The name of the group is derived etymologically from Swedish liquor Brännvin, a style of spirit best described as low-grade vodka. The name originated as a joke associated with the taupe-coloured Volkswagen Camper Van owned by Bergen in the mid-1990s which was said to run solely on bran flakes, brännvin and brand recognition when carrying the artists on tour around Canada.
1994–1996: Formation
In 1994, James Di Salvio (b. November 28, 1972) had received a royalty cheque for work on a remix he had done on a track for Quebec songwriter Jean Leloup, and invited his friend E.P. Bergen (b. 13 April 1972) to "come help him spend the money".[2] The two got together in Manhattan and coined Bran Van 3000 in 1994. Di Salvio was a video director and asked E.P. to come teach him how to produce tracks with a sampler and turntables. Together they went and bought studio equipment in Times Square. E.P. returned to Montreal and immediately co-wrote/produced a single with Jean Leloup called: "Johnny Go". E.P. invited James to come over and record his first ever rap on that song. It later went to number one in the Quebec charts. James Di Salvio also directed the music video. This was in effect the first ever Bran Van 3000 collaboration.
Together James and E.P. went back to New York to record "Forest" and "Ma Chambre" for Jean Leloup's platinum album "Le Dome". These tracks were very successful, leading to a record deal with Audiogram Records. Together with Haig V, they co-produced the first BV3 album. Jean Leloup gave "Forest" to Bran Van 3000. Bergen started a cover of "Come On Feel The Noise" with plans to have Sara Johnston sing on it. Di Salvio discovered Liquid. In 1996, the album was almost finished. As a joke, James and E.P. sent a demo of the unfinished songs "Drinking In LA", "Couch Surfer" and "Everywhere" to the Canadian Music Week contest. Bran Van 3000 came in first place with another act (Jack Rustle), but got disqualified because there was no real band to perform the showcase. They finished the album and E.P. started auditioning the touring band that included Gary Mackenzie, Nick Hynes and Rob Joanisse.
1996–1999: Glee
Bran Van 3000 finally released their first single, "Drinking in L.A.", in February 1997 in Canada. In April of the same year, the band released their first album, called Glee. The record went gold in 1998 and won a Juno Award for best alternative album. It contained 17 tracks, one of them entirely in French called "Forest" featuring Jean Leloup. "Afrodiziak", produced by E.P. Bergen sold 100 000 copies in Germany with EMI and appeared in the movie XChange. The song "Everywhere" was featured on the soundtrack to the film Practical Magic and "Drinking in L.A." was featured in the soundtrack to Playing by Heart. "Ceci n'est pas une chanson" (later "Une chanson") contains the main melody of "Perfect" song from The The.
In March 1998, Glee was released internationally albeit some changes: "Ceci n'est pas une chanson" became an instrumental simply called "Une chanson"; the French song, "Forest", was reworked with several English verses. The international version has 19 tracks. Previously unreleased songs are "Rainshine", "Carry On" and "Old School".
After signing with Capitol Records, Bran Van 3000 began a massive touring schedule. It started across Canada, then zigzagged across the United States in Bob Dylan's Tour bus. Every day, the band was waiting for confirmation of show dates. The dates were sometimes confirmed the day before and the band would have to drive for ten hours to the next gig, only to find the posters rolled up in the coat check of many venues instead of on the walls. This inadequate tour planning forced the band to play in front of 20 to 50 people a night. Things eventually got better.
In Europe, EMI booked the band months ahead of time so that there was adequate promo. The band enjoyed larger crowds and got the rockstar treatment in every country in Western Europe. They also opened up for Massive Attack, Björk in sports arenas, as well as Pulp and Moby when they got back home.
In July 1998, "Drinking in L.A." reached No. 36 in the UK Singles Chart,[4] becoming their first transatlantic hit. In August 1999 the single was re-released after the song was featured in a popular TV commercial for Rolling Rock, and peaked at No. 3 in the UK.
2000–2001: Discosis
In 2000, E.P. Bergen temporarily quit Bran Van 3000 to make a solo record: Airport Lounge and work on HBO movie scores: "Dead Awake" starring Stephen Baldwin and "Swindle" starring Tom Sizemore and Dave Foley of The Kids in the Hall.
