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
Volume
Crackout Lyrics
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What a fool I've been yea!
Exit from an old state of mind,
I am a liar.
Distance is a preference,
I'm easier to hide my position.
Chucky likes me,
What lunacy,
What insanity.
What am I to learn from you?
What am I to learn to do?
You want to dance,
So I'll dance,
Yea I'm dancin,
What am I to learn to do?
Angelica can see me,
But everybody else isn't moving.
Plastic, broken, sterile,
Dreaming about it.
What lunacy,
What insanity.
What am I to learn from you?
What am I to learn to do?
You want to dance,
So I'll dance,
Yea I'm dancin',
What am I to learn to do?
Considering no-one is the same
But me.
Corrupting my press and emotion again.
The first few lines of "Volume" by Crackout showcase a reflective moment where the lyrics singer acknowledges that they've made mistakes and feels foolish for them. They then indicate that they have moved on from an old state of mind and, perhaps in reference to the previous mistakes, label themselves as a liar. The lyrics seem to suggest a sense of regret and a desire to be truthful moving forward.
As the song continues, the lyrics go on to discuss the idea of distance as a preference and a way to hide one's true position. They mention a character named Chucky who likes them and seems to have some sort of hold over them that no one else can deny. The lyrics then ask what there is to learn from this situation and ultimately decide to dance, suggesting a desire to move forward and enjoy life despite the uncertainty.
Angelica is mentioned in the lyrics, seeming to have the ability to see the singer while everyone else isn't moving. The next few lines contain vivid imagery, calling to mind the idea of broken dreams and the frustrations that can come with them. The same questions remain about what the situation can teach the singer, but again they come back to the idea of dancing and moving forward. The final line suggests that the singer is struggling with corrupting their own feelings and expressions, indicating a desire to continue growing and improving.
Line by Line Meaning
I realize my mistakes,
I am aware of the errors I have made in the past.
What a fool I've been yea!
I have made silly and foolish decisions.
Exit from an old state of mind,
I am leaving behind an old and outdated way of thinking.
I am a liar.
I have been dishonest in some way.
Distance is a preference,
Keeping a distance or being far away is what I prefer.
I'm easier to hide my position.
It is easier to conceal my location.
Chucky likes me,
Chucky has a positive opinion of me.
No-one can not deny her.
It is clear to everyone that Chucky's favorable opinion of me is indisputable.
What lunacy,
This situation seems crazy or absurd.
What insanity.
This situation seems mad or foolish.
What am I to learn from you?
I wonder what valuable lesson I can learn from you.
What am I to learn to do?
I wonder what practical skill I can learn.
You want to dance,
You have expressed a desire to dance.
So I'll dance,
I will participate in dancing with you.
Yea I'm dancin',
I am currently dancing along with you.
Angelica can see me,
Angelica is able to perceive me.
But everybody else isn't moving.
However, everyone else around me is not taking any action.
Plastic, broken, sterile,
The atmosphere or surroundings seem artificial, damaged, and uninviting.
Dreaming about it.
I am reflecting on the situation while picturing it in my mind.
Considering no-one is the same
Since everyone is unique in their own way.
But me.
I am the only one who is not different.
Corrupting my press and emotion again.
Something is causing me to lose control of my emotions and thoughts, leading me to portray myself poorly in the public eye.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dying Breeds
Nice! What ever happened to Crackout? Been searching the internet to see if Steven has any other music.