BALLYHOO! is undeniably turning the world of music upside down and sideways as they blur the lines between rock, reggae, punk and pop to craft their own hybrid of music that can’t be held down to one definitive genre. This signature sound of theirs is one they have been perfecting since their high school days in Aberdeen, Maryland - the sweet melodic voice of lead singer and guitarist Howi Spangler; the hard hitting beats set forth by brother and drummer Donald “Big D” Spangler; the skillfully added funk of bassist JR Gregory and Scott Vandrey (aka DJ Blaze) rounds it out on the turntables and keys.
BALLYHOO!’s unique sound, hardcore devotion to the road and to their fans, partnered with their irresistible “life of the party” approach have pitched them into the position of America’s favorite feel good party band. They didn’t get here by accident; rather, they had been single-handedly growing their empire through unparalleled hard work and dedication until Jan 2011, when they got a well-deserved nod from LAW Records and were signed to the Hawaii-based independent record label. Yesod Williams of the dub rock music mega-sensation PEPPER and owner of LAW Records says of his newest addition, “Having BALLYHOO! join the LAW Records family is a perfect fit. They are an incredibly talented band with a really catchy style”. Now, with the backing of LAW, 2011 promises to be a paramount year on BALLYHOO!’s trajectory destined for greatness!
BALLYHOO! has toured the country with some of the biggest and most respected names in the reggae rock genre – 311, Authority Zero, Pepper, The Supervillains. “It’s always intimidating when playing for another band’s crowd, you never know how they’re gonna react,” explains front man Howi, “but then you see that they’re enjoying it and the worry goes away. You’re free to rock at that point!”.
BALLYHOO! will start their tour of the southeast with fellow label mates Iration in February 2011. Their rigorous, nonstop nationwide touring schedule has certainly been the catalyst for the exponential growth in their fan base. BALLYHOO! fans are some of the most loyal and enthusiastic fans out there and their love for the band runs deep.
In 2006, BALLYHOO! released Do It For The Money! which “opened a lot of doors for us and spread like wildfire in the underground” says Howi. Their follow up album, Cheers!, was released in May of 2009 and was an opportunity to work with 311’s Scotch Ralston as the producer. In addition, BALLYHOO!’s stellar rendition of “40 Oz. To Freedom” is featured on the compilation album, Forever Free: A Tribute to Sublime, and helped stimulate a surge in their popularity. Fans can also hear their songs on the Rock Band Network and in feature films.
BALLYHOO! currently has a single out on iTunes (“The Front Porch”) and when they aren’t on the road, they are in the studio, finishing their new album, which is slated for release on LAW Records in the summer of 2011.
http://www.ballyhoorocks.com
http://www.facebook.com/Ballyhoo
Cheers!
Ballyhoo! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
that the circus is in town
all the absurd
and the misfists, and the fucked up drunken clowns
you know our story
yeah we travelled through thick and the thin
the first to let us in...
CHEERS!
there is no sleep till it's over
made great friends along the way
CHEERS!
maybe next time we'll be sober
from the east to the west we can stop and get some rest
and when we head south we've got food to feed our mouths
the beaches of cali to the roofs of aberdeen
the mountains and valleys and cities in between
so here's to the ones who let us drink their beer
sleep on their couch and use all their hot water
worldwide social cheers!
made great friends along the way
CHEERS!
there is no sleep till it's over
made great friends along the way
CHEERS!
maybe next time we'll be sober
CHEERS!
The song "Cheers!" by Ballyhoo! talks about the band's journey and all the friends they’ve made along the way. The lyrics depict their life as a circus where they are the main attraction, and they have traveled through thick and thin. They talk about their story and how people came and went, but they made great friends who helped them along the way. They shout out to the ones who let them drink their beer, sleep on their couch, and use all their hot water. The chorus repeats the word “Cheers” to acknowledge everyone who has contributed to their journey and make a toast to their friendships.
Line by Line Meaning
haven't you heard
Have you not yet heard?
that the circus is in town
That the group known for their wild and crazy antics has arrived
all the absurd
All the unusual and bizarre things that they bring with them
and the misfists, and the fucked up drunken clowns
Including those who don't fit into society's norms, and those who are intoxicated
you know our story
You are familiar with our past experiences
yeah we travelled through thick and the thin
We have been through the good times and the bad together
the first to let us in...
The first to give us a chance and accept us for who we are
made great friends along the way
We have formed strong bonds with people we have met during our travels
CHEERS!
A toast to the good times and the friends we have made
there is no sleep till it's over
We will continue to stay up and enjoy ourselves until the end of our journey
maybe next time we'll be sober
Perhaps in the future, we will not have indulged in so many drinks
from the east to the west we can stop and get some rest
We can take breaks and recharge on our journey across the country
and when we head south we've got food to feed our mouths
When we travel towards the southern regions, we have sustenance to keep us going
the beaches of cali to the roofs of aberdeen
From the sandy shores of California to the rooftops of Aberdeen
the mountains and valleys and cities in between
And all the various geographical features and urban areas that we pass through
so here's to the ones who let us drink their beer
A tribute to those who have hosted and provided us with beverages during our journey
sleep on their couch and use all their hot water
And those who have given us a place to stay and utilize their resources
worldwide social cheers!
A joyous occasion celebrated across the globe
Contributed by Riley M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Thunder Kat 27
First to comment... Come on now guys, this rox! !