Their first full-length CD was Scenes One Through Thirteen (2001) which comprised all of the three prior EPs released to that point. In Spring of 2002, the band released another EP entitled Knock Knock Knock, with Steve Bays taking over vocals, and Dante DeCaro adding guitars to the previously synth-heavy sound. That same year, the band entered the studio to record their second full length album, Make Up The Breakdown, for Sub-Pop Records which propelled Hot Hot Heat into greater popularity and provided the band with a strong fan-base. The video for their song "Bandages" off of Make Up the Breakdown even received rotations on channels such as MTV.
In 2005 the band released their second album, Elevator, this time with Sire Records. This was a critical time for the band, because Dante DeCaro (guitar) decided to leave Hot Hot Heat. As one of the innovators of Hot Hot Heat's sound, the band considered breaking up. Wanting to continue the band, Luke Paquin was added as DeCaro's replacement. And although Elevator was recorded with DeCaro, Paquin is featured on the album art.
In 2007, Hot Hot Heat released their third studio album, Happiness Ltd. to eagerly awaiting fans. The band decided to add new elements to their music, including an orchestra. "Vibe" is constantly used by the band to describe everything about the album.
Hot Hot Heat is currently signed with Los Angeles indie label Dangerbird Records, and released their latest album, Future Breeds, in the summer of 2010.
On April 28, 2016, Steve Bays sent an email to fans confirming that the group was disbanding . His message read:
"Dearest friends, fans and supporters (new and old),
It is with much gratitude and respect to all of you that I confirm the end of the band. I didn't want to make a big deal about it, as I can't help but think that an emotional 'final letter' might feel big-headed (and very un-Canadian)! But after reading your descriptive and heartfelt comments, I realize the importance of not leaving any of you (or ourselves, for that matter) hanging any longer, and addressing that this newest, self-titled record is the final collaborative project for Hot Hot Heat.
When people ask me why the band isn't continuing, the thought that comes to mind is that an explosive fire can only burn for so long. Hot Hot Heat felt like harnessing lightning in a bottle. There were four A-type personalities, on and off the stage, all freaking out at the same time - for years! That's what made the personality in the songwriting jump out, and the live-show chemistry so shocking. I wouldn't / couldn't have had it any other way. I love them all, and will never spend that much time that closely with anyone else. I feel like I could write a book on each one of those guys. There was so much (beautiful and crazy) personality and energy in the band... and harnessing and guiding it in the same direction for 17 years is way longer than any of us ever thought we would have. So thank you for letting us do that.
It’s not that there isn’t part of me that wants to keep going, it’s just that I don’t want to continue to the band without the same ferocity and passion. That’s not what HHH was about. It was an all-consuming all-or-nothing thing, and it wouldn’t make sense to keep going at half-speed. The desire to leave our mark on pop music was what fueled us to give up our entire lives. I feel like we made our musical statement, and are ready to move on to new creative endeavors now. Hot Hot Heat changed and molded all of us. I think we squeezed all of the crazy incredible experiences and good times we possibly could’ve out of it. 17 years is a long time, and we’re all ready to continue on with our lives, meanwhile carrying forward with us all the experiences and love that was enabled by our journey as HHH.
Although it's been a gradual crossfade from active to non-active for us, marking it as the end feels realistic at this point. It’s also a good opportunity to acknowledge our appreciation for the love and support and - to be honest - just reeeally good times we've been lucky enough to experience on and off-stage, all over the world, since we formed in a basement in 1999. From freaking people out at house parties in the early days to seeing a larger audience react to the fact that weird music was somehow getting on the radio (and people were actually supporting and encouraging it) -- even just as a fan of music, it seemed too good to be true! I could never relate to the seriousness of the mainstream music of my childhood, which seemed to default to romanticizing depression and struggle. After living through that era of music in the 90’s, it felt way more rebellious and punk rock to not be afraid to have fun and run around and dance and freak out.
We were lucky enough to hang together for years. From living in shitty punk houses where we would jam all night and put on gigs with touring bands, to touring in vans that broke down in the mountains, then barely making it in time to a 15-person house-party gig and sleeping on floors... to eventually jumping between festivals and tours in Europe, Australia, Japan, etc. like it was no big deal... It was a huge trip. And none of it would’ve been possible without the support of so many different people behind the scenes -- I hope you know that YES I am talking to YOU -- and passionate fans who always showed up and weren't afraid to leave the heaviness of the real world behind, so they could throw down and have a good time with us.
I hope that our earlier records live on, as we always tried to not be bound too closely by current trends, hoping to achieve some sense of timelessness. And I feel that this final record is no exception. It is an assimilation of all of our varying, evolving musical mantras that we’ve kept to ourselves, but stuck closely to over the years. It has all the things I would want from a HHH record. It’s been a long time coming, and I’m genuinely excited to put it out!
