Initially, they played at night clubs in the greater London area and recorded some demos under the name of Fleeing New York before changing their name to Band of Skulls in November 2008. Their debut album Baby Darling Dollface Honey, distributed by Shangri-La Music, was released exclusively on the iTunes Store on 6 March 2009, followed by a general release on 20 March. The track I Know What I Am was chosen as iTunes' free Single of the Week to coincide with the digital release. The song was also featured in the soundtrack for TV series Friday Night Lights, Volume 2, which was released on 4 May 2010. The song also appeared in Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. Another track that was not actually on the album, "Friends", was included on The Twilight Saga: New Moon soundtrack in November 2009.
On 23 March 2010, Band of Skulls released Friends EP, which includes the studio-recorded version of "Friends", a live version, and a music video of the song.
Band of Skulls played at the SXSW Festival in early 2010 and toured the Midwest in March in support of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. The band appeared on the French TV show Taratata broadcast in March 2010, where they covered the song "Sympathy for the Devil" by The Rolling Stones with the band John & Jehn.[4] In April 2010, they toured the U.S. and Canada followed by England in May 2010, including a sold-out show at the London Electric Ballroom. On 28 June 2010, Band of Skulls supported The Dead Weather at The Roundhouse in London. In July 2010, the band covered Goldfrapp's "Strict Machine" for Australian radio. They were also one of three bands who opened for Muse on 4 September 2010 at Lancashire County Cricket Ground. In October 2010 they also toured to South Africa to play at the annual Rocking The Daisies festival.
On 26 October 2010, Band of Skulls released a live album called Live on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic.
On 5 October 2011, the band released "The Devil Takes Care of His Own"—the first single to be taken from the new album—with an accompanying music video. The second studio album Sweet Sour was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales. It is produced by Ian Davenport (Supergrass, Badly Drawn Boy), who also produced their debut album, and was released on February 21, 2012 in the US, and February 20, 2012 in the UK and Europe.
On 12 April 2012, Channel 4 broadcast a short documentary starring the band. They discuss the formation of Band Of Skulls through to going from working the bars of their hometown to playing music in front of expansive crowds of adoring fans across the globe. It is a rare and intimate insight into the world of Band Of Skulls, focusing of their success and achievements over the years.
On 13 October 2012, Band of Skulls played the 11th Annual Austin City Limits Music Festival. The show was briefly interrupted by a rainstorm that soaked the front of the stage, including Russell's pedal board, prompting the band to leave the stage while crews dried and moved the affected equipment. The band was able to return and complete their set after about a 10-minute delay.
On 2nd December 2013, the band released the video for "Asleep At The Wheel" - the first track to be shared from their yet unreleased album 'Himalayan'.
In January 2017, it was announced via social media that Hayward had left the band.
Himalayan
Band of Skulls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm just saying, it's unnatural history
Put on your Bonnie and Clyde grin, your crackle and sin
Gonna hear the coin drop that's when it's gonna begin
Say that you know, the path that you're gonna walk to be free
Throw your hands up, kick back your heels and dance to the beat
Started praying, just like a tribalite
and when you lick your lips and you're moving in fits
Gonna hear the coin drop that's when it will hit
Say that you know the path that you're gonna walk, to be free
Throw your hands up, kick back your heels and dance to the beat
Himalayan, Himalayan, Himalayan, Himalayan
Say that you know the path that you're gonna walk, to be free
Throw your hands up, kick back your heels and dance to the beat
Say that you know the path that you're gonna walk, to be free
Throw your hands up, kick back your heels and dance to the beat
The lyrics to Band of Skulls' song Himalayan invoke a sense of power and freedom, with references to Bonnie and Clyde and tribal prayer. The line "Himalayan, bigger than you or me, I'm just saying, it's unnatural history" could refer to the vastness and majesty of the Himalayan mountain range, which lies across several countries in Asia, and how it transcends human experience and history. The following lines, "Put on your Bonnie and Clyde grin, your crackle and sin, gonna hear the coin drop that's when it's gonna begin" speak to the daring and rebellious nature of the famous criminal duo, and how that energy and anticipation can lead to something new and exciting.
The chorus, which repeats the line "Say that you know the path that you're gonna walk to be free, throw your hands up, kick back your heels and dance to the beat," encourages listeners to embrace their own individual journey towards freedom and to express themselves through movement and music. The imagery of tribal prayer and licking one's lips could be interpreted as a call to connect with one's primal instincts and desires in order to find that sense of liberation.
Overall, the lyrics to Himalayan convey a sense of adventure, risk-taking, and personal exploration towards a greater sense of self.
Line by Line Meaning
Himalayan, bigger than you or me
The grandeur and magnificence of the Himalayas is unparalleled and beyond our own capabilities to compare or conceive.
I'm just saying, it's unnatural history
The Himalayas embody a natural phenomenon so rare and incredible that it can be considered unnatural, almost like an abnormality in recorded history.
Put on your Bonnie and Clyde grin, your crackle and sin
Wear a mischievous and daring smile reflective of the famous duo Bonnie and Clyde, embodying the spirit of rebellion and the desire to commit acts considered immoral or sinful.
Gonna hear the coin drop that's when it's gonna begin
Once the coin drops, indicating the commencement of an event or adventure, that's when everything will truly start and the excitement will begin.
Say that you know, the path that you're gonna walk to be free
Claim to know the direction and choices that will lead to freedom and liberation from societal norms and restrictions.
Throw your hands up, kick back your heels and dance to the beat
Celebrate and embrace the feeling of being free and unbound by dancing uninhibitedly to the rhythm of life.
I woke up, in the middle of the night
The singer had an awakening moment, realizing something profound in the midst of darkness or uncertainty.
Started praying, just like a tribalite
The singer turned to prayer, possibly resembling the rituals and practices of indigenous tribes, seeking guidance or enlightenment.
and when you lick your lips and you're moving in fits
When you feel a rush of excitement and anticipation, and you can't help but express it through physical movements like licking your lips or twitching with energy.
Gonna hear the coin drop that's when it will hit
The moment of excitement and anticipation will peak and become real once the coin drops, symbolically indicating the start of an exhilarating experience.
Himalayan, Himalayan, Himalayan, Himalayan
Repeating the word 'Himalayan' emphasizes its significance as a metaphorical concept representing something grand and beyond ordinary experience.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EMMA RICHARDSON, MATT HAYWARD, RUSSELL MARSDEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nicholas Blekas
Most under rated band of all time
Wayne Walcoff
Amen, Nicholas. My favorite these days. And I go way back.
Fredrick Oywer
I heard this song for the first time and I enjoyed it so much
Moon Wolfy
For the whole of this playlist TWO TIMES. No advertisements. Love you Band Of Skulls.
Juan Carlos Villasuso
Excelente bandita! Sonido muy original, muy indie YEAHH
Snitsky9
The woman of the band has such an extremely beautiful singing voice, I would love to hear her singing by herself.
Rhox
guys, that's one of the most incredible, powerful, rock song I ever heard! totally in love, and totally spamming your music around! :D
hasan abughosh
OH GOD! the definition of pure, plain and heart pumping ROCK AND ROLL!!!!
anaisninz
Love, love, love this album; maybe even more than the first. Sophomore cd wasn't my fav although it had some great songs but i can't even pick a favorite off this one. They're all great!
A.Castanha
Ugh! Such an amazing song!! Don't know if anyone else feels this, but the opening theme of the anime Hellsing reminds me a lot of this song.