Dramarama is an alternative rock group which formed in 1982 in Wayne, New J… Read Full Bio ↴Dramarama is an alternative rock group which formed in 1982 in Wayne, New Jersey, United States, although they relocated to Los Angeles, California sometime later. Throughout all their incarnations, the band was led by singer/songwriter John Easdale. The band was best known for their 1985 single "Anything, Anything (I'll Give You)" which remains the most requested song in the history of the legendary L.A. alternative station KROQ. The band split in 1994 and reformed in 2003 after the original lineup was reunited on the VH1 show "Bands Reunited". Although they only had to play one concert for that show, the band enjoyed playing together again so much that shortly thereafter they officially reunited, releasing their first album in 12 years, "Everybody Dies" in 2005.

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.

Femme Fatale
Dramarama Lyrics

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Here she comes
Better watch your step
She's going to break your heart in two
Yeah, it's true
It's not hard to realize
Just look into her false-colored eyes
She'll bring you up just to put you down
Oh, what a clown

'Cause everbody knows
(Femme Fatale)
The things she does to please
(Femme Fatale)
She's just a little tease
(Femme Fatale)
See the way she walks
And hear the way she talks
You're written in her book
You're number forty-seven - have a look
She's going to play you for a fool
Yeah, it's true
Little boy, she's from the street
Before you start, you're already beat
She'll use her smile just to make you frown
Oh, what a clown
'Cause everbody knows
(Femme Fatale)
The things she does to please
(Femme Fatale)
She's just a little tease
(Femme Fatale)
See the way she walks
And hear the way she talks
'Cause everbody knows
(Femme Fatale)
The things she does to please
(Femme Fatale)
She's just a little tease
(Femme Fatale)
See the way she walks

And hear the way she talks
'Cause everybody knows...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Dramarama's song Femme Fatale describe a manipulative and seductive woman who uses her charm and beauty as a weapon to deceive and break the hearts of men. The singer warns the listener to be careful and not fall for her tricks, as she will only bring them up to bring them down. The term "femme fatale" is French for "fatal woman" or "deadly woman," and refers to a character archetype in literature and film who is often beautiful, alluring, and dangerous.

The lyrics emphasize the power that the femme fatale holds over men, as she can easily manipulate and control them with her false-colored eyes, seductive walk, and manipulative tactics. The singer portrays her as a little tease who plays men for fools, using her smile to make them frown. The lyrics suggest that the femme fatale is not to be trusted and that she will inevitably lead to heartbreak and disappointment.

Overall, Femme Fatale is a cautionary tale about the dangers of falling for a woman who is too good to be true. The song's lyrics are relatable to anyone who has been deceived or hurt by someone they thought they could trust, and serve as a warning to be wary of those who may have ulterior motives.

Line by Line Meaning

Here she comes
A dangerous woman is approaching

Better watch your step
Be careful not to fall for her tricks

She's going to break your heart in two
She will cause you emotional pain

Yeah, it's true
This is not a false warning

It's not hard to realize
Her intentions are easy to understand

Just look into her false-colored eyes
Her eyes are deceitful

She'll bring you up just to put you down
She will build you up, only to tear you down

Oh, what a clown
How foolish you will feel

Cause everybody knows (Femme Fatale)
Her reputation precedes her

The things she does to please (Femme Fatale)
She manipulates to get what she wants

She's just a little tease (Femme Fatale)
She is not serious about forming a genuine connection