Andy joined the band after the release of Midnight Organ Fight, allowing them to play many songs from the album they would previously have struggled to fill out instrumentally. Gordon joined the band in November 2009 and is a former member of Make Model. He left the band in 2014.
The origins of the band are rooted in 2003, when Scott began playing solo shows under the name Frightened Rabbit, mostly in support of fellow art-schoolers Shitdisco. Recordings were made on a tascam 4-track recorder, with Scott playing all the instruments (some more proficiently than others). Though looser, sparser, and certainly more lo-fi in terms of production values, their early demos still attest to a burgeoning talent with a defined personality and a now familiar penchant for being able to create widely appreciated pop songs.
In 2004 Scott’s brother Grant moved to Glasgow, Scotland, contributing drums to certain recorded tracks, and playing live. Frightened Rabbit became louder and better. They burnt 50 copies of their subsequent demo, and sent some out to labels, resulting in three tracks being hosted on the FatCat MP3/demo website, and marking the beginning of a wonderful relationship. In 2006, Billy joined the band playing primarily second guitar, making Frightened Rabbit in the band’s own words, a wee bit better and louder still. That February they went into The Diving Bell Lounge studio with Glasgow based producer Marcus Mackay to record some songs over the course of a week. The intention was to record a better quality demo, but the resultant recordings ended up as the bands debut LP Sing The Greys, of which 1000 copies were pressed and released that May on home grown label Hits The Fan.
An incredibly accomplished live outfit (seemingly without any effort whatsoever), further live dates followed into 2007, including a brief but successful US jaunt, culminating in a sold-out show at The Mercury Lounge in NYC, before the album was even available in the US. After an intense spate of writing, rehearsing, recording, and remixing, and of course playing more live shows, ‘Sing The Greys’ was remastered by Alan Douches, and re-released in significantly revamped form by FatCat Autumn 2007, along with debut single ‘Be Less Rude’. Rounding off the year with the incredible 'It's Christmas So We'll Stop' single.
In April 2008, the band released their second full length, "The Midnight Organ Fight", a progression in terms of songwriting, sonic depth, and as a fully realised entity. Recorded by Peter Katis (Mercury Rev, Interpol) over the space of two weeks, and mixed over the ensuing fortnight, ‘Midnight Organ Fight’ was conceived and realised in a much shorter time span than its predecessor, with the intention of creating a more coherent, ‘pop’ sounding album. Yet although musically more immediate, vitally, the band have not forsaken the personality or passion of any of their earlier recordings.
In July 2008, a live rendition of ‘Midnight Organ Fight’ was recorded in Glasgow, and mixed by Mice Parade’s Adam Pierce, entitled 'Liver! Lung! Fr!' The stripped-down instrumentation brings singer Scott Hutchison’s vocal delivery - now wrenching, now soaring - to the fore, showcasing the emotive lyrics and memorable melodies that have earned the band their passionate following. This album was released in the United States in late 2008, and a world release date to followed in March 2009.
The band's third album "The Winter of Mixed Drinks" was released in early 2010. The fourth album “Pedestrian Verse” was released in 2013, while their fifth and final album “Painting of a Panic Attack” was released in 2016.
Good Arms vs. Bad Arms
Frightened Rabbit Lyrics
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They are built to hold and fit, look how far they go around
You don't need these now that you've found another pair
And the difference is astounding, I should expect, except
Leave the rest at arm's length
Keep your naked flesh under your favourite dress
Leave the rest at arm's length
I decided this decision some six months ago
So I'll stick to my guns, but from now on it's war
I am armed with the past, and the will, and a brick
I might not want you back, but I want to kill him
Leave the rest at arm's length
Keep your naked flesh under your favourite dress
Leave the rest at arm's length
When they reach out, don't touch them, don't touch them
And leave the rest at arm's length
Don't brush with him, he might have diseases
Leave the rest at arm's length
Steer clear of the grasp, girl, run, run away
Leave the rest at arm's length
Just roll over, boy, and don't make me do this
Leave the rest at arm's length
I am armed to the teeth and I'm heavy-set
Leave the rest at arm's length
I'm not ready to see you this happy
Leave the rest at arm's length
I am still in love with you, can't admit it yet
"Frightened Rabbit's" song "Good Arms vs. Bad Arms" portrays the feeling of jealousy and comfort. The lyrics compare the girl's previous arms with the new ones she has found. In the first few lines "good arms versus bad arms will win hands down” means the new arms will always win. The singer compares the difference between the two pairs of arms and emphasizes the length of embrace the new arms can provide. He suggests that she doesn't need the old arms anymore as the difference is astounding. He further emphasizes the girl to keep her distance from the old arms, as he wants her to stay away from him, as well.