In the summer of 2001, Bran Van 3000 released the album Discosis. The song "Astounded" featured the final recorded performance from soul legend Curtis Mayfield before his death and became the most successful Canadian single by the collective. Other collaborators on the album were Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour and reggae artist Eek-a-Mouse. The song Go Shopping was featured on the soundtrack to the Mexican film Y tu mamá también.
2002–2006: Hiatus
In the summer of 2002 the band's Web site indicated that it was not working on new material or touring, nor did the band at that time had any plans of doing so.
2006–2007: Rosé
Unbeknownst to fans in 2006, E.P. Bergen contacted Audiogram and the publishers to obtain the initial financing of a third album. It was later announced that BV3 was working on a third album, Rosé, which was released in Canada on October 30 and in the US on November 27, 2007. Rosé was co-produced by James Di Salvio and Sara Johnston with the collaboration of Fatlip, Max-A-Million, Swanza, Chris Opperman, Noel Osborne and others. The album was written in Los Angeles and was recorded at Depeche Mode's studio and in Hollywood at Steve Vai's Studio. On July 1, 2008, the original group got back together, on stage, at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, playing songs from Rosé as well as some of their previous hits, in front of a crowd numbering around 180,000.
2010–2012: The Garden
After the death of his friend and father, Bobby Di Salvio, James got the collective back together and confirmed a new album on August 2010. "The Garden" was released on October 19, 2010. Since then Di Salvio and parts of the group are touring through Montreal and Canada, collaborating with different singers and instrumentalists like Pierre-Luc Cérat, Nick Hynes, Pascal Lepage Stéphane Moraille.
Afrodiziak
Bran Van 3000 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hip-hop love coming at you with a blazing sun
Just like a Bran Van giving you some
[Bran Van 3000]
We'll be the smoothest afrodiziak
we'll be the collest afrodiziak
We'll be the strangest afrodiziak
We'll be the smoothest afrodiziak
We'll be the coolest afrodiziak
We'll be the strangest afrodiziak
So why don't you put the record on and kick that track
[Sara Johnston]
Hip-hop love coming at you with the blazing sun
Just like a Bran Van giving you some
Hip-hop love coming at you with the blazing sun
Just like a Bran Van giving you some
(What you thinking?)
[James DiSalvio]
I'm thinking sometimes things are moving too fast
'cause from the very room I'm rhyming
It be looking like the past
I know you didn't ask but fuck it
You're stuck with it you got to try, right? right
That's why your basic love for hip-hop got me suckin this mic
I'm like the next Uncle Fester
Another media molester with the flex
Coming smooth coming strange like grade ten sex
We cling to the text corazon through the chest
You dis it, you like it, we don't give a fuck
Well just a little 'cause we hip-hop
Deconstruct, we schmoozing like McLuhan
A slightly shy slightly void nappy, crappy, spinal tappy humainoid
[Sara Johnston]
Hip-hop love coming at you with the blazing sun
Just like a Bran Van giving you some
'cause you're a cruel girl, what a strange girl in a wicked world
'cause you're a cruel girl, what a strange girl in a wicked world
[Steve 'Liquid' Hawley]
Nothing left to lose and no time to waste
I'm feeling kinda funny, think my drink is laced
I got these opium queens moving 'round my space
I say it's waste not, want not
I think I'll take another
I'm holding all this pain that I'm trying to smoother w
With the neon glows that keep me thinkin
About my brother and my mother in the city upon the BV sound
Bran man got me moving with my ear to the ground
With thoughts of cognac kisses for the men in black
Like in the front line baby I'll be at the back
'Cause I'm chilling on these thoughts of you down with me
Putting you before the I because it's easy to see
EP got me smoothing for the BV3
So let it be baby let it be, for real baby
You're the one for me that makes lovin' so much fun
You see, I'm the smoothest afrodiziak
I'll be the coolest afrodiziak
I'm like the strangest afrodiziak
So nick nack paddywack bring it back
[Sara Johnston]
Hip-hop love coming at you with the blazing sun
Just like a Bran Van giving you some
'cause you're a cruel girl, what a strange girl in a wicked world
[Steve 'Liquid' Hawley]
Bran Van's in motion
Smooth liquid comin' with the notion and the motion
To recollect and check my memories with degree
Saying we's got necessitites
These recipes I'll be giving
'cause freedom's how I'm living
In my life without the strife, who's pushin?
We gots the cushion, so get on your knees and pray to G.O.D.
Set me free from this fuckin' ill society
For real, north to the south, to the east, to the west
Come and bless, Buddha zest got me true to confess
Saying yes yes yes yes
To the top is where I'm reaching
The chronic got me tweaking
And I'll be reaching for the peaking
More than you ever fuckin' seen, when I soar
Take flight to the skies on demise
This youth has grown wise no disguise necessary
It's quite contrary, so proud Mary
Keep on rollin' 'cause I'm strollin on the uptown sound
For real so hold tight to the steal
Lyrical assassins saying caps out to peel
[Poetic/GrymReaper]
Yo, Sharp shooters production
Bran Van 3000, coming through your housing
Yo, yo, get up and do it, yo
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Get up and do it, get up and do it, get up and do it
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Gravediggaz
The lyrics to Bran Van 3000's song Afrodiziak are a combination of rap and singing from different artists, addressing hip-hop love and referencing the band's name in the chorus. The chorus is full of praise for the band and describes them as the smoothest and coolest afrodiziak. The chorus encourages the listener to enjoy the band's music and dance to the compulsive beat. The rap verses are full of references to culture and society, with James DiSalvio acknowledging that things are moving too fast, while Steve 'Liquid' Hawley speaks about holding onto pain that he's trying to smooth over.
The lyrics are a combination of poetic verse and contemporary vernacular, and they use wordplay to make references to ideology and popular culture. The verses are full of references to media, McLuhan, Uncle Fester, and spinal tappy, which are a cultural commentary on the state of society at the time. The lyrics are insightful, complex, and insightful, but also playful and fun. The song uses musical elements from genres such as jazz, funk, and hip hop to create a unique sound that is both nostalgic and contemporary.
Line by Line Meaning
Hip-hop love coming at you with a blazing sun
The music is passionate, energetic, and powerful, like the heat of the sun.
Just like a Bran Van giving you some
The music is coming at the listener with the same force as a Bran Van.
We'll be the smoothest afrodiziak
This group will make really smooth, cool music.
we'll be the collest afrodiziak
They will be even cooler than other groups that are already considered cool.
We'll be the strangest afrodiziak
Their music will be unique and different from what is ordinary.
So why don't you put the record on and wick wick whack
They want their listeners to enjoy their music, so they suggest putting on their record and enjoying it.
I'm thinking sometimes things are moving too fast
The artists are reflecting on how life can be overwhelming at times.
'cause from the very room I'm rhyming
They are rapping from their personal experiences about how the past can still impact us.
It be looking like the past
The present can resemble elements from the past.
I know you didn't ask but fuck it
He acknowledges no one prompted this inner reflection, but decides to share anyway.
You're stuck with it you got to try, right? right
Life can be tough, but we should still try to make the most of it.
That's why your basic love for hip-hop got me suckin this mic
He loves hip-hop music and that's why he's passionate about making it himself.
I'm like the next Uncle Fester
He feels like an outcast, but still has expertise because of his experience.
Another media molester with the flex
He's in the public eye performing, so he can be seen as a media presence.
Coming smooth coming strange like grade ten sex
His music is smooth and has a unique quality to it, much like someone's first experience with sex.
We cling to the text corazon through the chest
They put their heart and soul into their music.
You dis it, you like it, we don't give a fuck
They don't care what critics think, as some people will like their music and some won't.
Well just a little 'cause we hip-hop
They care a little about what critics think because they want to be respected in the hip-hop genre.
Deconstruct, we schmoozing like McLuhan
They're taking apart their music and considering all the elements to make sure it's perfect.
A slightly shy slightly void nappy, crappy, spinal tappy humainoid
He's a bit reserved and may feel empty, but the music he creates is still excellent and it's part of who he is.
'cause you're a cruel girl, what a strange girl in a wicked world
The girl he's singing about is in a tough situation.
Nothing left to lose and no time to waste
He's in a situation where he has no constraints and wants to make the most of it.
I'm feeling kinda funny, think my drink is laced
There's something in his drink making him feel funny.
I got these opium queens moving 'round my space
There are women in his vicinity who are similar to the effects of opium.
