Influences of the band cover a wide genre of music; however some of their main influences include Radiohead, Joy Division, Pink Floyd, Jeff Buckley, Sonic Youth, The Pixies, Mogwai, My Bloody Valentine, Galaxie 500, Movietone, Muse, The Cure and much more.
Formed in the summer of 2004, they found their current line-up early in 2005. Within recent months they have been writing and performing increasingly better and more forward thinking music, and the band has been going from strength to strength.
Throughout 2006 the band spent time gigging relentlessly at venues all over the Midlands area, and during that time provided the band with the chance to support Howling Bells twice, the 1990s and the Tiny Dancers and play at ‘Oxjam Festival’ in London.
The band have also been featured three times on BBC Hereford and Worcester’s ‘The Friday Session’, several times on online radio stations in the ‘Monochrome Museum Global Network’, and on MTV ‘Ones to Watch’ (which was shown repeatedly throughout April and May on MTV2).
In recent months the band have been recording their debut album ‘Complications’) with their humble and very portable home studio equipment; the band finally released the album on Friday 13th April.
Dead Letter Office are currently working on writing and recording their second album. This is due to be finished Autumn 2009.
Dead Letter Office Are:
Benjamin Hiorns (Benj) - Lead vocals/ guitarist
Jevon Davies - Bass/ Backing vocals
James Atkins - Guitar
Harry Bourne - Drums/Backing vocals
Ben Allen (Beef) - Keyboards
Unfortunately, after many years loyal service, Ben Foxall left the band. James Atkins stepped in to guitar duties.
In the late part of 2009 Dead Letter Office decided to disband.
Paper Aeroplane Pilots
Dead Letter Office Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out of empty cans and wires.
And in the dark we named our children.
We named them after towns we couldn't even spell.
Here comes the flood.
You said your father was a pilot,
But all I saw was a sinker,
You should have taught him how to float.
Here comes the flood
The lyrics of Dead Letter Office's song "Paper Aeroplane Pilots" are rich in meaning and emotion. The first verse speaks to the lengths that someone will go to be close to the person they love. They have constructed a portal that leads to their window, made from empty cans and wires. This shows their resourcefulness and their willingness to do whatever it takes to connect with the object of their affection. The imagery of the dark is also significant, as it suggests that their love is hidden and secret, perhaps kept hidden from the world or even from the person they love themselves.
The second verse speaks to the pain and regret of a failed relationship. The singer's lover shared a complicated relationship with their father, who was a pilot with bloodshot eyes that burned like coals. The imagery here suggests a certain level of alcoholism, anger or perhaps even abuse. Despite the difficult relationship, the singer still wished that the father had been able to stick around and be a positive force in their lives. The last line of the verse, "You should have taught him how to float," speaks to the idea that perhaps the father needed help as well and that it was unfair to ask the child (their lover) to be the one to provide that help.
The repetition of the line "Here comes the flood" throughout the song is meaningful as well. It is a warning of sorts, suggesting an impending danger or catastrophe. However, the flood also has a cleansing quality, and it could be interpreted as a metaphor for washing away the pain and regret of the past. Overall, "Paper Aeroplane Pilots" is a poignant and deeply felt song that explores the complexity of relationships and the capacity of love to endure even in the face of difficult circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
I built a portal to your window.
I created a way to enter your world and connect with you, despite any physical barriers.
Out of empty cans and wires.
I used the limitations of my resources to improvise and construct the portal, showing my determination to reach you.
And in the dark we named our children.
In secrecy and intimacy, we imagined a future together and gave it shape by dreaming up the names of our hypothetical offspring.
We named them after towns we couldn't even spell.
Our aspirations for our children were grander than our own abilities, as we envisioned a life for them that went beyond our own experiences and knowledge.
Here comes the flood.
A moment of intense emotions or change is approaching, warning that everything we built could be swept away or overwhelmed.
You said your father was a pilot,
You shared a story about your family that represented a legacy of confidence and authority, something that impressed me and inspired me to learn more about you.
With bloodshot eyes that burned like coals.
Your father's determination to succeed and his intense focus were visible in his appearance, showing a commitment that both scared and fascinated you.
But all I saw was a sinker,
Despite the heroic image you had of your father, I saw a flawed human being who was struggling with his own demons and limitations, not living up to his own expectations.
You should have taught him how to float.
Acknowledging the complexity of the situation, I offer you a suggestion to help your father overcome his difficulties, demonstrating my own willingness to help others in need.
Here comes the flood.
The same warning from the beginning now takes on a deeper meaning, as we face the possibility of a crisis that could shake our foundations and test our resilience.
Contributed by Isabelle V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.