Andrew Jackson Jihad was formed after its original drummer, Justin James White, approached Sean Bonnette and Ben Gallaty, who had just left Rodan (not the Rodan of Kentucky fame) and The Sub-Standards. Since then, many significant Arizona musicians have sat in with the remaining duo of Sean and Ben, including John De La Cruz of Fatigo and Asleep In The Sea's Owen Evans. Dylan Cook also plays mandolin regularly with the band.
According to Songfacts, Bonnette, who is also the lyricist of the band (with upright bass player Ben Gallant handling most of the production and some vocals as well) volunteered at a suicide prevention hotline for teenagers for eight years, and worked with homeless men and women in the Phoenix, Arizona area. These experiences gave him a sometimes bleak, but at moments, hopeful outlook on life, often reflected in the band's lyrics.
On Halloween 2005, Andrew Jackson Jihad covered Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea album in its entirety at CounterCulture Cafe.
Their biggest performance to date has been in their hometown with Flogging Molly and Authority Zero on St. Patrick's Day 2006.
On April 15, 2006, the band played as part of the 2006 New Times Music Showcase, nominated for Best Americana Band, and won a 2006 Best of Phoenix later that year.
Besides their local shows, where they have become arguably the most prominent representative in Arizona of the DIY ethic, they have also toured in clubs and basements across the Western United States, appearing at such venues as the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles, CA. One show in Kimberly, Idaho saw the band in a cowboy bar and leaving the premises as soon as possible after the show.
Andrew Jackson Jihad also performed at St. Augustine, Florida's second annual Harvest of Hope Festival in 2010. They played a dual set with Bomb the Music Industry!
Brave as a Noun
Andrew Jackson Jihad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can kill all my best friends
I can follow those stylish trends
God knows I can make amends
But I've got an angry heart
Filled with cancer and poppy tarts
If this is how you folks make art, it's fucking depressing
And it's sad to know that we are not alone
And it's sad to know there's no honest way out
I'm afraid to leave the house
I'm as timid as a mouse
I'm afraid if I go on I'll outwear my welcome
I'm not a courageous man
I don't have any big, lasting plans
Too cowardly to take a stand, I want to keep my nose clean
And it's sad to know that we are not alone in this
and it's said to know there's no honest way out
In this life we lead, we can conquer every thing
If we could just feel brave to get out of bed in the morning
The song "Brave as a Noun" by Andrew Jackson Jihad is a dark and introspective reflection on the struggles of life and the search for courage. The lyrics speak to the singer's inner turmoil, as he grapples with his own sense of worthiness and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. Through clever wordplay and metaphor, the song explores themes of fear, depression, and the quest for inner strength.
The first verse sets the tone for the song, as the singer declares his ability to "go off the deep end" and hurt those closest to him. He acknowledges that he could follow the latest fashion trends and try to make amends for his mistakes, but instead chooses to express his frustration with the state of the world. He critiques the art world, declaring that if this is how people make art, the world must be a depressing place.
The second verse reveals the singer's own personal struggles with anxiety and fear. He's afraid to leave the house and feels timid and small, like a mouse. He admits that he's not a courageous person and doesn't have grand plans for his life. He just wants to keep his head down and avoid causing any trouble. Yet, he acknowledges that he's not alone in his struggles and that there's no easy way out.
The chorus offers a glimmer of hope in the darkness, as the singer suggests that bravery is the key to conquering life's challenges. He urges himself and others to find the courage to get out of bed in the morning and face the world.
Overall, "Brave as a Noun" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that speaks to the universal human experience of doubt, anxiety, and the quest for inner strength.
Line by Line Meaning
I could go off the deep end
I have the potential to do something drastic or harmful
I can kill all my best friends
I am capable of carrying out acts of extreme violence towards those closest to me
I can follow those stylish trends
I have the ability to conform to popular culture and societal norms
God knows I can make amends
I have the ability to apologize or make things right after causing harm
But I've got an angry heart
However, I struggle with deep-seated anger
Filled with cancer and poppy tarts
My anger is toxic and damaging, like a disease or a drug addiction
If this is how you folks make art, it's fucking depressing
I am critical of the art world and how it often reflects or perpetuates negative emotions
And it's sad to know that we are not alone
It is disheartening to realize that others also struggle with mental health and emotional issues
And it's sad to know there's no honest way out
It feels hopeless to think that there is no clear or easy solution to our problems
I'm afraid to leave the house
I experience anxiety or fear when leaving my home
I'm as timid as a mouse
I am extremely shy or nervous
I'm afraid if I go on I'll outwear my welcome
I worry that I will overstay my welcome or become a burden to those around me
I'm not a courageous man
I do not have the bravery or confidence to take risks or stand up for myself
I don't have any big, lasting plans
I lack direction or ambition for the future
Too cowardly to take a stand, I want to keep my nose clean
I am afraid to assert myself or take action, instead hoping to avoid trouble or conflict
In this life we lead, we can conquer every thing
Despite our struggles, we have the potential to overcome challenges and succeed
If we could just feel brave to get out of bed in the morning
If we can summon the courage to face each day, we can overcome even the most daunting obstacles
Contributed by Ethan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.