The band's core members were Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. This duo recorded and released the band's ambient debut album Feel Good Lost, in 2001, with contributions from Ohad Benchetrit (also known as Years), Evan Cranley, Leslie Feist, Justin Peroff, Bill Priddle, and Charles Spearin. All of these musicians would emerge as key members of Broken Social Scene in future endeavors.
After the release of Feel Good Lost (an almost entirely instrumental album), Drew and Canning decided to transition the band into a more energetic sound reflective of the Toronto indie music scene of the early 2000's. As a result, they brought in a number of local artistic and musicial friends -- the Apostle of Hustle Andrew Whiteman, Jason Collett, Metric's Emily Haines, and Leslie Feist -- to flesh out their live show with lyrics and vocals. Over time, the band also came to include contributions from James Shaw, John Crossingham, Lisa Lobsinger, Julie Penner, Sam Goldberg, and Stars' Amy Millan.
Many of the later guest musicians joined with Drew, Canning, Peroff and Spearin to record the band's second album You Forgot It In People in 2002 on the label Arts & Crafts. This album, an eclectic, restlessly creative collection of experimental yet accessible pop songs, became the band's critical and commercial breakthrough -- it was greeted with widely positive reviews, and landed on many music critics' year-end Best-Of lists. For the success of the release, Broken Social Scene was awarded the Alternative Album of the Year Juno Award in 2003.
The album also included musical contributions by Bill Priddle, Jessica Moss, Brodie West, Susannah Brady and Ohad Benchetrit, but these were credited as supporting musicians rather than band members. On the supporting tour, the band consisted of Drew, Canning, Peroff, Whiteman and Jason Collett, along with whoever else was available to attend any individual show. Amy Millan and Gentleman Reg also joined for some shows.
In 2004, the B-sides and remix collection Bee Hives was released.
Broken Social Scene released their third full-length, self-titled album on October 4, 2005, with new contributors including k-os, Jason Tait and Murray Lightburn. The inside booklet accompanying album also noted several new faces as part of Broken Social Scene. A limited edition EP To Be You And Me was also printed along with the album. For the first time David Newfeld, who had produced Broken Social Scene's albums, was listed as a band member.
The group appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on January 31, 2006 performing 7/4 (Shoreline). During the several-year recording hiatus that followed, many members focused on their respective solo musical efforts; Drew and Canning both released albums under the name Broken Social Scene. The entire band appeared in the 2009 film The Time Traveler's Wife, performing an acoustic/folk-like cover of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart." In Spring 2009, the band reported that it was in the process of recording a new album under the production guidance of John McEntire (of The Sea and Cake and Tortoise). The album, titled Forgiveness Rock Record, was released on May 4, 2010.
It was announced on August 15, 2011 that the band would go on an indefinite hiatus following an October 1, 2011 show featuring Isaac Brock and a fall tour in support of TV on the Radio. On November 8, 2011, a tweet in advance of a concert in Rio de Janeiro stated that it would be the band's final live performance.
The band returned in 2017 with a tour of Europe, Canada, and California. Their new single "Half-Way Home", was part of their latest album due to be released later in 2017. This was their first time writing a full-length album in 7 years.
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Bandwitch
Broken Social Scene Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My favorite band is a witch
Find themselves in poet corners, and they still like to dick
It's of course, they're afraid, it's a fine, complicate
You can find, demonstrate, slip along, demon ways
My favorite band, is a witch
The menstruation, pull it surprised a masturbation, a little morning cries
I wish on thievery of corners
Admit the cries, I know he's saying, I know he's saying so tired
They'll have to put the little kids in the corner with there eyes and face on the floor
You're so fucked up now, you're fucked up now
Put the little kids in the corner with their eyes and face on the floor
Put the little kids in the corner with their eyes and face on the floor
I know you want me to keep on going
You want me to keep on going
And you know wherever I am
The lyrics of Broken Social Scene's "Bandwitch" seem abstract and dreamlike, but they contain a few common themes that can be interpreted. The song evokes feelings of disorientation, fear, and vulnerability in the face of an unknown force, which is represented by the metaphor of a band as a witch. The band is alluring and influential, but also manipulative and possibly dangerous. The lines "Find themselves in poet corners, and they still like to dick" and "The menstruation, pull it surprised a masturbation" suggest that the band has a sexual and perhaps corrupting influence on its fans.
The repeated lines "Put the little kids in the corner with their eyes and face on the floor" signify a sense of powerlessness and hopeless resignation. The image of small children cowering in a corner, with their faces turned away and their eyes downcast, is both unsettling and poignant. The lyrics seem to imply that the band/witch has taken over and that resistance is futile. The final lines of the song, "And you know wherever I am / You're so fucked up now, you're fucked up now," reinforce this sense of defeat and despair.
Overall, "Bandwitch" is a haunting and enigmatic song that captures the sense of being mesmerized by a force that is beyond our control. The lyrics suggest that we are all vulnerable to the manipulations of charismatic figures, whether they be musical performers or real-life leaders.
Line by Line Meaning
My favorite band is a witch
The singer is expressing admiration for a band that has magical qualities.
Find themselves in poet corners, and they still like to dick
The band seems to enjoy secluding themselves in areas where they can fuel their creativity, and they aren't ashamed of their sexual desires.
It's of course, they're afraid, it's a fine, complicate
The singer acknowledges that the band's fear may be warranted, and that their situation is complex and difficult.
You can find, demonstrate, slip along, demon ways
The band is able to showcase their talents and express themselves through their music, even if it's unconventional or has darker themes.
Find themselves with perfect mornings, and they still try to live
The band has moments of clarity and harmony in their lives, but they are constantly striving to improve and overcome obstacles.
The menstruation, pull it surprised a masturbation, a little morning cries
The band experiences both physical and emotional pain, but they also indulge in moments of pleasure and self-care despite these hardships.
I wish on thievery of corners Admit the cries, I know he's saying, I know he's saying so tired
The singer hopes to find inspiration or solace in unexpected places, and acknowledges that others in the band may feel exhausted or overwhelmed.
They'll have to put the little kids in the corner with their eyes and face on the floor
The band will overcome their detractors or critics by staying committed to their craft and refusing to back down or conform.
You're so fucked up now, you're fucked up now
The artist is addressing someone who is struggling or in a difficult situation, and empathizing with their pain or frustration.
I know you want me to keep on going
The artist is aware that their audience wants to keep hearing more about the band's experiences or insights.
You want me to keep on going
The singer is directly addressing someone who is urging them to continue talking or sharing their thoughts.
And you know wherever I am
The artist is confident that their message or influence can be felt no matter where they are or what they do.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: AMY MILLAN, ANDREW WHITEMAN, BRENDAN CANNING, DAVID STEFAN NEWFELD, EMILY HAINES, JUSTIN PEROFF, KEVIN DREW, OHAD BENCHETRIT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind