Belleruche released a series of three extremely limited 7” records on their own Hippoflex Recording Industries label before signing with Tru Thoughts. These individually numbered 45’s (with hand screen-printed sleeves) quickly sold out in the UK’s independent record stores and attracted a cult following in the UK and Europe, having been hand-distributed by the band at gigs.
In 2007 Belleruche signed to Tru Thoughts and their debut album Turntable Soul Music was released in July of the same year, gaining admiring reviews both at home and abroad and becoming the fastest-selling debut album in the label’s history.
The songs on ‘Turntable Soul Music’ were written in train carriages, dubious minicabs and pub backrooms around the UK whilst the trio gigged everywhere they could. The songs were then forged and reworked in the band’s electrifying live shows. From their initial sunday residency in the Salmon and Compass in Angel, London to gigs all over Europe, Australia and Asia. ‘Turntable Soul Music’ is like a weird trawl through a dusty basement full of the best records you’ve never heard of, whilst a voice you can’t quite pin down sings hooks you can’t forget.
Their live show marks them apart, using only a turntable, sampler, guitar and microphone, they combine to produce something markedly different. Sounding at once both weird and distinctive, but at the same time musical and compelling, they have played at venues as diverse as Montreux Jazz Festival, The Dance arena at Glastonbury, and many underground nightclubs.
In October 2008 Tru Thoughts released The Express, the bands second album. Following on from the live songwriting and broken leads ethic of Belleruche's debut, 'The Express' has maybe a tougher sound.
Their latest album 270 Stories - including the singles Clockwatching, Fuzz Face and 3 Amp Fuse - was released in October 2010. The band will be playing festival dates this summer and touring the new album in autumn.
Kathrin deBoer
Raised on a pirate boat sailing the South Pacific Ocean, with only Billie Holiday and Spanky Wilson records for company, Kathrins voice carries the soul of the wind off the cape mixed with the grit of illegal Polynesian rum bars. Lyrics written in bottles cast into the sea found their way into three continents; Kathrin jumped ship and found London.
Ricky Fabulous
Leo. Baby. Following an adolescence chasing girls and heavy rock bands, Fabulous found himself trapped working for a Maltese gangster in a frozen northern town. Whilst keeping warm locked in a damp basement, he found a stack of quarter inch tapes and discovered the work of Grant Green and Django Reinhardt, which gave him the energy to slip out of town, heading south on a freight car clutching a false identity and a forty-year-old guitar.
DJ Modest
Growing up in the deep south, in engine oil and mud, Modest discovered hiphop on a stolen radio, sneaking into clubs through broken windows to hear more. Building turntables and mixers from scavenged electronic gear and two stroke engines, he created a soundsystem and played unlawful hiphop parties in strange woodlands to farmers. He coaxes twisted Bluenote solos and broken drums from Shure m44-7s whilst drunk on moonshine.
Don't Let Them Push You Around
Belleruche Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little bit strange
Trying to understand
Blend, be the same
As the rest of the girls in the park
She pretends she shields her heart
Against the slaying of young girls such tender hearts
Don't let them push you around
From there she learnt less and less
Confused by the words that had been spent
She was spinning she lost control
Only saved when she hit the ground
Until this day she hears the dizzy words
She'll never forget
She said
Don't let them push you around
From here she learnt all that she could
Realised it was not just her way but her fate
Head high she deserved this life
Stand tall and walk with pride
That she'll do more than just survive
With her own strong mind
The song "Don't Let Them Push You Around" by Belleruche is about a girl who is struggling to fit in with the rest of the girls in the park. She finds it difficult to understand why she has to blend in and be like everyone else. She is aware of the slaying of young girls and tries to shield her heart against it. The girl advises others to stand up for themselves and not to let anyone push them around.
As the song progresses, the girl becomes more and more confused by the words that had been spent. The confusion causes her to lose control and she spins until she falls to the ground. Despite the fall, the girl hears the dizzy words ringing in her ears, but she refuses to forget the advice she had been given. The girl learns to take control of her life and not let herself be pushed around.
The song is inspiring and encourages people to stand up for themselves and to be strong. It teaches us that we should not let anyone push us around and that we should be proud of who we are, and we should stand tall.
Line by Line Meaning
She was just a little difficult
She had a unique personality and didn't conform to societal norms
A little bit strange
She was unconventional in her behavior and choices
Trying to understand
She was attempting to make sense of herself and her surroundings
Blend, be the same
Society expected her to conform and not stand out
As the rest of the girls in the park
She was expected to act like other girls her age in her environment
She pretends she shields her heart
She puts up a facade to protect herself from emotional harm
Against the slaying of young girls such tender hearts
She's aware of the harm that society can inflict upon young women who don't conform
She said
She advised someone not to be pushed around by others
From there she learnt less and less
She became more withdrawn and isolated over time
Confused by the words that had been spent
She struggled to understand the negative words or actions she experienced
She was spinning she lost control
She felt overwhelmed and helpless
Only saved when she hit the ground
She found clarity and regained control after hitting rock bottom
Until this day she hears the dizzy words
She still remembers the negative words or actions she faced
From here she learnt all that she could
She became resilient over time and learned from her experiences
Realised it was not just her way but her fate
She came to accept her unique path in life
Head high she deserved this life
She held her head high and embraced her life
Stand tall and walk with pride
She didn't let others bring her down and walked with confidence
That she'll do more than just survive
She aimed to thrive in life, not just get by
With her own strong mind
She was determined to live life on her own terms and not be swayed by others
Contributed by Violet N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Fremengholas
Love it... like the female version of the Black Keys... but not.
@LaneyPenn
first! BLAM! wicked song.
@YazourAU
Sounds a little floppy to me.