Bloc Party have been together since 1999, with names such as Superheroes of BMX, The Angel Range, Diet, and Union, before settling on Bloc Party in September 2003. Band members Kele Okereke and Russell Lissack have formed the fulcrum of these various incarnations, and were subsequently joined by bassist Gordon Moakes who answered an advert in the NME, and most recently drummer Matt Tong. Lissack and singer/guitarist Kele Okereke first met in 1998 in Essex, where Lissack had grown up and Okereke attended school. Lissack attended Bancroft's School and Okereke attended Ilford County High School until 16 then Trinity School for sixth form. They bumped into each other again in 1999 at the Reading Festival and soon after formed the band Union.
In 2003 they changed their name from Union to Bloc Party. The name is a play on block party, a name for an informal neighbourhood festival, which might hire a local band as entertainment. The band have said that the name was not intended to be an allusion to the Soviet Bloc or the Canadian political party Bloc Québécois; the absence of a 'k' is purely for aesthetics.
However, the band's bassist, Gordon Moakes, said on the group's official internet forum that it was more a merging of the eastern "blocs" and the western "parties", in the political sense. Moakes notes that the name was not driven by politics, but rather it "looked, sounded, seemed fine so we went with it."
In November 2003, Bloc Party had their track "The Marshalls Are Dead" featured on a compilation CD called The New Cross released by Angular Recording Corporation. Soon after they released their debut sngle "She's Hearing Voices" on the then fledgling record label Trash Aesthetics.
The band got their break after Okereke went to a Franz Ferdinand concert in 2003, and was able to thrust a copy of the single into the hands of both Franz lead singer Alex Kapranos and Radio One DJ Steve Lamacq. Lamacq subsequently played the song on his radio show, labeling the track "genius", and invited them to record a live session for the show.
The buzz generated off the back of the single sparked some A&R interest, leading to another single "Banquet", this time released by the label Moshi Moshi, and to the eventual signing with indie label Wichita Recordings in April 2004.
Bloc Party's own variation of spiky guitar rock draws on influences such as The Cure, Gang of Four, The Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, Pixies, Joy Division, and XTC, but the band says that some of these bands are just comparisons. Does that last bit even mean anything?
The drumming on Bloc Party songs is often influenced by the London dance and R&B scene whilst the guitar demonstrates typical indie sharpness with alternative panned chords and fast chord picking. To achieve their unique guitar style, BOSS echo effects equipment is implemented and is particularly apparent on the track "Like Eating Glass".
The musical style of A Weekend in the City is more varied, however, drawing influence particularly from more expansive sounding bands, including Radiohead. As large as Bloc Party has been over recent years, they are still in their youth. They have developed unique songs and sounds, but they are still trying to find their own personality. The song "Flux" was released at the end of 2007 as an add-on to A Weekend in the City. The band is coming to terms with its growth and development, and should find itself with its next album.
Silent Alarm (2004–2006)
Their debut album Silent Alarm, released in February 2005, was met with critical acclaim and broke sales records, being voted by NME critics as the 2005 album of the year and reaching #3 on UK album charts (selling platinum in the UK). The second single from the album "So Here We Are" made the top 5 on UK charts. Further singles "Banquet" (which reached #13 in NME's "Top 50 singles of 2005"), "Helicopter" (which featured on the FIFA 06, Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure, Project Gotham Racing 3, Burnout Revenge and Guitar Hero III game soundtracks) and "Pioneers" (July 2005), whilst failing to repeat this success, managed to make dents in the UK top 20. The animated video for the single "Pioneers" was number one in the NME video charts for 4 weeks and was made for a tiny budget in four weeks by the Shoreditch based Mini Vegas design agency.
Even though the band was met with good reviews from critics in America, Bloc Party failed to break through to the pop or rock charts in the US.
Bloc Party became one of the most popular new bands of 2005, and the established electronic group The Chemical Brothers soon collaborated with Okereke for "Believe", a track on the Brothers' Push the Button album.
An album of remixes of tracks from Silent Alarm was released at the end of August in the UK. This remix album, Silent Alarm Remixed, retained the album's original track list and includes remixes from the likes of Ladytron, M83, Death from Above 1979, Four Tet and Mogwai.
During July, they recorded two new tracks (titles were given of "Hero" and "Two More Years") with Silent Alarm producer Paul Epworth. The latter, "Two More Years" was released on October 3 to coincide with their October 2005 UK tour. The songs were released as an EP titled Two More Years, accompanied with a re-release of Silent Alarm, which included "Two More Years" itself along with former single "Little Thoughts". The single format of "Two More Years" contained a remix of "Banquet" done by The Streets, for which a video was also recorded.
