Bodyjar is an Australian punk rock band based in Melbourne, that formed in … Read Full Bio ↴Bodyjar is an Australian punk rock band based in Melbourne, that formed in 1994, when they changed their name from 'Helium'. Their song "Not The Same" was also featured in the video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3. Bodyjar have released 7 albums, 6 of which were recorded in studio and their latest which is a live recording entitled 'Is It Alive'. The band contained two of its original members, Cameron Baines (lead vocals/guitar) and Grant Relf (Bass) when they split. Drummer Shane Wakker has been in the band since 2005, after replacing long-time drummer Ross Heatherington and Tom Read (guitar/vocals) completes the line-up. The band now play one off shows from time to time.

Despite having their commercial peak seemingly behind them, Bodyjar remain a major attraction on the all-ages circuit in Australia, and continue to tour and play festivals. Selections from their discography have also been repackaged and released for the American and Japanese markets, where they have consolidated live followings.

Band members are also part of other side projects – Daughters of the Rich and Burn the City.

Despite an announcement on the official Bodyjar website, as of the 10th of January 2008, a new album "looks to be shaping up for late in the year". However, the band announced on September 4, 2009 they would be calling it quits after a farewell tour.

Bodyjar reunited in March 2012 to perform No Touch Red in its entirety at Melbourne's Corner Hotel, together with former tour mates One Dollar Short and Antiskeptic. Regarding the show, bassist Relf remarked, "When a good friend of Bodyjar’s says they want to start a label and release one of your old albums on vinyl, you don’t have to think too long or too hard about the response. No Touch Red kicked some arse back in the day and still holds its head up high all these years later, so I say let there be vinyl and a show to boot."

As of February 2013, Bodyjar has performed as a support act for various touring bands in Australia, such as The Descendents. Read explained in an October 2013 interview that, following the Descendants tour, the band had "a little bit of money in the bank" and decided to write and record for a new album: "we just thought let's write some songs and if they are good enough we can record them and if they're not then we can spend the money on beer I guess. But they turned out really well."[4]

Satisfied with their new songs, the band announced the release of a new record, Role Model, which is the first collection of new material in eight years. The first single, "Fairytales", premiered on 12 September 2013.

Read also explained that Tom Larkin of New Zealand band Shihad produced the album at his own studios in Brunswick, Melbourne, Australia, and that the band referenced the sound production of the bands Refused, Foo Fighters and Starmarket for the recording process. Joey Cape from the U.S. band Lagwagon and Ahren Stringer from the Australian band The Amity Affliction contributed vocals to the album.

Bodyjar enlisted Australian independent music label UNFD to release Role Model on 18 October 2013, and bundle packages that included a skateboard deck, a t-shirt and a stubby holder were released. Baines hired Dutch design company ATTAK to create the artwork for the album.

Remote Controller
Bodyjar Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sorry I've got things to do and say
I've listened long enough today
I'll keep my things In my control
But there's information you withhold
And I've heard everything you said about tradition
And everything they say to you It must be true, to you

And you can keep your good intentions

You can have your point of view
And I will listen very closely
Just don't try and change mine

Who controls everything I see
What I know you dictate to me
I'll change the station And the way
I see things told to me in rays
I've heard everything you said about tradition
And everything they say to you It must be true, to you

And you can keep your good intentions
You can have your point of view
And I will listen very closely
Just don't try and change mine

And you can keep your good intentions
You can have your point of view
And I will listen very closely
Just don't try and change mine

What I know you dictate to me
What I know you dictate
What I know you dictate to me
What I know you dictate
Who controls everything I see

What I know you dictate to me
What I know you dictate to me

Overall Meaning

Bodyjar's song "Remote Controller" explores the theme of control and how individuals have the power to resist manipulation. The lyrics suggest that there are certain entities or individuals who try to dictate what people should think and believe. The singer implies that he has been listening intently to these people and their ideologies, but he has come to the conclusion that he wants to exercise his own control over what he hears and comprehends. He doesn't want anyone else to control his thoughts or opinions.

The verses illustrate the singer's frustration with traditions and beliefs that are forced upon people, without giving them a chance to think for themselves. He has heard everything that has been said by these people, but he doesn't want to blindly accept everything. The chorus emphasizes the singer's desire to maintain his independence and freedom to make up his own mind. He acknowledges that others may have their own point of view, but he will not allow them to change his.

The ending of the song reinforces the idea that the singer is taking back control of what he thinks and knows. He repeats the lines "What I know you dictate to me" and "Who controls everything I see" to show that he is aware of the manipulation and is making a conscious decision to resist it. Overall, "Remote Controller" is an admirable assertion of autonomy and a rejection of dogma.

Line by Line Meaning

Sorry I've got things to do and say
I am too busy and have my own opinions to share with you right now.

I've listened long enough today
I have heard enough of your opinions for one day.

I'll keep my things in my control
I will maintain control over my own thoughts and actions.

But there's information you withhold
You are not giving me all of the information I need.

And I've heard everything you said about tradition
I have listened to your views on tradition.

And everything they say to you It must be true, to you
You believe everything that others tell you to be true.

And you can keep your good intentions
You can hold onto your well-meaning intentions.

You can have your point of view
You can hold onto your own perspective.

And I will listen very closely
I will pay attention intently.

Just don't try and change mine
Do not try to alter my own beliefs.

Who controls everything I see
Who has the power to dictate everything that I see?

What I know you dictate to me
You control what knowledge and information I have access to.

I'll change the station And the way
I will change the channel and the way I am receiving information.

I see things told to me in rays
I perceive information being projected toward me.

What I know you dictate
You have control over what I know and learn.