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!
Smokin'
Andrew Jackson Jihad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
from smoking too many cigarettes.
But I must confess that he did quite profess
to being the coolest motherfucker I ever met.
That's 'cause smoking makes you cool,
and smoking makes you rule.
So just light up a smoke and you'll never go broke
The coolest kid in school.
Well I've traveled millions of Marlboro miles,
but I haven't gotten anywhere.
And I've made a million dollars in Camel cash,
but I'm still just broke as when I started.
But that's okay because smoking makes you cool,
and smoking makes you rule.
So just light up a smoke and you'll never go broke
and you'll be the most popular kid in school-
but only if you smoke Parliament
The lyrics of Andrew Jackson Jihad's song "Smokin'" satirically portray the common myth that smoking is cool and will make you popular. The singer first acknowledges that his great grand-dad died of cancer from smoking too many cigarettes, but still holds him in high esteem for being a "cool motherfucker." The singer then goes on to argue that smoking makes you cool and rules, and by lighting up a cigarette, you will never go broke and become the most popular kid in school.
However, the second verse presents a more realistic portrayal of the situation - the singer has traveled millions of Marlboro miles and has made a million dollars in Camel cash, but he is still broke. The irony is that despite the apparent rewards of smoking, it really doesn't get you anywhere.
The song is a commentary on the culture of smoking and the societal pressure to conform to the idea that smoking is cool. By portraying the idea as absurd and nonsensical, the song challenges the assumption and encourages critical thinking.
Line by Line Meaning
Well my great grand-dad he died of cancer,
My great-grandfather passed away due to cancer,
from smoking too many cigarettes.
Because he smoked too many cigarettes.
But I must confess that he did quite profess
However, he proudly claimed
to being the coolest motherfucker I ever met.
That he was the epitome of cool in my eyes.
That's 'cause smoking makes you cool,
It's because smoking is associated with being cool,
and smoking makes you rule.
And it makes you feel powerful.
So just light up a smoke and you'll never go broke
Therefore, when you smoke, you'll always be financially comfortable.
and you'll be the most popular kid in school.
And you'll be the most admired person in school.
The coolest kid in school.
The epitome of cool.
Well I've traveled millions of Marlboro miles,
I've covered a lot of ground, smoking Marlboro cigarettes,
but I haven't gotten anywhere.
But I haven't accomplished anything significant.
And I've made a million dollars in Camel cash,
I've earned a lot of Camel cigarette coupons,
but I'm still just broke as when I started.
But I have not become richer.
But that's okay because smoking makes you cool,
But that's okay because smoking makes you feel cool,
and smoking makes you rule.
And it makes you feel powerful.
So just light up a smoke and you'll never go broke
Therefore, when you smoke, you'll always be financially comfortable.
and you'll be the most popular kid in school-
And you'll be the most admired person in school,
but only if you smoke Parliament
But only if you smoke premium cigarettes like Parliament.
Contributed by Maria B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.