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.
Scenario
Dramarama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Phonograph and radio
I've written everything I know
that I have ever seen.
Get it started with a bang
meet a pretty girl who sang
a famous song of love
All alone in a bar room,
alone in a bar room.
All alone in a bar room,
alone in a bar room.
Sister's in the everglades
Mother swallows razor blades
Father makes the flags for all
the Labor Day parades.
She hangs out at the five and ten
She dates a lot of married men
They take her out and wonder when
She'll sing that song again.
All alone in a bar room,
alone in a bar room.
All alone in a bar room,
alone in a bar room.
This is my Scenario
Phonograph and radio
I've written everything I know
that I have ever seen.
Get it started with a bang
meet a pretty girl who sang
a famous song of love
at seventeen.
All alone in a bar room,
alone in a bar room.
All alone in a bar room,
alone in a bar room.
The song 'Scenario' by Dramarama tells a story of a person who is reminiscing about their life experiences and is putting everything they have ever known into a phonograph and radio. The singer starts the song by describing their scenario and how they have written everything they have ever seen. They talk about their journey starting with a bang, and they met a pretty girl who sang a famous song of love at the tender age of seventeen.
The song then takes a dark turn as the singer describes the twisted and troubled relationships that their family is involved in. The sister is in the Everglades, the mother is swallowing razor blades, and the father is making flags for all the Labor Day parades. The singer describes a girl who hangs out at the five and ten and dates a lot of married men; they take her out and wonder when she'll sing that song again. The song's climax is when the singer is all alone in a bar room, and the song repeats this line several times, emphasizing the loneliness and isolation that comes from the singer's experiences.
One interpretation of the song is that it explores the theme of nostalgia and the desire to hold onto the past, even the troubles and the pain. The singer holds onto all the moments they have ever seen, even after the relationship with the girl from the beginning of the song ended. The song paints a picture of a troubled family and a girl who dates married men to fill the void of loneliness, perhaps representing the singer's desire for companionship.
Line by Line Meaning
This is my scenario
The singer considers these events as a scenario which he has created.
Phonograph and radio
The tools available to the singer to organize his thoughts.
I've written everything I know
The singer has put all his experiences and knowledge into the lyrics of the song.
that I have ever seen.
The lyrics of the song are based on the artist's personal experiences.
Get it started with a bang
The artist starts the story with action and energy.
meet a pretty girl who sang
The singer meets a girl who he finds attractive who also has a good singing voice.
a famous song of love
The girl sings a well-known love song.
at seventeen.
The girl was only 17 years old when she sang the famous love song.
All alone in a bar room,
The artist is currently in a bar room by himself.
alone in a bar room.
The artist is emphasizing his solitude in the bar room.
Sister's in the everglades
The singer's sister is in the Everglades, a marshy area in Florida.
Mother swallows razor blades
The artist's mother eats razor blades, which could be a metaphor for her dangerous behavior.
Father makes the flags for all
The singer's father makes flags for Labor Day parades, which could imply he is patriotic.
the Labor Day parades.
The flags are used for patriotic celebrations on Labor Day.
She hangs out at the five and ten
The girl from earlier frequents a cheap variety store.
She dates a lot of married men
The girl has relationships with men who are already married.
They take her out and wonder when
The men who dated the girl take her out and wonder when she will sing the same classic love song.
She will sing that song again.
The men are hoping to hear the girl sing the same love song again.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHN MILLS EASDALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
WF
This is my scenario
Phonograph and radio
I've written everything I know
That I have ever seen
Get it started with a bang
Meet a pretty girl who sang
A famous song of love
At seventeen
All alone in a bar room
Alone in a bar room
All alone in a bar room
Alone in a bar room
Sister's in the everglades
Mother swallows razor blades
Father makes the flags for all
The Labor Day parades
She hangs out at the five and ten
She dates a lot of married men
They take her out and wonder when
She'll sing that song again
All alone in a bar room
Alone in a bar room
All alone in a bar room
Alone in a bar room
This is my Scenario
Phonograph and radio
I've written everything I know
That I have ever seen
Get it started with a bang
Meet a pretty girl who sang
A famous song of love
At seventeen
All alone in a bar room
Alone in a bar room
All alone in a bar room
Alone in a bar room
Han Solo
HOLY SHEET, just found out this band/ album came out in 1985. ITS NOW 2014, and its the first time I am hearing about these guys. THEY ARE REALLY GOOD, sad they didn't become more popular. Anything Anything was another AWESOME SONG I just heard about them today. I found out about them in a Movie called TWO NIGHT STAND.
maddymud
What song of there’s was in TWO NIGHT STAND?
crazyfeline
Such a great album and great band that consistently released stellar albums. Every one a winner. John Easdale is the poet of that generation. And a cracking band backing him up.
newheritage
one of the best 80's bands out there....it still sounds like it could be written today.
RobynGermaine
Love love love this song- it takes me right to 1987
RobynGermaine
soooo good isnt it? so many memories!
John Moonitz
One of those songs that just captures that stage between high school and the real world . . . Well . . . that's what it is for me . . . as I was in my last couple of years of high school when this album came out. I remember riding my beach cruiser to Redondo Beach, with a big ass ghetto blaster (relax "social justice warriors," that's what we called 'em back then) on my shoulder, powered by 8Ds, blasting Cinema Veritae, The Police, The English Beat, Oingo Boingo, The Cars, Led Zeppelin, The Specials, Devo, and The World Famous KROQ . . . back when it was still BAD ASS!! Anyway . . . Here's to youth!
Kael Moffat
This is still one of my favorite albums!
Virginia Matulich
Remembering this blasting out of my sister's room when I was little thinking she was the coolest! I love this band.
Gotham United
I freakin love this band!! I forever wish and dreamt of seeing this band