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.
Drinking in L.A.
Bran Van 3000 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, we got free tickets to the Bran Van concert
Happening this Monday night at the Pacific Coliseum
You can all call in if you want to answer a couple of questions, mainly, what is Todd's favorite cheese?
Ah, Jackie just called in and said it was a type of Rockford, whatever that is
Give us a ring-a-ding-ding, it's a beautiful day
I want those free Bran Van tickets man
What do you think? Todd? (He's alive Mike, alive, Todd)
I woke up again this morning with the sun in my eyes
When Mike came over with a script surprise
A mafioso story with a twist
A To Wong Fu-Julie Newmar Hitch
"Get your ass out of bed" he said, "I'll explain it on the way"
But we did nothing, absolutely nothing that day
And I say, what the hell am I doing drinking in L.A. at twenty-six?
I got the fever for the flavour
The payback will be later
But still I need a fix
And the girls on the bus kept laughing at us
As we rode on the 10 down to Venice again
Blaring out the g-funk sipping on juice and gin
Just me and a friend feeling kind of groovy, workin' on a movie (yeah, right)
But we did nothing, absolutely buttkiss that day
And I'll say, what the hell am I doing drinking in L.A. at twenty-six?
(With my mind on my money and my money on my beer, beer)
I know that life is for the taking
So I better wise up and take it quick (yeah, one more time at Trader Vic's)
Well some men there wanted to hurt us
And other men said we weren't worth the fuss
You could catch 'em all bitching by the bar
Above the fine line between the rich and the poor
Then Mike turned to me and said "what you think we got done son?"
We had the conclusion and I guess that's something
So I ask you what the hell am I doing drinking in L.A. at twenty-six?
I got the fever for the nectar, the payback will be later
Still I need a fix
Hell-A-L.A., hell hell-A.L.A
Hell-A-L.A., hell hell-A.L.A
Hell-A-L.A., hell hell-A
So I ask you what the hell am I doing drinking in L.A. at twenty-six?
(He's alive Mike, alive)
L.A., L.A.
The song "Drinking in L.A." by Bran Van 3000 is a humorous take on the experiences of two young men, Stereo Mike and Todd, as they go about their day in Los Angeles. The song's opening lines feature Stereo Mike describing how he and Todd have free tickets to the Bran Van concert at the Pacific Coliseum, and callers can call in on the radio station to answer trivia questions for a chance to win tickets. Mike talks to a caller, Liquid, who wants the tickets, and the two men banter back and forth.
The rest of the song describes Stereo Mike's day with Todd, which begins with Todd waking him up early to explain a script they've been given. The two do nothing all day, apart from indulging in alcohol, before deciding to go to a bar in Venice. Stereo Mike muses on his life, asking himself what he's doing drinking in L.A. at twenty-six, and admits that he has a "fever for the flavor" and "still needs a fix." The two men encounter some trouble but ultimately come to a conclusion about their day. The song ends with Stereo Mike repeating the phrase "Hell-A.L.A." several times.
Overall, "Drinking in L.A." is a satirical commentary on the excesses and frivolity of Hollywood culture, as witnessed by two outsiders. Through the use of humor and a catchy tune, the song invites listeners to join Stereo Mike and Todd on their escapades and indulge in some good old-fashioned fun.
Line by Line Meaning
Hi my name is stereo Mike
Introducing himself as stereo Mike
Yeah, we got free tickets to the Bran Van concert
Announcing that they have free tickets to the Bran Van concert
Happening this Monday night at the Pacific Coliseum
Providing the details about the Bran Van concert
You can all call in if you want to answer a couple of questions, mainly, what is Todd's favorite cheese?
Inviting listeners to call in and participate in a contest by answering a question about Todd's favorite cheese
Ah, Jackie just called in and said it was a type of Rockford, whatever that is
Announcing that a caller has provided an answer to the contest question
Give us a ring-a-ding-ding, it's a beautiful day
Encouraging listeners to call in and participate in the contest on a beautiful day
Yeah Todd, this is Liquid ring-a-ding-dinging
Responding to Todd's request for the contest winner's name
I woke up again this morning with the sun in my eyes
Describing waking up with the sun in his eyes
When Mike came over with a script surprise
Notifying the listeners that Mike has brought an unexpected script over
A mafioso story with a twist
Detailing the genre and twist of the script Mike brought over
A To Wong Fu-Julie Newmar Hitch
Making a pop culture reference to a movie
"Get your ass out of bed" he said, "I'll explain it on the way"
Quoting Mike as telling him to get out of bed to explain the script
But we did nothing, absolutely nothing that day
Revealing that they didn't actually do anything that day despite Mike's visit
And I say, what the hell am I doing drinking in L.A. at twenty-six?
