Since 1996, an evolving lineup of the band, always fronted by singer/songwriter John Easdale, has been performing in one incarnation or another (initially billed as Easdale solo but usually with assistance from former band mates), and from then until 2003 played occasional shows in the L.A. area, as well as in New Jersey. However, amid renewed interest since the Bands Reunited episode in January 2004 and a large-scale appearance at KROQ-FM's annual Inland Invasion festival concert (attended by more than 78,000 fans) in September 2003, Dramarama has been touring nationally in 2004 and 2005, and released their first new, full-length studio CD, titled "everybody dies," on October 25, 2005.
In 1982, Dramarama formed in and around Wayne, New Jersey, where founding member Chris Carter owned a record store called Looney Tunez Records. The initial line-up consisted of singer/songwriter John Easdale, "Mr. E Boy" (Mark Englert) and Carter, later joined by Peter Wood on guitars, Jesse Farbman on drums. Jesse would leave the group after the third album, and was eventually replaced with drummer Clem Burke, whose prior band was Blondie. Other early bandmates included keyboardists Theothorous Athanasious "Teddy" Ellenis and "Secret Weapon" Tommy Mullaney, who doubled as the band's tour manager.
The current lineup consists of frontman John Easdale and several players from Dramarama's former incarnation, including lead guitarist Mark Englert and rhythm guitar player Peter Wood (the only band member who moved back to New Jersey and still maintains a residence there). Rounding out the band are Los Angeles-based musicians Tony Snow on drums, and Craig Ballam (guitar) and Mike Davis (bass), the two of whom also maintain a side project called Shobud. In addition, Mike Davis is the official bass player for Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford's eponymous solo band, and appears on Halford's upcoming CD, Halford IV.
A number of prominent musicians has joined the band for studio sessions on specific tracks over the years, perhaps most notably pianist Benmont Tench of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers and guitarist Mick Taylor, late of the Rolling Stones, on Vinyl. In addition, fellow power pop artist Dwight Twilley lent vocals to several songs on hi-fi sci-fi, on which The New York Dolls' Sylvain Sylvain also made a vocal appearance.
In addition, other artists often join Dramarama onstage or in the studio, including bassist Steve "Muddy Shews" Shewchuk from seminal Jersey shore band Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes; keyboardist Morley Bartnoff from Cosmo Topper (formerly of the 1980s band Burning Sensations), and harmonica player "Trashcan" Ray Barwick, as well as former No Soap Radio members Danny Roselle on keys and guitar, and drummer Chris O'Hara.
Emerald City
Dramarama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm feeling my way all around it
I'm going to surround it
Soon everything's going to be fine
Hey hey
I can do what I say
I'm living on chocolate ice cream
I'm letting off my steam
Now everything's going to be fine
High high
I think I'll learn how to fly
I went for the rental
Those costumes were so continental
How coincidental
They said everything would be fine
Ho ho
I think I'm ready to go, go, go...
The lyrics of the song "Emerald City" by Dramarama describe the feeling of finally finding something that was being searched for a long time. The first line "I've finally found it" suggests that the singer has been looking for something for a while and has finally found it. The following lines "I'm feeling my way all around it, I'm going to surround it" show that the singer wants to embrace it fully and make the most out of it. The chorus "Soon everything's going to be fine... I can do what I say... Now everything's going to be fine...I think I'll learn how to fly" suggests that the singer has overcome a struggle and is now feeling confident, in control, and ready to conquer the world.
The second verse of the song "Emerald City" talks about the feeling of being in a happy place. The line "I'm lost in a sweet dream, I'm living on chocolate ice cream, I'm letting off my steam" suggests that the singer is happy and carefree. The following lines "High high, I think I'll learn how to fly" suggest that the singer is feeling elevated and they want to take on new challenges.
Lastly, the song talks about a rental costume and how it made the singer feel more connected to their surroundings. The line "Those costumes were so continental, how coincidental" suggests that the singer felt a sense of belonging by wearing the costume. The chorus is repeated, indicating that the singer still feels empowered and confident after finding what they were looking for.
Line by Line Meaning
I've finally found it
I have at last discovered my goal
I'm feeling my way all around it
I am exploring every aspect of it
I'm going to surround it
I will encircle it and make it mine
Soon everything's going to be fine
In the near future, all will be well
Hey hey
An exclamation of excitement and confidence
I can do what I say
I have the ability to fulfill my promises
I'm lost in a sweet dream
I am immersed in a pleasant fantasy
I'm living on chocolate ice cream
I am indulging in happiness and comfort
I'm letting off my steam
I am releasing my stress and frustration
Now everything's going to be fine
From this moment on, everything will be okay
High high
An expression of elation and excitement
I think I'll learn how to fly
I am filled with the confidence to achieve anything
I went for the rental
I chose to temporarily acquire something
Those costumes were so continental
The outfits were sophisticated and stylish
How coincidental
What an interesting coincidence
They said everything would be fine
They assured me that everything would be successful
Ho ho
An expression of amusement and delight
I think I'm ready to go, go, go...
I am primed and eager to move forward with enthusiasm
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHN MILLS EASDALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dopie1967
I never understand how hits are made of crap and great songs get passed over. Thank god I was walking across the quad at UCLA that afternoon and discovered the best band ever, or I might have never discovered the soundtrack to my life!
@58jimjam
Walking through the UC Berkeley quad as a frosh in 87 with my Sony Walkman. Had this on repeat.
@nickgraves1523
This song has traveled with me for the longest time. if I ever do get to make a film this will be in the soundtrack. I miss you childhood. I miss all the friends I ever knew. I miss you Jasmin Estrella. Love of my whole life.
@TheProxy9
I feel it too... The layers of ones youth a thin shaded veil through which we veiw our adult travesties. Sometimes there's moments when you see smell hear or touch something and you are jolted back to that child state and the world is much bright for a while after.
@jubjub2112
I hope you make this film someday . . . My Jasmin had a different name, but she was the love of my whole life too.
@EyeWonderOne
Flipping through the records in the record store when I happened upon this album. It was life changing in my youth. Came home every day from high school and played this album on my record player.
@jubjub2112
An absolutely perfect song from a perfect album . . . this song actually brings tears to my eyes . . . I dunno . . . a lament for a lost youth? Whatever . . . Excellent song . . .
@escapinghell
best song ever
@danielsienkiewicz6318
"I'm living on chocolate ice cream" , killer line. Dramarama is unique in my experience for having invoked in me a special inquiry to find some exquisite but obscure song that I'd been moved greatly-by long ago - a song I'd heard only a few times and was worried would be lost forever. This experience about a song only happened to me twice and it turned out to be the same group on two different occasions! I didn't realize that both times it was Dramarama! The other song, of course, was "Anything, Anything."
@Crazyfeline
Daniel Sienkiewicz man, i was right there with you until Anything Anything. Dramarama have the best tunes, pound for pound, of any band in the world, but Anything is so far overrated its not funny.
Being that was the song that broke them, speaks volumes for the masses. So many other deserving tunes off the first two albums.