The band’s 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 “DON LOCO” (Spanish for “crazy gift”); 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.
T-Shirt Song
Don Broco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I′ve not spoken for days
Left your car in my driveway
Bad blood flowed through my veins
Backed me onto the ground
Spare me out in the rain
Come to me, the sweet release
They're saying there′s one song left
No time for no regrets
I take my T-shirt off
Swing it around my head
Tonight you drove me to smoke
Whole pack of cigarettes
Tonight you done me over, I
Wouldn't be who I'd be without you
Wouldn′t be who I′d be, be who I'd be
Be who I′d be without you
You done me over, I
Wouldn't be who I′d be
Be who I'd be without you
I got caught up in your details
Grow vulnerable to your eyes
The kids were born to the stinging nettles
Watch me writhe in the pain
Anyone else would have bound to see
But you were doing alright on your own
Come to me, the sweet release
Lead me down to the edge
They′re saying there's one song left
No time for no regrets
That time you done me over, I
Wouldn't be who I′d be without you
Wouldn′t be who I'd be, be who I′d be
Be who I'd be without you
You done me over, I
Wouldn′t be who I'd be
Be who′d I'd be without you
It's safe to say
I wouldn′t let you blow my mind
Up the wall, up the wall
I′ll never do it again
It's safe to say
I wouldn′t let you blow my mind
Up the wall, up the wall
I'll never do it again
Wouldn′t be who I'd be without you
Wouldn′t be who I'd be, be who I'd be
Be who I′d be without you
It′s safe to say
I wouldn't let you blow my mind
Up the wall, up the wall
I′ll never do it again
It's safe to say
I wouldn′t let you blow my mind
Up the wall, up the wall
They're saying there′s one song left
No time for no regrets
I take my T-shirt off
Swing it around my head
Tonight you drove me to smoke
Whole pack of cigarettes
Tonight you done me over, I
Wouldn't be who I'd be
Be who I′d be without you
The lyrics of Don Broco's "T-Shirt Song" convey a sense of frustration, betrayal, and longing for liberation from a toxic relationship. The opening lines, "Drown me out with your voice, I've not spoken for days," suggest that the singer has been silenced by their partner's dominant presence. The mention of leaving their car in the singer's driveway and the reference to "bad blood" flowing through their veins hint at a strained and negative dynamic between the two. The chorus reveals the intense impact of this relationship, as the singer declares that they wouldn't be the person they are without their partner, although the tone suggests this may not be a positive thing.
The second verse delves deeper into the singer's vulnerability and the emotional toll of the relationship. The reference to being caught up in their partner's details and growing vulnerable to their eyes implies a sense of being controlled and manipulated. The mention of "stinging nettles" symbolizes pain and discomfort, evoking the physical and emotional agony the singer experiences. Despite recognizing the toxicity, they still long for release and are drawn to the edge, seeking escape.
The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the central theme of identity and dependency. The lyrics display a complex mix of emotions, showcasing both the negative impact of the partner's actions and the acknowledgment that the singer's sense of self has been shaped by this relationship. The final lines reveal a determination to break free from this destructive cycle, asserting that they will not let their partner "blow their mind" again.
Line by Line Meaning
Drown me out with your voice
Overwhelm me with your words
I've not spoken for days
I have been silent for a long time
Left your car in my driveway
You abandoned your vehicle in my property
Bad blood flowed through my veins
Negative emotions filled me
Backed me onto the ground
Pushed me to a vulnerable position
Spare me out in the rain
Leave me exposed to hardship
Come to me, the sweet release
Provide me with a comforting escape
Find a way out my head
Discover a means to leave my thoughts
They're saying there's one song left
There's only one chance remaining
No time for no regrets
No time to feel remorse
I take my T-shirt off
I remove a symbol of our connection
Swing it around my head
Flail it in defiance and liberation
Tonight you drove me to smoke
You pushed me to indulge in self-destructive behavior
Whole pack of cigarettes
Consumed an entire pack
Tonight you done me over, I
Tonight you betrayed me
Wouldn't be who I'd be without you
My identity is shaped by your influence
The kids were born to the stinging nettles
The children were born into a harsh situation
Watch me writhe in the pain
Observe me suffer and struggle
Anyone else would have bound to see
Anyone else would have recognized
But you were doing alright on your own
But you were managing fine without me
Lead me down to the edge
Guide me towards a dangerous precipice
It's safe to say
It is certain
I wouldn't let you blow my mind
I wouldn't allow you to amaze or deceive me
Up the wall, up the wall
Into a state of frustration
I'll never do it again
I will never repeat my actions
Wouldn't be who I'd be
I would not exist as my true self
Writer(s): Julian Emery, Jonathan Ian Green, Simon Jones Delaney, Robert Damiani, Daniel Jamie Lancaster, Thomas David Doyle, Matthew Stephen Donnelly
Contributed by Joshua V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cameron Sanderson
my dad went in my place when I couldn’t make it... sister told me he took his t-shirt off for this... what a lad 👌🏼
Dave Powell
Did the front guy Rob Damiana follow your dad ?
Roshely Ortiz
Cameron Sanderson sad to hear you couldn't go :c I live father away, but I hope one day I can fly and see them live. DREAM.
Jimmy Baichulall
Just saw them live with DGD.... THAT STAGE PRESENCE!!!!!
Ashley Nelson
I met them in leeds coming from a signing can't get better than that I was just waiting for the bus aswell
mcbassin faas
His voice that killer live too?
prod.Royals G'
BRUH SO DID I, AT MCMENAMINS BALLROOM, DOWNTOWN PORTLAND.
Douglas Diggins
Dgd is a bad comparison to follow though, they stand around like beached fish.
Sean H
DGD and Don Broco?! That sounds like a dream show! Now if Bilmuri was also in that lineup.....I would pay a ridiculous amount of money to see them play!
Dudey Rhino
One of the sickest gigs I have been to.