that these things don't really mean anything, yet they continue to go along with the relationship.

The lines "Caught in the rush of the crowd/Lost in a wall of sound" could be viewed as a metaphor for the chaos and confusion of the relationship. The "wall of sound" represents the overwhelming emotions that the singer is experiencing. They are struggling to find their way through the noise and confusion, but the other person's voice ("You were ringing in my ear") is loud and clear, making it difficult to think clearly. The singer is aware that they are making the same mistakes, but feels powerless to do anything about it.

Overall, the lyrics of "Wall of Sound" suggest a feeling of being lost and trapped in a relationship that is not fulfilling or healthy.

Line by Line Meaning

It don't mean nothing
There's no value in empty reassurances

When you say it's gonna be alright
Words can't always fix everything

'Cause you'll tell me anything I want to hear
You're not being honest with me

And it don't mean nothing
Hollow words don't help either of us

When you laugh at my jokes
I can't tell if you really like me or if you're just pretending

'Cause it's all or nothing when I fall apart
Things get really bad when I'm not doing well

Fade, fade, fade
I'm losing myself in you

Into you
I'm becoming more and more attached to you

You're under my skin now
You've become a part of me

I could shut out the world that we know
My feelings for you are all-consuming