The band was formed by Peter Albin, Sam Andrew, James Gurley (1939 – 2009) and Chuck Jones in San Francisco, in a Victorian mansion/boarding house owned by Peter's uncle at 1090 Page Street in the Haight-Ashbury. That house became the site of Wednesday night jam sessions which were organized by Chet Helms who was the real "Big Brother," naming the band, bringing James Gurley into the fold and later seeing that his old friend Janis Joplin came to sing with them. The first official Big Brother gig was at the Open Theater in Berkeley, January 1966. Within a short time they became the house band for Chet at the Avalon Ballroom and began to develop a loyal following, largely due to the charismatic, pioneering guitarwork of James Gurley. The band had what Sam Andrew called a "progressive-regressive hurricane blues style," playing such tunes as Hall of the Mountain King, Coo Coo, That's How Strong My Love Is, and Down On Me. Janis Joplin made her debut with Big Brother at the Avalon Ballroom in June 1966, and a year later, in June 1967, Big Brother and Janis performed at The Monterey Pop Festival. From that point on, Janis became the main focus of attention, with her high voltage and raw emotional performances, while Big Brother faded into the backgroud and became known for being her back-up band.
At the end of the summer of 1968, just after appearing at the Palace of Fine Arts Festival in San Francisco, Joplin announced that she was leaving Big Brother in the fall of that year. The official reason given was her desire to go solo and form a soul music band. Sam Andrew also left the band to join Janis in her new project. Janis played with Big Brother until December 1, 1968, at a Family Dog Benefit concert in San Francisco. Twenty days later she and Sam played in Memphis for the first time with her new band, later called Kozmic Blues Band.
After Janis left Big Brother, Dave Getz and Peter Albin joined Country Joe and the Fish and toured the U.S. and Europe and played on the Country Joe album Here We Go Again (Vanguard Records 1969). Getz and Albin left Country Joe in May 1969 with the intention of re-forming Big Brother with guitarist David Nelson. They auditioned several singers including Eddie Money, Kathi McDonald and John Herald but the band finally came back together in the fall of 1969 with nearly the same line-up (except Joplin): Albin, Andrew, Getz and Gurley were joined by Nick Gravenites (vocals), Dave Schallock (guitar) and Kathi McDonald (vocals). Be a Brother was released in 1970. Gurley moved to bass guitar while Albin played rhythm, Sam Andrew sang more lead vocals with Kathi McDonald, David Schallock on lead guitar, Dave Getz on drums and occasional keyboards. Nick Gravenites would also produce the album, write and sing on a number of the tracks. They releasad their last studio album, How Hard It Is, in 1971. The same lineup: Kathi and Sam and Nick on vocals joined by organist Mike Finnegan. The band remained with this lineup until 1972 but drugs, loss of management, lack of gigs and internal squabbles caused them to gradually fall apart and disband during that year. During the next 15 years they re-united once to play "The Tribal Stomp" in 1978 at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley.
The latest incarnation began in 1987, and has been touring part-time ever since with most of its original members, including Sam Andrew, Peter Albin, Dave Getz, and James Gurley. James left in 1996 because he did not support his colleagues' idea to hire a female singer to replace Joplin. He was replaced in 1997 by Tom Finch. Big Brother no longer has a fixed lead singer; Michel Bastian, Lisa Battle, Halley DeVestern, Lisa Mills, Andra Mitrovich, Kacee Clanton, Sophia Ramos, Mary Bridget Davies, Chloe Lowery, Jane Myrenget, Lynn Asher, Maria Stanford, Cathy Richardson, and Superfly's Shiho Ochi are among the singers that have played in concerts with them. Ben Nieves is the present guitar player along with Sam Andrew. In 1999 the band released the album Do What You Love, with Lisa Battle as the lead singer. The album contains some new versions of classic tunes like "Women is Loser" and a few new songs. The "Hold Me" album, with Sophia Ramos as lead singer and Chad Quist as guitar player, was recorded live in Germany in 2005, and released in 2006. In 2008 they released the two-CD set The Lost Tapes, with songs recorded at concerts between 1966 and 1967 in San Francisco, and featuring Janis Joplin as lead singer. Some songs had already been unofficial releases, but there are 12 never-before-released songs.
Former guitarist James Gurley died on December 20, 2009 of a heart attack, just two days before his 70th birthday.
Intruder
Big Brother & The Holding Company Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to make your demand.