I say it's waste not, want not
He's justifying taking another drink.
I think I'll take another
He decides to go ahead and drink more.
I'm holding all this pain that I'm trying to smoother w
He's struggling with emotional pain.
With the neon glows that keep me thinkin
The lights and atmosphere keep him distracted.
About my brother and my mother in the city upon the BV sound
He's reflecting on his family while surrounded by the Bran Van 3000 sound.
Bran man got me moving with my ear to the ground
The Bran Van 3000 music is empowering and he's really into it.
With thoughts of cognac kisses for the men in black
He's indulging in alcohol and sex in his imagination.
Like in the front line baby I'll be at the back
He's expressing a willingness to support others in any way possible.
'Cause I'm chilling on these thoughts of you down with me
He's enjoying this girl and the time they spend together.
Putting you before the I because it's easy to see
He's prioritizing her over himself because he thinks it's the right thing to do.
EP got me smoothing for the BV3
He's inspired by EP and it's impacting the way he creates music with Bran Van 3000.
So let it be baby let it be, for real baby
He's urging this girl to just let things happen naturally between them.
You're the one for me that makes lovin' so much fun
He's very happy with the relationship he has with this girl.
I'm the smoothest afrodiziak
He's confident that his music is the smoothest and coolest.
I'll be the coolest afrodiziak
He thinks his music is cooler than anyone else's.
I'm like the strangest afrodiziak
His music has some unique and different elements.
So nick nack paddywack bring it back
He's encouraging people to enjoy the music and to keep listening.
Bran Van's in motion
The group is active and creating more music.
Smooth liquid comin' with the notion and the motion
Their music is smooth, like liquid, and they're going with the flow.
To recollect and check my memories with degree
They're taking time to remember things properly.
Saying we's got necessitites
They have specific needs that they need to express through their music.
These recipes I'll be giving
They're sharing their music with others and hoping they like it.
'cause freedom's how I'm living
They value freedom and are living their lives on their own terms.
In my life without the strife, who's pushin?
They don't want to struggle and want to make sure they're not pressured by anyone else.
We gots the cushion, so get on your knees and pray to G.O.D.
They feel comfortable and happy, and want to celebrate that feeling.
Set me free from this fuckin' ill society
They're hoping for a better future and a positive change in society.
For real, north to the south, to the east, to the west
They want to spread their music and their message across the globe.
Come and bless, Buddha zest got me true to confess
They're feeling spiritual and are expressing their innermost thoughts.
Saying yes yes yes yes
They're very enthusiastic and excited about their music.
To the top is where I'm reaching
They have aspirations to be the best in their field.
The chronic got me tweaking
They're under the influence of marijuana and it's affecting their creativity.
And I'll be reaching for the peaking
They want to keep improving and getting better.
More than you ever fuckin' seen, when I soar
They're confident that they'll do great things in the future.
Take flight to the skies on demise
They're going to do great things, even in the face of defeat.
This youth has grown wise no disguise necessary
They've gained wisdom from their experiences and don't need to hide who they are.
It's quite contrary, so proud Mary
They're different from the norm and proud of it.
Keep on rollin' 'cause I'm strollin on the uptown sound
They're enjoying their music and are taking it to new heights.
For real so hold tight to the steal
They're serious about their music and want to protect it.
Lyrical assassins saying caps out to peel
They're proud of their lyrics and want them to be appreciated by others.
Yo, Sharp shooters production
They're a talented group of musicians.
Bran Van 3000, coming through your housing
Their music is going to make an impact and reach people.
Yo, yo, get up and do it, yo
They're encouraging listeners to get up and dance.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
They're having fun and enjoying their music.
Get up and do it, get up and do it, get up and do it
They really want people to dance and enjoy their music.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
They're continuing to have fun.
Lyrics © Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN), BMG Rights Management
Written by: ERIC PIERRE BERGEN, JAMES DI SALVIO, STEPHEN JAMES HAWLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roiy Benkel
Let's do it on D.
It's very... interesting...
Hip hop love coming at you with a blazing sun,
Just like a Bran Van giving you some.
Cool.
We'll be the smoothest afrodiziak,
We'll be the coolest afrodiziak,
We'll be the strangest afrodiziak,
So why don't you put the record on and wick wick whack?
