Bain Mattox is what Alternative Addiction calls, "hands down, the most tale… Read Full Bio ↴Bain Mattox is what Alternative Addiction calls, "hands down, the most talented unsigned artist in the country." Mattox sprung onto the Atlanta music scene in 2003 after winning Smith's Open Mic Madness. The twenty-one year old troubadour instantly became a favorite among locals and critics alike, with his every-man persona and an array of oddly tuned pawn-shop instruments. With the addition of a permanent backing band, a self-titled release under his belt, and a steady year and a half out on the road, he has developed gracefully into what Ernie Ball says, "is a highly innovative artist who is a "can't miss" in 2006.

In mid-2005 he began work on a second album with the intention of creating something organic, classic and real. True to his indie spirit, when it came time to record and funds weren't readily available, he called out to his grass-roots fan base for assistance. Loyal fans, eager for a second release, pre-ordered the upcoming album and a small back-log of unreleased demos, generating enough revenue for a completely fan-funded album.

Mattox's stunning sophomore release, Prizefighter [November 1, 2005] is already a knock-out with fans. "My goal was to spend the time and make an album that is easily accessible to people; something they could grasp onto and call their own," he says. He took the better part of 6 months off the road and came up with eleven tales of turmoil and triumph that bob and weave beautifully throughout this stark masterpiece. Mattox and his band recorded Prizefighter during an eight week lock-out with Producer John Briglevich (Goo Goo Dolls, Edwin McCain, Chuck D) at Sonica Recording Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. "I wanted Prizefighter to be very much about my personal struggles this past year," says Mattox "I needed it to reflect who I am as a person and stand as an example for what you can accomplish if you just get up, dust yourself off, and keep going."

Mattox and his band are currently out on the road in support of Prizefighter. "I have had the pleasure of collaborating with a lot of really good musicians over the past two years," says Mattox, "but there's nothing more powerful than sharing a stage and making a record with my best friends." His current touring line-up includes long-time drummer Andy Bauer, keys and rhythm guitarist Rivers Pearce, bassist Mike Lamond and lead guitarist Chris Skogen. Mattox lives in Athens, Georgia, while the band resides in Atlanta, allowing them the privilege of calling both places "home".

Mattox has seen national success on MTV's Real World, Turner Network Television's NASCAR, Delta Airline's Campus Movie Fest, "Good Morning Atlanta" on CBS, and has performed live on FOX Charlotte, Q100's "The Bert Show", and Music Midtown 2004 alongside the Foo Fighters and Switchfoot. His last two Atlanta performances at The Roxy Theatre had over 1,000 in attendance and he has recently seen airplay on The UK's SKY Channel 905, XM radio, Atlanta, Ga.'s 99x, Macon, Ga.'s Q106, and Auburn, Al.'s TigerFM.

Mattox currently reigns as an award-winning artist for:
"Best Rock Band" and "Best Singer-Songwriter" Flagpole Music Awards (Athens, Ga.)
"Best Front-Man" Atlanta Music Guide Music Awards
"Best Singer-Songwriter" and "Best Instrumentalist" Creative Loafing's Best of Atlanta
#1 on The Best Unsigned Band List Alternative Addiction
Creative Loafing says, "As long as Bain Mattox keeps writing simple, stunning, sad songs, he'll maintain both mainstream and indie cred."

Shotgun Pageant
Bain Mattox Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Love can be your gravest mistake
When you feel close to the earth
And so it happened in the form of a snake
Temptation to slither in dirt

And a pure skin on skin can result in kin
And be recepted with petroleum smiles
'Cause the shotgun pageant packed with tooth-filled grins

Nine more months for a child

Cut back me overgrown weed
Spin this forty-five at half speed
Please Jesus listen to me
I'm not ready
I'm not ready
To be anything

From a foreground guarantee ring
A finger sweats beneath
Co-owned assembly factory
Another man-made being

Cut back me overgrown weed
Spin this forty-five at half speed
Please Jesus listen to me
I'm not ready

I'm not ready
To be anything

Overall Meaning

The opening lyrics of "Shotgun Pageant" by Bain Mattox speak to the potential danger and pitfalls of love. It can be a grave mistake when we feel too grounded or attached to something or someone. Using the metaphor of a snake, the lyrics suggest that temptation can feel like a slippery slope that leads us down dark and dirty paths.

In the next few lines, the song explores the complexities of intimate relationships and the consequences that come with them. The pureness of skin-on-skin contact can lead to pregnancy or even more entanglement. The shotgun pageant, which is a reference to shotgun weddings, is full of people with tooth-filled grins, representing the societal pressures that often come with unplanned parenthood.

The last verse takes an unexpected turn and talks about the struggles of figuring out one's place in the world. The singer asks Jesus to listen to them and confesses that they are not ready to be anything. This verse speaks to the larger human struggle of finding meaning and purpose in life.

Line by Line Meaning

Love can be your gravest mistake
The decision to enter into a romantic relationship can have serious and possibly negative consequences.

When you feel close to the earth
When one is grounded and in touch with their emotions.

And so it happened in the form of a snake
Temptation and deceit can come in many forms, often with harmful consequences.

Temptation to slither in dirt
The temptation to engage in negative behavior or actions.

And a pure skin on skin can result in kin
Intimate physical contact can lead to the creation of a child.

And be recepted with petroleum smiles
The response to this news can range from genuine happiness to trying to cover up negative feelings with a fake smile.

'Cause the shotgun pageant packed with tooth-filled grins
The situation of an unplanned pregnancy is often met with mixed emotions and reactions.

Nine more months for a child
The length of a pregnancy and the time for a child to come into the world.

Cut back me overgrown weed
The desire to rid oneself of negative and unproductive behavior or habits.

Spin this forty-five at half speed
Trying to slow down the fast-paced and potentially negative aspects of life.

Please Jesus listen to me
Asking for guidance and support from a higher power.

I'm not ready
The feeling of not being prepared or capable of handling a situation or responsibility.

To be anything
The uncertainty and lack of direction in life.

From a foreground guarantee ring
The commitment and promise of a romantic relationship symbolized by an engagement ring.

A finger sweats beneath
The anxiety and nervousness associated with such a commitment and responsibility.

Co-owned assembly factory
A partnership in creating and raising a child.

Another man-made being
A human life created through the actions and decisions of two individuals.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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