The bandâs origins go back to before their university years during high school, attending Bedford Modern School, where they played their first gigs. However, it was not until after studying at Nottingham University that they decided to become a band.
The band name was originally going to be âDON LOCOâ (Spanish for âcrazy giftâ); then Simon Delaney broke his wrist in a football accident, and they changed the name to DON BROCO.
They first toured England in November 2008, playing gigs in the UK. They played at several British festivals during 2009-2011, Camden Crawl, Dowload Festival, Boardmasters, Sonisphere, Slam Dunk, Underage Festival, Amersham Summer Festival among others. They have supported Enter Shikari in 2009 and 2010.
Don Broco released their debut mini-album, 'Big Fat Smile' on 14th February 2011. In the spring, they played support for We Are The Ocean alongside Lower Than Atlantis and Veara on their tour in April to May 2011. Don Broco headed out on another headline tour of 2011 with support from Burn The Fleet and Deaf Havana. Over the summer 2011, Don Broco played a number of UK Festivals including Download Festival, Sonisphere Festival and Hevy Festival, among others.
An accompanying video to the band's B-Side "We Are On Holiday" off their "Dreamboy" single was released in August 2011.
Don Broco supported Four Year Strong on their UK tour in January and February 2012. During this time, before the release of the debut album, Darren Playford and Luke Rayner left the band due to commitment issues and different interests, however they are still on good terms. The band played at several more festivals such as Hit the Deck, Great Escape and Slam Dunk and others in 2012. Don Broco were going to support Futures in April 2012, but their tour was postponed to July 2012.
On 23 March 2012, the band signed with Search and Destroy Records. The band's first single "Priorities" from their debut album of the same name was released on 20 May, with the album released on 13 August.
The band replaced original bassist with new bassist Tom Doyle. In April, the band supported You Me At Six in Dublin and Belfast on their Irish leg of their UK tour. The band replaced the support bill originally consisting of Kids In Glass Houses, The Skints and Mayday Parade, however the Irish leg was rescheduled after Josh Francheschi contracted tonsillitis. The band supported The Used on their April/May UK tour, alongside Marmozets.
In the summer and fall of 2012, Don Broco played alongside bands such as Lower Than Atlantis, Young Guns, Your Demise, Billy Talent and Awolnation.
2013 was filled with festival perfomances and tours, and the band concluded 2013 by releasing their new song "You Wanna Know" as a standalone single which also came as a bundled EP featuring various remixed versions of the song.
2014 was spent writing material for an upcoming album, as well as touring and playling alongside bands such as You Me at Six and Young Kato.
Their next album, "Automatic", was released on 7 August 2015. Their third album Technology was released on February 2nd, 2018. Amazing Things followed in 2021 and hit #1 in the UK in early 2022. In April 2022, Don Broco released the single "Fingernails" on the 25th of the month to help promote their 2023 UK Arena Tour that was announced on the same day, with Papa Roach and Dance Gavin Dance in support. In 2023, they went on to open for American rock bands Pierce the Veil and The Used on their Creative Control Tour in North America.
Fancy Dress
Don Broco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pop into the toilet catch you in (a) few days
That's the way the party rolls
That's the way the party rolls
Fancy dress invite
Animals and plants and we do it right
That's the way the party rolls
Highs and lows and crazy dreams
Does the light in the tunnel even mean a thing?
Yes, I think we'll be alright
I hope that we'll be alright
I saw, we saw scary things
There's a light in the tunnel but it's growing dim
Yes, I think we'll be alright
Woah-a-oh
You stole away but have you stolen my soul?
Give it back, give it back and be hasty
Woah-a-oh
You stole away but have you stolen my soul?
Give it back, give it back and be quick
As our logic dies
Polish off what's meant for creatures twice our size
That's the way the party rolls
That's the way these parties roll
Highs and lows and severed limbs
It's too bright in the tunnel I can't see a thing
No, I don't think we're alright
I don't think we're alight
Woah-a-oh
You stole away but have you stolen my soul?
Give it back, give it back and be hasty
Woah-a-oh
You stole away but have you stolen my soul?
