Taking their name from the '80s sitcom, Belvedere began in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 1995 as the three-piece of Steve Rawles (guitar/vocals), Brock (bass), and Dan Hrynuik (drums).
As the years progressed along with their revolving lineup, Belvedere remained with their melodic pop-punk sound that looked up to the likes of Bad Religion and NOFX. Eventually recruiting second guitarist Scott Solo, replacement drummer Jay Hollywood, and a replacement bassist Jaison Synclair, the quartet released their debut album, "Because No One Stopped Us", in 1998 through Hourglass and 206 Records. After spending most of 1999 on the road, along with Bad Religion and Strung Out, for a stint -- 206 Records put out Belvedere's follow-up album, "Angels Live in My Town", in early 2000. In 2001, the Montreal imprint Union 2112 released "Twas Hell Said Former Child", Belvedere's proper second album that coincided their first ever European tour. A split release with Downway, "Hometown Advantage", was issued in 2003. When it came time to recovene for another studio album, Belvedere joined producer Blair Calibaba (Sum 41) in Calgary for the recording of "Fast Forward Eats the Tape". Shared dates with Death by Stereo, Tsunami Bomb and Misconduct followed in Spring 2004. The band broke up in late 2005, playing their last show to their hometown Calgary crowd in November.
On November 2011, the band's official Facebook page announced that the band was going to get together again for a couple of shows the next year, wich included two shows in Europe (playing their first show in Paris and appearing again at GroezRock after seven years), then five in Canada, three in Brazil and one again in Canada, in Vancouver, on June 16th. Being at first that their final show, it was later announced that they'll appear in another final event in Guelph, Canada, on September the 1st 2012, with fellow punkrockers The Fullblast, also reuniting for the ocasion, Grade and Moneen.
http://www.myspace.com/belvedere
Talk Show
Belvedere Lyrics
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The lyrics to "Talk Show" by Belvedere describe the experience of watching trashy daytime talk shows. The singer is uninterested in anything else on TV and chooses to watch these shows instead. However, the singer is critical of these programs and sees them as shallow and fake, always just a step behind and blowing their mind. The name dropping of Jenny Jones and Ricky Lake, both popular hosts in the '90s, emphasizes the tackiness and sensationalism of these shows. The line spoken by Jerry--"Some of that we can't show on the air"--suggests that even the most outlandish segments are heavily edited and that the shows are more concerned with ratings than authenticity. The chorus repeats the singer's frustration with these programs, wondering how much more of this "shit" they can take.
The song speaks to a broader cultural critique of sensationalism in media, particularly in the talk show format. In the '90s, many of these programs were criticized for exploiting their guests and perpetuating stereotypes. Belvedere's lyrics reflect this awareness and encourage the listener to question the value and legitimacy of these shows.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothings on TV and I don't care, gonna watch a talk show I don't care
I am indifferent to the fact that there is nothing good on TV, so I will settle for watching a talk show that I also do not care about.
all these topics mostly blow my mind, always feel i'm just a step behind
I find that these talk show topics are often too difficult for me to understand and I feel like I am not intelligent enough to keep up with the conversation.
and we go, go-go Jenny Jones and Ricky Lake, all these tabloid shows are always fake
I often watch talk shows hosted by Jenny Jones and Ricky Lake, but I know that their shows are frequently based on false or sensationalized information.
how much more of this shit can I bare, listen to the hand but don't go there. (Jerry - "Some of that we can't show on the air")
I am growing tired of watching these types of talk shows and find it difficult to continue watching. Although there are topics that are not appropriate for television and the hosts warn the audience not to pursue those topics.
Nothing left this time when i'm alone, too intense to even answer the phone
When I am alone, I am left with nothing else to do except watch these talk shows, but sometimes they make me feel overwhelmed and unable to even answer the phone.
make'em over they look like a freak, even though they did it twice last week
Some talk shows feature makeovers on guests, which often result in them looking strange or abnormal, despite having undergone similar makeovers before.
and we go, go-go Jenny Jones and Ricky Lake, all these tabloid shows are always fake, how much more of this shit can I take.
I find myself repeatedly watching talk shows hosted by Jenny Jones and Ricky Lake, even though I know they are based on false or sensationalized information, and I am becoming increasingly frustrated with the content.
Contributed by Penelope Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.