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.
The Fall
Hail Social Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now it's just to close to hide
In your eyes there's an absence of light that I like
But when you think of me darling don't cry
I will come back to your arms dry your eyes
There is no hope or denial where I am
If we have to lay down with the grass growing over
If we have to lay down with the leaves of october
Hold me tonight, I've given my life
Hold me tonight, I've given my life
Someone will come, now
I've been lost and I denied it all the time
Let you question every line
Every night when I think of those times that I lied
That's when you think of me darling don't cry
I will come back to your arms, dry your eyes
There is no hope or denial where I am
If we have to lay down, with the grass growing over
If we have to lay down, with the leaves of October
If we have to lay down, with the grass growing over
Hold me tonight, I've given my life
Hold me tonight, I've given my life
Someone will come, now
The lyrics to Hail Social's song The Fall describe the conflicting emotions of a person who has denied something important in their life for a long time. The individual hears a voice calling out to them, but they have ignored it until it becomes too close to ignore. The person is now in the presence of someone else who has an "absence of light" in their eyes that the singer finds strangely compelling. However, the singer has also lied and feels guilty about it, causing them to unsettle their thoughts and question their relationship with the other person. Despite this, the singer promises to return to their partner's arms and comfort them.
The chorus of the song seems to express a sense of resignation and hopelessness, as if the singer has accepted a dark fate that is unavoidable. The repetition of the line "If we have to lay down with the grass growing over" suggests a finality or an end to something, perhaps even death. However, the singer wants to be held by their partner, as if they are seeking comfort or redemption for their actions.
Overall, the lyrics to The Fall by Hail Social evoke a sense of emotional turmoil and regret. The singer is struggling with their own inner conflict and the consequences of their actions, but they also want to be comforted and loved. The imagery of laying down with the grass growing over and the leaves of October falling conjure up feelings of finality and inevitability, suggesting a sense of acceptance of whatever fate awaits.
Line by Line Meaning
Heard a voice and I've denied it all the time
I ignored my own thoughts and feelings for a long time.
Now it's just to close to hide
I can no longer hide from my true feelings.
In your eyes there's an absence of light that I like
I am drawn to the darkness in your eyes.
But when you think of me darling don't cry
Please do not be sad when you think of me.
I will come back to your arms dry your eyes
I will return to comfort you and wipe away your tears.
There is no hope or denial where I am
I am in a state of acceptance and resignation.
If we have to lay down with the grass growing over
If we have to be buried with nature overtaking us.
If we have to lay down with the leaves of october
If we have to die in the fall and be covered by leaves.
Hold me tonight, I've given my life
Embrace me now, for I have devoted myself fully to you.
Someone will come, now
Help will arrive soon.
I've been lost and I denied it all the time
I have been lost and confused, but I refused to acknowledge it.
Let you question every line
I allow you to question everything I have said.
Every night when I think of those times that I lied
I feel guilty for the times I was dishonest with you.
Contributed by Max T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MOUTHandHANDS
Remember how you could have a song play on your MySpace page whenever someone would visit your page? Found these guys on someone else’s page and instantly fell in love. This song is one of the most beautiful pieces of art ever made.
Jane Lane
I can't believe they disbanded. I'm upset. 😭
paramedicineman89
wow
Indie Nugget
Shared on Radiopepito!