The teenage band consisted of lead singer Jemina Pearl Abegg, the daughter of Christian artist/photographer Jimmy Abegg; guitarist Jonas Stein, the son of manager Burt Stein; John Eatherly (drums); and Nathan Vasquez (bass), the son of acclaimed latin jazz guitarist Rafael Vasquez. Founding member Jamin Orall quit the band to finish college and tour with his other band, Jeff, just before Be Your Own Pet's 2006 American tour. Sixteen-year-old John Eatherly, an old friend of the band, took over behind the kit.
BYOP formed in 2003 in the basement of the Orrall home, which doubles as a home studio/rehearsal space for indie label Infinity Cat Recordings.
Their sound is basic, primal garage rock and are often compared to popular New York group Yeah Yeah Yeahs, partially for their style, featuring heavy rock guitars with abrasive vocals and erratic, angular rhythms, but more due to comparisons between Abegg and Yeah Yeah Yeahs front woman Karen O, both of whom are women with a dynamic, non-traditional stage presence.
Be Your Own Pet generated a massive amount of press following the release of their debut single "Damn Damn Leash" on Infinity Cat. The single was produced by Kings of Leon producer Angelo and Infinity Cat's Robert Ellis Orrall, and mixed by Modest Mouse mix engineer Jaquire King. The press included an interview in Rolling Stone, appearances at the Glastonbury and Reading/Leeds festivals, as well as successful appearances at SXSW and slots supporting bands such as The Kills. The band also appeared on the Queen tribute album, Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen, covering the classic "Bicycle Race". The band released their eponymous album in the UK in March 2006, and in the US in June 2006.
On August 1, 2008, after cancelling a stint on Warped Tour and a tour with The Black Keys, the band announced on their website that after finishing a small tour of England, they would be breaking up. No reason was given for the decision.
In April 2022, Be Your Own Pet reformed for two shows which led to the August 2023 release of the album Mommy.
Becky
Be Your Own Pet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I knew it couldn't last 'til summer's end
You signed my yearbook and that was pretty rad
And now I'm getting sick of you and it's just too bad
I heard you talked a lot of shit about me
To your new best friend
'Cause I've found a brand new friend, okay
Me and her, we'll kick your ass
We'll wait with knives after class
But you know I gotta say
I really loved going to your slumber party
It's too bad you got so lame
You told my secrets and it caused me a lot of pain
I heard you talked a lot of shit about me
To your new best friend
Doesn't matter anyway
'Cause I've found a brand new friend, okay
Me and her, we'll kick your ass
We'll wait with knives after class
Now give me back all the clothes you borrowed
Don't give me bullshit, bring 'em to school tomorrow
I can't believe I told you all about my secret crush
I wish I could take it back now that you broke my trust
It was great how you made me a friendship bracelet
But I didn't know you made one for Becky's face lift
You now know everyone hates me a whole bunch
Just because I made you cry a little bit at lunch
But I don't feel bad
'Cause they don't know what we had
Doesn't matter anyway
'Cause I've found a brand new friend, okay
Me and her, we'll kick your ass
We'll wait with knives after class
We don't like Becky anymore
We don't like Becky anymore
We don't like Becky anymore
We don't like Becky anymore
Now I'm going to juvy for teenage homicide
It'll would've been cool if you stayed by my side
Then you'd know that you wouldn't have had to die
And now every single night I cry
If only what you wrote in my yearbook was true
Then I wouldn't be stuck in fucking cell block 2
But I don't regret what I've done
'Cause in the end it was fun
Doesn't matter anyway
'Cause I've found a brand new friend, okay
Me and her, we'll kick your ass
We'll wait with knives after class
Doesn't matter anyway
'Cause I've found a brand new friend, okay
Me and her, we'll kick your ass
We'll wait with knives after class
The song "Becky" by Be Your Own Pet tells the story of a bad friendship turning sour. The song’s narrator began the summer thinking their best friend was great, but by the end, she had become fed up with her. She had heard that her friend had been talking behind her back to her new best friend. The chorus repeats the line "Doesn't matter anyway 'cause I've found a brand new friend, okay? Me and her, we'll kick your ass. We'll wait with knives after class." The singer's attitude is one of anger and vindictiveness - they have found a new friend who they intend to cause harm to their former best friend.
The bridge of the song gets a bit violent when the singer talks about how her former best friend made fun of her crush, made a friendship bracelet for someone else, and revealed her secrets. The climax of the song takes a sudden turn, with the singer confessing to a crime and going to jail. The lyrics say, "Now I'm going to juvy for teenage homicide. It would've been cool if you stayed by my side. Then you'd know that you wouldn't have had to die. And now every single night I cry." The song ends with the same chorus as before, with the singer still hell-bent on revenge.
Line by Line Meaning
BFF and you're such a good friend
I used to consider you my best friend and appreciated your friendship.
But I knew it couldn't last 'til summer's end
I had a feeling our friendship wouldn't last much longer.
You signed my yearbook and that was pretty rad
I thought it was cool that you signed my yearbook as a sign of our friendship.
And now I'm getting sick of you and it's just too bad
Unfortunately, I've grown tired of your presence and it's disappointing for both of us.
I heard you talked a lot of shit about me
I found out that you said negative things about me behind my back.
To your new best friend
You confided in someone else and formed a new friendship.
Doesn't matter anyway
It doesn't make a difference now that I've moved on from our friendship.
'Cause I've found a brand new friend, okay
I've formed a new friendship with someone else.
Me and her, we'll kick your ass
My new friend and I will be there to defend ourselves against you.
We'll wait with knives after class
We'll be armed and ready to fight if necessary.
It's too bad you got so lame
Unfortunately, you changed in negative ways that affected our friendship.
You told my secrets and it caused me a lot of pain
Your betrayal by revealing my secrets caused me significant hurt.
Now give me back all the clothes you borrowed
I want all of my clothes lent to you returned to me.
Don't give me bullshit, bring 'em to school tomorrow
I don't want any excuses or delays - I want my clothes immediately.
But I didn't know you made one for Becky's face lift
I didn't realize you made a friendship bracelet for someone else who I don't like.
You now know everyone hates me a whole bunch
My reputation has been damaged and everyone dislikes me now.
But I don't feel bad
Despite the negative consequences, I don't feel remorse for my actions.
'Cause they don't know what we had
Others can't understand or appreciate our past friendship.
We don't like Becky anymore
Both myself and my new friend dislike Becky now.
Now I'm going to juvy for teenage homicide
As a result of my extreme actions, I've been arrested for murder as a teenager.
It'll would've been cool if you stayed by my side
It would've been nice if you had continued to be my friend and not caused my downfall.
Then you'd know that you wouldn't have had to die
If you had stayed by my side, your life wouldn't have been in danger.
And now every single night I cry
I am filled with sadness and guilt for my actions every night.
If only what you wrote in my yearbook was true
I wish the kind words you wrote in my yearbook were actually sincere.
Then I wouldn't be stuck in fucking cell block 2
If things had been different, I wouldn't be in jail right now.
But I don't regret what I've done
Even though I'm facing serious consequences, I don't regret my actions.
'Cause in the end it was fun
Despite everything, I found pleasure in my actions and don't regret them.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JEMIMA PEARL ABEGG, JOHN EATHERLY, JONAS STEIN, NATHAN VASQUEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cyberzarious
I was so glad to find that there was a music video to this song
@stargirls8189
jay-jay same lol cause i really wanted to see it all happen
@NoahWillo-fu3ei
I was so glad to find that I'm not the only one.
@riotroyale
this song is fifth grade playground drama but applied to hormonal teenagers and i LOVE IT
@floragosling84
Jesus this girl has beef
@littlemissm7947
This song makes me feel a certain way and I love it
@joepines3278
100% shocked that this hasn't blown up yet. This is so 2000s
@brianaruiz6583
Can u believe I just discovered this band. Amazing. RIP
@Anonymous86
I discovered them about 4 years ago. When I found out they were already broken up at that point I was disappointed. I don't think they are ever going to reunite. :/
@JessicaB-cu5id
Welp discovered them in 2021 😥