Hail Social was a quartet rock band from Philadelphia, US… Read Full Bio ↴(? - 2007)
Hail Social was a quartet rock band from Philadelphia, USA.
Their self-titled debut is brand new to the world, though it feels old to them, of course. It all started with the chance workplace friendship of Dayve Hawk and Matt Maraldo. Hawk had been writing songs for years but was reluctant to share them. Eager to start a band, Maraldo kept on pestering. “We fought a lot because I didn’t want to be in a band,” says Hawk. “But eventually he won.”
Good thing, too. Otherwise we’d have missed out on Hail Social’s lithe, dance-damaged tunes. The same tunes that scored the band a prime opening slot on tour with Interpol and the Secret Machines. The same tunes that will haunt you more persistently with each spin of the band’s long-awaited proper debut.
Following four demos and a 7-inch, the album was recorded in Philly with producer Brian McTear (Burning Brides, matt pond PA). The lineup goes like this: Hawk handles guitar and vocals, Maraldo plays drums, and Dan Henry plays bass, with Richie Roxas playing second guitar live. “Hands Are Tied” introduces the band perfectly, with Hawk’s meticulous melodies riding that sleek wave of a rhythm section. Like every song that follows, it’s lean and brisk, bearing not one superfluous note. But wait. There’s something sinister brewing under those bouncy bass lines. On “Repetition,” it’s the sting of regret as Hawk sings, “It all just adds up to our lives” and later, “But you can never bring back what you let go.” Rarely has paranoia and frustration been so danceable. “Come Out Tonight” is all teen isolation and endless nights, where the only escape is your favorite song. Then there’s the angry defeat of “Feeling is Wrong” – “Don’t fight / Don’t try / You don’t get to decide tonight.”
Lyrics like those might explain why Hawk needed coaxing to take his songs beyond the bedroom. “I’m definitely the anti-social guy,” he says, noting the irony of the band’s name. Hawk is still half-wedded to the solitude of songwriting, recording all the songs in demo form at home before the bandmates enter the fray. “I played to the strengths of this band” on this record, says Hawk, “especially the rhythm section, which is why things are so sparse and stripped down.” That’s also why Hail Social comes off a bit like the propulsive post-punk that is so fashionable these days, although Hawk’s smooth singing and festering lyrics recall ’90s indie rock mainstay Versus more than anything.
“I do like a lot of those bands, some more than others,” Hawk admits. “I like Wire a lot. But I wouldn’t say they’re nearly as much of an influence as people presume.” His tastes actually run more toward electro and funk, from Michael Jackson to Daft Punk to Prince. Hawk says he envisions Hail Social as “like ‘80s roller-skating music played by a metal band.” Hmmm. Maybe that’ll make more sense once we hear the band’s second album, which is already in the can. Then, again, maybe not.
More Time
Hail Social Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you could be the one that would have to go alone
you can't get thrown
even if you try it'll never change
tell me how I feel,
that I feel the same, I don't
you just don't know
they said, they said why did you let go
I need a little more now,
need some more time
After all that's said, you just walk away
If you build a wall, then you have to stay alone
you can't get thrown
I could be the one that would lose control
you could be the one that would have to go alone
you just don't know
they said, they said why did you let go
I need a little more now,
need some more time
they said, they said why did you let go
I need a little more now,
need some more time
they said, they said why did you let go
I need a little more now,
need some more time
The lyrics to Hail Social's song "More Time" can be interpreted as being about a relationship that has ended. The singer of the song expresses how they could have been the one to lose control in the relationship, while their partner could have been the one to leave. Additionally, the singer mentions that their feelings have not changed, even though their partner may not understand how they feel. The line "If you build a wall, then you have to stay alone" can be seen as a metaphor for how if someone puts up emotional barriers, they may end up isolating themselves from others. Overall, the song seems to be about wanting more time to fix a relationship that has ended, but feeling unsure if that's possible.
Line by Line Meaning
I could be the one that would lose control
I have the potential to lose my sense of composure in this situation
you could be the one that would have to go alone
You may have to face the consequences of this alone
you can't get thrown
You must keep your cool and not allow yourself to be thrown off balance
even if you try it'll never change
No matter how hard you try, the outcome will remain the same
tell me how I feel,
that I feel the same, I don't
Don't presume to know how I feel about this situation, as my emotions may not align with what you expect
you just don't know
There are important factors about this situation that you are not aware of
they said, they said why did you let go
Others are questioning why I chose to let go of something important
I need a little more now,
need some more time
I need more time to process my thoughts and make a decision
After all that's said, you just walk away
Despite all that has been discussed, you are choosing to leave the situation
If you build a wall, then you have to stay alone
If you isolate yourself from others, you will end up being alone
they said, they said why did you let go
Others are still questioning my decision to let go
I need a little more now,
need some more time
I still require more time to reach a conclusion about this matter
they said, they said why did you let go
People are continuing to express surprise or disapproval about my decision to let go
I need a little more now,
need some more time
I am still not ready to finalize my decision and require more time to think things through
Contributed by Levi O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.