You've got a need, darling,
I've seen it grow and expand.
Yeah, you want to reveal my life
With your own two hands.
Well, tell me now
Those holes in your life
Show what you require.
You're needin' new eyes,
Oh Lord, honey take any wire ?
Yeah you've gotta save us all
Before the next big fire.
Tell me now
What are you trying to do ?
Walked in my life,
Child, and I don't even know your name.
You put others around behind ya
As if they were lame.
You insist a simple feeling
Will be all the same.
Well, tell me now
What are you trying to do ?
Now I look like I'm suffering,
N-n-n-n-n-n-now I'm doing fine.
One look at yourself baby,
Child, I got you alive.
Yeah, you're gonna take care of yours,
I'll take care of mine.
What are you trying to do ?
Hey!
The song "Intruder" by Big Brother & The Holding Company is a haunting and intense piece that speaks to an individual who is desperate to insert themselves into someone else's life. The opening lines are a direct challenge to this person who is demanding attention, and the singer has clearly seen this person's need expand and grow. It is clear that this individual wants to be a part of the singer's life, and to get to know them intimately. However, the singer is resistant to this idea and demands to know what this person is trying to do.
The second verse is a direct accusation towards this individual who is trying to insert themselves into the singer's life. The holes in their life and need for new eyes are a metaphor for their emotional emptiness and lack of direction. The person is trying to save everyone from the next big fire, but it is not clear what that fire is or why the singer needs to be involved. The chorus repeats the question, "What are you trying to do?" It is clear the singer is not ready to welcome this person into their life, and they demand answers to the person's intentions.
The final verse puts the power back into the singer's hands. They have recovered from the suffering caused by this intrusive person, and they do not need them in their life. The final line, "I'll take care of mine, what are you trying to do?" is a final warning to this person to leave the singer alone and to stop trying to intrude. The song is powerful in its message of standing up to those who seek to insert themselves into someone else's life without permission or invitation.
Line by Line Meaning
You come around here
You are trying to enter my life or my personal space.
Trying to make your demand.
You want something from me, and you are pushing for it.
You've got a need, darling,
You have a desire that you cannot ignore or avoid.
I've seen it grow and expand.
It has become stronger and more pressing over time.
Yeah, you want to reveal my life
You are interested in learning about my life and what I do.
With your own two hands.
You want to do this on your own, without any help or intervention.
Well, tell me now
I am asking you for an explanation or justification for your actions.
What are you trying to do ?
You need to explain the purpose of your actions, and why you feel you have the right to intrude on my life.
Those holes in your life
You have weaknesses or deficiencies in your own life or personal situation.
Show what you require.
These weaknesses indicate what you need or want from others or from life in general.
You're needin' new eyes,
You need help or guidance in seeing the world or your situation in a new way.
Oh Lord, honey take any wire ?
You are willing to try anything to fix your problems or satisfy your desires.
Yeah you've gotta save us all
You feel a sense of responsibility or need to help others, perhaps at the expense of your own well-being.
Before the next big fire.
You think there is a looming crisis or disaster that needs to be averted, and that you can help to prevent.
Walked in my life,
You suddenly arrived in my life or entered into my awareness.
Child, and I don't even know your name.
I have no idea who you are, or why you are here.
You put others around behind ya
You are willing to use others to achieve your goals, without concern for their well-being.
As if they were lame.
You consider others to be inferior or weak compared to yourself.
You insist a simple feeling
You believe that a simple emotion or impulse can guide your actions and lead to success.
Will be all the same.
You are confident that this simple approach will work, regardless of the complexity of the situation.
Now I look like I'm suffering,
Despite your intrusion into my life, I am maintaining my own sense of well-being and strength.
N-n-n-n-n-n-now I'm doing fine.
I am doing well, despite your efforts to interfere with my life.
One look at yourself baby,
You should take a closer look at yourself and your own actions, to see if they are truly beneficial and ethical.
Child, I got you alive.
I can help you to see the error of your ways, and encourage you to make positive changes in your life.
Yeah, you're gonna take care of yours,
You need to focus on your own well-being and happiness, rather than trying to interfere with the lives of others.
I'll take care of mine.
I will focus on my own life and personal growth, and trust that you will do the same for yourself.
What are you trying to do ?
I ask again: why are you trying to intrude on my life, and what do you hope to achieve?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JANIS JOPLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind