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
All This Colour
Crackout Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A crumbling bleeding hollow
I'll be one; I'll kill one too
Keep on growing, growing
And all this colour will make me spin
You've gone and done it
Six feet above
Look what you're doing
And who you're losing
Six feet above your own way down
I'll creep around you
Two months to tell you
No secrets, deep regrets
I can't believe I want this
What is going on?
Couldn't keep it on to me
What a power!
Keep 'em coming up
Couldn't get enough to me
What a power!
The lyrics in Crackout's song "All This Colour" seem to be expressing feelings of self-doubt, regret, and a sense of being lost. The first stanza speaks of feeling shallow and hollow, perhaps in regards to one's own sense of self. The line "I'll be one; I'll kill one too" could suggest a struggle with identity and a conflict between different parts of oneself. Despite these negative feelings, the lyrics also express a desire to keep growing and moving forward.
The chorus, "And all this colour will make me spin," is repeated throughout the song and seems to represent a feeling of being overwhelmed and perhaps even euphoric. It could be interpreted in different ways, but it seems to suggest a sensory overload or a feeling of being surrounded by too much stimulation.
The second stanza shifts focus to someone else who has broken a promise and caused harm, perhaps suggesting that the singer feels responsible for the situation or helpless to prevent it. The line "Six feet above your own way down" is particularly striking, as it paints a vivid picture of someone digging their own grave.
The final stanza seems to be addressing another person and expressing confusion and frustration with their actions. The lines "Couldn't keep it on to me / What a power!" suggest a feeling of being dominated or overpowered in some way.
Overall, the lyrics of "All This Colour" are somewhat abstract but convey a sense of inner turmoil and confusion.
Line by Line Meaning
I look too shallow
I appear superficial and lacking depth
A crumbling bleeding hollow
I feel weak and vulnerable, as if I'm falling apart on the inside
I'll be one; I'll kill one too
I will become like those who have hurt me, and I might hurt others in the process
Keep on growing, growing
I am evolving and changing, even if it hurts me or others along the way
And all this colour will make me spin
The chaos and beauty of life will overwhelm and confuse me
You've gone and done it
You have betrayed me or broken a promise
And broke your promise
You have failed to keep your word or commitment to me
Six feet above
You are dead and buried, as if you never existed
Look what you're doing
See the consequences of your actions or inactions
And who you're losing
Realize the people and opportunities you have missed or lost
Six feet above your own way down
Your demise or downfall is a result of your own choices and attitudes
I'll creep around you
I will sneak or stalk you, observing your every move
Two months to tell you
I will wait and plan for the right moment to reveal something important to you
No secrets, deep regrets
I have nothing to hide, but I feel intense sorrow or remorse for something I've done
I can't believe I want this
I am surprised and ashamed that I desire something that is wrong or harmful
What is going on?
I am confused and unaware of what is happening around me
Couldn't keep it on to me
You couldn't keep a secret or maintain a relationship with me
What a power!
There is a sense of excitement and adrenaline rush in experiencing or achieving something great
Keep 'em coming up
Bring more of that excitement and achievement to me
Couldn't get enough to me
I am insatiable and always craving more of that excitement and achievement
Contributed by Scarlett B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.