The band describes their sound as "basically high energy mid-tempo rock/punk. Influences include The Who, The Clash, Bob Mould, Husker Du, The Hold Steady, Rites of Spring, Nation of Ulysses, Fugazi, The Wipers, Guided by Voices, The Kinks, and a lot of other stuff but [they] don't really sound like any of those bands exactly."
In 2009, they released their first EP on Asian Man Records entitled "Walking in Shadows EP". In 2010, Art of the Underground Records released a 7" consisting of the songs "World of the Known" and "Line Through Your Name". In 2012, they released their debut album, "Classics of Love". The band then became less active shortly after due to Jesse Michaels attending school at UCLA.
In 2020, the band reformed with the lineup of Jesse Michaels, Sharif Dumani (Alice Bag, Exploding Flowers), and Peter John Fontes (Los Nauticals, Surf Fronts). They released "World of Burning Hate EP" on July 27th, 2020.
Gun Show
Classics of Love Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the old Gods were pushing up mold
We strung our instruments
And got ready for the embarrassments
In the middle of a lunatic world
We didn’t reach for the champion’s pearl
Excavated a private hallway
And chose "sometimes" over "almost always"
We’ll try it anyway
Don’t care about success and failure
Just want a chance to impale the jailer
Don’t long for yesterday
Or hope for a good tomorrow
This very hour is less than borrowed
Gun show
Move slow
Every hour is a year to the crows
Small stage
Ice age
Never listen to the things that people say
We stood at the very last edge
Of everything that had ever been said
Took a look at the people’s archive
Nodded politely and chose the swan-dive
There are no heroes in the room
Just ghouls in the rock & roll tomb
Do we look like statues to you for slide projection
And pin-cushion voodoo?
The song "Gun Show" by Classics of Love is a rebellious anthem against conformity, and the pressures of success and failure that come with it. The first verse describes a feeling of detachment from mainstream society, with the line "people said that the oil was cold, and the old Gods were pushing up mold." It sets the stage for the struggles that follow, as the band prepares to perform in a world that often rewards mediocrity.
The next lines—"we strung our instruments and got ready for the embarrassments"—suggest that the band is used to facing adversity, and that it has come to expect disappointment. But rather than give up, they choose to embrace their situation and take on the challenge of performing anyway. They reject the idea of going for the "champion's pearl," instead opting for the less certain but more honest path of "sometimes" over "almost always."
The chorus of the song reinforces the idea of living in the moment, and not worrying about the past or future. "Don't long for yesterday or hope for a good tomorrow," they sing. "This very hour is less than borrowed." They then repeat the phrase "gun show/move slow/every hour is a year to the crows/small stage/ice age/never listen to the things that people say," creating a sense of urgency and determination.
In the second verse, the band takes a critical look at fame and the music industry. "We stood at the very last edge of everything that had ever been said," they sing. "Took a look at the people's archive, nodded politely and chose the swan-dive." The reference to the "swan-dive" suggests a sense of danger, as though the band is willing to take risks in order to make their point. They reject the idea of being "statues" for others to project their own desires onto, instead embracing their own unique identities and perspectives.
Overall, "Gun Show" is a powerful and moving statement of independence and creativity. It encourages listeners to reject conformity and embrace their own unique paths, regardless of the pressures they may face. It's a song that celebrates the human spirit and the power of individual expression.