We'll be the smoothest afrodiziak,
We'll be the coolest afrodiziak,
We'll be the strangest afrodiziak,
So why don't you put the record on and kick that track?
Hip hop love coming at you with a blazing sun,
Just like a Bran Van giving you some.
Well hip hop love coming at you with a blazing sun,
Just like a Bran Van giving you some.
So what you thinking?
I'm thinking sometimes things are moving too fast,
'Cause from the very room I'm rhyming,
It be looking like the past.
I know you didn't ask,
But fuck it, you're stuck with it.
You gotta try right?
That's why your basic love for hip hop got me sucking this mic,
I'm like the next Uncle Fester,
Another media molestor
With the flex coming smooth coming strange,
Like grade 10 sex,
We cling to the text,
Corazon through the chest.
You diss it you like it,
We don't give a fuck?
Well just a little...
'Cause we're hip hop deconstruct.
We're shmoozing like McLuhan,
A slightly shy, a slightly bored,
Nappy crappy spinal tappy humanoid.
Hip hop love coming at you with a blazing sun,
Just like a Bran Van giving you some.
'Cause you're a groove girl, what a strange girl, what a wicked world
'Cause you're a groove girl, what a strange girl, in a wicked world
Nothing left to lose,
And no time to waste,
I'm feeling kinda funny,
Think my drink is laced.
I've got these opium queens that move around my space,
I said it's waste not, want not,
I think I'll take another,
I'm holding all this pain that I'm trying to smother,
With the neon glows that keep me thinking
about my brother and my mother in the city
Upon the BV sound.
Bran Man got me moving with my ear to the ground.
With thoughts of cognak kisses for the men in black,
Like in the front line,
Baby I'll be back.
Because I'm chewing on these thoughts of you down with me,
Putting you before the eye because its easy to see.
EP got me smoothing for the BV3,
So let it be baby, let it be,
For real baby,
You're the one for me,
That makes loving so much fun you see.
And I'm the smoothest afrodiziak,
I'll be the coolest afrodiziak,
I'm like the strangest afrodiziak,
So knick-knack paddy-whack, bring it back...
Hip hop love coming at you with a blazing sun,
Just like a Bran Van giving you some.
'Cause you're a groove girl, what a strange girl in a wicked world.
Yeah, time to represent the sounds from the Bran Van motion.
Smooth Liquid coming with the notion and the potion,
To recollect and check my memories with degrees,
Saying we's got necessities,
These recepies I'll be giving,
'Cause freedom's how I'm living in my life without the strife,
Who's pushing? We gots the cushion.
So get on your knees and pray G-O-D,
Set me free, from this fucking ill society,
For real, north to the south to the east to the west,
Come and bless,
Buddha zest got me truly confessing,
Say it yes yes yes yes.
To the top is where I'm reaching,
The chronic got me tweakin'
And I'll be reaching for the peaking.
More than you ever fucking seen,
When I soar, take flight to the skies,
On demise, this youth has grown wise,
No disguise necessary,
It's quite contrary,
Proud Mary,
Keep on rolling 'cause I'm strolling on the uptown sound, for real,
So hold tight to steal,
Lyrical assasins saying caps out to peel.
Yo, Sharpshooters Productions, Bran Van 3000, Comin' to your housing.
Yo, get up and do it, yo, Yo, yo, Get up and do it, Get up and do it, Get up and do it, Gravediggaz...
Diane-marie Coulet
Such an underated masterpiece
Josh Silver
This is my favorite track from them! Can't stop bopping my head...
Artur Stechmiller
that was my first album that I bought on amazon in 1997... :) when I played in Poland in 1997 no one knew them. when listening now so many memories... 1997 that was good year :)
Jenn
That's awesome, this has to be my favorite song that I like from Bran Van 3000. My Cousin has this album, it's too bad they're no longer around anymore they were pretty good.
Fred Poup
Montreal,Canada to Poland...Have a good life!!!
Majkel Horror
I was know.Pozdrawiam
Jeff Clay Crypto
They have put out lots of great music since this, look it up!!
cinesoundasia
What a great group.. so may memories.. Thanks..
pollyb polly
one of the best hip hop songs ever -
Jenn
pollyb polly this is the best song from bran van 3000, is this group still around anymore? This groups cool!.