The band also contributed the track "The Present" to the Help: a Day in the Life compilation, the profits of which benefits the War Child charity.
The single "Banquet" was sampled in 2006 by DJ Green Lantern for a track with Apathy, Tak (of rap duo Styles of Beyond) and Mike Shinoda. The track, entitled "Bloc Party", appears on Green Lantern's Fort Minor: We Major mixtape.
The band released their second album, called A Weekend in the City on February 5, 2007 in the UK and February 6 in the United States. The album debuted at #12 in the Billboard 200 with 48,000 copies sold. It became available via the UK's iTunes store a day ahead of schedule, on February 4, and reached the #2 spot in the Official UK Chart. The album was produced by Jacknife Lee. The first single, "The Prayer", was released on January 29. This single had been located on their MySpace since November 22, 2006. The next single, "I Still Remember", is their first American single. In the build up to the release of the album, Zane Lowe aired a live set from Maida Vale featuring a mix of old songs and new ones on his evening radio show on BBC Radio 1 on January 30, 2007. On February 1, 2007, A Weekend in the City was made available to listen to for free through the band's official MySpace page.
The band's first gig following the release of AWITC was on February 5 at Reading Hexagon. It was broadcasted live on BBC's Music Station 6 Music that night as well.
Bloc Party played in the Live Earth concerts on July 7, 2007 and T in the Park and the Oxegen Festival that same weekend, as well as Glastonbury and the Reading and Leeds Festivals 2007.
On 27th October, Bloc Party showed "Flux" to the world at their gig during the BBC Electric Proms, and on November 12th, they released the single. It charted well, reaching #8 in the UK charts, and was well received both by critics and fans, despite the new electronic direction.
On 7th July, Bloc Party premiered new track "Mercury" on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show following a countdown timer on Bloc Party's website. The track took a bold new direction, moving away from guitar rock, with an experimental electronic sound. The track charted at #16 in the UK charts when it was released as a single on the 11th of August.
On the 18th of August, in a webcam chat with fans, they announced that their third album, Intimacy, would be released for download on their website on the 21st of August. The album contained
On the 23rd and 24th of August, Bloc Party played second headliners before The Killers at Reading & Leeds Festivals, opening their set with "Mercury", and also playing "One Month Off" from their new album. They also played an entirely unplanned encore of "She's Hearing Voices".
The album Intimacy was released in physical formats on October 27th, featuring additional tracks, such as current single "Talons".
In June 2009 it was announced that a new single, "One More Chance", would be released on 10 August 2009. The song did not appear on Intimacy and was produced by Jacknife Lee. It was played for the first time on BBC Radio 1 on 18 June. In an interview with Zane Lowe immediately following the premier playing of the song, Okereke said that he was in the studio but that he couldn't "tell you anything"
In July 2009, Okereke stated that the band did not have a current recording contract and had no obligation or pressure to release a new album in the foreseeable future; he went on to suggest that the release of a fourth album is on an indefinite timescale
On 31 October 2009 the band played their final gig of the Bloctober tour at Bournemouth International Centre, home town of drummer Matt Tong. This was recognised as the band's last gig before going on hiatus.
In a February 2010 interview with NME Magazine, Lissack answered direct questions about Bloc Party's future, saying:
"We're probably going to pick up again with Bloc Party later this year. I mean, we wrote a lot of new material on the last tour. What does it sound like? It's hard to say. It's still just sketches of songs. The feel will come together in the studio. We're definitely not splitting up, there's a lot more creative life left in it yet."
On 11 July 2012, the band released "Octopus", the first single from their upcoming fourth album "Four". The album was released on 20 August 2012.
During the summer tour of 2013, drummer Matt Tong left the band. Lissack told a Canadian newspaper, the National Post that the band were planning to take an indefinite hiatus following their appearance at the Latitude Festival on 19 July.
In September 2014, Okereke stated that Bloc Party were working on a fifth album. In March 2015, bassist Gordon Moakes tweeted he had parted ways with Bloc Party. Bloc Party unveiled their new line-up at two intimate gigs in the Los Angeles area (19 August 2015 at The Glass House in Pomona and 20 August 2015 at The Roxy in Los Angeles). Following these performances, Bloc Party also subheadlined FYF Fest in Los Angeles on 22 August 2015. At these shows, the band confirmed that they've finished recording their next album. The shows marked the live debut for new bassist Justin Harris of the Portland, Oregon, indie rock outfit Menomena, who had previously opened several Bloc Party U.S. tour dates in April 2009; and drummer Louise Bartle, who was accidentally announced a month earlier as Bloc Party's drummer by instrument manufacturer Natal Drums.
In a performance at Maida Vale, Bloc Party gave "The Good News" its live debut; hours later, "The Love Within" was featured as "Hottest Record in the World" by Annie Mac on BBC Radio 1. Okereke revealed the band's upcoming fifth album is set to be titled Hymns. The album's release was later confirmed on social media as 29 January 2016.
Different Drugs
Bloc Party Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something's wrong, there's something missing
You're spinning away
From me
I don't bitch, no, I don't moan
But I can't try to fight this anymore
Our common ground
Has shifted
With a look I used to know
With all the best intentions
Somehow, our cover's blown
We're trapped inside this room
With no window or rear view
And now you're backing away from me
Well, what can I do?
And if there was a pill
We could take to find each other
Would you drop with me?
Would you follow me down?
And if there was a leaf
We could smoke to meet each other
Would you blaze with me?
Would you chase with me?
It started as a joyride
Just a way to let off steam
But now we're running off the road
'Cause you're asleep at the wheel
Which way do you choose?
'Cause right now I choose you
Do you still think of me fondly?
Do you still think of me?
I'm tryna broach the distance
That's growing in our lives
From the night until the morning
Like we're on different drugs
Did I say too much?
Did I take too much?
The temptation to vacate
Seduces us
I'm tryna beat the static
That's living in our hearts
Like white noise that's in the distance
That will only drown us out
Did I say too much?
Did I take too much?
The temptation to vacate
Seduces us, oh
(It's like we're on different drugs)
(Different)
(It's like we're on different drugs)
(Different)
(It's like we're on different drugs)
(Different)
(It's like we're on different drugs)
(Different)
(It's like we're on different drugs)
(Different drugs, dif dif different)
(Different drugs, different)
(Diff, dif dif dif dif different)
(Drugs)
The lyrics of Bloc Party's song "Different Drugs" explore the disconnection and distance that has formed between two individuals who were once close. The singer reflects on going back home and feeling that something is missing, as the person they care about has drifted away. The lyrics depict a sense of resignation and acceptance that their common ground has shifted and they can no longer fight against it. The person they used to know is now standing in the doorway with a different look, and despite their best intentions, the facade they maintained has been exposed.
The chorus of the song introduces the idea of using substances as a metaphor to bridge the gap between them. The singer wonders if there was a pill they could take to find each other, would the other person be willing to drop with them, to follow them down. Similarly, if there was a leaf they could smoke to meet each other, would the other person be willing to blaze and chase with them. The lyrics suggest that these substances represent a way to reconnect and regain the spark that has been lost.
The song continues to describe the deteriorating state of their relationship, using metaphors of a joyride turning dangerous and the other person being asleep at the wheel. The singer expresses their desire to choose the other person, but questions whether they still hold the same fond thoughts of them. The repetition of the phrase "different drugs" in the chorus reinforces the idea that they are no longer on the same wavelength and highlights the disconnection they feel.
Overall, "Different Drugs" explores the emotional distance and longing for reconnection between two individuals whose relationship has changed. It portrays the struggle to bridge the gap and regain the intimacy they once had.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time I go back home
Whenever I return to where we used to live
Something's wrong, there's something missing
I can sense that something isn't right, something is lacking
You're spinning away
You're moving further and further apart from me
From me
Away from my presence and influence
I don't bitch, no, I don't moan
I don't complain or whine about it
But I can't try to fight this anymore
But I can no longer make an effort to resist or combat this situation
Our common ground
What we used to share and understand together
Has shifted
Has significantly changed or moved
You're standing in the doorway
You are positioned in the entrance
With a look I used to know
With a familiar expression that I have seen before
With all the best intentions
With genuine and well-meaning motives
Somehow, our cover's blown
Somehow, our disguise or facade has been revealed or exposed
We're trapped inside this room
We are confined and unable to escape from this situation
With no window or rear view
Without any means to see outside or reflect on what has happened
And now you're backing away from me
And now you're distancing yourself from me
Well, what can I do?
Well, there is nothing within my power to change this
And if there was a pill
And if there existed a pill
We could take to find each other
That could help us reconnect and understand each other again
Would you drop with me?
Would you take that pill together with me?
Would you follow me down?
Would you join me on this journey or path?
And if there was a leaf
And if there existed a leaf
We could smoke to meet each other
That we could smoke to come together and reunite
Would you blaze with me?
Would you smoke that leaf together with me?
Would you chase with me?
Would you pursue that experience alongside me?
It started as a joyride
It began as an exhilarating and enjoyable adventure
Just a way to let off steam
Simply a means to release stress or tension
But now we're running off the road
But now we are deviating from the intended path or direction
'Cause you're asleep at the wheel
Because you are not fully aware and in control of the situation
Which way do you choose?
Which direction or path will you select?
