The band's second album 'Take Them On, On Your Own' featured several songs ('Generation' and 'US Government') which were critical of the United States' foreign policy and George Bush in particular.
After conflict with their label (Virgin Records), the band was dropped in 2004. Nick Jago left the band at the end of their summer tour in the same year due to "internal conflict".
Following Jago's departure Peter Hayes and Robert Levon Been regrouped and recorded the band's third album. With their third record Howl, they added blues, folk and gospel, a la Spiritualized.
In 2005 the band inked a new deal with Echo in the UK, and RCA in the US. Nick Jago also returned to the fold. The band's third album "Howl" was released that same year to widespread critical acclaim. Jago returned after most of the album was recorded but played on "Promise".
"Baby 81" the band's fourth album was released on May 1st, 2007. In June 2008 Nick Jago once again left the touring line-up of the band being replaced by The Raveonettes' touring drummer Leah Shapiro. Nick stated that "...I am fired again and to be honest with you I respect their decision".
However Hayes and Been released a conflicting joint statement that read "Nick won't be joining us for the upcoming European tour, but it's not true that he is fired. We just feel Nick needs time to sort out exactly what he wants right now. His heart and all his energy and attention is on his own solo project and he needs to see that through".
Current:
On January 9, 2013, the band announced via Facebook the name of their seventh album called Specter at the Feast which was released on March 18 in the UK and Europe and on March 19 in USA, Canada and worldwide. It is considered a tribute to Michael Been (The Call), Robert Levon Been's father who died suddenly on tour with BRMC in August 2010.
It received mostly positive reviews; many critics noting that despite the band having been together for some time the album showed a mellower and moodier side with songs such as opener `Firewalker'.
The band made the first single from the record available, a cover of The Call's 1989 hit "Let the Day Begin", for free download on their official website. The decision to record the song was a tribute to Robert's father Michael, who used his experience from The Call to help BRMC before his death in the last couple of years. The single became Q Magazine's track of the day.[6] The band have also released the Let the Day Begin EP for free, consisting of the single and the album track "Returning", made available for streaming on the official website.[7]
On April 8, 2013 it was announced that the band would play at Rock Werchter, the largest rock festival in Belgium.
The band continues to show a willingness to tour despite the obstacles. During the 2013 tour, the organisers of the Harvest festival in Australia decided to abandon the multi-city event, of which BRMC were one of the lead acts, only a few months ahead of the performances. BRMC was the first band to announce it would still visit the country and play its own shows.
Many shows on the 2013/2014 tour have sold out.
BRMC's music/songs have been featured in many films, television programs and video games.
Visit blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com for tour/CD and merchandise info.
Discography:
2001 - B.R.M.C.
2001 - Screaming Gun (EP)
2002 - Spread Your Love (EP)
2003 - Take Them On, On Your Own
2005 - Howl
2006 - Howl Sessions Vol.1 (EP)
2006 - Howl Sessions Vol. 2 (EP)
2007 - Baby 81
2007 - Napster Live Session (EP)
2007 - American X: Baby 81 Sessions (EP)
2008 - The Effects Of 333 (Download)
2010 - Beat the Devil's Tattoo
2013 - Specter At The Feast
2018 - Wrong Creatures
High Low
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm the devil in disguise
That's just the way that it goes
I guess you didn't know
Keep me high, Keep me low
I don't want to tell you where I've been
I'm the one who's in your dreams
It's the sound that you burn
I guess you didn't learn
Keep me high, keep me low
I don't want to tell you where I've been
I used to move with my shadow still
Now I'm searching for your will
That's just the way that it goes
I guess you didn't know
But every night that I think of you
With every voice that she brings me
It's not pain that I'm feeling
It's just the hate that I fear, I'm fearing
Keep me high, keep me low
I don't want to tell you where I've been"
The opening line of "High / Low" by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club sets the tone for the rest of the song, with a warning to the listener that they might not want to be associated with the person singing it. The lyrics hint at a sinister side to the singer, who identifies themselves as "the devil in disguise". The tone of the rest of the song is one of caution and fearfulness - the singer is someone who should not be trusted or followed.
The repeated lines of "Keep me high, keep me low" seem to refer to a desire to not reveal one's true nature or whereabouts - keeping oneself in a state of constant flux and unpredictability. The mention of "the sound that you burn" could be interpreted as the singer being destructive or incendiary in nature, and the line "It's just the hate that I fear, I'm fearing" suggests that the singer is aware of the negative impact their actions and emotions can have.
The final lines of the song suggest that the singer is perhaps trying to change or redeem themselves, with a mention of "searching for your will" and feeling "hate that I fear". Overall, the lyrics of "High / Low" present a complex and ambiguous portrait of a persona who is difficult to pin down - both dangerous and vulnerable in equal measure.
Line by Line Meaning
You want to walk on my side
You want to be close with me and support me.
I'm the devil in disguise
I have a darker side to me that may not be immediately noticeable.
That's just the way that it goes
It's just the reality of the situation.
I guess you didn't know
Maybe you weren't aware of all of the details.
Keep me high, Keep me low
Regardless of how I am feeling, don't try to change me.
I don't want to tell you where I've been
My past is my own and I am not ready to share it yet.
You want to fade under my speed
You want to be a part of my lifestyle and keep up with me.
I'm the one who's in your dreams
I hold some level of power in your mind and thoughts.
It's the sound that you burn
It's the intense feeling that you crave.
I guess you didn't learn
Maybe you didn't heed the warning signs in the past.
I used to move with my shadow still
I used to be comfortable with my own company.
Now I'm searching for your will
Now I'm looking for direction from someone else.
But every night that I think of you
You are constantly on my mind, even when I don't want you to be.
With every voice that she brings me
As I listen to others, I am reminded of you.
It's not pain that I'm feeling
It's not so much that I am hurting as it is that I am struggling to let go.
It's just the hate that I fear, I'm fearing
I am afraid of the intense emotions and negativity that are attached to you and our past.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: NICHOLAS JAGO, PETER HAYES, ROBERT TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind