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!
Scenesters
Andrew Jackson Jihad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With their hair gel and their vintage t-shirts
Why didn't the Shins come to Phoenix?
And why didn't Mirah come to Phoenix?
Because the modified is too small
And the marquis is too big
And the complex is rightfully dead
Oh my god hardcore kids everywhere
With their hair gel and their color green
How do they look so good while their convictions remain so strong?
Because their hair gel that they use isn't tested on animals
And their swallow tattoos are fucking lame
And cocaine is essentially vegan
And they don't give a fuck anyway
They're so vain, and yes, this song is about them
Oh my god post-hardcore kids everywhere
With their violence and pomposity
So fucking straightedge getting high off of self-righteousness
And praying to a sideways cross
So urban, so infantile, so angry, so young, and so poor
They don't need to use a crutch 'cuz they've got the wheelchair
Oh my god there's assholes everywhere
Pretentious fucking assholes everywhere
Oh my god there's assholes everywhere
Pretentious judgmental assholes everywhere
The song "Scenesters" by Andrew Jackson Jihad is a critical commentary on the hypocrisy and self-absorption of the youth subcultures in Phoenix. The lyrics take on the form of an annoyed lament about the presence of scenesters, hardcore kids, post-hardcore kids, and assholes in the city. The song opens with an exasperation towards the scenesters, who are described as ubiquitous with their hair gel and vintage t-shirts. The singer then makes a reference to two indie bands who did not make it to Phoenix, suggesting that the city is just not big enough to attract the kind of attention these bands would require. The frustration culminates in the mocking of the hipsters' aversion to applause, showing how their acts of coolness are just phony attempts to set themselves apart from the rest of society.
The song then shifts focus to the hardcore kids, who are admired in the Phoenix scene for their punk rock lifestyle and convictions. However, the singer argues that their ethics are overshadowed by their embrace of consumerist culture as evidenced by their hair gel and fashion consciousness. The irony is further emphasized by the mention of cocaine and veganism that suggests a lack of integrity. The post-hardcore kids are then chastised for their inability to prioritize their violent music and pomposity over genuine social issues. They are also portrayed as struggling with their self-image as they pray to a sideways cross to fit in with their "urban" peers. Finally, the song ends with a condemnation of the assholes, who are characterized as pretentious and judgmental.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my god there's scenesters everywhere
The presence of scenesters is overwhelming and frustrating
With their hair gel and their vintage t-shirts
Scenesters are characterized by their fashion choices
Why didn't the Shins come to Phoenix?
The frustration of missing out on cultural experiences
And why didn't Mirah come to Phoenix?
The frustration of missing out on cultural experiences
Because the modified is too small
Venues in the area are not suitable for certain shows
And the marquis is too big
Venues in the area are not suitable for certain shows
And the complex is rightfully dead
A venue that was once thriving has lost its popularity
And the hipsters with their snide comments and aversion to applause
Scenesters are often insincere and disingenuous
Oh my god hardcore kids everywhere
The presence of hardcore kids is overwhelming and frustrating
With their hair gel and their color green
Hardcore kids are characterized by their fashion choices
How do they look so good while their convictions remain so strong?
The singer questions the sincerity of the hardcore kids' convictions
Because their hair gel that they use isn't tested on animals
Hardcore kids may participate in political activism related to their lifestyle choices
And their swallow tattoos are fucking lame
Some aspects of hardcore fashion may be considered unappealing
And cocaine is essentially vegan
Some hardcore kids may participate in drug use despite their lifestyle choices
And they don't give a fuck anyway
Hardcore kids may not care about external opinions of their lifestyle choices
They're so vain, and yes, this song is about them
The artist is criticizing the narcissism of hardcore kids
Oh my god post-hardcore kids everywhere
The presence of post-hardcore kids is overwhelming and frustrating
With their violence and pomposity
Post-hardcore kids may behave in aggressive or arrogant ways
So fucking straightedge getting high off of self-righteousness
Some post-hardcore kids may judge others for not adhering to the same lifestyle choices
And praying to a sideways cross
Some post-hardcore kids may have unconventional or controversial religious beliefs
So urban, so infantile, so angry, so young, and so poor
The artist is characterizing post-hardcore kids by their urban lifestyles, immaturity, anger, youth, and financial struggles
They don't need to use a crutch 'cuz they've got the wheelchair
Post-hardcore kids may be overly reliant on their lifestyle choices as a source of identity and support
Oh my god there's assholes everywhere
The singer is frustrated by the prevalence of unpleasant people
Pretentious fucking assholes everywhere
The artist specifically dislikes people who are pretentious
Pretentious judgmental assholes everywhere
The singer dislikes pretentious people who are quick to judge others
Contributed by Jacob K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
cutesywootsy__pink mermaid
hipster hatred <3
Tristen -
Honestly it feels like there should be an audible wink at the end
Pokey Puni
This takes me back to my first two years in highschool, edgy times those were.
blooshkin
i have never met a hipster in my life but i know exactl ywhat they would smell like if i did