The band originated in the early 1990s as One Fell Swoop, but changed their name to Dispatch in 1996. Chad Urmston, Braddigan, and Pete (Francis) Heimbold, who were all attending Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont comprised the band's lineup throughout their entire career. Their music has drawn on several influences, such as acoustic folk-rock, reggae, and funk.
Dispatch gained much recognition outside of New England, without any help from a label, and stuck together long enough to release seven albums, three of which were live performances. During concerts, the band had been known to improvise upon their album releases, often resulting in a song ending in twice the length of the original. The group was also fond of switching instruments and vocal duties when playing live.
Upon the announcement of its break-up in 2002, the band scheduled one final concert. The free show was performed at the Hatch Shell in Boston on July 31, 2004. "The Last Dispatch," as it was referred, is said to be the largest concert in independent music history; roughly 110,000 fans from over 20 different countries attended the show. Parts of the performance were released as a CD/DVD two-disc set later that year, entitled All Points Bulletin, along with an earlier show in Somerville, Massachusetts.
All three of the band's members are currently still in the music industry. Urmston is now the frontman of State Radio, while Corrigan (now credited as Braddigan, a nickname by which he was known since his time with Dispatch) and Heimbold (now credited as Pete Francis, his middle name) are succesfully pursuing solo efforts.
After the song Elias, written by Urmston after his experience living and teaching in Zimbabwe, the "Elias Fund" was formed to send children from the ravaged country to college.
Dispatch came out with a movie entitled "Last Dispatch" in July 2005, which documents their final 12 days together as a band and tells the story of how they became "the band that redefined independent music history". The film was released and previewed in Boston. Chad, Brad, and Pete attended the showing and celebrated throughout the weekend with their fans.
On December 22, 2005, Corrigan helped to organize a benefit concert, known as the Relief Project, at Irving Plaza in New York, New York. Along with several other performers, Corrigan invited Heimbold and State Radio to play. The three reunited very briefly, playing the song Here We Go as an encore. Corrigan stated there that he plans further Relief Project concerts featuring all three and perhaps sometime in 2007, a major Dispatch reunion concert.
Entitled "Dispatch: Zimbabwe", Dispatch arranged for one show in Madison Square Garden, with all the money sent towards relief efforts in Zimbabwe. Originally billed as a one show deal on July 14, Dispatch was surprised how quickly this first show sold out and set two more shows for the 13 and 15. After all three shows sold out, Dispatch announced another smaller show on July 11th at Webster Hall in New York, where they made their comeback debut to great success.
Dispatch had a second set of reunion concerts beginning at Red Rocks amphitheater in Denver, Colorado on June 3, 4, and 5th, 2011. These performances launched a reunion tour around the US and the release of their Dispatch EP on May 17th.
In 2017, the band released the song, "Only The Wild Ones" from their album, America, Location 12.
Bullethole
Dispatch Lyrics
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Scattered across the sky
I wonder
These steep hills
Unto the great light
My fingers collapse around my pen
Like soldier tryin' to hold up the flag
I'm callin' out, once again
In this letter to you my friend
In this letter to you my friend
And don't tell me you been comin' up easy
Stop, drop, you're life is greasy
You used to say that you would come around
But you're never here
You have been
Up above so high so high so high
And lived, in the dirt
You have felt
Some love
And you
Have been hurt
Well I've gone to shorten my road
With a fistful of matches, but nothin' to strike (nothin' to strike)
And as we walk along the cove
And know that this is right
You may think I'm crazy
You may think I'm foolish
But I'm coming through the lightning
Comin' back to you
Don't tell me you been comin' up easy
Stop, drop, you're life is greasy
You used to say that you would come around
But you're never here
You have been
Up above so high so high so high
And lived, in the dirt
You have felt
Some love
And you
Have been hurt
Oh my my my my my my my
I'm feelin' fine
Oh my my my my my my my
I'm comin' through
Oh my my my my my my my
Oh my my my oh my
You have been
Up above so high so high so high
And lived, in the dirt
You have felt
Some love
And you
Have been hurt
Oh you have been you have been
Up above up above
And you've lived and you've lived in the dirt in the dirt
Oh you have felt you have felt
Some love some love
And you were you were
Been hurt
You have been up above
The first verse of Dispatch's song "Bullet Holes" begins with the image of black birds with bullet holes scattered across the sky. This image sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is reflective and contemplative. The singer wonders about life, love and death as he looks at this bleak scene. The second line of the song introduces a sense of wonder and awe as the singer describes the steep hills "unto the great light." Here, he acknowledges the beauty and the mystery of the natural world. However, the tone shifts as he describes his fingers collapsing around his pen "like a soldier trying to hold up the flag." This simile brings up images of war and violence, and suggests that the singer is struggling to express himself.
