Since middle school, the two bonded further over their shared interest in the artistry of songwriting. As Brick + Mortar, they began focusing more heavily on the use of electronic samples in their music as well as relying less on improvisation and more on structured pop songs. Brick + Mortar represent the underground, the oppressed, the disillusioned, and voiceless. Fusing driving percussion, grooving bass, eclectic samples, and anthemic vocals, the band creates a new world sound that is so fresh you truly need to hear it for yourself.
The roots of several of Brick + Mortar's songs stem from the incredible experiences of lead singer Brandon Asraf's childhood as the son of a international blood diamond smuggler. In the band's lead single "Bangs", the bass hits like a massive punch to the face, and the narrative of the ultra-violent accompanying video, based on the life of Asraf's father, is likely one of the more brutal stories you've ever bore witness to. "This video opened the door for us to be more than a band. People seem to wait for that song to sing their hearts out at shows," explains Asraf of the impact the single has had on the band. To quote Nylon Magazine, “There’s an undeniable energy that charges through New Jersey-based duo Brick + Mortar…Lead singer Brandon Asraf’s voice has a ferocious punch to it and effortlessly moves from solemn croon to savage cry without losing an ounce of passion along the way. Tensions build and tribal beats boom under biting lyrics. These guys will hit you like a delightful ton of bricks (pun intended).”
Brick + Mortar are set to release their 7-song EP titled “Bangs” on July 30th, and includes favorites such as “Bangs”, “Heatstroke” and “Old Boy” along with brand new tracks “Terrible Things”, “No I Won’t Go”, “Locked In A Cage”, as well as “Keep This Place Beautiful” which was co-written by Justyn Pilbrow (The Neighborhood - “Sweater Weather”).
Brick + Mortar's consistent performances quickly gained them a strong following as one of the best live bands in the Asbury Park music scene. Notable support for national acts include performances with Galactic, Jimmy Eat World, H.R. [Bad Brains], and Cymbals Eat Guitars. Their live show is a party that erupts like a magnetic sonic volcano catching the attention of everyone in the room, drawing them to the stage full of intrigue and energy.
Aside from touring Brick + Mortar will also be busy with several other projects this Fall, including putting out a fully animated music video created by artist Richie Brown and focusing on writing for their debut full length. "The goal is to make our album an audiovisual experience. I feel like the songs we are working on are our best yet. We are ready to make a full length record. We are not for the faint of heart. Our brash, gritty, whip-smart sound foregoes guitar in favor of bass, drums, and electronic samples. At our shows, the audience is part of the band. That's what makes playing each show uniquely exciting and inspiring. We will give you 100% every time because we truly love what we do. Hopefully, you give us 100% back".
Old Boy
Brick+Mortar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It took a while to find you, to track you down.
By the river with them cold boys, I heard you made a million
It doesn't matter what I do or say.
I never ever seem to get his attention.
He lives a hundred-thousand miles away.
I can't decide if he's a middle religion
I can't be the best, still I hold on to.
What up, what up, old boy?
It took a while to find you, to track you down.
By the river with them cold boys, I heard you made a million
Hi.
I am your son.
You are to blame, goodbye
I can't be the best, still I hold on to.
Won't be the best, still I hold on to. And still I hold on to
I can't be the best, still I hold on to.
Won't be the best, still I hold on to. More, something more, something more, something, something, something.
Something
What up what up, old boy?
It took a while to find you, to track you down.
By the river with them cold boys, it took a while to find you.
The song "Old Boy" by Brick+Mortar features a narrator trying to reconnect with his absent father who he refers to as "old boy". The singer describes tracking down his father by the river with "cold boys" and learning that he has made a million dollars. Despite this, the singer admits that his father still never seems to give him attention and lives far away. The singer struggles with his own feelings towards his father, wondering if he is a man of religion or not. In the end, he confronts his father directly, announcing himself as his son and blaming him for their estranged relationship.
The song explores themes of familial relationships and the aftermath of abandonment. The singer has clearly been unable to let go of his desire for his father's attention and approval, despite their distance and lack of communication. The use of the phrase "old boy" suggests a lack of respect or familiarity with the father, and the harshness of the line "you are to blame, goodbye" emphasizes the singer's anger and hurt towards his father for his absence.
Overall, "Old Boy" is a melancholic yet emotionally charged song that delves into the complicated nature of familial bonds and the effects of abandonment. It highlights the struggles of those longing for the love and attention of those who have left them behind.
Line by Line Meaning
What up, what up, old boy?
Greetings, long time no see, my old acquaintance.
