Dirty Pretty Things played their first shows in October 2005 in Italy and France.
Initially, the choice of name caused some troubles. A four-piece band from Salisbury had been playing as "Dirty Pretty Things" since early January of 2005, claiming to have already copyrighted the name in the UK; the two groups ended up coming to an agreement over the name. An Australian band had also been playing under that name since 2003, though since opted to change it.
Dirty Pretty Things began recording their first album in Los Angeles, California, with high-profile producer Dave Sardy (producer of the Oasis album Don't Believe the Truth), and in Glasgow, Scotland with producer Tony Doogan.
The first track of the band's to be released on the CD format was "You Fucking Love It" which was made available on a free CD with the April 1, 2006 issue of NME entitled "NME and MTV2 present Best Newbands Showcase 2006".
The band's debut album, entitled Waterloo to Anywhere, was released on May 8, 2006 reaching #3 on the music charts and receiving critical approval. The first single (and first official band release) from the album, "Bang Bang, You're Dead", was released on April 24, 2006 and reached #5 in the singles chart in its first week of sales. The second single was "Deadwood", released on 10 July 2006 and got to #20 in the singles chart.
They toured extensively in the UK during the first half of 2006. Their setlist has comprised most of the songs from the debut album and selected b-sides, along with a few Libertines songs (usually "Death on the Stairs", "France", and "I Get Along"). They played their first American show at the SXSW festival in Texas. They played several festivals in the UK in the summer of 2006, including the Isle of Wight Festival, Wireless Festival, T in the Park, and they played at the Irish festival Oxegen.
'Wondering' was the third single released from Waterloo to Anywhere on September 25, 2006 and reached #34.
On a holiday in Taipei, Carl broke his collarbone (he had fallen from a motorbike during a drinking session), thus giving the impression that DPT would have to cancel a North American tour. However, the band recruited The Paddingtons Josh Hubbard to deputise for Barât on guitar.
On 16th October 2006 the band released a DVD 'Puffing On a Coffin Nail' featuring over 2 and a half hours of concert footage and documentaries.
On 25th October 2006 Carl appeared as a special guest at Paul Weller's set during the Electric Proms, duetting on Peacock Suite and In the City.
The band's second album "Romance At Short Notice" is set for release on the 30th June 2008.
The Band Split On Ist Oct 2008 Saying "It is with some sadness we announce the farewell of the Dirty Pretty Things," It's been a glorious three years which we all would gladly live out again, but it is time for us to try new things"
You can visit their Official Website.
Kicks Or Consumption
Dirty Pretty Things Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause you're ambitious to a fault
How did I let you in my brain?
Just look in these western eyes
I've been lost a time or two
Not knowing what is evil
Or where to go
No prizes, no afterglow
Nothing left for you
But kicks or consumption
Thought Japan was out of bounds
But, oh, the boys just got to town
Oh no, and it's happening again
You and I have fallen out again
We're empty skirts to number ones
Why do I humor you in vain?
Just look in these western eyes
I've been lost a time or two
Not knowing what is evil
Or where to go
No prizes, no afterglow
Nothing left for you
But kicks or consumption
Clawing at the windows when the wheels came off
European playground turned out far too much
She tells me other people get the best of me
So maybe she will never get the best of me
There must be a devil at the BBC
I've been lost a time or two
Not knowing what is evil
Or where to go
No prizes, no afterglow
Nothing left for you
But kicks or consumption
The song "Kicks Or Consumption" by Dirty Pretty Things is a melancholic reflection on lost friendships, confusion, and the futility of materialism. The lyrics suggest that the singer has lost a friend due to his/her own ambitions, which may have clouded his/her judgment when it came to choosing friends. The chorus "No prizes, no afterglow, nothing left for you but kicks or consumption" is a declaration of the emptiness that can result from chasing materialistic pursuits. The song's title reflects this sentiment as well, as it implies that all we are left with in life is either the brief highs of pleasurable experiences or the long-term consequences of consumption.
The verses of the song depict the singer's own sense of disillusionment and lostness. They suggest that the singer has been adrift at times without a clear sense of what is right or wrong, or what direction to take in his/her life. The lines "clawing at the windows when the wheels came off," and "European playground turned out far too much" indicate that the singer may have found himself/herself overwhelmed and out of control at times. Ultimately, though, the song seems to suggest that there is no easy way out of this existential malaise; we are all just searching for something to give our lives meaning, whether that be personal ambition or material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
After a month our friendship waned
Our friendship faded within a month
Cause you're ambitious to a fault
Your ambition caused problems
How did I let you in my brain?
How did I allow you to influence me?
Just look in these western eyes
My eyes reveal my identity as a Westerner
I've been lost a time or two
I've been confused before
Not knowing what is evil
Not certain what is right and wrong
Or where to go
Unsure of what direction to take
No prizes, no afterglow
Nothing to show for our efforts
Nothing left for you
No more opportunities for you
But kicks or consumption
You have to choose between pleasure or self-destruction
Thought Japan was out of bounds
I thought Japan was off-limits
But, oh the boys just got to town
But the boys are here now
Oh no, and it's happening again
The same situation is repeating itself
You and I have fallen out again
We're having another disagreement
We're empty skirts to number ones
We're irrelevant to those in power
Why do I humor you in vain?
Why do I bother trying to please you?
Just look in these western eyes
My identity as a Westerner is obvious
Clawing at the windows when the wheels came off
Frustrated and trying to escape when things went wrong
European playground turned out far too much
The European lifestyle was too much to handle
She tells me other people get the best of me
She thinks others benefit from me more than she does
So maybe she will never get the best of me
Perhaps she won't be able to take advantage of me
There must be a devil at the BBC
Suggesting that the media is corrupt or evil
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTHONY ROSSOMANDO, CARL BARAT, DAVID HAMMOND, GARY POWELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@raphale_9
Incroyable
@EduardoHernandez-ry5sk
After a month our friendship waned
Cause you're ambitious to a fault
How did I let you in my brain?
Just look in these western eyes
I've been lost a time or two
Not knowing what is evil
Or where to go
No prizes, no afterglow
Nothing left for you
But kicks or consumption
Thought Japan was out of bounds
But, oh, the boys just got to town
Oh no, and it's happening again
You and I have fallen out again
We're empty skirts to number ones
Why do I humor you in vain?
Just look in these western eyes
I've been lost a time or two
Not knowing what is evil
Or where to go
No prizes, no afterglow
Nothing left for you
But kicks or consumption
Clawing at the windows when the wheels came off
European playground turned out far too much
She tells me other people get the best of me
So maybe she will never get the best of me
There must be a devil at the BBC
I've been lost a time or two
Not knowing what is evil
Or where to go
No prizes, no afterglow
Nothing left for you
But kicks or consumption
@ItMeansSun
luv it!! its bluddy genius!
@kokitiloco
One year without comments... It makes me sad. There are comments about seeing them live also. Oh.
@brainbuster15
I NEED THIS ALBUM!
@EduardoHernandez-ry5sk
2018
@lovealbion
I downloaded this CD and got this song shorter :( Never download again :P
@xxJellJessxx
yessss. (^ '.' ^)
@swedishpara
this deff isnt carlos' style of music