Crackout were a pop-punk / rock / jazz-influenced trio who formed in Oxford… Read Full Bio ↴Crackout were a pop-punk / rock / jazz-influenced trio who formed in Oxford, UK in 1997. As well as releasing two albums and a handful of singles, they toured with artists such as Seafood, Haven and Span before disbanding in late 2005. One notable aspect of the band's live shows was drummer Nick Millard's insistence on wearing a suit for every show. Steven and Jack later adopted the suited look when touring the Oh No! album.

The band, Steven Eagles (guitar, vocals), Nicholas Millard (drums) and Rachel Lavelle (bass), were all just 16 years old when they signed to Shifty Disco after playing just eight gigs as Crackout (named after Brian Krakow, a character in American TV teen drama My So-Called Life). Within four weeks of the label first seeing the band live, they had recorded and released their debut Chuck single. An album was also recorded around this time but was never released. Lavelle was shortly replaced on bass by Jack Dunkley.

Crackout toured with Sick Of It All / 28 Days in late December 2000, where they sold a self-released tape containing early recordings of Breakout and Joey Lost His Mind (both later re-recorded and included on debut album This Is Really Neat). EP1, a 500-limited edition CD with four songs showing early promise, and EP2 shortly followed in 2001. Both EPs came with a free sticker and in a hand-numbered cardboard sleeve, finished with a wax seal (red on EP1, green on EP2). Their debut album, This Is Really Neat, was released that October featuring artwork by Jane Wooster-Scott.

In 2002, plans to release old favourite Volume (the b-side to their first single, later re-recorded and featured on This Is Really Neat) were scrapped when I Am The One was used in an advert for Salomon Sports. Volume was therefore the only Crackout song not released as a single with it's own music video.

After long delays, the band's follow up to This Is Really Neat was released in March 2004. However, the promotion for Oh No! was ended abruptly due to EMI deciding to close down Hut Recordings shortly after the album's release. Whilst making plans for a third album, their producer friend Clive Langer asked them if they were interested in playing on a film soundtrack which he was scoring, which ended up with them being cast for small roles in Brothers of the Head, the 2006 mockumentary based on the 1977 novel by Brian Aldiss.

In 2005, Crackout toyed with the idea of adding an extra member to provide them with options with guitars, keyboards and backing vocals live. This lead to a few low-key gigs with additional member Simon in October that year. After playing these gigs, however, they felt like too much time had passed since their last shows and decided to disband Crackout.

However, 2006 saw Steven, Nick, Jack and Simon now playing in a new group called Blackholes, who released The Alcohol EP themselves through their MySpace profile, featuring a couple of tracks played at their last few Crackout gigs.

Eagles, Millard and Dunkley have also played in French pop act Vanessa & The O's on a few of their live shows.

It was announced in 2007 that Dunkley had left due to 'creative differences', with Alex Szrok replacing him on bass. In September, it was announced that Blackholes had decided to regroup, renaming the band 'Out Of The Afternoon' and that they had brought in Anna Sales on keyboard and vocals. The newest project at present has a more jazzy sound than previously, with "Alcohol," a slow jazz song being the only 'Blackholes' track used on their myspace profile.

In March 2008 the band signed to Leeds Label 'Tip Toe Records' and released there first EP in April

142
Crackout Lyrics

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I want you at my feet
This is really neat
I can't stand getting beat
What will I believe
I'm around with everybody
But they don't like me
Start to think that I'm not sorry
We walk around

In you
You'll learn pretty soon
There's nothing left to loose
And we're not pulling through we're one forty two

Too much left up to me
One, four, one, four, three
It's OK pretty sweet
What am I to see

In you
You'll learn pretty soon
There's nothing left to loose
And we're not pulling through we're one forty two

In you
You'll learn pretty soon

There's nothing left to loose
And we're not pulling through we're one forty two

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Crackout's "142" tell the story of a person who wants to be powerful and in control, but is struggling with feelings of inadequacy and rejection. The opening lines, "I want you at my feet / This is really neat / I can't stand getting beat / What will I believe" showcase this person's desire to be in control, which is mirrored in the repetitious and catchy guitar riff that serves as a backbone for the song. However, the following lines reveal that this person is struggling with feelings of loneliness and isolation, as they're "around with everybody / But they don't like me". The imagery of walking around aimlessly with others reinforces the sense of disconnection and lack of purpose.

The chorus repeats the mantra that "there's nothing left to lose" and that "we're not pulling through we're one forty two". The number 142 is never explained, but it seems to serve as a symbol for despair and acceptance of one's fate. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes a sense of resignation and defeat, as if the person has given up hope of ever truly connecting with others or achieving their desires. The final lines of the song, "What am I to see / In you / You'll learn pretty soon" suggest that the person is looking for something in another person, but it's unclear whether this is a genuine bond or simply a means to bolster their own sense of power and control.

Line by Line Meaning

I want you at my feet
I desire to have full control over you.

This is really neat
I am pleased with the current situation.

I can't stand getting beat
I hate losing or being inferior.

What will I believe
I am uncertain about what to trust or believe.

I'm around with everybody
I am frequently in the company of others.

But they don't like me
Despite being around others frequently, I feel disliked by them.

Start to think that I'm not sorry
I am beginning to believe that I do not need to apologize for my actions or behaviors.

We walk around
We move about aimlessly.

Too much left up to me
I have too much responsibility or decision-making power.

One, four, one, four, three
A nonsensical phrase with no clear meaning.

It's OK pretty sweet
The current situation is satisfactory and enjoyable.