The chorus of the song is a plea to a friend who has been absent, someone whom the singer has been reaching out to but who never seems to be there. The repeated lines "Don't tell me you've been coming up easy / Stop, drop, your life is greasy" suggests that this friend may have become caught up in a life of drugs or crime, and that the singer is worried about him. The use of the word "greasy" is interesting, as it is a slang term that can be interpreted both as "slick" (meaning cool, stylish or attractive) or "dirty" (meaning corrupt, dishonest or sleazy). This ambiguity reinforces the idea that the friend's situation is complicated and difficult to understand.
The final verse of "Bullet Holes" speaks to the idea of seeking redemption, of trying to make things right after having made mistakes. The singer imagines himself shortening his road with a fistful of matches, but realizing that he has nothing to strike them against. This metaphor suggests a desire to make a change, but feeling powerless to do so. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the singer's concern for his friend and his hopelessness in the face of this situation. The song closes with a sense of urgency and determination as the singer declares that he is "coming through the lightning" and returning to his friend.
Line by Line Meaning
Black birds with bullet holes, bullet holes
Just like the black birds with tragic bullet holes scattered across the sky, there are scars and painful memories that someone carries with them every day.
Scattered across the sky
These bullet holes and painful memories are widespread and affect various aspects of life.
I wonder
The singer is reflecting on these painful memories and trying to understand their existence.
These steep hills
The singer sees the journey ahead as a difficult uphill battle, much like a climb up a steep hill.
Unto the great light
Despite the difficulties ahead, there is a sense of hope and a brighter future represented by the metaphorical 'great light.'
My fingers collapse around my pen
The singer is so emotional and affected by these memories that they find it hard to even grasp their pen and write about them.
Like soldier tryin' to hold up the flag
Despite the struggle to write, the singer sees it as their duty to share these memories and bring attention to them, much like a soldier holding their flag high in battle.
I'm callin' out, once again
The singer is reaching out and calling attention to these memories in the hopes of finding some kind of resolution or closure.
In this letter to you my friend
The message is directed towards a specific person, perhaps someone who the singer believes can relate to their experiences and offer guidance or empathy.
And don't tell me you been comin' up easy
The singer is asking for understanding and recognition that life hasn't been easy for anyone, including themselves and the person they are addressing.
Stop, drop, you're life is greasy
The term 'greasy' is likely a metaphor for a tough, challenging life that can be slippery and hard to navigate.
You used to say that you would come around
The singer is addressing the person they are writing to, who may have promised to be there for them but hasn't followed through.
But you're never here
The singer is expressing frustration and disappointment that this person hasn't been there for them when they needed it most.
You have been up above so high so high so high
Just like the black birds with bullet holes, this person has also experienced highs and lows in life.
And lived, in the dirt
This person has also experienced difficult times and hardships represented by the dirt.
You have felt some love
Despite the hardships, this person has also experienced love and positivity.
And you have been hurt
However, along with love, this person has also experienced pain and hurt.
Well I've gone to shorten my road
The singer has taken steps to make their journey easier to navigate, perhaps by cutting out distractions or focusing on what truly matters.
With a fistful of matches, but nothin' to strike (nothin' to strike)
Despite preparation and a willingness to change, the singer lacks the actual tools or resources necessary to make significant progress.
And as we walk along the cove
The singer and the person they are addressing may be walking along a beach or shoreline, symbolizing a journey or path they are taking together.
And know that this is right
There is a sense of conviction and certainty in the choices they are making and the direction they are heading in.
You may think I'm crazy
The singer recognizes that their choices and actions may seem unusual or illogical to others.
You may think I'm foolish
Others may view the singer's actions as unwise or naive.
But I'm coming through the lightning
Despite criticism or setbacks, the singer is pushing through and persevering, much like someone walking through a lightning storm.
Comin' back to you
The singer is returning to the person they are addressing, whether physically or emotionally, after a period of distance or separation.
Oh my my my my my my my
This phrase may emphasize the singer's excitement or enthusiasm about returning to this person.
I'm feelin' fine
Overall, despite the struggles and hardships represented in the song, there is a sense of positivity and hope in the singer's message.
Oh my my my my my my my
This phrase may be repeated for emphasis or as a way to express strong emotions related to the message.
I'm comin' through
This reinforces the message that the singer is persevering and pushing through despite any obstacles or challenges.
Oh you have been you have been up above
This line repeats an earlier message that this person, like the black birds, has experienced both highs and lows in life.
And you've lived and you've lived in the dirt in the dirt
This person has faced difficult times and struggles, but has persisted and continued living despite them.
Oh you have felt you have felt some love some love
However, this person has also experienced positive moments and felt love in their life.
And you were you were been hurt
But along with love, this person has also experienced hurt and pain.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind