They were the first band signed to Brassland on the strength of an unsolicited demo. Their self-titled debut brought them invitations to open for artists like Black Heart Procession, the Dirty Three, Cat Power, and the Tindersticks -- the latter of whom they supported extensively in both Australia and Europe.
Formed in late 2002, Devastations choose to follow the likes of the Go-Betweens and the Dirty Three, and make their way in the larger world. They moved to Berlin in 2003, and played their first European show in September as part of 'Bada Bing', a concert series organized by Einsturzende Neubauten's Alexander Hacke. Devastations toured extensively in their new home, and recorded backing tracks for Berlin duo Cobra Killer's third album '76/77.' Vocalist/bassist Conrad Standish contributed three songs and guested on the Liars album. (Standish is childhood friends with that band's leader, Angus Andrew.)
Devastations came to the attention of Brassland in late 2004 when they crossed paths with labelmates, Clogs, first sharing a stage during a festival in Belgium, then meeting again a few days later in Paris. The Brassland braintrust had already expressed their admiration for Devastations music, and encouraged them to meet Padma Newsome, a fellow Australian who plays violin/viola in both Clogs and The National. The group decided to join the extended Brassland family.
Devastations was Conrad Standish (vocals/bass), Hugo Cran (drums), Tom Carlyon (guitars/vocals), and Kiernan Box (keyboards).
On 19 September 2005, the band released their second studio album, Coal. The album was nominated for the 2005 Australian Music Prize.
On 17 September 2007, the band released their third studio album, Yes, U. The album was also nominated for The Australian Music Prize. Yes, U, was also nominated for Best Album at the EG Awards of 2007.
In 2008, Devastations recorded a cover of the Cure's 1981 song "All Cats Are Grey" for Perfect as Cats: A Tribute to the Cure, a charity record released in October 2008 by Los Angeles indie label Manimal Vinyl.
In 2009, Devastations collaborated with New York City-based band Blonde Redhead to record "When the Road Runs Out" for the AIDS benefit album Dark Was the Night produced by the Red Hot Organization.
By 2010, Devastations had disbanded, although Carlyon and Standish later reunited as an electronic music duo, Standish/Carlyon, releasing the album Deleted Scenes in 2013.
Devastations homepage: http://www.devastations.net/
Brassland homepage: http://brassland.org
Hold Me
Devastations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
don't let me go
you can drink me under the table
but don't forget were i am
Baby i'm alright
deep in your arms tonight
close the door shut out the light
You go your way baby
i'll go my way too
i don't know where i'm going
don't know who will be loved by who
Baby i'm alright
deep in your arms tonight
close the door shut out the light
and just love me tonight
I've got a sikness in my bones
i start to shake when i'm alone
it's getting cold
i 'm begining to see the light
just hold me darling...
The lyrics to Devastations' song Hold Me are a plea for comfort and love. The singer pleads with their partner to hold them and never let them go, even if they drink too much and lose control. The uncertainty and fear of the future is palpable in the lines "don't know where I'm going/don't know who will be loved by who," and the singer's vulnerability is further emphasized by the admission that they have a "sickness" that makes them shake when they are alone. Despite this, there is a sense of hope in the final lines as the singer begs their partner to just hold them.
The use of repetition in the lyrics, especially in the chorus, reinforces the singer's desperation for human connection and the need for reassurance. The use of the word "baby" throughout the song creates an intimate and vulnerable tone that adds depth and emotion to the lyrics. The chorus's repeated line "baby I'm alright/deep in your arms tonight/close the door shut out the light/and just love me tonight" highlights the idea that sometimes all we need is someone to hold us and love us unconditionally, and in those moments everything else fades away.
Overall, the lyrics to Hold Me are both heartbreaking and hopeful, capturing the highs and lows of love and the importance of human connection in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Just hold me, in your arms
I need your physical touch and embrace to feel secure and loved
don't let me go
I fear being abandoned or left alone, please don't leave me
you can drink me under the table
You may be stronger than me in certain areas or habits, but that doesn't change my love for you
but don't forget were i am
Amidst any personal or external changes, please remember our relationship and where we stand
Baby i'm alright
I may seem okay on the surface, but I still need your support and affection
deep in your arms tonight
The comfort and safety I feel in your embrace is everything I need
close the door shut out the light
I want to disconnect from reality and just focus on being with you, even if only for a moment
and just love me tonight
Please express your love and affection towards me tonight, because that's all I need in this moment
You go your way baby
We may have different paths and goals, but I hope our love can endure despite that
i'll go my way too
I have my own personal aspirations and objectives, but that doesn't diminish my love for you
i don't know where i'm going
I may feel lost or confused about my direction in life, but my love for you is a constant
don't know who will be loved by who
We cannot control who loves us or who we love, but I hope we can continue loving each other
I've got a sickness in my bones
I am struggling with a deep emotional pain or turmoil that affects me physically
i start to shake when i'm alone
When I'm by myself, my internal struggles become overwhelming and my body reacts
it's getting cold
The emotional distance and lack of affection is making me feel isolated and detached
i 'm begining to see the light
Despite the pain, I am beginning to see signs of hope and a brighter future, especially with your love and support
just hold me darling...
I need your physical and emotional support now more than ever, please don't let go
Contributed by Skyler R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ivana Levi
❤