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.
Skin the Rabbit
Dispatch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See it in your eyes, all the lies of the megaphone
We know who you are, we’re not very far
We’re not very far, we’re the cop and the criminal
Skin the rabbit, skin skin the rabbit
There’s a lot of people saying that we’re grieving
Skin the rabbit, skin skin the rabbit
Makes you wonder about the faces and the aces that have crawled up the arm
Skin the rabbit, can you turn my gold to wine
Stone to stone, the needle and the eye
Oil in the sand, oil in the sand,
A gun in every hand and we die like the buffalo
Feel it in the dawn, feel it in the dawn,
Won't be very long, in the age of the methadone
Skin the rabbit, skin skin the rabbit
There’s a lot of people saying that we’re grieving
About the track that we’re on
Skin the rabbit, skin skin the rabbit
Makes you wonder about the faces and the aces that have crawled up the arm,
Skin the rabbit, can you turn my gold to wine
Stone to stone, the needle and the eye
Is there anyone else?
Is there anyone else?
Who can read my mind ‘cause it’s no longer mine
In "Skin the Rabbit" by Dispatch, the lyrics convey a sense of disillusionment and critique of the societal and political systems that manipulate and deceive the masses. The song begins by recognizing the lies and manipulation, symbolized by seeing it in someone's eyes. The line "we’re the cop and the criminal" suggests that even those in positions of authority are not far removed from those they condemn.
The repeated phrase "skin the rabbit" can be interpreted as a call to expose the truth and strip away the false façade. It implies the need to peel back the layers of deception and uncover the hidden realities. The reference to grieving and being on a track raises questions about the direction society is headed and the consequences of blindly following a predetermined path.
The mention of "oil in the sand, a gun in every hand" alludes to the destructive nature of power and control. It may refer to conflicts fueled by the quest for resources and the tragic loss of life that ensues. The phrase "we die like the buffalo" indicates the disregard for human life and the exploitation of nature.
The line "in the age of the methadone" suggests a numbing or addiction to a false sense of security or temporary relief from the harsh realities of life. The song questions the faces and aces (figures of authority) that have crawled up the arm, metaphorically representing how corruption and deception infiltrate society.
The closing lines "Is there anyone else? Who can read my mind ‘cause it’s no longer mine" express a feeling of isolation and loss of personal agency. It reflects a yearning for genuine connection and understanding in a world where the individual's thoughts and identity seem compromised.
Line by Line Meaning
Aw we recognize, see it in your eyes
We are aware and can perceive the truth just by looking into your eyes
See it in your eyes, all the lies of the megaphone
We can see through the false information and propaganda spread by those in power
We know who you are, we’re not very far
We understand your true identity, and we are not distant or disconnected from you
We’re not very far, we’re the cop and the criminal
We encompass both the enforcers of the law and those who break it
Skin the rabbit, skin skin the rabbit
Expose the truth, reveal the hidden realities
There’s a lot of people saying that we’re grieving
Many accuse us of being sorrowful or mourning
About the track that we’re on
Concerning the path we are currently following
Makes you wonder about the faces and the aces that have crawled up the arm
It raises questions about the influential individuals and the skilled manipulators who have climbed their way to power
Skin the rabbit, can you turn my gold to wine
Uncover the hidden potential within me, transform my valuable assets into something even greater
Stone to stone, the needle and the eye
Even the smallest changes can have a profound impact, like the precise movement of a needle through the eye of a stone
Oil in the sand, oil in the sand
Symbolizing the presence of valuable resources in a seemingly worthless or chaotic environment
A gun in every hand and we die like the buffalo
With widespread possession of weapons, we meet a tragic fate similar to how the buffalo were decimated
Feel it in the dawn, feel it in the dawn
Sense the imminent change or transformation as a new day begins
Won't be very long, in the age of the methadone
The era of relying on temporary solutions and numbing our pain is approaching rapidly
Is there anyone else?
Are there any others who can understand?
