Five Iron Frenzy started as a local side-project of Reese, Keith, Micah, and Scott's band Exhumator. Although the original intent was for the band to stay local and help support the local music scene, Five Iron Frenzy (FIF, or Five Iron) signed to Frank Tate's 5 Minute Walk records in 1995 and was touring nationally within a year. They reached the peak of their fame around 2000, with the release of All The Hype That Money Can Buy. They were known for dressing up in wacky costumes and fundraising for social causes. In December 2002, they announced that they would be breaking up after a final tour. They played the final show of the tour on November 22, 2003 at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, which was recorded for The End Is Here (disc 2) (this disc features that show in its entirety and was sold with the band's album, The End is Near). This show had an attendance of over 4,000 people.
On November 22, 2011, they announced via social media outlets and a week-long online scavenger hunt that they were recording a new album. The entire project was crowd funded in under an hour and met with a reunion show and touring. The results of the endeavor, Engine of a Million Plots, was released on November 26th, 2013. All members of the 2003 lineup participated in the project, with the exception of bassist Keith Hoerig, who was replaced by original guitarist Scott Kerr (who had left the band in 1998).
All The Hype
Five Iron Frenzy Lyrics
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the loud fanfare as I grabbed the mic.
Suckah M.C.'s stepped with no clout,
don't quit your day job or your paper route.
Fantastic and so spastic,
dope drop rhymes like sonic booms,
that's the kind of hype that could clear this room.
other M.C.'s just stand and cry.
Brad slapped your Mama, your Mama asked "why?"
When Brad says "hype", you do or die.
Implausible, impossible,
we drop dope rhymes like sonic booms,
that's the kind of hype that could clear this room.
The packaging is nice,
we're building it to sell,
call all your people in Hollywood and Nashville.
It's one in a million, in fact we broke the die,
it's all of the hype that your money can buy.
It's the fattest rhymes, it's the biggest hype,
my name is Reese, don't call me Mike.
This song is good, don't ask me why,
it's all of the hype that your money can buy.
Falsified, unjustified,
drop dope rhymes like sonic booms,
that's the kind of hype that could clear this room.
It's so wrong, so far from true, in secret, I'm just like you.
The song "All The Hype" by Five Iron Frenzy is a satirical commentary on the concept of hype, particularly in the world of music. The lyrics describe the singer as a rapper who has achieved great hype and popularity, but who is really just spouting mediocre rhymes that aren't backed up by any real talent or substance. The first line "In the beginning was the hype" sets the tone for the song as a whole.
The verses mock other rappers who lack any real clout, but who still try to build hype around themselves. The chorus is repetitive, emphasizing just how much hype the singer claims to have achieved, despite the fact that it's all just an illusion. The line "It's all of the hype that your money can buy" speaks to the cynical reality that marketing can create hype around anything, regardless of its actual quality.
The final line of the song, "It's so wrong, so far from true, in secret, I'm just like you" speaks to the idea that the singer is not really any different from the fans who are being taken in by the hype. The singer may be successful and popular, but they still struggle with the same insecurities and doubts as everyone else.
Overall, "All The Hype" is a biting critique of the music industry's tendency to emphasize style over substance, and the way that hype can be manufactured to create the illusion of success.
Line by Line Meaning
In the beginning was the hype,
The hype was present from the start of the journey
the loud fanfare as I grabbed the mic.
I received attention when I took the microphone
Suckah M.C.'s stepped with no clout,
Incompetent M.C.'s had no influence
don't quit your day job or your paper route.
They should not quit their current jobs which they are better at
Fantastic and so spastic,
Extraordinary in a energetic way
dope drop rhymes like sonic booms,
The rhymes are impressive and explosive
that's the kind of hype that could clear this room.
The hype could result in clearing the room due to the impact it brings
I got the hype so big, it's stacked so high,
The hype got too much attention and popularity
other M.C.'s just stand and cry.
Other M.C.'s feel inferior and cry about it
Brad slapped your Mama, your Mama asked "why?"
The situation is so full of hype that even something outrageous like this would take place
When Brad says "hype", you do or die.
Brad has the power to influence people with his hype
Implausible, impossible,
The level of hype seems unrealistic and unachievable
we drop dope rhymes like sonic booms,
The rhymes being delivered are explosive and exhilarating
that's the kind of hype that could clear this room.
The hype could result in clearing the room due to the impact it brings
The packaging is nice,
The presentation of the product (song) is impressive
we're building it to sell,
The song is being created and marketed for commercial purposes
call all your people in Hollywood and Nashville.
Contact all influential people in the music industry
It's one in a million, in fact we broke the die,
The song is unique and one of a kind
it's all of the hype that your money can buy.
The level of hyped-up marketing correlates with the amount of money invested in it
It's the fattest rhymes, it's the biggest hype,
The rhymes are the best, and the hype is the most impressive
my name is Reese, don't call me Mike.
The artist's name is Reese, not Mike
This song is good, don't ask me why,
The song is good, but there is no specific reason why
it's all of the hype that your money can buy.
The level of hyped-up marketing correlates with the amount of money invested in it
Falsified, unjustified,
The hype is dishonest and not justified
drop dope rhymes like sonic booms,
The rhymes being delivered are explosive and exhilarating
that's the kind of hype that could clear this room.
The hype could result in clearing the room due to the impact it brings
It's so wrong, so far from true, in secret, I'm just like you.
The hype is misleading, and the truth is far from it; in reality, the artist is just like anyone else
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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