House of Freaks was a two-man band formed in Richmond, Virginia in the mid … Read Full Bio ↴House of Freaks was a two-man band formed in Richmond, Virginia in the mid 1980s. Bryan Harvey played guitar and sang, and Johnny Hott played percussion. The band managed to achieve a remarkably full sound, mostly because of Hott's inventive drumming and Harvey's confident vocals and knack of playing bass lines on his guitar (cribbed from his many years as a bass player) while simultaneously playing a melody.

The Freaks' sound was a combination of folk and rock, and drew heavily from the blues and primitive Americana music. Their lyrics focused on race, religion, and life in the South, although Harvey was also adept at writing about more personal topics (the lack of success of independent bands, his sex life) using rich metaphors from these former topics, so that many of their songs could be interpreted in two entirely different ways. Bryan's obsession with southern gothic issues influenced his song writing. These sentiments can be heard in such songs as "White Folk's Blood", "Family Tree" and "Big Houses" from the album "Tantilla".

Harvey and Hott moved to Los Angeles for the release of the band's first album, Monkey on a Chain Gang, which received considerable critical acclaim. However, unsatisfied with life in L.A., they moved back east, where they recorded their subsequent albums and faded from the public spotlight. Fans of the band universally consider Cakewalk and Tantilla to be the Freaks's best work.

On March 13, 1988, House of Freaks performed at the legendary Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco, California with The 77s and The Alarm. Audience members included Neil Young.

After the band's breakup, Harvey and Hott joined a Paisley Underground supergroup called Gutterball, headed by Steve Wynn, formerly of Dream Syndicate and also featuring Stephen McCarthy of The Long Ryders and Bob Rupe of The Silos. The group released two albums, Gutterball (1993) and Weasel (1995). Harvey co-wrote many songs on each.

Hott later joined the band Cracker. Harvey has guested on a number of other artists' albums, including September 67's Lucky Shoe, two albums by Shannon Worrell (formerly of September 67), and Magnet's Shark Bait. Both Harvey and Hott assisted Mark Linkous on the debut Sparklehorse record. Bryan Harvey played in a funk band, NRG Krysys, in Richmond, Virginia with Coby Batty of The Fugs. Johnny Hott has a jazz combo with Stephen McCarthy.

On January 1st, 2006, Bryan Harvey, his wife Kathryn, and their daughters Stella and Ruby were found murdered in the basement of their Richmond home.

40 Years
House of Freaks Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

So this is what you've left us
A cowboy with a smoking gun
A horse and his companion
Riding alone into the setting sun

A million hearts, a million minds
Have lived and died in 40 years
Pray for yourself and for your memories

And be thankful that we've had 40 years

Rounded up in glory
Let the flag never fall
Blowing on the bugle
Out in the desert into these hallowed halls

A million hearts, a million minds
Have lived and died in 40 years
Pray for yourself and for your memories
And be thankful that we've had 40 years

Under the volcano
We scheme and dream all in vain
Two legged creatures
Taking a ride on the midnight train

A million hearts, a million minds
Have lived and died in 40 years
Pray for yourself and for your memories
And be thankful that we've had 40 years

Ringing bells for freedom
We'll be wringing our hands someday
Will anyone remember
All the faces that have passed this way

A million hearts, a million minds
Have lived and died in 40 years
Pray for yourself and for your memories
And be thankful that we've had 40 years

A million hearts, a million minds
Have lived and died in 40 years
Pray for yourself and for your memories
And be thankful that we've had 40 years

A million hearts, a million minds
Have lived and died in 40 years
Pray for yourself and for your memories
And be thankful that we've had 40 years

A million hearts, a million minds
Have lived and died in 40 years
Pray for yourself and for your memories
And be thankful that we've had 40 years

A million hearts

Overall Meaning

, a million minds have lived and died in 40 years. House of Freaks's song "40 Years" touches on some big themes including life, death, memories, and gratitude. This song is a reflection on a life lived, but also a call to acknowledge the impermanence of things.

The first verse sets the scene: "This is what you've left us / A cowboy with a smoking gun / A horse and his companion / Riding alone into the setting sun." The image is a classic one from Western films--the hero rides off into the sunset. The second verse draws attention to the passing of time, and acknowledges the many people who have come and gone in that time. The song then moves to a more patriotic theme in the third and fourth verses, referencing flags, bugles, and a desert. It's almost as if these are the things that have endured while people have come and gone.

The fifth verse brings us back to a more personal level--"Under the volcano / We scheme and dream all in vain / Two-legged creatures / Taking a ride on the midnight train." Here, the themes of impermanence and the fleeting nature of life are once again brought to the forefront. The final verse is a call to remember those who have passed and to be grateful for the time we've had--"Will anyone remember / All the faces that have passed this way...Pray for yourself and for your memories / And be thankful that we've had 40 years."

In summary, "40 Years" is a poignant reflection on life and death, and a meditation on the fleeting nature of time. It's a powerful reminder to be grateful for what we have, and to remember those who have passed before us.

Line by Line Meaning

So this is what you've left us
This is what we are left with after the passing of someone or something.

A cowboy with a smoking gun
An image of someone who fought until the end and left behind remnants of their struggle.

A horse and his companion
A lone figure left standing after the dust settles, signifying the end of something.

Riding alone into the setting sun
Departing from existence but moving towards a brighter future.

A million hearts, a million minds
The countless individuals who have come and gone, each with their own unique story.

Have lived and died in 40 years
The vast amount of experiences and emotions that have occurred in a 40-year span.

Pray for yourself and for your memories
Reflect on your own experiences and appreciate the memories that have been created.

And be thankful that we've had 40 years
A reminder to appreciate the time we have had, despite the loss that may come with it.

Rounded up in glory
A departure that is celebrated and remembered for the good that was accomplished.

Let the flag never fall
A symbol of hope and perseverance that will never fade away.

Blowing on the bugle
A call to attention, to remember and acknowledge the legacy left behind.

Out in the desert into these hallowed halls
The continuation of the individual's journey, now in a sacred space.

Under the volcano
A reference to being under intense pressure and strain, like a volcano about to erupt.

We scheme and dream all in vain
The realization that sometimes our grand plans and dreams do not come to fruition.

Two legged creatures
Another reference to humanity and our mortal existence.

Taking a ride on the midnight train
The journey towards the end of our existence, symbolized by a train ride into the night.

Ringing bells for freedom
A celebration of freedom and the sacrifices that were made to achieve it.

We'll be wringing our hands someday
An acknowledgement that we will all face a moment where we are left to grapple with the reality of our mortality.

Will anyone remember
A plea for our existence to not be forgotten and to be remembered in some way.

All the faces that have passed this way
The countless individuals who have lived their lives and left their mark on the world.

A million hearts, a million minds
The vast and diverse experiences of humanity that have occurred over time.

Have lived and died in 40 years
The multitude of lives and stories that have taken place in a 40-year span.

Pray for yourself and for your memories
A reminder to take time to reflect on the memories that have been created and appreciate them.

And be thankful that we've had 40 years
A call to appreciate the time we have been given, despite the sadness that may come with it.

A million hearts, a million minds
The vast number of individuals who have lived and died over time, each with their own unique story.

Have lived and died in 40 years
The multitude of experiences and stories that have taken place in a 40-year span.

Pray for yourself and for your memories
A reminder to appreciate the memories that have been created and to reflect on one's own experiences.

And be thankful that we've had 40 years
An acknowledgement that despite the loss that may come with it, we should be grateful for the time we have had.

A million hearts, a million minds
The vast number of individuals who have lived and died over time, each with their own unique story.

Have lived and died in 40 years
The multitude of experiences and stories that have taken place in a 40-year span.

Pray for yourself and for your memories
A reminder to appreciate the memories that have been created and to reflect on one's own experiences.

And be thankful that we've had 40 years
An acknowledgement that despite the loss that may come with it, we should be grateful for the time we have had.

A million hearts,
The vast number of individuals who have lived and died over time, each with their own unique story.

Contributed by Alexander A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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