The band is named after a boat belonging to Roughton "Rou" Reynolds' uncle, and a character in a play which he wrote before forming the band, both of which are named Shikari. Despite being offered several major label record deals, their debut album Take to the Skies was released on their own label - Ambush Reality - in March 2007, reaching the dizzy heights of #4 in the UK's official Album Charts and going on to sell over 100,000 copies in the UK (the album was released in Europe through PIAS, in North America on Ambush Reality / Tiny Evil, and in Japan on Hostess).
In March 2008, after spending 12 months on the road across the globe, Enter Shikari set up camp in their rehearsal room (a large shed in Chris Batten's back garden which they christened "The 'Low") to begin writing tracks for their second album such as Antwerpen which was released as a free digital-download from the band's website.
In July they played to their largest live audience at the UK date of Linkin Park's 'Project Revolution' travelling festival alongside JayZ, Pendulum and N*E*R*D, as well as playing several shows with Linkin Park in mainland Europe.
Enter Shikari followed a UK / Ireland tour in October 2008 with the release of a one-off single 'We Can Breathe In Space, They Just Don't Want Us To Escape' (a finished version of a track the band demoed in 2005 but never got around to ever finishing properly until the summer 2008).
In mid-November 2008 the band started work recording their second album in Arreton Manor on the Isle of Wight with producer Andy Gray. Here they demoed, produced and mixed new tracks for the band's second album titled Common Dreads which was released June 15th 2009 on CD, Vinyl and digital download. The first track to be heard by the public was Juggernauts aired on 15th April 2009 as Zane Lowe's "Hottest Track in the World" on BBC Radio 1. Juggernauts was released on the 1st June 2009 reaching #26 in the UK Official Single Charts and was aired regularly by Radio 1.
Following the release of Common Dreads via Ambush Reality on the 15th June 2009, the album reached #16 on the UK Top 40 Official Album Chart and was highly-rated by magazines such as Kerrang!, Rocksound and Metal Hammer. No Sleep Tonight was also released as a single on August 17th 2009 with a large number of remixes following it from artists such as ROUT, Mistabishi, The Qemists and LightsGoBlue.
The band recently visited the US, Germany and the Czech Republic on a mini-tour and have another UK tour scheduled for October 2009 supported by The Devil Wears Prada and also a number of dates with The Prodigy in November.
After their late 2009 UK tour, Enter Shikari toured throughout the US on the extensive summer of 2010 Vans Warped Tour. November 2010 saw Enter Shikari touring with 30 Seconds to Mars.
Enter Shikari's third album titled A Flash Flood Of Colour was recorded at Karma Bay Studios in Bangkok, Thailand and was produced by Dan Weller (former-SikTh guitarist). The album was released on the 16th January 2012 in the UK and worldwide. The first single from the LP was "Sssnakepit". It was released on September 20, 2011 as a digital download. According to the Sssnakepit Songfacts, "Quelle Surprise," which was made available in May 2011, was originally intended to be the first official release from the set, but the band ultimately decided to not include it on the album in the end, although did include it on the Deluxe Version. The second single, "Ghandi Mate, Ghandi" was released as a digital download on iTunes in December, followed by a video of single 'Arguing with Thermometers' posted on YouTube a few days before the release of the album.
Enter Shikari is:
Roughton 'Rou' Reynolds - vocals, electronics
Liam 'Rory' Clewlow - guitar, vocals
Chris Batten - bass, vocals
Rob Rolfe - drums
INSOMNIA
Enter Shikari Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You
You!!!!
I only smoke weed when I need to
And I need to get some rest oh wheres the sex
I confess I burnt a hole in the mattress
Yes, yes that was me
I plead guilty
I pull back the duvet
Make my way to the refrigerator
One dried potato inside
No light - not even bread
(Jammed)
With the light above my head went
(Bam)
I cant sleep
Somethings all over me
Increasing Insomnia please release me
And let me dream about making mad love on the heath
(Tearing off tights with my teeth)
But theres no relief
Im wide-awake in my kitchen
Its dark and Im lonely
Oh if I could only get some sleep
Creaking noises make my skin creep
I need to get some sleep
I cant get no sleep
( Are you ready?)
(Are you ready?)