Questioning why he's drinking in L.A. at the age of twenty-six
I got the fever for the flavour
Expressing his cravings for something enjoyable
The payback will be later
Acknowledging that he will face consequences for indulging now
But still I need a fix
Admitting that he still needs to indulge despite potential negative outcomes
And the girls on the bus kept laughing at us
Observing that the girls on the bus were laughing at them
As we rode on the 10 down to Venice again
Describing their journey on the 10 towards Venice
Blaring out the g-funk sipping on juice and gin
Portraying their activity of listening to g-funk music while drinking juice and gin
Just me and a friend feeling kind of groovy, workin' on a movie (yeah, right)
Sarcastically suggesting that they were feeling groovy and working on a movie
But we did nothing, absolutely buttkiss that day
Reiterating that they did nothing productive that day
I know that life is for the taking
Realizing that life should be seized in the moment
So I better wise up and take it quick (yeah, one more time at Trader Vic's)
Deciding to wise up and seize the moment, potentially while drinking at Trader Vic's
Well some men there wanted to hurt us
Revealing that there were men who wanted to harm them
And other men said we weren't worth the fuss
Noting that other men saw them as insignificant
You could catch 'em all bitching by the bar
Observing that people were complaining by the bar
Above the fine line between the rich and the poor
Noting that this was all occurring above the line that separates the rich and the poor
Then Mike turned to me and said "what you think we got done son?"
Mike asking what they accomplished that day
We had the conclusion and I guess that's something
Acknowledging that they at least had a conclusion to the script
So I ask you what the hell am I doing drinking in L.A. at twenty-six?
Repeating the question about why he's drinking at his age in L.A.
I got the fever for the nectar, the payback will be later
Switching out 'flavor' for 'nectar' and reiterating the potential negative consequences of indulgence
Still I need a fix
Stating that he still has the need to indulge
Hell-A-L.A., hell hell-A.L.A
Playing with the slang term "Hell-A" and the city name "L.A."
So I ask you what the hell am I doing drinking in L.A. at twenty-six?
Asking the same question again
(He's alive Mike, alive)
Assuring Todd that Mike is still alive
L.A., L.A.
Repeating the city name
Lyrics © Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)
Written by: JAMES DI SALVIO, DUANE LARSON, HAIG VARTZBEDIAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@FinnT120
Where in the big wide world are you listening from? 🌍
January 2020 Update if anyone is interested, most viewed in:
1. Italy (18.8%)
2. Canada (17.0%) [Canada is #1 in average view duration]
3. United Kingdom (15.7%)
4. United States
5. France
6. Germany
7. Mexico
8. Netherlands
9. Australia
10. Ireland
11. Spain
12. Belgium
13. Poland
14. Greece
15. Israel
16. Sweden
17. Switzerland
18. Portugal
19. Romania
20. Austria
What the hell am I doing drinking in Austria at 21?
@FinnT120
Where in the big wide world are you listening from? 🌍
January 2020 Update if anyone is interested, most viewed in:
1. Italy (18.8%)
2. Canada (17.0%) [Canada is #1 in average view duration]
3. United Kingdom (15.7%)
4. United States
5. France
6. Germany
7. Mexico
8. Netherlands
9. Australia
10. Ireland
11. Spain
12. Belgium
13. Poland
14. Greece
15. Israel
16. Sweden
17. Switzerland
18. Portugal
19. Romania
20. Austria
What the hell am I doing drinking in Austria at 21?
@Rogerban
Brisbane Australia.....great song.
@Byrner1100
Two for Brisbane
@bigmaxxybyrne1063
Listening from ireland I listen to this everyday never gets old
@Alecbassindale--
The UK baby
@MultiCappie
Edmonton Canada.
@TodayFreedom
Thank you for the happiest memory of my life. I love you guys. I hope you see this message. I’m in my 40s now. Jesus. Thank you so much. Xx
@eltaninshrdlu2925
This song encapsulates the late 90s/ early 2000s. Best time in history
@chrisscott7252
Yup
@tomcroeckaert7318
True 🤟