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.
When the Hammer Came Down
House of Freaks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My head hangin down
I was runnin through the woods
Like a rabbit being chased by the hounds.
On the side of the road
Lies a jawbone cracked
Some poor dead beast out in the sun
Oh yeah. All right
Well, I was almost home
When the hammer came down
The more I know
And the more I see
I would have never known
When the hammer came down
Daddy had a hammer
It could shine like gold
Man, it sounded like thunder
He could really make the thunder roll
Raise em up, higher, higher
Bringing it down
But you never knew the difference
Never knew when the sun went down
Oh yeah. All right
Well, I was almost home
When the hammer came down
The more I know
And the more I see
I would have never known
When the hammer came down
68 Hammers ringing
Ringing a line
Takes so long
And I'm so so far behind
Wake up , please wake up
And tell me there's time
I made it to the river
But couldn't get across
And rising up in front of me
A crown of glory shattered and lost
Put away my sorrows
And put away my pain
And I'm never ever looking back
'Cause nothings ever going to be the same
I was almost home, almost home when the hammer came down
The lyrics of "When the Hammer Came Down" by House of Freaks deals with themes of escape, loss, and acceptance. The song begins with the singer running through the woods in fear. The use of the metaphor of a rabbit being chased by hounds is fitting as it reflects the sense of vulnerability the singer feels. The image of the jawbone of a dead beast on the side of the road is a powerful symbol of death and decay, as well as the sense of the singer's own mortality. The lines "Oh yeah. All right/Well, I was almost home/When the hammer came down" provide a sense of foreboding, as if the singer senses something terrible is about to happen.
The second verse provides more detail about the "hammer" that the song refers to. It was the singer's father's "hammer," which "could shine like gold" and "sounded like thunder." The father's power and control over the "hammer" is reflected in the line "Raise em up, higher, higher/Bringing it down." The father's use of the "hammer" is unclear, but it is clear that it had an emotional impact on the singer. The lines "But you never knew the difference/Never knew when the sun went down" suggest the singer's sense of confusion and disorientation in relation to the father's behavior with the "hammer."
The final verse sees the singer facing a river that they cannot cross, and a "crown of glory shattered and lost." This imagery could be interpreted as the singer's realization that they will never be able to go back to the way things were, and that they must accept the loss they have experienced. The song ends with the lines "Put away my sorrows/And put away my pain/And I'm never ever looking back/'Cause nothing's ever going to be the same," which suggests a stoic acceptance of the irreversible changes that life can bring.
Line by Line Meaning
My eyes are wide open
I am fully aware of my surroundings and situation
My head hangin down
I feel defeated and powerless
I was runnin through the woods
I was trying to escape
Like a rabbit being chased by the hounds.
I was being pursued relentlessly
On the side of the road
I saw something unexpected
Lies a jawbone cracked
I saw the remains of a creature
Some poor dead beast out in the sun
It was dead and exposed to the elements
Rottin in the sun
It was decaying in the heat
Oh yeah. All right
Expression of agreement and affirmation
Well, I was almost home
I was almost safe
When the hammer came down
When something unexpected happened and everything changed
The more I know
As I gain more knowledge and experience
And the more I see
And as things become clearer
I would have never known
I could never have predicted
Daddy had a hammer
My father had a powerful tool
It could shine like gold
It was impressive and valuable
Man, it sounded like thunder
It made a loud and impressive noise
He could really make the thunder roll
He wielded it with great force
Raise em up, higher, higher
Lift it up as high as possible
Bringing it down
Then bring it down with force
But you never knew the difference
You couldn't tell what was happening
Never knew when the sun went down
You were oblivious to the passing of time
68 Hammers ringing
A large number of hammers are being used
Ringing a line
Creating a sound or pattern
Takes so long
It is a very long process
And I'm so so far behind
I am far behind in my progress or understanding
Wake up , please wake up
I am pleading for help or awareness
And tell me there's time
And assure me that there is still time to accomplish something
I made it to the river
I reached a point of transition or change
But couldn't get across
But I was unable to move forward
And rising up in front of me
Something unexpected arose in my path
A crown of glory shattered and lost
Something valuable was destroyed or taken away from me
Put away my sorrows
I let go of my pain and regrets
And put away my pain
I let go of my suffering and grievances
And I'm never ever looking back
I am moving forward with resolve
'Cause nothings ever going to be the same
Because things will never be like they were before
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRIAN HARVEY, JOHNNY HOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
theroostra
some of Richmond's finest. they put on one of the best live shows ever. miss those guys.
Will Chase
Great song with an unforgettable guitar "hook"...during my freshman fall at VCU, I remember going to see these guys play at Kahootz, just behind GRC...they rocked. Couldn't believe only two guys were making so much great music. From that time on, the HoF's music reminds me those days as a student, and how simple yet wonderful life was then...Mr. Harvey's death really shook me, I guess you could say I realized I'd never return to those days again...
Aaron Carpenter
Saw these guys at the original 930 club in DC sometime in the early 90s. Incredible show. Thanks for posting all these songs.
Scoop
Saw them open for The Smithereens and someone else at the 1982 Expo in Knoxville TN. Changed the way I listened to music. DANG! I can't remember who that other group was. Broke my heart when years later I found out the tragedy that had befallen H. So many years gone by.
marla singer
One of the only great acts to emerge in the late 80s. Saw them open at The Bangles' last L.A gig before their 1st breakup. Harvey's death upset me so much I couldn't listen to his music for years bc it made me too sad.
marla singer
One of the only great acts to emerge in the late 80s. Saw them open at The Bangles' last L.A gig before their 1st breakup. Harvey's death upset me so much I couldn't listen to his music for years bc it made me too sad.
marla singer
One of the only great acts to emerge in the late 80s. Saw them open at The Bangles' last L.A gig before their 1st breakup. Harvey's death upset me so much I couldn't listen to his music for years bc it made me too sad.
veritas1007
This dude suffered the worst death possible
Mogtepyigsoloth
1LoWu, You are the planet's best access to House Of Freaks! Kudos.
MAMA'S CAFE BACI
We saw them in concert they opened for the Bengals I believe it was Lehigh University,we knew then they were something special! A great show!