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
The Toll
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But this time is different for sure
She's shaking with tears in her eyes
As she picks up what's left of the night
The hope for a reason seemed pure
As we leave what's left on the wall
But oh how it's taken it's toll
Everything's taken it's toll
Everything's taken it's toll
There was more then a break in the smiles
They rose and slowly they tired
As she turned the moments were made
There were none that could prove where she lay
There's a calm in the stories now told
And the distance will always be home
And oh how it's taken it's toll
Oh how it's taken it's toll
Everything's taken it's toll
Everything's taken it's toll
Everything's taken it's toll
It's a moment we carry alone
With a cause there's a cure for the soul
But oh how it's taken it's toll
Oh how it's taken it's toll
The Toll by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is a mysterious yet emotional piece that describes a woman who has been pushed to her limits. The singer seems to be a close acquaintance of hers, stating that he has never seen her cry before but this time everything has gone too far. The woman is visibly upset, and she tries to pick up the remnants of what was left of the night. The hope for reconciliation seems to be pure, but it's too little too late. They're now left to leave everything behind on the wall, perhaps the memories that will fade away with time.
The chorus of the song talks about how everything has taken its toll, and the repetition adds meaning to the song. The guitar and bass riffs add to the dark vibe of the song, with the instruments being played in a slow tempo. The lyrics talk about how sometimes things can become too much for us to bear, and this can lead to us being anxious or even depressed. The line "There's a calm in the stories now told, and the distance will always be home," highlights that the woman that the singer is talking about is now in a state of peace, and the past is just that: the past.
Overall, The Toll is a poignant song describing the deep emotions that we feel when things go wrong. It speaks of a moment that remains with us forever, and how we struggle to find solace in the midst of our grief.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd never known her to cry
I have never seen her cry before
But this time is different for sure
However, this situation is exceptional
She's shaking with tears in her eyes
She is trembling and crying loudly
As she picks up what's left of the night
As she tries to salvage the remains of the evening
The hope for a reason seemed pure
There was a genuine expectation of finding an answer
As we leave what's left on the wall
As we abandon what remains on the wall
But oh how it's taken it's toll
But it has had a significant impact
Everything's taken it's toll
Everything has been affected
There was more then a break in the smiles
There was something beyond the lack of smiles
They rose and slowly they tired
People became more energetic but then grew wearier
As she turned the moments were made
As she changed direction, unforgettable events occurred
There were none that could prove where she lay
No one could testify to her whereabouts
There's a calm in the stories now told
There is now a peacefulness in the stories shared
And the distance will always be home
And wherever a person goes, the meaning of home remains
It's a moment we carry alone
It's a moment we bear without assistance
With a cause there's a cure for the soul
With a goal to aim for, comfort can be reached
But oh how it's taken it's toll
But it has had a significant impact
Oh how it's taken it's toll
It has had a considerable impact
Everything's taken it's toll
Everything has been affected
Everything's taken it's toll
Everything has been affected
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PETER HAYES, ROBERT BEEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind