Full Devil Jacket is an alternative metal band from Jackson, Tennessee during the late-90's/early 00's. They released one EP and one full-length album before disbanding.
The band started as the Voodoo Hippies when Josh Brown, Mike Reaves, Kevin Bebout, and Keith Foster all met at Josh Brown’s brother’s tattoo shop in Jackson, TN. Jonathan Montoya was the last addition to the band as the second guitarist.
Before being signed to Island/Def Jam Records, they changed the name to Full Devil Jacket. There are a couple stories on how the band got its name. One is that the band was named after a song written by lead singer Josh Brown, called “Full Devil Jacket.” Another story is that the band simply pulled the name from a magazine article.
While signed to Def Jam Records, the band had a successful career releasing one EP titled "A Waxbox To Put Your Frankenstein Head In..." and their self titled LP which quickly went Gold. While together, the band toured with Creed, Nickelback, Type O Negative, played at Woodstock 99, and was featured on the Tattoo the Earth tour with Mudvayne, Slipknot, Sepultura, Slayer, and Coal Chamber with Metallica headlining one show.
While on tour with Creed, Josh Brown suffered a drug overdose. Brown had to be resuscitated by his girlfriend. He then decided to quit the band. The album remains unreleased and unfinished to this day. Some of the songs that the band was working on were “Shelter,” “All Apologies,” “Superdysfunctional Hero,” and “Bottle.”
After the departure of lead singer Josh Brown, Michael Reaves also decided to leave the band. Full Devil Jacket then reformed with a new lead singer (Ben Hatch then later on Jamie Martin) and a new second guitarist, Dave White, and recorded an unreleased EP under their new name of "WaxBox" before the band dissolved altogether. This incarnation of the band decided to work on some of the same songs that they did with Josh Brown. The EP included “Shelter,” “All Apologies,” “Superdysfunctional Hero,” and “Sober.”
The band eventually reformed to play a benefit concert supporting cancer-stricken guitarist Michael Reaves, who later passed away.
Mainline
Full Devil Jacket Lyrics
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And you try to let go
Of all the dirty things you did today
The days and nights go by
And dark circles take your eyes
You're searching for the child you were yesterday
I've gotta let it go
I've gotta take it slow
Nothing feels the same
See the faces in the flood
See the writing in the mud
There's one that always wants to break and fall
See the savior in the phraze 'cause it makes it go away
Your searching for the light you saw yesterday
I've gotta let it go
I'm running hard against the vein
I've gotta take it slow
Nothing feels the same
Call it wrong
I never cared that much for life
Call it wrong
I never saved that much of mind
You'll never know
You'll never know
You'll never know
I've gotta let it go
I'm running hard against the vein
I've gotta take it slow
Nothing feels the same
I've gotta let it go
I'm running hard against the vein
I've gotta take it slow
Nothing feels the same
Full Devil Jacket's "Mainline" is a song that deals with the struggles one faces when trying to overcome a destructive behavior or addiction. The song begins with a sense of resignation as the singer struggles to let go of their past misdeeds. The opening lines, "When the sun is sinking low, and you try to let go, of all the dirty things you did today," suggest that the singer is at the end of their rope and is desperately searching for a way to move forward.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more reflective, and the lyrics take on a more introspective tone. The lines, "You're searching for the child you were yesterday, your searching for the light you saw yesterday," suggest that the singer is trying to get back in touch with their former self, to recapture a purity and innocence that has been lost. The repeated refrain, "I've gotta let it go, I'm running hard against the vein, I've gotta take it slow, nothing feels the same," indicates the singer's struggle to overcome their addiction or destructive behavior.
Overall, "Mainline" is a song about the struggle to overcome addiction and the emotional turmoil that comes with it. The lyrics are raw and emotional, and the music is driven by a powerful, hard-driving beat that underscores the urgency of the singer's struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
When the sun is sinking low
As the day comes to an end and darkness sets in
And you try to let go
You attempt to release the burdens of the day
Of all the dirty things you did today
The immoral and unethical acts done during the day
The days and nights go by
Time passes by
And dark circles take your eyes
The signs of fatigue and exhaustion
You're searching for the child you were yesterday
Yearning for a simpler, innocent time in the past
I've gotta let it go
I must release the negative thoughts and emotions
I'm running hard against the vein
Struggling with an addiction or harmful behavior
I've gotta take it slow
I must proceed cautiously, avoiding past mistakes
Nothing feels the same
Life is no longer as it used to be
See the faces in the flood
Recognizing the people or memories lost in emotional overwhelm
See the writing in the mud
Noticing, but unable to change, the bad choices made
There's one that always wants to break and fall
A perpetual part of oneself that feels weak and wants to give up
See the savior in the phraze 'cause it makes it go away
Finding comfort in a positive message that helps with life's challenges
Your searching for the light you saw yesterday
Seeking the hope and joy once felt but now lost
Call it wrong
Admitting to making bad decisions
I never cared that much for life
Apathetic towards existence
I never saved that much of mind
Neglected one's mental health and well-being
You'll never know
Hiding the inner turmoil and struggles from others
I've gotta let it go
Continuing efforts to move past destructive habits and thoughts
I'm running hard against the vein
Fighting against internal obstacles or addiction
I've gotta take it slow
Treading cautiously in the journey towards recovery
Nothing feels the same
The path ahead is uncertain and difficult, and the person has changed
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES MICHAEL REAVES, RICHARD JOSHUA BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind