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.
Etc.
Dramarama Lyrics
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In their pockets they each hold 13 dollar bills
13 women in 13 cells
At the 13th hour they each ring 13 bells
I've got something, and what about this?
Do you know what it is?
Do you think you understand?
7 million in 7 banks
Yield 7 words of english more than thanks
7 soldiers drive 7 tanks
To the 7th place where everyone gives thanks
I've got something, and what about this?
Do you know what it is?
Do you think you understand?
Ho ho ho!
Cause if you think
that it all makes no sense
it's the song for the dense
E-t-c-e-t-e-r-a
E-t-c-e-t-e-r-a
E-t-c-e-t-e-r-a
E-t-c-e-t-e-r-a
30 million in 30 states
They all earn more so they get charged higher rates
30 biscuits on 30 plates
Different colors cause they were made on different dates
I've got something, and what about this?
Do you know what it is?
Do you think you understand?
Hee hee hee!
Cause if you think
that it all makes no sense
it's the song for the dense
Ahhhhhhhhhhh, whoa whoa whoa-oh-whoa....
The lyrics to Dramarama's song Etc. paint a picture of a surreal world where everything is characterized by numbers, from the number of men standing on hills holding bills to the number of biscuits on plates. The repetition of the number 13, 7, and 30 creates an eerie vibe, implying that there is something strange and off-putting about this world. The lyrics are asking the listener if they understand what is going on, but with a sarcastic tone that suggests that there may not be clear answers.
The chorus of the song, "etcetera, etcetera," is a nod to the fact that the lyrics are a jumble of seemingly unrelated ideas that are just meant to be taken at face value. However, the repetition of the chorus in a catchy melody makes the song addictive to listen to, and the inscrutability of the lyrics supports the idea that art doesn't always have to have a clear meaning, and is open to interpretation by each individual.
Overall, the lyrics of Etc. are a commentary on the arbitrary nature of life and how human beings often try to impose order on that chaos. The fact that the song can be enjoyed even without a deeper understanding of its meaning suggests that it has an appeal beyond its lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
13 men stand on 13 hills
There are 13 men standing on 13 different hills
In their pockets they each hold 13 dollar bills
Each man has 13 dollar bills in his pocket
13 women in 13 cells
There are 13 women in 13 cells
At the 13th hour they each ring 13 bells
At the 13th hour, every woman rings 13 bells
I've got something, and what about this?
The singer has something to say and asks the listener what they think
Do you know what it is?
The singer asks if the listener understands what they're saying
Do you think you understand?
The singer is curious if the listener thinks they comprehend what is being said
Ha ha ha!
The singer is laughing
7 million in 7 banks
There are 7 million dollars in 7 different banks
Yield 7 words of english more than thanks
These banks generate 7 more words in the English language than just saying 'thanks'
7 soldiers drive 7 tanks
There are 7 soldiers driving 7 tanks
To the 7th place where everyone gives thanks
These soldiers are headed to a 7th destination where people express gratitude
Ho ho ho!
The singer is laughing
Cause if you think that it all makes no sense
If the listener believes that there is no logic to the song
it's the song for the dense
Then this song is directed towards those who are unintelligent or ignorant
E-t-c-e-t-e-r-a
The singer is spelling out 'etcetera'
30 million in 30 states
There are 30 million people in 30 different states
They all earn more so they get charged higher rates
Those who earn more money are charged more for various services
30 biscuits on 30 plates
There are 30 biscuits distributed on 30 plates
Different colors cause they were made on different dates
The biscuits are different colors because they were made on varying dates
Hee hee hee!
The singer is laughing
Ahhhhhhhhhhh, whoa whoa whoa-oh-whoa....
The singer is making an unintelligible sound
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Moonitz
LOVE this song!!! Love this album!!
madmike325
AWESOME SONG !!!!! THE 80'S ROCK
Flapjack Texas
This is perfect
dj
Nice
crazyfeline
Couldn’t have said it better than the guy before me.
Ho ho ho.
Theresa Ulrich
Look out, Jack white. You're jack white.
J S
Ha Ha Ha ! Ho Ho Ho ! He He He !
Salamander676
Reminds me of the Police
MisterWhist
How?
dj
The vocals on this? A lil' bit. However, as a band in general for me, nah.