While they began performing live in June 2003, they soon released their 4 Song Sampler, produced by Hidden in Plain View's Rob Freeman, to help spread the word. Due to various national tours with bands such as Hidden in Plain View, The Academy Is... and Hellogoodbye, Houston Calls' fanbase grew steadily, until in spring 2004, Clayton left the band. Through mutual friends, Josh Grigsby was introduced to the band and became their drummer on May 15, 2004. The newly manned five-piece went into the studio with producer Jesse Cannon, to record their Sampler Volume 2 (2004). A few months after its release in August 2004, Houston Calls became the second band to sign with Rushmore Records, a subsidiary record label of Drive-Thru Records, who the band had been friends with ever since their formation.
On August 2, 2005, the band's official debut album, A Collection of Short Stories, was released. Produced by Ed Rose, the CD contained eleven songs, three of which had previously been released on their two samplers.
In November 2006, Kenny Ryan announced he was leaving the band, Houston Calls found a replacement in Jose Lopez in Feburary 2007 who had been filling in for Kenny.
In April 2008, the band entered the studio with producer Mark Weinberg to record their follow up to A Collection of Short Stories, The End of an Error and was released on October 14, 2008, along with the single "Life Won't Wait". The album was made available to stream via AOL on the day of release. The band went on a UK Tour as main support newcomers You Me At Six. Farewell were the openers.
At the end of December 2008, founding member Jarrett Seltzer left after no longer wishing to tour as a musician. Two weeks later, it was announced that Jose Lopez would no longer be in the band due to personal reasons. The band has announced that Dan Diaz of Red Light Green Light will be filling Jose's spot. Jason Jaksetic of The Pilot will be filling in on bass. The tour will go on as planned.
On June 9, 2009, the band officially announced that they are disbanding. They will play their last show on August 29, 2009, at School of Rock in their hometown.
Some of the members brand new band Future of the Party with some of the Paulson members.
A Shot In The Dark
Houston Calls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While finding time to rhyme
Mistakes with what's at stake
No, that's just too contrived
Can I get a little taste of your lips so I feel alive?
Can you offer up the same uncertainty that I define?
Are you up for keeping in touch once a month or twice a year?
This apathy will haunt me over and over and over…
So when will I wake up?
Please pinch me I don't feel a thing
I've got a hand of wish and one of chance
Don't bother, it's enough to get me through it
I close my eyes and roll a set of loaded dice, I'm sure
As convincing as a shot in the dark could be
I'll keep doing what I love with a stab at integrity
I'm adding water to w(h)ine
Pretending I'm not that guy
I'm cracking jokes all the time
to cover up a steady decline
Can I get a little taste of your lips so I feel alive?
Can you offer up the same uncertainty that I define?
Are you up for keeping in touch once a month or twice a year?
Can you handle regret and a lack of will to persevere?
This apathy will haunt me over and over and over…
So when will I wake up?
Please pinch me I don't feel a thing
I've got a hand of wish and one of chance
Don't bother, it's enough to get me through it
I close my eyes and roll a set of loaded dice, I'm sure
As convincing as a shot in the dark could be
I'll keep doing what I love with a stab at integrity
Leaving always gets the best of me when I can't say hello again
It's just another way to remember
It's just another way to forget
So when will I wake up?
Please pinch me I don't feel a thing
I've got a hand of wish and one of chance
Don't bother, it's enough to get me through it
I close my eyes and roll a set of loaded dice, I'm sure
As convincing as a shot in the dark could be
I'll keep doing, doing, doing what I love
The opening verse of Houston Calls's "A Shot In The Dark" deals with the costs of leaving behind relationships, while also pursuing personal passions. The lyrics also expose the tension that exists between these two seemingly contradictory things. The lines "I'm leaving loves behind/While finding time to rhyme" suggest that the singer is not entirely satisfied with his choices - he is leaving behind love and relationships for his art, but rhyming and creating music does not fill the emotional void created by those absences. He acknowledges that he is making a mistake, but it is one that he needs to make, despite the risks.
The chorus of the song then poses a series of questions to a lover that suggest a craving for emotional connection, but also for freedom and independence. These questions highlight the singer's hesitancy and insecurity, his acceptance that he might lose touch with loved ones, and his tendency towards apathy. The line "Can you handle regret and a lack of will to persevere?" suggests the singer knows he is not doing the right thing, but he struggles to force himself to follow a different path.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes more self-aware, acknowledging his own flaws and the ways in which he is lying to himself. He is "adding water to wine," trying to make himself seem less problematic than he actually is by cracking jokes and pretending he is not changing for the worse. In the end, the chorus repeats, reinforcing the idea that the singer is settling for something difficult and uncertain, but he is doing it with integrity, despite being unsure of the outcome.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm leaving loves behind
I'm moving on from past relationships
While finding time to rhyme
I'm making art while I search for new love
Mistakes with what's at stake
I'm willing to risk it all, even if it means making mistakes
No, that's just too contrived
No, I don't want to force anything
Can I get a little taste of your lips so I feel alive?
Can we have a moment of intimacy that makes me feel alive?
Can you offer up the same uncertainty that I define?
Can you also be okay with the unknown, like I am?
Are you up for keeping in touch once a month or twice a year?
Can we maintain a relationship even if we don't see each other often?
Can you handle regret and a lack of will to persevere?
Can you cope with me giving up sometimes and feeling sad about it later?
This apathy will haunt me over and over and over...
I'm worried that my lack of motivation will negatively impact my life
So when will I wake up?
When will I take action?
Please pinch me I don't feel a thing
I'm struggling to feel motivated
I've got a hand of wish and one of chance
I have hopes and dreams, but also acknowledge that things may not work out
Don't bother, it's enough to get me through it
I don't need anyone's approval, I'll figure it out on my own
I close my eyes and roll a set of loaded dice, I'm sure
I take risks, but I'm confident in my ability to handle the consequences
As convincing as a shot in the dark could be
I know it's a long shot, but I'm still trying my best
I'll keep doing what I love with a stab at integrity
I'll keep pursuing my passions while maintaining my values
I'm adding water to w(h)ine
I'm complaining, but not too seriously
Pretending I'm not that guy
I'm trying to appear confident, even though I have my doubts
I'm cracking jokes all the time
I use humor as a defense mechanism
to cover up a steady decline
I'm trying to hide the fact that I'm not doing too well
Leaving always gets the best of me when I can't say hello again
It's hard to say goodbye to people with the knowledge that you may never see them again
It's just another way to remember
Leaving someone leaves behind memories and emotions
It's just another way to forget
Leaving someone may also be a way to move on and forget the pain
I'll keep doing, doing, doing what I love
I'll keep pursuing my passions and striving towards my goals
Contributed by Maria N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.