Give it back, give it back and be quick
Woah-a-oh
You stole away but have you stolen my soul?
Give it back, give it back and be hasty
Woah-a-oh
You stole away but have you stolen my soul?
Give it back, give it back and be quick
Woah-a-oh
So many highs, so many lows, so low
Woah-a-oh
So many highs, so many lows, so low
Woah-a-oh
You stole away but have you stolen my soul?
The lyrics to Don Broco's "Fancy Dress" describe party scenes that are both wild and dark, with a bit of uncertainty about the future. The repeated phrase "That's the way the party rolls" hints at a sense of inevitability and acceptance of whatever is bound to happen at the party, regardless of the potential consequences. The first stanza references someone sneaking away for a rendezvous, perhaps with a sense of secrecy or urgency. The second stanza introduces the theme of a fancy dress party, adding a surreal twist to the scene through the inclusion of "animals and plants." The repetition of the chorus reflects a sense of urgency and anxiety as the singer questions whether their "soul" has been taken away. The bridge introduces lyrics that suggest a sense of danger or risk, with "severed limbs" and a "too bright" light in the tunnel. Through the song and the repetition of the questions about the soul being taken away, the singer seems to be grappling with existential questions about their own identity and place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Set the night ablaze
Intentionally ignite a lively atmosphere
Pop into the toilet catch you in (a) few days
Leave the party temporarily, but plan to reunite later
That's the way the party rolls
That's how things typically happen at parties
Fancy dress invite
An invitation to wear elaborate costumes
Animals and plants and we do it right
We dress creatively and follow the theme well
Highs and lows and crazy dreams
Emotions and aspirations vary greatly
Does the light in the tunnel even mean a thing?
Doubt about whether hope or progress is real
Yes, I think we'll be alright
Optimistically hopeful
I hope that we'll be alright
Expressing desire for everything to be okay
I saw, we saw scary things
Experienced frightening events
There's a light in the tunnel but it's growing dim
Hope is fading
Woah-a-oh
Vocalization (no meaning)
You stole away but have you stolen my soul?
Questioning the effect an individual has had on the singer's sense of self
Give it back, give it back and be hasty
Urgently requesting a return of the stolen essence
Give it back, give it back and be quick
Reiterating the urgency to return what was taken
As our logic dies
As we become less rational
Polish off what's meant for creatures twice our size
Consuming or disposing of something that was not intended for us
Highs and lows and severed limbs
Emotions and physical experiences vary greatly
It's too bright in the tunnel I can't see a thing
Optimism and hope are overwhelming, but unclear
No, I don't think we're alright
Expressing uncertainty or pessimism
Woah-a-oh
Vocalization (no meaning)
So many highs, so many lows, so low
Many emotional ups and downs, resulting in a low point
Contributed by Lucas J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sara Lopes
You have no idea how good these guys are live! Please people who are seeing them soon make the time last long, you'll feel so sad after it is over! I met them, and Simon is a super cool guy!
Keri Hoggarth
these guys are absolutely incredible live. Such amazing stage presence and just generally sound amazing! Proper fun guys!!
Neisaur
This song is incredible, by far my favourite by them.
Arron Shah
its so good to see these guys blow up, two years ago they were just a band playing down at my local venue and now they're going on their own headline tour all over the uk! #YearOfTheBroco
Kevin Eleven
i started listening to Don Broco at the beginning of my last semester in college. there were some bands in the U.S that start to get noticed this year. But then I came across D.B. and I was impressed. What really grinds my gears is that they're in the U.K. and I'm in Connecticut. Either I start saving up now for a weekend trip to see them play, or wait till they can come to America and be one of the only people in the crowd who knows their songs. XD
Freddie Parker
They should get a million thumbs up just for being a sexy band
Lucy Bryant
Broco are literally the only reason i'm proud to come from Bedford. fucking brilliant
Stephen Hall
Same here!
Ariel del Puerto Benza
Don't forget Charles Wells mate
Emma Younger
Seriously big things are going to happen for these guys. Absolutely fantastic band