Who can read my mind ‘cause it’s no longer mine
Because my thoughts and desires have been influenced or taken over by external forces
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bradley Corrigan, Chad Urmston, Peter Heimbold
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
blue jeans
Aw we recognize, see it in your eyes
See it in your eyes, all the lies of the megaphone
We know who you are, we're not very far
We're not very far, we're the cop and the criminal
Aw we recognize, aw we recognize
See it in your eyes, all the lies of the megaphone
We know who you are, we know who you are
We're not very far, we're the cop and the criminal
Skin the rabbit, skin skin the rabbit
There's a lot of people saying that we're grieving about the track that we're on
Skin the rabbit, skin skin the rabbit
Makes you wonder about the faces and the aces that have crawled up the arm
Skin the rabbit, can you turn my gold to wine?
Stone to stone, the needle and the eye
Oil in the sand, a gun in every hand
A gun in every hand and we die like the buffalo
Feel it in the dawn, won't be very long
Won't be very long, in the age of the methadone
Oil in the sand, oil in the sand
A gun in every hand and we die like the buffalo
Feel it in the dawn, feel it in the dawn
Won't be very long, in the age of the methadone
Skin the rabbit, skin skin the rabbit
There's a lot of people saying that we're grieving about the track that we're on
Skin the rabbit, skin skin the rabbit
Makes you wonder about the faces and the aces that have crawled up the arm
Skin the rabbit, can you turn my gold to wine?
Stone to stone, the needle and the eye
Is there anyone else?
Is there anyone else?
Is there anyone else who can
Who can read my mind
Who can read my mind
Who can read my mind 'cause it's no longer mine
Skin the rabbit, skin skin the rabbit
There's a lot of people saying that we're grieving about the track that we're on
Skin the rabbit, skin skin the rabbit
Makes you wonder about the faces and the aces that have crawled up the arm
Skin the rabbit, can you turn my gold to wine?
Stone to stone, the needle and the eye
Skin the rabbit, skin skin the rabbit
There's a lot of people saying that we're grieving about the track that we're on
Skin the rabbit, skin skin the rabbit
Makes you wonder about the faces and the aces that have crawled up the arm
Skin the rabbit, can you turn my gold to wine?
Stone to stone, the needle and the eye
DISPATCH
"Skin The Rabbit" is what Chad's dad used to say to his brothers, sister and him when they were kiddos. They'd all put their hands in the air so he could peel off their shirts before bath time. Now Skin the Rabbit takes a different aim in exposing the heart of corrupt leadership- both political and corporate- where power and greed have overwhelmed the voice of the people. Carrying the theme of the abuse of power, there are references to the Dakota Access Pipeline, gun violence, the opioid epidemic, and the killing of buffalo in the late 19th century.
The photo on the cover was taken this past December when Brad and photographer Brian Nevins were taking part in the protests at Standing Rock. The woman dressed in her tribal feathers and colors was carrying a chalice burning sage as an offering of peace and blessing. It was a total white out blizzard, 40 below zero with the wind chill, but her smile, courage, and sage offering gave strength and warmth to many. We are humbled to have her posture of generosity and forgiveness in part representing the message of this song.
Unlast 16
DISPATCH great song!
Me and my brother (we are both from germany) like your songs very much. Keep goin'
sparkdog 494
Thats deep
iBrews
love this song so much. can't get it out of my head. question-- did chad write (the first draft) of all the songs on this album? I know he's become the de facto band leader, but was just curious if any of the songs of the album started as Braddigan or Pete songs.
Harry M
Amazing to have your music coming out again, especially these days. It's a necessity to have Dispatch's sound and message when facing these troubling days. Thanks for this and can't wait for your album to come out, guys!
crash5444
Woo! This song hit me with an intense need to get up and dance. That was a great experience to have and I'm glad you guys gave that to me. Keep up the great work, loving the new music, and this promotes a noble cause.
Josh Cleek
This is one of the best blends of Dispatch and State Radio's similar-yet-disparate styles I've ever heard. LOVE THIS SO MUCH!
Tasheeta
AMEN. Loving the harder, punkier SR vibes!
Vick Fichtner
Perfect song (it`s the 6th time I hear it on repeat) and this video... Just genius! Simple but amazing! Wow guys, well done, once again!!!
Brad Fuerst
I dig it. It'll be interesting to hear this live without all the production put into this version.