The band was formed by singer/guitarist Lenny Lashley, drummer Eric Edmonston, and bassist Mike Gurley in 1996 and developed a large following around Massachusetts. In 1997 the band recorded a nine-song demo tape, and in 2000 released their debut album, 22 Songs You'll Never Want To Hear Again! The album instantly cemented their reputation in the Boston punk scene, filled with songs about beer, being a loser, and even a few juvenile-but-hilarious potshots at other local bands (and even the group's own members).
That same year the band added a second guitarist, Paul Delano. In addition, Danny O'Halloran replaced Edmonston as the group's drummer a few months later, and it was this lineup of Lashley, Gurley, Delano, and O'Halloran which won the WBCN Rock & Roll Rumble that year.
In 2001 the band recorded five songs for a split EP with Tommy and the Terrors. The new songs received mixed reviews from the group's fans, some of whom felt that the new songs were "too serious." Lashley decided to break up the band the same week, following a grinding month-long U.S. tour.
In 2003 all of the ex-members of the group (including Edmonston) reunited for a few shows, and began recording a new album in 2004, though Delano left the band shortly before recording commenced. The new album, A Weakness For Spirits, strikes a balance between the more mature subject matter of the split EP and the cheap laughs of the first album, while displaying Lashley's knack for writing concise, catchy punk rock songs to fine effect. Indeed, Darkbuster embodies the concept that "brevity is the soul of wit" since many of the band's funniest songs clock in at under a minute in length.
In May 2005, Lashley injured his left hand in a construction accident at Boston University, leaving him unable to play guitar for several months. The band brought Amy Griffin (Raging Teens/Avoid One Thing) onboard as a second guitarist. A DVD containing concert footage of Darkbuster and Lenny and the Piss Poor Boys was released shortly after the accident, with proceeds set aside to help Lashley with his medical bills. A 2005 benefit concert featuring both of Lashley's bands performing with guest singers also raised money to help cover his medical bills.
In December 2005 it was announced that Edmonston would again be leaving the band at the end of the year, with Griffin becoming a full member and Lashley returning to guitar duties.
In May 2006 the band signed with I Scream Records, who re-released A Weakness For Spirits in August 2006. The band is also currently compiling footage for a 10th anniversary DVD.
Currently the band is on hiatus, although an official breakup has not been announced.
The band returned to the stage with the Mighty Mighty Bosstones in Dec. 2009, to quote their myspace page, "heard you missed us, we're back!"
Let me go
Darkbuster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something come between us
The bitterest pill to take
We were just fools in love
In the city
Something had to break
Turn me out
Let me go on
Now I'm through with all your troubles
And I ain't gonna lose this time
No more tears
I cried my eyes out
Time for a brand new start
And you've gotta let me go
Turn me out
Let me go on
Let me go
Turn me out
The lyrics to Darkbuster's song Let Me Go suggest a relationship that has come to an end. The line "time stood still" likely represents a moment of realization that something has come between the two people in the relationship, causing them to drift apart. The line "something had to break" implies that the relationship was under stress and unable to continue as it was.
The chorus emphasizes the need for the singer to move on and start anew without the other person in their life. They declare that they are "through with all your troubles" and "not gonna lose this time," indicating that their past experiences with the person have been difficult and they are determined to not let it happen again. The repeated phrase "let me go" reinforces the idea that the singer is ready to move on and the other person needs to release them from the relationship.
Overall, the lyrics to Let Me Go convey a sense of closure and acceptance that the relationship isn't working out. The singer is firm in their decision to leave and start anew, but also seemingly empathetic to the other person's position by recognizing that breaking up is a bitter pill for both parties to swallow.
Line by Line Meaning
Time stood still
The situation reached a point where it felt like everything stopped moving
Something come between us
There was some obstacle that came in between the couple
The bitterest pill to take
Dealing with the situation was extremely difficult and painful
We were just fools in love
The couple was foolishly in love and naive
In the city
The events took place within the urban setting
Something had to break
The relationship was strained and a breaking point was inevitable
And you've gotta let me go
The singer is urging their partner to give them freedom
Turn me out
Push the singer away, emotionally and physically
Let me go on
Allow the singer to move on with their life
Now I'm through with all your troubles
The singer is finally done dealing with their partner's issues and drama
And I ain't gonna lose this time
The singer is determined not to let themselves get hurt again
No more tears
The singer is done crying over their partner
I cried my eyes out
The singer shed a lot of tears to the point of exhaustion
Time for a brand new start
The singer is ready for a fresh beginning and a new chapter in their life
Let me go
The singer reiterates their plea to be let go
Turn me out
Reemphasizing the desire to be pushed away emotionally and physically
Contributed by Joshua D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.