Style
Although classed as a 'punk rock' band, lyrically they were not angry or politically charged like many other punk bands. Many songs were about meeting a new girl, lost love, or the transition from teenage years to adulthood. The song "Teenagers are all assholes" from their final LP "Making the road" talks about how there is no justification for violence, with lyrics such as "Don't torment your friends and neighbors/Someday you'll see you are small/There is no good reason to assault somebody/If you wanna beat someone/Beat yourself". Musically they were very similar to many other popular punk-rock bands that were big in the 90's, such as NOFX, Millencolin and The Vandals; most of their songs were very fast and catchy, with a few slower songs scattered here and there. "Making the road" was probably their most musically diverse release, featuring some very fast, hard songs (Just Rock, Crows) mixed in with slower songs (Endless Trip, Dear my Friends) and even a gentle piccolo-driven instrumental (Tinkerbell Hates Goatees). The band was considered to be very talented musically, with the fast, tight, powerful drumming and creative guitar work often standing out.
Hiatus
After recording five albums, the band entered a hiatus in August of 2000, shortly after playing "Air Jam 2000". Ken Yokoyama began working on other projects, including BBQ Chickens and Ken Band, which is now simply known as Ken Yokoyama. Yokoyama revisited the bands original label Pizza of Death Records, which has since signed many punk and alternative rock bands. Akihiro Nanba's newest project is Ultra Brain. According to CDJapan, Nanba proclaims their debut album, Neo Punk, to be the birth of neo-punk [1]. Akira Tsuneoka now provides the drums for the group, Cubismo Grafico. Although the band has never officially called it quits, as time goes on it is looking more and more unlikely that they will play together again, especially now that each member has gone on to different projects. However, fans still hope to one day see a reunion show.
Discography
Growing Up (1996) Fat Wreck Chords
Angry Fist (1997) Fat Wreck Chords
Making the Road (1999) Fat Wreck Chords
Love Is a Battlefield (EP) (2001) Fat Wreck Chords
Last of Sunny Day (2000) Japan.
The full-length Last of Sunny Day contains songs from their prior releases and original songs. The band have an additional single "The Kids are Alright" available only in Japan
Hi-Standard perform punk covers of American songs "California Dreamin'", "Green Acres", Have you ever seen the rain?" and "Fools Rush In"
California Dreamin'
Hi-Standard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
i've been for a walk (i've been for a walk)
on a winter's day (on a winter's day)
i'd be safe and warm (i'd be safe and warm)
if i was in l.a. (if i was in l.a.)
california dreaming (california dreaming)
on such a winter's day...
stopped into a church i passed along the way
well, i got down on my knees (got down on my knees)
and i pretend'd to pray (i pretend'd to pray)
you know the preacher likes the cold (preacher likes the cold)
he knows i'm gonna stay (knows i'm gonna stay)
california dreaming (california dreaming)
on such a winter's day...
all the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
and the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
i've been for a walk (i've been for a walk)
on a winter's day (on a winter's day)
if i didn't tell her (if i didn't tell her)
i could leave today (i could leave today)
california dreaming (california dreaming)
on such a winter's day...
california dreaming on such a winter's day...
california dreaming on such a winter's day...
The Hi-STANDARD song "California Dreamin'" is a reimagined version of the iconic 1960s hit by The Mamas & The Papas. While the song portrays a longing for the sunny and warm weather of California in the midst of a bleak winter's day, the lyrics also hint at a sense of homesickness and a desire for escape.
The opening lines "all the leaves are brown and the sky is grey" set the tone for the entire song, as the singer muses on the dreariness of the season. The singer imagines that things would be better if they were in California, where they would be "safe and warm." This line also alludes to the concept of the "California Dream," a popular idea that moving to the West Coast would result in a better life and more opportunities.
The second verse finds the singer in a church, pretending to pray while also reflecting on their situation. They note that the preacher "likes the cold," indicating that they are not the only ones who are struggling in the winter weather. The final verse suggests that the singer is contemplating leaving their current situation by saying "if I didn't tell her, I could leave today." Overall, the song is a bittersweet reflection on the difficulties of life and the appeal of escaping to a better place, both physically and emotionally.
Line by Line Meaning
all the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
The singer is noticing that the leaves are brown during this winter season.
and the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
The singer is observing that the sky is grey, possibly due to the winter weather.
i've been for a walk (i've been for a walk)
The singer has gone for a walk, possibly to take in the scenery of the winter season.
on a winter's day (on a winter's day)
The walk took place on a day during winter.
i'd be safe and warm (i'd be safe and warm)
If the artist were in Los Angeles, they would feel safe and comfortable.
if i was in l.a. (if i was in l.a.)
The singer is imagining being in Los Angeles, where the weather is warmer and they feel safer.
california dreaming (california dreaming)
The singer is longing for California and imagining what it would be like to be there.
on such a winter's day...
The artist is reflecting on how their desire to be in California is particularly strong on this winter day.
stopped into a church i passed along the way
The artist visited a church they came across while on their walk.
well, i got down on my knees (got down on my knees)
The artist knelt down, likely to pray or reflect.
and i pretend'd to pray (i pretend'd to pray)
The singer didn't actually pray, but went through the motions of doing so.
you know the preacher likes the cold (preacher likes the cold)
The preacher likely prefers colder temperatures, which is why they haven't left despite the artist's desire to leave for California.
he knows i'm gonna stay (knows i'm gonna stay)
The preacher likely thinks the singer will come around and realize how good they have it where they are already.
if i didn't tell her (if i didn't tell her)
If the singer doesn't tell their love interest about their desire to leave for California, they could leave without any hesitation.
i could leave today (i could leave today)
The singer is contemplating leaving for California as soon as possible.
california dreaming (california dreaming)
The artist is still fixated on their desire to go to California.
on such a winter's day... (line repeated twice)
The artist is emphasizing how strong their desire to be in California is, despite the cold and dreary winter day.
Contributed by Nathaniel C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@wanahmadfaizbinwanhashim9626
All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey
I've been for a walk on a winters day
I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A.
California dreamin', on such a winters day.
Stepped into a church I passed along the way
Well, I get down on my knees and I pretend to pray.
You know the preacher likes the cold
He knows I'm gonna stay.
California, California dreamin', on such a winters day.
All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey
I've been for a walk on a winters day
I I didn't tell her I could love today
California, California dreamin'
@samonaro65
"Survival of the Fattest" Compilation best album ever, grew up with this in the 90s in Brisbane, Australia! thank you for the upload
@Tekieboy
Had that CD also, I listened to it a lot! I was a teenager too in the 90's
@xk5
I also heard this first on that compilation, one of the best comps of all time.
@scottpike6059
Me too rapid city south dakota usa
@meinereiner8109
Damn that was a great comp
@ashleyglaspell2997
Me too! I was like what is this awesomeness? From West Virginia
@GrimMetropolis
27 years later..this song is a nice flashback into nostalgia
@asmrbynature3057
Im 44 and just recalled this tight version🎉😂
@expertmax32
Thank you Techmoan, good find !
@AgasamFilm
Where you also looking at the Minidisk bundle video ;-)