In the second verse, the singer says he has decided to make his own decision. He wants to keep his distance from his past relationship but is also ready for the war. The singer says he has been equipped with the past, the will, and a brick, which indicates he's ready for battle. He expresses his feelings about his ex-girlfriend's happiness but also admits that he's still in love with her.
Overall, the song talks about the singer's jealousy and how he wants his ex-girlfriend to stay away from the previous relationship. Moreover, he wants to maintain his distance from his past relationship, but he's not entirely over her.
Line by Line Meaning
Good arms versus bad arms will win hands down, down
The idea of embracing or getting close to someone new seems overwhelming compared to the comforting arms of a former partner. The decision is obvious, and the better choice would always be the familiar arms of the past.
They are built to hold and fit, look how far they go around
The familiarity of the past is obvious because the intimacy, passion, and hugs those arms can give are more remarkable and comforting than those of a new person.
You don't need these now that you've found another pair
After breaking up with someone, expecting someone new to replace that individual right away is not the solution. It only shows that there's no assurance of getting over an ex-lover soon.
And the difference is astounding, I should expect, except
The contrast between the arms of the past and new arms is truly remarkable, although it's expected. The pain of accepting the new reality was not anticipated.
Leave the rest at arm's length
Keep the past at a distance and avoid dwelling on it.
Keep your naked flesh under your favourite dress
Keep your feelings and emotions in check when dealing with the past lover to avoid getting hurt and being left open and vulnerable.
When they reach out, don't touch them, don't touch them
Avoid rekindling that old flame by keeping personal space and not responding to advances from past lovers.
I decided this decision some six months ago
The idea of moving forward is a decision that needs to be made to get over an ex. It takes time to understand the concept of moving forward and leaving the past behind.
So I'll stick to my guns, but from now on it's war
There is a resolution to move on, and doing so entails making an effort and taking action to achieve that decision's purpose.
I am armed with the past, and the will, and a brick
To achieve the decision of leaving the past it takes the will to move on, the acceptance of the past, and courage to move on to the future.
I might not want you back, but I want to kill him
The feeling of wanting revenge is a natural phenomenon familiar to most people who have suffered heartbreak. The thought of hurting the individual who caused the pain is normal, but this is something that requires healing and time.
Don't brush with him, he might have diseases
Taking precautions when dealing with an ex-lover is essential because the goal is to avoid getting hurt again emotionally.
Steer clear of the grasp, girl, run, run away
If you don't wish to be hit again don't stand near someone who might hit you. The goal is to avoid contact with someone who has caused emotional pain.
Just roll over, boy, and don't make me do this
When dealing with someone who has caused emotional pain, the best solution is to let things go, rather than worsening the situation.
I am armed to the teeth and I'm heavy-set
Moving forward takes time and strength, and that also involves taking appropriate measures like blocking an ex on social media or cutting off emotional ties.
I'm not ready to see you this happy
The possibility of an ex-lover moving on and finding happiness can cause discomfort and pain to the individual who was left behind.
I am still in love with you, can't admit it yet
The healing journey can be long, and for some, the pain of separation lasts longer. Acceptance that one is still in love with an ex takes time and courage.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Grant David Hutchison, Scott John Hutchison, David Kennedy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind