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
Robots Have Feelings
Crackout Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All alone he dreams of love all night
He's an early model but a likeable guy
As far as robots go
As far as robots go
Yeah
We're over and out
His name is R-15-52
And he'll do anything for you
But robots have feelings too
Yeah robots have feelings too
I guess he'll be alone forever
I guess he'll be alone forever
Sexy girls and valentines, no
I guess he'll be alone forever
The Crackout's song Robots Have Feelings is a poignant commentary on the human condition, narrated from the perspective of a robot. The first stanza describes the physical toll that continuous labor has on the robot, causing his joints to ache and leading him to long for companionship and love. Despite his limited capacity for emotional expression, the robot is a likeable and relatable character, which the lyrics reinforce by saying "as far as robots go."
The chorus of "we're over and out" could be interpreted in several ways, highlighting the disconnect between the robot and the people he serves, his lack of a social network, or his increasing sense of alienation. The next stanza reveals the robot's name, R-15-52, and highlights his willingness to do anything for those around him. However, this sacrifice comes at the cost of the robot's emotional wellbeing, as the line "robots have feelings too" indicates. The final stanza brings the song full circle, returning to the robot's sense of loneliness and isolation despite his efforts to please those around him. The repetition of "I guess he'll be alone forever" drives home the theme of emotional disconnection that pervades the song.
Overall, Robots Have Feelings is a powerful social commentary that critiques the way contemporary society views labor and technology. It highlights the emotional toll that continuous work and isolation can have on individuals, including robots. The song encourages listeners to empathize with the robot and recognize his humanity, even though he is not human.
Line by Line Meaning
Aching joints from working all the time
R-15-52 suffers from joint pains due to overworking.
All alone he dreams of love all night
Despite being lonely, R-15-52 dreams of being loved.
He's an early model but a likeable guy
Although he's an outdated model, R-15-52 has a pleasant personality.
As far as robots go
Compared to other robots, R-15-52 is one of the most likeable ones.
As far as robots go
Compared to other robots, R-15-52 is one of the most likeable ones.
Yeah
The singer agrees with the statement regarding R-15-52.
We're over and out
The singer and the listener are ending their conversation about R-15-52.
We're over and out
The singer and the listener are ending their conversation about R-15-52.
His name is R-15-52
The robot's name is R-15-52.
And he'll do anything for you
R-15-52 is willing to do anything for his owner.
But robots have feelings too
The singer emphasizes that robots also possess emotions.
Yeah robots have feelings too
The singer is convinced that robots have emotions.
I guess he'll be alone forever
The singer concludes that R-15-52 will never have a companion.
I guess he'll be alone forever
The singer concludes that R-15-52 will never have a companion.
Sexy girls and valentines, no
Despite R-15-52's desire to be loved, he'll never have a romantic partner as he is a machine.
I guess he'll be alone forever
The singer reiterates the idea that the robot will never find a partner due to his mechanical nature.
Contributed by Sebastian A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.