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.
Bottle of Red Bottle of Spite
Houston Calls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Counts raindrops until tomorrow
Today sees her crying
While Sting sings about the breath you take
She'll take fighting chances
Run head first into a brick wall
Cause what doesn't kill her makes it all just seem much closer
She needs a crutch, needs a crush
Feel the rush infatuation
She needs a way to feel the same that she once did
He needs a lot less than she seems to be
Too much to handle
He won't say much
Just leaving her in the dark
They should realize their clear demise
But that's hard to say
The tension gets thicker
The wine helps to counteract the pain
Her whine makes him crazy, so crazy he's about to break
To throw out his morals
Would just seem to beg the question
Is this really worth it?
A risk he's sure not willing to take
[Chorus: x2]
So she says, "To spite my face, I'm cutting off my nose for you,
I know you'd do the same thing too.
Revel in what you'll miss out
You played me for a fool this time
Good luck with all your future ties."
So now it's done
Say goodbye to the chance that was once within your reach
Kiss farewell to your loss, to your lack of decency
You'll never know what you missed, what you could have found in me
Insincere is the word to describe you best from me
[Chorus]
The song "A Bottle Of Red A Bottle Of Spite" by Houston Calls is a story about a dysfunctional couple whose relationship is on the verge of collapse. The lyrics describe a woman who is in a state of emotional turmoil, staring out the window and crying, while listening to Sting's "Every Breath You Take," which is a song about obsessive love. She is willing to take fighting chances and run headfirst into a brick wall to feel alive again, even though it might hurt her. She needs a crutch, a crush, and the rush of infatuation to feel the same way she once did.
The chorus of the song highlights the couple's contrasting needs and seems to suggest that they are incompatible. The man needs a lot less than the woman seems to be, and he won't say much, leaving her in the dark. They should realize their clear demise, but that's hard to say. The tension between them gets thicker, but the wine helps to counteract the pain. However, her whine makes him crazy, and he's about to break. He doesn't want to throw out his morals and take a risk that might not be worth it.
In the end, the woman decides to cut off her nose to spite his face, implying that she will do something drastic to hurt him in return for how he played her for a fool. She tells him he'll miss out and played her for a fool, and now it's done. The song concludes by saying goodbye to the chance that was once within reach, kissing farewell to his loss and lack of decency. The word to describe him best from her is insincere.
Line by Line Meaning
She stares out the window
She looks through the window, probably lost in her thoughts as she may be troubled.
Counts raindrops until tomorrow
She is deeply engrossed in contemplating her problems and worrying over them, that it feels like time has slowed down and stalled.
Today sees her crying
Her emotions are overwhelming, and she can't seem to control them, leading to tears.
While Sting sings about the breath you take
The song playing in the background contrasts the turmoil within her. The song is peaceful, while her mind is full of chaos.
She'll take fighting chances
Even though she may be hurting, she still takes the risk and fights for what she wants.
Run headfirst into a brick wall
She is so determined that she charges forward without considering the consequences, even if it may lead to pain and obstacles.
Cause what doesn't kill her makes it all just seem much closer
She sees her hurdles as only stepping stones and is not afraid of them, as she believes they bring her closer to her goals.
She needs a crutch, needs a crush
She needs someone to lean on for support, and someone to have feelings for, to keep her going through tough times.
Feel the rush infatuation
Infatuation helps fuel her emotions, and this adrenaline rush gives her energy and momentum.
She needs a way to feel the same that she once did
She is looking for ways to experience the same feelings she had before, either to relive them or to remind herself of better times.
He needs a lot less than she seems to be
The other person in the relationship does not require as much as she does, be it support, attention, or effort.
Too much to handle
The imbalance of needs and effort has become too much for him to bear, leading him to consider ending the relationship.
He won't say much
He is not willing to confront the issues they have, nor is he willing to communicate his thoughts and feelings with her.
Just leaving her in the dark
He doesn't explain why he is distancing himself, leaving her confused and unsure of where they stand.
They should realize their clear demise
They should both see that their relationship is coming to an end due to their lack of communication and mismatched needs.
But that's hard to say
It may be challenging for them to admit and accept the fact that they are not compatible and should go their separate ways.
The tension gets thicker
The strain in their relationship is increasing, and the atmosphere around them is tense.
The wine helps to counteract the pain
Alcohol is serving as a distraction from the emotional pain and reality of the situation.
Her whine makes him crazy, so crazy he's about to break
Her constant venting and complaints are pushing him to the brink, and it's becoming too much for him to handle.
To throw out his morals
He considers abandoning his principles or beliefs to resolve the issues they have, but he knows that it's not the right choice.
Would just seem to beg the question
Abandoning his morals would only lead to more significant problems and is not a sensible or worthwhile solution.
Is this really worth it?
He is questioning whether the relationship is worth the effort and pain that they are both experiencing.
A risk he's sure not willing to take
He is not willing to risk compromising his values and beliefs for a relationship that may not work out.
So she says, "To spite my face, I'm cutting off my nose for you,
She is willing to go to extremes and hurt herself to spite him and make him feel the pain she is feeling.
I know you'd do the same thing too.
She believes that he would also take an extreme step to get back at her.
Revel in what you'll miss out
She wants him to regret losing her and the good times they shared, and hopes he will feel remorseful.
You played me for a fool this time
She feels like he tricked and manipulated her into thinking the relationship would work and opened herself up to be vulnerable, only to be let down.
Good luck with all your future ties."
She leaves the relationship bitter and wishes him well in his future endeavors, while also hinting that any future relationships he may have would be doomed to fail.
So now it's done
The relationship is officially over.
Say goodbye to the chance that was once within your reach
The opportunity for them to establish a healthy relationship is now gone, and they must come to terms with it.
Kiss farewell to your loss, to your lack of decency
She is blaming him for the relationship failing and saying that it is due to his selfishness and inability to be a decent person.
You'll never know what you missed, what you could have found in me
He will never realize what he had in her, and the potential their relationship could have brought.
Insincere is the word to describe you best from me
She now sees him as insincere and not someone she would trust or believe in anymore.
[Chorus]
Reiterating the need for support and affection throughout the song.
[Chorus: x2]
The chorus repeats, reinforcing the importance of needing someone to rely on emotionally.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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