Line by Line Meaning
People said that the oil was cold
There were doubts about the feasibility of the task at hand
And the old Gods were pushing up mold
Things that were once powerful are now deteriorating
We strung our instruments
We prepared ourselves for what's to come
And got ready for the embarrassments
We mentally prepared ourselves for potential failure
In the middle of a lunatic world
We were surrounded by craziness and chaos
We didn’t reach for the champion’s pearl
We didn't aim for the most prestigious prize
Excavated a private hallway
We created a personal path for ourselves
And chose "sometimes" over "almost always"
We decided to take occasional risks rather than always playing it safe
We’ll try it anyway
We will attempt the task despite the potential obstacles
Don’t care about success and failure
We won't let the outcome determine our worth
Just want a chance to impale the jailer
We want to overcome the obstacles that were holding us back
Don’t long for yesterday
We won't dwell on the past
Or hope for a good tomorrow
We won't stress about the future
This very hour is less than borrowed
We realize that time is precious and fleeting
Gun show
A show of strength and power
Move slow
Take it easy and don't rush
Every hour is a year to the crows
Time seems to pass slowly when you're waiting for something
Small stage
We may not have a big platform, but we will make the most of it
Ice age
A metaphorical period of stagnation and little progress
Never listen to the things that people say
We won't let the opinions of others hold us back
We stood at the very last edge
We were at the brink of something big
Of everything that had ever been said
We were aware of the context and history surrounding us
Took a look at the people’s archive
We studied and learned from the past experiences of others
Nodded politely and chose the swan-dive
We acknowledged what we learned and then took a bold leap forward
There are no heroes in the room
We are all just humans trying to do our best
Just ghouls in the rock & roll tomb
Our surroundings are not glamorous, but we will make the most of it
Do we look like statues to you for slide projection
We won't be passive or easy to manipulate
And pin-cushion voodoo?
We won't let ourselves become victims of any kind of manipulation
Contributed by Aaliyah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jason Kokaram
People said that the oil was cold
And the old Gods were pushing up mold
We strung our instruments
And got ready for the embarrassments
In the middle of a lunatic world
We didn’t reach for the champion’s pearl
Excavated a private hallway
And chose "sometimes" over "almost always"
We’ll try it anyway
Don’t care about success and failure
Just want a chance to impale the jailer
Don’t long for yesterday
Or hope for a good tomorrow
This very hour is less than borrowed
Gun show
Move slow
Every hour is a year to the crows
Small stage
Ice age
Never listen to the things that people say
We stood at the very last edge
Of everything that had ever been said
Took a look at the people’s archive
Nodded politely and chose the swan-dive
There are no heroes in the room
Just ghouls in the rock & roll tomb
Do we look like statues to you for slide projection
And pin-cushion voodoo?
Jason Kokaram
People said that the oil was cold
And the old Gods were pushing up mold
We strung our instruments
And got ready for the embarrassments
In the middle of a lunatic world
We didn’t reach for the champion’s pearl
Excavated a private hallway
And chose "sometimes" over "almost always"
We’ll try it anyway
Don’t care about success and failure
Just want a chance to impale the jailer
Don’t long for yesterday
Or hope for a good tomorrow
This very hour is less than borrowed
Gun show
Move slow
Every hour is a year to the crows
Small stage
Ice age
Never listen to the things that people say
We stood at the very last edge
Of everything that had ever been said
Took a look at the people’s archive
Nodded politely and chose the swan-dive
There are no heroes in the room
Just ghouls in the rock & roll tomb
Do we look like statues to you for slide projection
And pin-cushion voodoo?
uumdi
"The band has recently been less active due to lead singer Jesse Michaels attending school in Los Angeles. They have assured their fans that the band is not broken up." I hope this is the case. Would be a shame, he's such a brilliant lyricist with a unique and powerful voice.
Patrick Delaney-Cloherty
Fucking greatness, so pumped to see these guys next week. There should be thousands of views on this, it's an awesome song. Pumps me up.
David Trundlehower
This is great, hope they play some more shows in the near future
Airsoft-o-holic
Glad to see Jesse going back to his voice so awesome
Aaron Echols
Awesome song.. just finding out about all the post Op Ivy stuff Jesse did a little late, but I'm loving it all
Patrick Delaney-Cloherty
Amazing! But they didn't play long enough sadly, and were lacking in the merch department. Still worth paying for Pouzza Fest just to see them. I agree with you though Jesse Michaels is musical gold.
imcoolnow
It wouldn't have been anything like what it was without his lyrics and voice though
killJELLO3
They haven't broken up. They're doing stuff this summer.
Voidoid
Hes my biggest inspiration Operation Ivy is my favorite band