It took a while to find you, to track you down.
I had to put in some effort to locate and reach you.
By the river with them cold boys, I heard you made a million.
I learned that you became rich from some people near the river who seem distant and aloof.
It doesn't matter what I do or say.
I feel powerless and overlooked despite my actions and words.
I never ever seem to get his attention.
I constantly fail to grab his interest and involvement in my life.
He lives a hundred-thousand miles away.
He figuratively or literally resides in a distant and inaccessible place.
I can't decide if he's a middle religion.
I'm not sure if his beliefs, values, and affiliations are moderate or conventional.
I can't be the best, still I hold on to. Won't be the best, still I hold on to. Still I hold on to
Even though I can't achieve excellence, I persistently cling to my hopes and dreams.
Hi. I am your son. You are to blame, goodbye.
Through a brief message, I reveal my identity as your child and express my resentment and farewell to you.
Won't be the best, still I hold on to. And still I hold on to
Despite my shortcomings, I keep persevering and clinging to my aspirations.
I can't be the best, still I hold on to. Won't be the best, still I hold on to. More, something more, something more, something, something, something.
Even though I can't reach the pinnacle of excellence, I still keep pursuing something elusive and grander than myself.
Something
I want something that is undefined and beyond my current realm of experience or imagination.
What up what up, old boy? It took a while to find you, to track you down. By the river with them cold boys, it took a while to find you.
In a repetitive manner, I recite my initial lines to reflect my longing to reconnect with my old friend and the difficulty I faced in doing so.
Contributed by Bailey F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bixo Loco
What up what up, old boy?
It took awhile to find you, to track you down
By the river with them cold boys
I heard you made a million
It doesn't matter what I do or say
I never ever seem to get his attention
He lives a hundred-thousand miles away
I can't decide if he's a myth or a legend
I can't be the best
Still I hold on to
Won't be the best
Still I hold on to
I can't be the best
Still I hold on to
Won't be the best
Still I hold on to
Still I hold on to
What up what up, old boy?
It took awhile to find you, to track you down
By the river with them cold boys
I heard you made a million
Hi
I am your son
You are to blame
Goodbye
I can't be the best
Still I hold on to
Won't be the best
Still I hold on to
I can't be the best
Still I hold on to
Won't be the best
Still I hold on to
Still I hold on to
I can't be the best
Still I hold on to
Won't be the best
Still I hold on to
I can't be the best
Still I hold on to
Won't be the best
Still I hold on to
More
Something more
Something more
Something...
Something...
Something...
Something...
What up what up, old boy?
It took awhile to find you, to track you down
By the river with them cold boys
It took awhile to find you
You're welcome old boy! ;D
matan cohen
This band need way more views...
Bixo Loco
What up what up, old boy?
It took awhile to find you, to track you down
By the river with them cold boys
I heard you made a million
It doesn't matter what I do or say
I never ever seem to get his attention
He lives a hundred-thousand miles away
I can't decide if he's a myth or a legend
I can't be the best
Still I hold on to
Won't be the best
Still I hold on to
I can't be the best
Still I hold on to
Won't be the best
Still I hold on to
Still I hold on to
What up what up, old boy?
It took awhile to find you, to track you down
By the river with them cold boys
I heard you made a million
Hi
I am your son
You are to blame
Goodbye
I can't be the best
Still I hold on to
Won't be the best
Still I hold on to
I can't be the best
Still I hold on to
Won't be the best
Still I hold on to
Still I hold on to
I can't be the best
Still I hold on to
Won't be the best
Still I hold on to
I can't be the best
Still I hold on to
Won't be the best
Still I hold on to
More
Something more
Something more
Something...
Something...
Something...
Something...
What up what up, old boy?
It took awhile to find you, to track you down
By the river with them cold boys
It took awhile to find you
You're welcome old boy! ;D
Isabelli Sobral Martins
This song should be part of the soundtrack for the second season of Invincible
Amae Alexander
Heard this live and it was absolutely amazing! <3
Arnaud Mercier
I was at first mortified, when i discover your band on Soundcloud and saw that this album was for the premium, and then i saw it was free on YouTube, sooooo yeah definitely one of the best band i've discoverd in a while.
I hope to see you in France soon !!
Keep up the good work guys, you're awesome !!
Arnaud Mercier
Oh and is there an analogic vinyl copy of it ? I'd love to own it ! ❤️
Caruntu Damian
Awesome....keep it up,boys!
Sonobros
y dont they have that many likes they sing good
Sonobros
o ok
Ispira
They're relatively new.