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
Sandcastles
Ballyhoo! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here comes another day just like the one before
If I'm gonna keep living my life this way
I'll be face down on the floor
Cause I don't wanna see my picture there
Hanging from the wall of shame
I gotta get up before my mind erupts
One day this worlds gonna know my name
Chorus:
Just like a daydream
It feels so amazing
Don't wake me up
Running away from a wasteland
Just to save my heart
It breaks enough
Stand up and fight for yourself son
No ones ever gonna stand up for you
Verse 2:
I've got no plan of action
Just a list of things I need
To get that satisfaction
It feels so far from me
I can walk this line
Explore decline until I'm gone
But I am meant for something more
This is not where I belong
The lyrics to Ballyhoo!'s "Sandcastles" convey feelings of disillusionment, restlessness, and a desire for more in life. The song starts with the singer feeling like every day is the same and that he is stuck in a monotonous routine that is leading him nowhere. He fears that if he continues living this way, he will end up on the floor, defeated and ashamed. He doesn't want to see his picture hanging on the "wall of shame," so he knows he needs to change something.
The chorus of the song presents a dream-like state as the only escape from this mundane life. The singer is running away from a wasteland and trying to save his heart from breaking. He is fighting for himself because he knows that no one else will stand up for him.
In the second verse, the singer acknowledges that he has no concrete plan of action, but he knows he needs to make changes to feel satisfied. He has a list of things he desires and wants to accomplish, but he feels that satisfaction is far away. He may explore different paths and decline, but he knows deep down that he is meant for something more.
The message of the song is that being stuck in a routine or a mundane life is not something anyone should settle for, and everyone deserves to strive for something more. It is essential to fight for what you want and believe in yourself because no one else will.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes another day just like the one before
Every day feels the same with nothing new or exciting happening
If I'm gonna keep living my life this way
If I continue on this path, I'll end up unhappy and unfulfilled
I'll be face down on the floor
Metaphor for feeling defeated and low
Cause I don't wanna see my picture there
Feeling ashamed of potential failure or lack of achievement
Hanging from the wall of shame
Embarrassed at the prospect of public failure and disappointment
I gotta get up before my mind erupts
Need to take action before feeling overwhelmed and losing control
One day this worlds gonna know my name
Aspiring to become well-known or accomplished in a meaningful way
Just like a daydream
A situation or feeling that seems too good to be true
It feels so amazing
A positive and euphoric emotion
Don't wake me up
Wanting to hold onto that feeling/perception for as long as possible
Running away from a wasteland
Avoiding negative surroundings or situations
Just to save my heart
Taking care of one's own emotions and well-being
It breaks enough
Having faced enough heartbreak and disappointment
Stand up and fight for yourself son
Encouraging oneself to persevere and defend oneself
No ones ever gonna stand up for you
Realizing that self-defense and self-promotion are important as no one else may do it for you
I've got no plan of action
Not having a clear direction or plan for the future
Just a list of things I need
Knowing what is necessary or important for oneself
To get that satisfaction
Achieving personal fulfillment and contentment
It feels so far from me
Believing that achieving such satisfaction is difficult and distant
I can walk this line
Continuing on a path that may not bring immediate satisfaction
Explore decline until I'm gone
Continuing to live until one passes away, potentially without achieving certain goals or aspirations
But I am meant for something more
Having a belief that there is something greater or more significant in life
This is not where I belong
Not feeling content or fulfilled with one's current situation or surroundings
Contributed by Scarlett D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
RxCEMxLK
Lyrics:
Here comes another day just like the one before
If I'm gonna keep living my life this way
I'll be face down on the floor
'Cause I don't wanna see my picture there
Hanging from the wall of shame
I gotta get up before my mind erupts
One day this world's gonna know my name
This is not the love you wanted
Just a skeleton
Knew I should have overdone it
Rusted Hellion
Look at it any way you skin it
No comparison
Now I know there's no escaping from the oblivion
Just like a daydream
It feels so amazing
Don't wake me up
Running away from a wasteland
Just to save my heart
It breaks enough
Stand up and fight for yourself, son
'Cause no one's ever gonna stand up for you
I've got no plan of action
Just a list of things I need
To get that satisfaction
It feels so far from me
I can walk this line
In slow decline until I'm gone
But I am meant for something more
This is not where I belong
This is not the love you wanted
Just a skeleton
Knew I should have overdone it
Rusted Hellion
Look at it any way you skin it
No comparison
Now I know there's no escaping from the oblivion
Just like a daydream
It feels so amazing
Don't wake me up
Running away from a wasteland
Just to save my heart
It breaks enough
Stand up and fight for yourself, son
'Cause no one's ever gonna stand up for you, oh
Just like a daydream
It feels so amazing
Don't wake me up
Running away from a wasteland
Just to save my heart
It breaks enough
Stand up and fight for yourself, son
'Cause no one's ever gonna stand
Stand up for you
Shiimzz
Thank you Dirty Heads Radio on Pandora for introducing me to this band!
Vincent Nicholson
The sublime station introduced me to them a few years ago. Gotta love pandora for find new music.
Mason Matzker
I just played this song on my college radio station last Sunday. Such an amazing song.
Will Kraemer
The boys from MD will always have a special place in my heart memories of hanging out with them at The Boathouse before shows it's something I'll never forget
Ballyhoo!
Thank you so much!
Josh Hayes
Ballyhoo is the best! I have been listening to these guys for years and cant get enough!
Megan S
this song reminds me of summer!! i first heard Ballyhoo! on the radio in Hawaii then I saw them at Warped Tour in Dallas c:
09fuckyeah
Yeah me too I just found this song yesterday and i fucking love it cant stop listening
RxCEMxLK
Lyrics:
Here comes another day just like the one before
If I'm gonna keep living my life this way
I'll be face down on the floor
'Cause I don't wanna see my picture there
Hanging from the wall of shame
I gotta get up before my mind erupts
One day this world's gonna know my name
This is not the love you wanted
Just a skeleton
Knew I should have overdone it
Rusted Hellion
Look at it any way you skin it
No comparison
Now I know there's no escaping from the oblivion
Just like a daydream
It feels so amazing
Don't wake me up
Running away from a wasteland
Just to save my heart
It breaks enough
Stand up and fight for yourself, son
'Cause no one's ever gonna stand up for you
I've got no plan of action
Just a list of things I need
To get that satisfaction
It feels so far from me
I can walk this line
In slow decline until I'm gone
But I am meant for something more
This is not where I belong
This is not the love you wanted
Just a skeleton
Knew I should have overdone it
Rusted Hellion
Look at it any way you skin it
No comparison
Now I know there's no escaping from the oblivion
Just like a daydream
It feels so amazing
Don't wake me up
Running away from a wasteland
Just to save my heart
It breaks enough
Stand up and fight for yourself, son
'Cause no one's ever gonna stand up for you, oh
Just like a daydream
It feels so amazing
Don't wake me up
Running away from a wasteland
Just to save my heart
It breaks enough
Stand up and fight for yourself, son
'Cause no one's ever gonna stand
Stand up for you
Legendary Shots
AWESOME song!