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.
Stairway to Heaven
Be Your Own Pet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lean on my shoulder, lean on my shoulder
I want another year older
Lean on my shoulder, lean on my shoulder
And share a bed with me
Lean on my shoulder, lean on my shoulder
I want another year older
And share a bed with me
Get this something out of my head
There's too much shit going on my brain
Hurry hurry hurry hurry
Cause I think I'm gonna go insane
Whatever whatever whatever whatever
I know I know you know you're clever
So seduce me, introduce me
On the list you've had forever
My brain is on fire, my brain is on fire
So whisper in my ear
When it's all over, when it's all over
You can come and kiss me right here
My brain is on fire, my brain is on fire
So whisper in my ear
When it's all over, when it's all over
You can call me, kiss me right here
The song "Stairway To Heaven" by Be Your Own Pet is a fast-paced, punk-rock anthem that appears to explore the themes of desire and youthful rebellion. The lyrics describe a yearning for companionship and intimacy, with lines like "Lean on my shoulder" and "share a bed with me." The repetition of phrases like "Hurry hurry hurry hurry" and "Whatever whatever whatever whatever" seems to suggest a sense of urgency and impatience.
The lyrics also depict a sense of chaos and confusion, with the line "There's too much shit going on my brain." The idea of being seduced and introduced to new experiences is also present, with the line "So seduce me, introduce me." The chorus of "My brain is on fire" suggests a desire for passion and excitement, further emphasizing the theme of youthful rebellion.
Overall, the song seems to be an anthem for youth who are seeking companionship, passion, and rebellion. It captures the energy and desire of young people who are still figuring out who they are and what they want from life.
Line by Line Meaning
A stairway to heaven
This song is about wanting a way to escape from the overwhelming chaos in the singer's mind and find peace.
Lean on my shoulder, lean on my shoulder
The singer wants someone to rely on for comfort and support.
I want another year older
The singer desires to grow older and gain more life experience.
And share a bed with me
The singer wants intimacy and closeness with the person they are addressing.
Get this something out of my head
The singer wants to rid themselves of a troubling thought or idea.
There's too much shit going on my brain
The singer is overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.
Hurry hurry hurry hurry
The singer wants to quickly find a solution to their problems.
Cause I think I'm gonna go insane
The singer fears that they will lose their mind if they don't find a way to cope with their struggles.
Whatever whatever whatever whatever
The singer is dismissive of distractions or interruptions.
I know I know you know you're clever
The singer thinks highly of the person they are addressing and admires their intelligence.
So seduce me, introduce me
The singer is attracted to the person they are addressing and wants to be shown new experiences.
On the list you've had forever
The person the singer is addressing has had these experiences on their mind for a long time.
My brain is on fire, my brain is on fire
The singer is feeling overwhelmed and distressed.
So whisper in my ear
The singer wants comfort and reassurance from the person they are addressing.
When it's all over, when it's all over
The singer is hopeful that things will get better in the future.
You can come and kiss me right here
The singer wants intimacy and closeness with the person they are addressing.
You can call me, kiss me right here
The singer wants to be physically close to the person they are addressing and suggests that they could continue to provide comfort and support.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JAMIN ORRALL, JEMIMA PEARL ABEGG, JONAS STEIN, NATHAN VASQUEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind