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
Feel at Home
Crackout Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause I have learnt that lesson
Not losing this time
We're home
So I can't go back
Well not at least for some time
I always did that
You know you can stay
To save you driving back so late
We can make you feel at home
If you are alright
And we know we can leave you
And I'll dream all night
Of being alone
Feel at home
The lyrics to Crackout's "Feel at Home" seem to describe a sense of comfort and security in being at home. The singer of the song suggests that they have learned from past experiences not to lose sight of what is important and that being home provides a sense of safety and familiarity. The line "No I can't say why" suggests that the singer cannot explain the feeling, but it is something that they just inherently know.
The verse "So I can't go back / Well not at least for some time / I always did that / Went home" seems to suggest that the singer may have left home in the past, but now realizes the importance of being there. The repetition of "went home" adds emphasis to the idea that this is where the singer belongs.
The chorus of the song seems to be an invitation to someone else to also feel at home. The singer suggests that the person can stay and not have to drive back late, and that they will make them feel comfortable and welcome. The line "if you are alright / and we know we can leave you" suggests that the person is trustworthy and the singer can feel safe leaving them alone.
Line by Line Meaning
No I can't say why
I cannot explain the reason behind my decisions or actions
'Cause I have learnt that lesson
Because I have learned from my past experiences and mistakes
Not losing this time
I am determined not to fail again or let anything go wrong
We're home
We have reached a place where we feel comfortable and safe
So I can't go back
I cannot return to my previous state or mindset
Well not at least for some time
At least for now, I need to focus on my present situation
I always did that
I have made a habit of going back to my previous state or mindset
Went home
I returned to a place where I felt comfortable and safe
You know you can stay
You have the option to remain here for the night
To save you driving back so late
In order to prevent you from having to drive home late at night
We can make you feel at home
We will do everything possible to ensure that you feel comfortable and at ease in our company
If you are alright
Assuming you are feeling okay and do not require any special attention
And we know we can leave you
And we are confident that you will be fine on your own
And I'll dream all night
I will spend the entire night in deep thought or reflection
Of being alone
About the idea of being in solitude or having the freedom to do as I please
Feel at home
To experience a sense of comfort and familiarity in a particular environment or situation
Contributed by Violet J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.