In 2006 Dananananaykroyd released two limited edition 7" singles, "Totally Bone" and "Some Dresses" on Moshi Moshi and Jealous Records respectively. A Japan-only CD EP, collecting both singles, was later released on Kanazawa's Klee/Rallye records. Singer Giles Bailey left the group and was replaced by drummer Calum Gunn while John Baillie Jnr joined the band on drums and additional lead vocals.
Dananananaykroyd released their first EP, Sissy Hits, on London-based Holy Roar Records in June 2008. Shortly after, they introduced ex-Russia drummer Paul Carlin as their new (other) drummer after James Hamilton of Errors left the band. Dananananaykroyd signed to Best Before Records shortly thereafter, and recorded their debut full-length album Hey Everyone! in the US with producer Machine.
The band have toured the UK extensively with bands such as Foals and in 2009 completed a European tour with the Kaiser Chiefs. They played at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in August 2009.
In June 2009, the band announced that bass player Laura Hyde had left, and would be replaced on tour by Ryan McGinness.
In August 2009 during a concert in Sydney, Australia, near the beginning of the band's set, singer John Baillie Junior jumped off stage and broke his arm causing the band to cancel the remainder of their Australian tour, as well as appearances at Pukkelpop and Belladrum festivals. Baillie snapped both bones that run from the wrist to the elbow, shearing a large chunk of bone from his elbow. Emergency surgery was needed in Sydney to fix the injury, leaving four metal screws in his arm permanently. His return show (with Calum and John sharing vocals duties) was Reading Festival only 3 weeks later which the band opened, playing to 10,000+ people on the Radio 1/NME stage. Baillie had said that one day he wanted to return to the venue in Sydney and continue the show from the floor where he fell and from the point in the set where it was cut short. The band were able to do this in July 2011, in which they performed at the Annandale Hotel exactly two years to the date after the accident.
The band announced that they were disbanding on 29th September 2011. Some of the former members of Dananananaykroyd went on to form Alarm Bells. Gunn joined Her Parents, while Baillie took on production duties in pop project Bossy Love.
Hey James
Dananananaykroyd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Black eyes watch our attempts to puncture the spectre
Clouds gather, a filthy scene
What is a man without ego?
He is an image of an empty husk
You're in, you're here
Come join the troops
These are the soldiers you'll sacrifice
These are the days of our fucking lives
Shrapnel aching at my shouldblade
All roads need roads to carry on their name
All teens need dreams to forget their shame
We hang the skulls from the structures we built from the shells
Tributes and seizures set sail on an ocean of sin
Swear to the sun that you never intended to win
Forfeit the battle for reasons best left in the dirt
Shrapnel aching my shoulder blade
We hang the skulls from the structures we built from the shells
Hey everyone...
The song 'Hey James' by Dananananaykroyd tells a story of a group of people gathered at the Cathode Club, where they witness the club slowly turning into smoke. The scene becomes filthy and clouded, as they try to puncture through the spectre. The lyrics talk about the importance of ego and how it is an essential part of a person's identity. Without it, a person is just an empty image of themselves. The idea of joining troops refers to the need for a sense of community and belonging, especially during difficult times. The trenches being built by themselves signify their own struggles and hardships.
The song goes on to talk about how all roads need roads to carry on their name, while all teens need dreams to forget their shame. This simply means that every journey needs a purpose, and everyone needs hope to move forward. The skulls hung from the structures signify the sacrifices made by the soldiers who fought for something they believed in. The lyrics ask them to forfeit the battle for reasons best left in the dirt, which could be interpreted as giving up on something for the greater good.
In essence, 'Hey James' speaks about finding a sense of community, believing in something greater than oneself and being willing to fight for it, the importance of ego in building an identity, and the need for purpose and hope to move forward.
Contributed by Christopher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JaysEatingWorld
thank you soooo much for uploading these
@Mr.Bungle
They sound like Billy Talent meets Blink-182...