What started as a late-night basement experiment after Paul traded a cheap guitar for a cheap synth from his dad's bandmate, Hot Hot Heat became the most important creative endeavor of our lives. Apologies for the melodrama, but looking back, man… it's true. It was so big for us all. It was all-consuming. All day, all night. We really took our work home with us and it was so cool having support from so many people encouraging us to just keep on truckin. I’m proud of every song we ever released – they all meant something sincere to me. The Hot Hot Heat family has always been the most loyal and supportive group of people, and I never would’ve imagined in a million years that we’d gain the love that we did. I can’t believe you gave your all for so long; I’m eternally grateful.
From the nerves before going on, to the euphoria of feeling completely out-of-body onstage, to the high I felt after every show that seemed to last for weeks, I will miss being in Hot Hot Heat. I’m proud of what we did. I’m proud of the people we connected with. Together, we managed to push pop music in a different direction.
Thank you for that.
- Steve Bays
Get In or Get Out
Hot Hot Heat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Passed out in May, but then woke up June hanging over July.
Security! Security! Beware: the cost of living is a one way fare.
I'm pulling the alarm, so get in or get out.
His polyester sticks out in the crowd.
It's true, there is such a thing as too loud -but I won't let him know.
White lipstick smeared upon my bathroom mirror.
He stuck me with the bill -but I don't care.
Make up your mind and get in or get out!
Say what you will, but get in or get out!
We never thought that he would leave this town.
We always that he would hang around getting old with the rest.
Jean jackets folded on his closet shelf.
The weather begs for leather coats... Ah well.
The lyrics to Hot Hot Heat's song "Get In or Get Out" paint a vivid picture of someone who is stuck in their own head and struggling with the cost of living. The song begins with the realization that the person never thought they would leave so soon, highlighting the jarring nature of the situation. The line "passed out in May, but then woke up June hanging over July" implies a blur of time passing without clarity, perhaps suggesting drug use or depression. The repeated call for security highlights the fear and anxiety that comes with financial instability.
The chorus, "I'm pulling the alarm, so get in or get out" could be interpreted as a call to action, a demand to make a decision and either commit to life or give up. The mention of polyester and too-loud clothing suggests a discomfort with fitting in and being seen as fashionable. The white lipstick smeared on the bathroom mirror suggests that there is a struggle with self-expression and identity. The line "he stuck me with the bill - but I don't care" speaks to the resilience and independence of the singer, even in the face of difficulty.
The song closes with reflection on the person who has left, and the idea that they had always been expected to remain, growing old with the rest. The mention of Jean jackets and leather coats suggests a longing for things that are no longer possible or out of reach. Overall, the song explores themes of identity, financial struggle, and change.
Line by Line Meaning
He never thought that he would leave so soon.
He didn't expect to depart from the place he's familiar with any sooner than he did.
Passed out in May, but then woke up June hanging over July.
He was unconscious during May, but recovered in June, but still felt the impact of his actions in July.
Security! Security! Beware: the cost of living is a one way fare.
Be wary of the expenses of life that only go one way - up - and watch out for your security.
I'm pulling the alarm, so get in or get out.
I'm warning you of the approaching danger, decide whether to come along and be safe or stay and face the consequences.
His polyester sticks out in the crowd.
His synthetic fabric is easily noticeable among many.
It's true, there is such a thing as too loud -but I won't let him know.
Being excessively loud is a reality, but I don't want to let him know that he's being too loud.
White lipstick smeared upon my bathroom mirror.
A white lipstick left marks on the bathroom mirror.
He stuck me with the bill -but I don't care.
He made me pay for something I didn't want to, but I don't mind.
Ugly or pretty, it's still my city.
Regardless of how it looks, this city still belongs to me.
Make up your mind and get in or get out!
You need to decide and choose whether to come with me or stay behind.
Say what you will, but get in or get out!
You can voice out your opinion, but in the end, you have to decide whether to come with me or not.
We never thought that he would leave this town.
We never imagined that he would depart from this place.
We always that he would hang around getting old with the rest.
We always expected him to stay and age with everyone else.
Jean jackets folded on his closet shelf.
His jean jackets were neatly kept in his closet.
The weather begs for leather coats... Ah well.
The climate calls for leather coats, but oh well, not everyone has them.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Zigiwy
@Lyle Waters. II agree it's the best off the album. It's not top 100 of all time, however, when I listen to the organ/guitar interplay solo I'm temtped to shout TOP TEN!!
mjl
nostalgia. I think this came out when I was 18 and first exploring nightclubs and stuff. sigh.
DEdekpuMP puMP
me and frends people sarawak are verry t know hindi rocker.......thanks for engglish
Hughesy Plays
I need some help,this was on my kerrang free cd years ago,what song followed it or was before it, funky tune forgot the band name
tmcowing
+Hughesy World Predictions Hey man, if it's the CD I have then the previous tune is 'adema - nutshell' and next tune is 'him - the heart of darkness'
Hughesy Plays
Dunno it was a kerrang one...help!
ThwompKid
Was it the MOJO "Green Vinyl" punk CD?
John Sonnier
+Christopher Hughesy either mars volta or cult of luna