Born from a friendship nurtured during their days at the University of California Santa Barbara, the band consists of Zach Gill (Keyboards/Vocals), Steve Adams (Bass Guitar/Vocals), Dan Lebowitz (Guitars/Percussion/Vocals) and David Brogan (Drums/Vocals).
Originally a nine-piece band featuring a brass section called The Animal Liberation Orchestra and the Free Range Horns, the band began drawing enormous attention in the Santa Barbara area with their rousing stage shows. When Zach, Dan and Steve returned to their hometown San Francisco, they stripped back down to a quartet, playing with a wide variety of different drummers. Finally, in 2002, the trio reunited with drummer David Brogan (with whom they had previously played in college) and the ultimate version of Animal Liberation Orchestra was solidified.
Zach Gill, the keyboard player, went to college with the popular singer-songwriter, Jack Johnson, and so they had good connections with one another. Soon audiences at gigs saw Animal Liberation Orchestra supporting Jack Johnson. Zach Gill has recently provided piano in Jack Johnson's band, adding a new flavor to the live performances.
Animal Liberation Orchestra have released an independent album, "Fly Between Falls", and it was re-released on Brushfire Records on April 18th 2006. It includes the track, "Girl, I Wanna Lay You Down", which features long-time friend Jack Johnson providing guitar and vocals. New to the re-release is the song "Walls of Jericho", a tour staple and crowd favorite noted by its festival imagery, wailing guitar solo, and euphoric cresendo. This track gained popularity after its live performance was featured in the Jack Johnson and Friends Live at the Greek DVD. The studio version's debut on myspace.com received mixed review.
In 2006, ALO finished a tour supporting Jack Johnson, alongside with Matt Costa, all across Europe, including United Kingdom, France and Spain. Additionally, they have two dates scheduled for mid April supporting Jack Johnson in Brazil. In June, they will be supporting Dave Matthews Band at stops in upstate New York and North Carolina. Thay have recently recorded The Band's Ophelia for the tribute album "Endless Highway, the music of The Band"
On May 1st 2007, ALO released their new album Roses & Clover that was recorded during two weeks in a barn in Santa Barbara, California. ALO will tour the USA during May to July 2007, playing together with Brett Dennen during seven of the concerts.
Albums
ALO Vs. LAG (1998)
One Size Fits All (1999)
Time Expander (2002)
Fly Between Falls (2006 - Brushfire Records)
Roses & Clover (2007)
EPs
Live Mix (2000)
Monday
Animal Liberation Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tip down your pink sombrero
Today was a time machine
That's broken down in tomorrow
And I know
By the sound
Of the rain
That this love
Is a shelter with holes
If we stay here too long
We'll be drenched to the bones
Go back to sleep and dream
Cling to the ones that you love
Hide them in your memories
So you'll remember exactly what was
When you wake
To the sound
Of the rain
As it falls on the ground
And you'll know
It's a shelter with holes
If we stay here too long
We'll be drenched to the bones
Monday, Monday, Monday, see what's become of my someday
Monday, Monday, Monday, see what's become of my someday
Someday, someday, someday, maybe I'll stop looking back on
Monday, Monday, Monday, see what's become…
Go back to sleep and dream
Tip down your pink sombrero
This van is a time machine
That's broken down in tomorrow
We get lost
On the way
By the things
That we do and we say
Things we don't even mean
But we say anyways
And pretend to believe
Monday, Monday, Monday, see what's become of my someday
Monday, Monday, Monday, see what's become of my someday
Someday, someday, someday, maybe I'll stop looking back on
Monday, Monday, Monday, see what's become…
The song "Monday" by Animal Liberation Orchestra talks about the idea of time and memories. The opening lines, "Go back to sleep and dream, tip down your pink sombrero, today was a time machine that's broken down in tomorrow" create a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past. The singer of the song wants to relive the memories and experiences he once had, as he feels that the present is just a broken down version of the past.
The lyrics also highlight the fragility of love and relationships. The lines, "And I know by the sound of the rain as it falls on the ground that this love is a shelter with holes, if we stay here too long we'll be drenched to the bones" suggest that even though love can be a source of comfort, it is not always strong enough to withstand the trials of time.
Towards the end of the song, the repetition of the phrase "Monday, Monday, Monday, see what's become of my someday" emphasizes the idea of time moving forward and how the singer cannot go back to relive his past. The song has a bittersweet tone, capturing the nostalgic feeling of wanting to go back in time while acknowledging that it is impossible to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
Go back to sleep and dream
Return to your subconscious and imagine a better reality
Tip down your pink sombrero
Relax and let go of any worries or stress
Today was a time machine
The past has shaped our present experience
That's broken down in tomorrow
The future is uncertain and unpredictable
And I know
The artist is certain of their belief
By the sound
The rain serves as an indicator
Of the rain
The precipitation falling from the sky
As it falls on the ground
The raindrops hit the Earth's surface
That this love
The relationship in focus
Is a shelter with holes
The connection provides some protection but is not impervious
If we stay here too long
Remaining in this state will cause damage
We'll be drenched to the bones
Continuing on this path will result in significant harm
Cling to the ones that you love
Hold onto and cherish your loved ones
Hide them in your memories
Store them in your mind for future reflection
So you'll remember exactly what was
To recall specific moments and feelings
When you wake
Once you've become aware again
It's a shelter with holes
The relationship will face challenges
We'll be drenched to the bones
Continuing as we are will result in significant damage
Monday, Monday, Monday, see what's become of my someday
Reflecting on how today will impact the future
Someday, someday, someday, maybe I'll stop looking back on
The hope to stop living in the past
We get lost
One can become disoriented
On the way
During the journey
By the things
Due to the actions or words
That we do and we say
Our choices and communication affect our experiences
Things we don't even mean
Sometimes our words or actions aren't intentional
But we say anyways
We utter them regardless
And pretend to believe
We attempt to convince ourselves of these falsehoods
Contributed by Eliana E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.