'Cause right now I choose you
Because at this moment, I still choose you
Do you still think of me fondly?
Do you still have positive and affectionate thoughts of me?
Do you still think of me?
Do I still occupy your thoughts and mind?
I'm tryna broach the distance
I am attempting to address and bridge the growing gap between us
That's growing in our lives
That is becoming more prominent and noticeable in our existence
From the night until the morning
From evening until dawn
Like we're on different drugs
As if we are under the influence of contrasting substances
Did I say too much?
Have I spoken excessively or revealed too many details?
Did I take too much?
Have I consumed an excessive amount?
The temptation to vacate
The temptation to escape or flee from this situation
Seduces us
Entices or beguiles us
I'm tryna beat the static
I am trying to overcome the interference or disturbance
That's living in our hearts
That resides within our emotions and desires
Like white noise that's in the distance
Similar to indistinct and distracting background noise that is far away
That will only drown us out
That will only overpower or silence us
Different drugs, dif dif different
Distinct substances, contrasting, dif dif different
Drugs
Various substances that alter perception and consciousness
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RUSSELL LISSACK, KELE OKEREKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anthony Goitia
Every time I go back home
Something's wrong, there's something missing
You're spinning away
From me
I don't bitch, no, I don't moan
But I can't try to fight this anymore
Our common ground
Has shifted
You're standing in the doorway
With a look I used to know
With all the best intentions
Somehow, our cover's blown
We're trapped inside this room
With no window or rear view
And now you're backing away from me
Well, what can I do?
And if there was a pill
We could take to find each other
Would you drop with me?
Would you follow me down?
And if there was a leaf
We could smoke to meet each other
Would you blaze with me?
Would you chase with me?
It started as a joyride
Just a way to let off steam
But now we're running off the road
'Cause you're asleep at the wheel
Which way do you choose?
'Cause right now I choose you
Do you still think of me fondly?
Do you still think of me?
I'm tryna broach the distance
That's growing in our lives
From the night until the morning
Like we're on different drugs
Did I say too much?
Did I take too much?
The temptation to vacate
Seduces us
I'm tryna beat the static
That's living in our hearts
Like white noise that's in the distance
That will only drown us out
Did I say too much?
Did I take too much?
The temptation to vacate
Seduces us, oh
(Different drugs, different)
(Diff, dif dif dif dif different)
(Drugs)
Trevor 93
Great band, great damn song, these guys deserve way more credit, whoever thinks they’re not the same kind of Ora is dumb
Anthony Goitia
Every time I go back home
Something's wrong, there's something missing
You're spinning away
From me
I don't bitch, no, I don't moan
But I can't try to fight this anymore
Our common ground
Has shifted
You're standing in the doorway
With a look I used to know
With all the best intentions
Somehow, our cover's blown
We're trapped inside this room
With no window or rear view
And now you're backing away from me
Well, what can I do?
And if there was a pill
We could take to find each other
Would you drop with me?
Would you follow me down?
And if there was a leaf
We could smoke to meet each other
Would you blaze with me?
Would you chase with me?
It started as a joyride
Just a way to let off steam
But now we're running off the road
'Cause you're asleep at the wheel
Which way do you choose?
'Cause right now I choose you
Do you still think of me fondly?
Do you still think of me?
I'm tryna broach the distance
That's growing in our lives
From the night until the morning
Like we're on different drugs
Did I say too much?
Did I take too much?
The temptation to vacate
Seduces us
I'm tryna beat the static
That's living in our hearts
Like white noise that's in the distance
That will only drown us out
Did I say too much?
Did I take too much?
The temptation to vacate
Seduces us, oh
(Different drugs, different)
(Diff, dif dif dif dif different)
(Drugs)
Lance Bozman
Such simple drum work. I love it. Works beautifully.
Kelly Wells
I love it when people point out the thing that I can’t put my finger on. Helps me learn quickly. I love smarties like you. As long as they have loving kindness. I love people who are obsessed with music like me. It’s actually hard to find them. Because music is like air and water and fire and earth to me. Where are those people who feel me?
abbreviation of time
This makes me miss a gf I haven't had
Phantom Frost
Kale said at a live show th is is his favorite so I was like the artists had the same favorite off the new album ... he knows it's nostalgic and such emotion it made me pause my chaotic life to be humble again. Thank you and the new drummer is better than a metronome at keeping a beat cheers you British blokes love ya!
xenonorman
@Dope Sentry He meant that this drummer is better than nothing, you muppet.
Dope Sentry
New drummer is not better, you are on crack. New drummer couldn't play Positive Tension.
Calvin DiZinno
You can feel your soul sink further away with each bass rift @1:34
Phantom Frost
Or pride and self respect as you wither