"Insomnia" by Enter Shikari is a song that deals with the struggles of being unable to sleep. The lyrics are presented in a fragmented, stream-of-consciousness style that mirrors the disjointed thoughts of someone suffering from insomnia. The song begins with the singer confessing to burning a hole in their mattress after smoking weed to help them get some rest. They then recount their failed attempt to find food in the kitchen, finding only a single potato and no light or bread. As they try to sleep, they find themselves plagued by the increasing sense of insomnia, which seems to be all over them. They yearn for relief and the ability to dream, but their body is unable to relax. The singer describes the creaking noises in their dark and lonely kitchen that make their skin crawl, highlighting a sense of paranoia that often accompanies insomnia.
Line by Line Meaning
Lets go!!
The beginning of the song, signaling for the listener to become engaged.
You
Directly addressing the listener and bringing them into the song.
You!!!!
Further emphasis on bringing the listener into the song and capturing their attention.
I only smoke weed when I need to
Acknowledging drug use for relaxation purposes, but only on occasion and not for recreational use.
And I need to get some rest oh wheres the sex
Desiring physical intimacy as a means of relaxation, but unable to find it.
I confess I burnt a hole in the mattress
Admitting to engaging in activities that have resulted in damage.
Yes, yes that was me
Taking full responsibility for one's actions and behavior.
I plead guilty
Accepting fault and culpability for one's actions.
And on the count of three
Continuing the theme of acknowledging one's behavior and preparing to reveal it.
I pull back the duvet
Revealing the damaged mattress and continuing to take responsibility.
Make my way to the refrigerator
Moving to another location in the room, signaling a change in tone and focus.
One dried potato inside
Finding a lack of resources and sustenance in the refrigerator.
No light - not even bread
Further emphasizing the lack of resources and sustenance in the refrigerator.
(Jammed)
Experiencing a sudden issue or obstacle, potentially causing frustration.
With the light above my head went
Adding to the feelings of frustration and confusion.
(Bam)
Experiencing a sudden and unexpected noise, potentially causing further stress and anxiety.
I cant sleep
Returning to the central theme of the song and expressing the inability to rest.
Somethings all over me
Feeling overwhelmed and burdened by one's thoughts or feelings.
Increasing Insomnia please release me
Desperately seeking relief from sleeplessness and the effects it has on one's mental health.
And let me dream about making mad love on the heath
Fantasizing about physical intimacy as a means of relaxation and escape from reality.
(Tearing off tights with my teeth)
Further elaborating on the physical nature of the fantasy and expressing a desire for liberation and freedom.
But theres no relief
Expressing deep dissatisfaction and disappointment with the current situation.
Im wide-awake in my kitchen
Emphasizing the location and situation of the singer and the inability to escape it.
Its dark and Im lonely
Creating a mood of sadness and isolation, further emphasizing the effects of insomnia on one's mental health.
Oh if I could only get some sleep
Expressing a deep desire and need for rest and relaxation.
Creaking noises make my skin creep
Indicating potential sources of stress and anxiety that are interfering with the ability to rest.
I need to get some sleep
Returning to the central theme of the song and emphasizing its importance.
I cant get no sleep
Repeating the central message of the song and communicating its urgency.
( Are you ready?)
Serves as a transition to a more intense section of the song, signaling a change in mood and tone.
(Are you ready?)
Repeating the transition phrase to further signal a change in tone and mood.
Contributed by Michael L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
DGdescendant22
I feel like this video has been forgotten, but let me just say this cover will always be a banger
Adiq
13 years later still banging
Trazyn
This really needs a studio version so it can be played at clubs.
Jamie
They usually have setlists to follow because of the lighting and the performances they put on. A band that uses a live show as more of a performance than that of 'playing their songs' will never usually stray from what their setlist is.
Chris Mead
Cheers to everyone who was there at this gig too, the crowd makes it as much as Shikari do at their gigs! :D
Paige Holmes
Love this it has alot more energy than wht the original does =]
Adam Henton
Remember seeing this played at Newcastle last year, the place erupted when the main tune kicked in. IMHO best cover I've ever heard and topped off the best gig I've ever been to (not counting festivals)
Laurence Beer
It makes me sad they don't do this anymore. It would be awesome if they redid it in their current style, and recorded it. A man can dream, I suppose.
Dconing
one of my favorite bands doing a cover of one of my favorite songs, can this world get any better
hugenhlfan30
The original is so chill and awesome and this cover is awesome I love enter shkari, I find myself singing this at work a lot haha