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
rise of fall
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gotta just make it quick
You thought you had it
You don't now what it takes to beg
You lost your cause
You lost your time to kill
You won't matter much
When they all got their feel
Mothers teach you to crawl
Fathers teach you to rise or fall
Mothers grieve for a son
Fathers teach you
"You're on your own"
I won't quiver
I don't squirm a sweat
You lost our gun you got
Nothing to make a fist
Incinerator
I'll just flip a switch
Forget we did it
And you and I will face this hell
Mothers teach to crawl
Fathers teach you to rise or fall
Mothers grief for a son
Fathers teach you to take it on
All my fears awakening
I've let them back
All this flash before my eyes
I never had
Where's your consultation?
Now listen flies
"Walk my son, I've taught you well
You're on your way down"
Fuck the past I'm up and gone as well
(You couldn't of lied, your curse is made)
I'm coming fast you got nothing left to say
(You never saw it, your curse is conscience)
In the end you've got no answers
(You couldn't of lied, your curse is made)
So much feeling you don't know how to take my hand
(You never saw it, your curse is conscience)
Mothers teach you to crawl
Fathers teach to you rise or fall
Lessons a pig for a son
Never see what you're reaching for
Mothers teach you to crawl
Fathers teach you're on your own
Mothers teach you to take what you waited
The song "Rise or Fall" by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is a powerful and angst-filled anthem about the struggles and challenges one must face in life, particularly how one is taught by their parents to either succeed or fail. The opening lines express the urgency and the need for action in the present moment to prevent further suffering. The lyrics suggest that the person being addressed had a moment of arrogance or confidence that was misplaced and that they do not possess the qualities needed to succeed. The song casts a nihilistic and apocalyptic view of life as being essentially meaningless: after we die, nothing we did really mattered.
The song's central metaphor is the relationship between parents and their children. Mothers and fathers teach different things: mothers teach us to crawl, fathers teach us to rise or fall. While mothers grieve when their children suffer, fathers teach us to be self-sufficient and to face the world on our own, even if it means being completely alone. The lyrics seem to suggest that this is a harsh life lesson and that it is ultimately destructive, as people may become cold and disconnected from the world around them.
The song offers a bleak view of life but also encourages us to be resilient and to rise above our fears and struggles. We must take what we are given, even if it seems like an impossible challenge, and use it to the best of our ability. The song concludes with the individual realizing that they must move on and leave the past behind in order to succeed.
Line by Line Meaning
Please don't suffer
Don't prolong the pain.
Gotta just make it quick
Act decisively and with urgency.
You thought you had it
You were once confident in your abilities.
You don't now what it takes to beg
You lack the humility necessary to plead for mercy.
You lost your cause
Your mission or motivation has been defeated or abandoned.
You lost your time to kill
Your opportunity for vengeance or retribution has passed.
You won't matter much
Your significance or impact will be minimal.
When they all got their feel
When everyone else is satisfied or contented.
Mothers teach you to crawl
Mothers instill basic survival skills at an early age.
Fathers teach you to rise or fall
Fathers impart the importance of success or failure and how to cope with both.
Mothers grieve for a son
Mothers feel pain and sorrow for their offspring.
Fathers teach you
Fathers provide guidance and instruction.
"You're on your own"
The ultimate responsibility for one's actions lies with the individual.
I won't quiver
I won't show fear or hesitation.
I don't squirm a sweat
I am confident and composed under pressure.
You lost our gun you got
You no longer have the means to defend yourself.
Nothing to make a fist
You are powerless and unable to strike back.
Incinerator
A device for burning waste or refuse.
I'll just flip a switch
I will easily activate the incinerator without emotion.
Forget we did it
Deny or disregard any wrongdoing.
And you and I will face this hell
We will confront the consequences of our actions together.
All my fears awakening
All of my anxieties are resurfacing.
I've let them back
I have allowed my fears to return.
All this flash before my eyes
My life is passing before my eyes.
I never had
I never truly possessed anything of value.
Where's your consultation?
Where is your guidance or support?
Now listen flies
Now listen, insignificant and bothersome pests.
"Walk my son, I've taught you well
"Keep moving forward, I have trained you to handle adversity.
You're on your way down"
You are headed for failure or disaster.
Fuck the past I'm up and gone as well
I reject my past and have moved on.
(You couldn't of lied, your curse is made)
(You could not have deceived, the consequences are inevitable.)
I'm coming fast you got nothing left to say
I am approaching quickly, and you have no defense or rebuttal.
(You never saw it, your curse is conscience)
(You never realized the truth, your guilt will torment you.)
In the end you've got no answers
Ultimately, you will not have a solution or explanation.
So much feeling you don't know how to take my hand
You are so consumed by emotion that you cannot accept my help.
Lessons a pig for a son
Lessons are wasted on an ungrateful or unworthy child.
Never see what you're reaching for
You lack the vision or insight to achieve your goals.
Mothers teach you're on your own
Mothers teach the importance of self-reliance.
Mothers teach you to take what you waited
Mothers teach the value of patience and perseverance.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: NICHOLAS JAGO, PETER HAYES, ROBERT TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind