Officially the band started in 1991 and started playing shows in 1992. However, they only played a small number of shows at this stage and decided to concentrate their efforts on practicing. In 1993 the band started playing regularly in venues around Calgary.
In 1996 Chixdiggit! were signed to Sub Pop records. They released their first self-titled album on the record label, however they only lasted a short time on the label. The band left the label as they felt as though they didn't fit in with the record label's ideals. As stated by Mike from the band: "the people that actually had to sell our records and deal with us on a day to day basis were not quite so fond of us".
At this stage Chixdiggit was touring worldwide. They were quickly picked up by Honest Don's Records, a Fat Wreck Chords subsidiary from San Francisco.
After the release of 2000's From Scene to Shining Scene, the band took a hiatus, from which they returned in 2003 and in 2005 the band started writing and recording its fourth full length album, Pink Razors. The album was released April 19, 2005 on Fat Wreck Chords in North American and Bad Taste Records in Europe.
Founding member Mike Eggermont left the band in 2002 and started Blatant Media, a software company. In 2003, drummer Dave Alcock (owner of Sundae Sound recording studio) left the band, and was replaced by the band's original drummer, Jason Hirsch.
On October 31st, 2007, the band released a re-recording of their debut album, Chixdiggit!, on Bad Taste Records. The re-recorded album was titled Chixdiggit! II.
Born in Toulouse
Chixdiggit! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics of Chixdiggit's "Born in Toulouse" tell a story of a young fan's infatuation with a French musician. The song begins with the fan telling the musician that she was just 16 when she first heard her second album, which she thought was better than the first. The fan describes how the media didn't give the musician enough credit, saying that French girls couldn't rock, but the fan knew they were wrong. She even went as far as calling all the magazines to tell them to give the musician the recognition she deserved.
The fan then shares how she went on a European trip hoping to run into the musician in the south of France, but was told she was on tour at the time. She was disappointed but remained hopeful that they would meet someday. On her way out of France, she saw graffiti on the musician's poster that read "She can't help it," which seemed to reflect how she felt about the musician's talent.
Finally, the fan hears that the musician is coming to town, but the show hasn't sold well. Regardless, the fan goes to see the musician perform and is blown away. She describes how the musician tried to help people see that they were lost, but that only a few understood. The song ends with the repeated phrase, "She can't help it that she was born in Toulouse," which seems to be a commentary on how the musician's French identity is an integral part of her artistry.
Overall, "Born in Toulouse" is a nostalgic and romanticized portrayal of a fan's admiration for a musician. The lyrics capture the idea of finding meaning and identity through music and the connection that can exist between an artist and their fans.
Line by Line Meaning
you were just 18 when you first came to the house
When you had just come to fame, you were young and inexperienced.
a couple years, six months on me when i turned 16
You were a couple of years ahead of me in terms of fame, and I was still in my mid teens when you had already achieved success.
had your second album out it was better than the first to me
Your second album was better than the first one, and I personally enjoyed it more.
all the press had to say was that french girls couldn't rock but i knew they were wrong about you
The media had negative opinions about French female musicians, but I disagreed and knew that you were an exception.
so i got on the phone and called all the magazines
I took the initiative to contact various magazines to change their perception about you and give you the recognition you deserved.
i couldn't help it when school was done, took a european trip hoping that i'd run into you in the south of france
After finishing school, I went on a spontaneous trip to Europe in the hopes of running into you at the southern part of France.
i could've sworn i saw you there but i was told you were out on tour at the time
Although I thought I had spotted you, I was informed that you were on tour during the time I was in France.
i was crushed, so we went to italy but i knew that we'd meet someday
I was disappointed, but I still had hope that we would eventually meet each other one day.
on the way out of france, saw graffiti on your poster said "she can't helped it" "she can't helped it" "she can't helped it" "she can't helped it"
While leaving France, I noticed graffiti on one of your posters stating that you couldn't help being talented and amazing - which I wholeheartedly agreed with.
i had heard last week you'd be coming back in town but the show hadn't sold too good
I had heard that you were coming back to town, but unfortunately, the show hadn't been selling well.
anyone knowing me knew that i'd be coming down had to see if you rocked me like you did
If anyone knew me, they would know that I absolutely had to come and see if you could still move and inspire me like you had before.
from the stage, to the back you tried to help the people see they were lost, all but for a few all the kids at the show tried to look it while you lived it
You did your best to help the lost people in the audience, but only a few truly understood your music and message. The rest simply pretended to understand while watching you perform.
she can't helped it well, she can't helped it well, she can't helped it that she was born in toulouse
You cannot help being incredibly talented and that you were born in Toulouse - that's just who you are.
Contributed by Mateo J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.