Originally formed in 1997 for Easy Star Records’ first recordings, the All-Stars primarily existed as a studio entity until releasing Dub Side of the Moon. The success of that album led to the formation of a touring version of the collective. The core of the touring line-up has remained relatively intact, including Ras Iray (bass/vocals), Junior Jazz (guitar/vocals), Ive-09 (drums) and Jeremy Mage (keyboards) in the rhythm section. Tamar-kali and Menny More provide additional lead and backing vocals, while the group is filled out by the Chronic Horns (Jennifer Hill on saxophone & flute and Buford O’Sullivan on trombone). The band is always mixed live by a dub engineer, usually Marcos Ferrari or Jocko Randall (of John Brown’s Body). Other members of the musical collective, such as Victor Rice (Victor Rice Octet, Version City All-Stars and bassist on Dub Side of the Moon), reggae legend Ranking Joe, trumpet player Pam Fleming (of the Burning Brass), singers Kirsty Rock (of Trumystic) and Stephanie McKay, Groove Collective’s Jay Rodriguez, Antibalas’s Stuart Bogie, John Brown Body’s Josh Driscoll, and even Ticklah and Michael G join the All-Stars on specific gigs, adding their abilities to the already talented ensemble.
The Easy Star All-Stars—in any combination of members—have been a resounding success. The band has played at numerous major festivals or headlined their own shows in the U.S., U.K., France, Italy, Chile, Poland, Turkey, Mexico, Argentina, Israel, Croatia, Ireland, Egypt, Brazil, and beyond.
As individuals, the band’s vocalists and instrumentalists have toured and recorded with Burning Spear, Toots and the Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Gil Scott-Heron, The Toasters, The Meditations, Bernie Worrell, DJ Logic, MC Solaar, King Django, Antibalas, The Scofflaws, Diana King, Dennis Brown, Monty Alexander, Sister Carol, and many others. Each of these musicians gets a chance to shine in the typical Easy Star set, whether it is through soloing, composing, or singing, or simply through playing an essential part in this tight-knit collective. Each line-up may result in slightly different sounds for this unique reggae band, but regardless of who plays, the one thing that never changes is that the Easy Star All-Stars deliver a fun, exciting, and different show every time out.
No Surprises
Easy Star All-Stars Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A job that slowly kills you
Bruises that won't heal
You look so tired and unhappy
Bring down the government
They don't, they don't speak for us
I'll take a quiet life
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
Silent, silent
This is my final fit, my final bellyache with
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises
No alarms and no surprises please
Such a pretty house, such a pretty garden
No alarms and no surprises (let me out of here)
No alarms and no surprises (let me out of here)
No alarms and no surprises please (let me out of here)
The song "No Surprises" by the Easy Star All-Stars is a cover of Radiohead's original song with the same name. The song is about the mundanity and disillusionment of modern life, particularly in terms of the 9-to-5 job that slowly suffocates us. The lyrics open with a metaphor comparing a heart that's full up like a landfill, indicating that the person is feeling emotionally drained and weighed down by life's burdens. The lyrics go on to suggest that the person is trapped in a job that is slowly killing them, and they have no hope of recovering from the constant pain of bruises that won't heal.
The chorus of the song expresses a desire for a quiet life, away from the stresses of the daily grind. The phrase "No alarms and no surprises" is repeated several times, indicating that the person wants a life without unexpected problems or interruptions. The desire for quietude is amplified when the singer asks for "No alarms and no surprises please," suggesting that they are at a breaking point and can't cope with any more stress. The final lines of the song are about a pretty house and garden but even in the beauty of the environment there is a sense of oppression and the desire for freedom.
Overall, the song is a poignant commentary on the banality of everyday existence and the yearning for something more fulfilling. It speaks to anyone who has felt trapped or suffocated by their job or by the daily grind of life.
Line by Line Meaning
A heart that's full up like a landfill
Feeling overwhelmed with emotions that seem trapped and piling up just like trash in a dumpster.
A job that slowly kills you
A work that exhausts and takes a toll on one's physical and mental well-being.
Bruises that won't heal
Mental scars from the past experiences that continue to haunt and hurt.
You look so tired and unhappy
The physical and emotional exhaustion and despair that are visible on one's face.
Bring down the government
The system that is corrupt and doesn't truly represent or serve the people needs to be challenged and changed.
They don't, they don't speak for us
The government doesn't have the people's best interest in mind, nor do they really understand or represent the voices of the citizens.
I'll take a quiet life
A desire to lead a simple and peaceful existence free from the chaos and turmoil of the world.
A handshake of carbon monoxide
A symbol of a dangerous deal or agreement that could lead to deadly consequences and destruction.
No alarms and no surprises
A plea for a life without any sudden or unexpected disruptions or disappointments.
Silent, silent
A desire for a calm and tranquil atmosphere with no unnecessary noise or disturbance.
This is my final fit, my final bellyache with
The last straw, the final moment of complaints and grievances.
Such a pretty house, such a pretty garden
Despite the external beauty of one's surroundings, there may still be an underlying sense of unrest and dissatisfaction.
No alarms and no surprises (let me out of here)
Desperately wanting to escape from the chaos and unexpected events of life.
No alarms and no surprises please (let me out of here)
A fervent cry to avoid any more disappointments or disturbances and to be released from the emotional pain and torment.
Contributed by Chloe S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.