Three of the original four band members, bassist Jamie Krents, vocalist/drummer Nick Stumpf, and vocalist/guitarist Matthew Stinchcomb, are from Washington, D.C. They were heavily influenced by the hardcore scene that flourished during their youth in the D.C. area. They began playing together in a series of bands while in their teens and then all attended Oberlin College in Ohio, where they continued to play together. The three friends then moved to Brooklyn, New York after college, where the French Kicks were formed with vocalist/guitarist Josh Wise, a Princeton grad who originally hailed from Huntsville, Alabama.
In 1999 they released a self titled EP The French Kicks under the label My Pal God. Soon, after a lot of touring, the band signed to Startime International. They soon released the Young Lawyer EP in 2001. The group then embarked on a tour with fellow garage rockers The Vue and The Walkmen. In 2002 they released their first full length album, One Time Bells. Jamie Krents departed the band the next year, and was replaced on bass by Lawrence Stumpf, Nick's younger brother. In 2004, their next album, The Trial of the Century was released. Another personnel change occurred when Nick stopped playing drums at live shows to concentrate on his lead singing. A series of temporary drummers filled his spot until the band settled on Aaron Thurston, a Massachusetts native. In late 2005, Stinchcomb announced that he was leaving the band.
Their video for their single "So Far We Are" also features actress Olivia Wilde.
Singer Josh Wise has recently begun appearing with the "A>G>E Amigos" in and around NY. The track list for a short LP on vinyl appeared on the "Above Ground Episodes" tumblog in early 2011.
www.frenchkicks.com
http://abovegroundepisodes.tumblr.com/
Destro
French Kicks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Getting you off
Getting me nowhere
Playing the kid
You're such a kidder
We
We could be prisoners
But you've got your own clean record
And I
I can begin again and give one try
Hold up my own and watch you come now
If you're sleeping I will let you lie
If you're sleeping I will let you lie
You
Getting you off
Getting me nowhere
Playing the kid
You're such a kidder
We
We could be prisoners
Locked up together
But you've got your own clean record
And I
I can begin again and give one try
Hold up my own and watch you come, oh oh
If you're sleeping I will let you lie
If you're sleeping I will let you lie
Been keeping my ear pressed to the ground
Been passing fingers over things that I found
And when the golden boy turns brown
Well you set em up set em up set em back down
[Destro destroyer]
Been keeping my eyes pushed on the wall
Been backing thing is over
And when four of us turn sour
Well you set em up set em up set em back down
Destro destroyer
Destro destroyer
Destro destroyer
You oughta know
The lyrics of "Destro", a song by the American indie rock band French Kicks, seem to be about a relationship that is going nowhere because one partner is not invested enough in it. The first verse seems to suggest that the singer is sacrificing his own desires by trying to satisfy his partner's whims. However, this is not yielding any results or progress in their relationship as the partner perhaps sees it all as a game to kid around. The next verse suggests that the singer feels trapped in the relationship, like they are prisoners, but the partner has a clean record, free to move on, get involved with whomever they would like, whereas the singer is stuck in this position. Yet, the singer has hope that he may be able to start again and move on.
The refrain of the song repeats the same lines twice. It sounds like a message to the partner that if they want to sleep or ignore him, he will enable them to do just that, essentially giving up on the relationship. However, there is an ambiguity as it is unclear whether the singer is refusing to engage with the partner or whether he is expressing an attitude of tolerance, indicating that if the partner is unwilling to participate in the relationship then he will treat them with kindness and allow them rest.
"Destro" is an upbeat song that contrasts with its lyrics, a feature that has been characteristic of French Kicks’ music. The beat and bass-line do add an element of energy that curates a groovy ambiance, blending well with the somber aspect of the lyrics. French Kicks was a New York City-based band, which originally formed in 1998, and became known for their danceable indie rock, mixed with post-punk and new wave elements.
Line by Line Meaning
You
Referring to the person the singer is addressing
Getting you off
Trying to please or satisfy the person in question
Getting me nowhere
Not achieving any progress or gain from the actions taken
Playing the kid
Acting immature or childishly
You're such a kidder
Further emphasizing the childish behavior of the person
We
Referring to the singer and the person
We could be prisoners
Metaphorically implying being trapped or stuck together
Locked up together
Further emphasizing the feeling of being trapped or stuck together
But you've got your own clean record
Implying that the other person has managed to avoid trouble or responsibility
And I
Referring to the singer
I can begin again and give one try
Expressing the desire to start over and try once more
Hold up my own and watch you come now
Indicating confidence and a willingness to face and overcome challenges
If you're sleeping I will let you lie
Respecting the other person's choices, even if it means inaction or lack of progress
Been keeping my ear pressed to the ground
Being attentive and observant to what is going on around them
Been passing fingers over things that I found
Exploring and examining things they come across
And when the golden boy turns brown
Referring to someone or something that was once valued or praised but has now become tarnished
Well you set em up set em up set em back down
Blaming the other person's actions for contributing to the downfall
[Destro destroyer]
Referring to a destructive force or action
Been keeping my eyes pushed on the wall
Being vigilant and focused even when things seem unremarkable
Been backing thing is over
Revisiting and considering things that have happened in the past
And when four of us turn sour
Referring to a group of people or situations that have gone bad
Well you set em up set em up set em back down
Blaming the other person's actions for contributing to the downfall
Destro destroyer
Repeating the reference to destruction
Destro destroyer
Continuing to emphasize the destructive theme
Destro destroyer
Final repetition of the reference to destruction, ending the song
You oughta know
Directed at the person the song is addressed to, indicating that they should be aware of the singer's feelings or perspective
Contributed by Makayla W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@soylentWill
My old band opened for them during this era...they were amazing.
@bediahjonesberg
Is this song named after the GI Joe villain!?