Juliette and the Licks became a reality when Lewis accompanied Patty Schemel, drummer for Hole, to a Blondie concert and found herself staring at fate. She became instantly inspired by the “live” element of the show and knew it was her calling. Juliette began to reach out to everyone she knew to find musicians to accompany herself and Patty and soon, she found what she was looking for. The Licks became: Juliette Lewis (vocals), Patty Schemel (drums), Todd Morse (guitar) and Paul Ill (bass). “Todd Morse (H20) is not only an amazing songwriter but a perfect punk-rock rhythm guitarist”, says Lewis. “Paul Ill I’ve nicknamed 'Professor Ill' because he can reference anything from Faces to Black Sabbath to The Police.” Juliette and the Licks released their first EP …Like a Bolt of Lightning, in 2004, which was shortly followed by the release of their debut album You're Speaking My Language. The album spawned their most successful single "You're Speaking My Language", and the less successful, disco influenced "Got Love to Kill". The released version of the second single was a remix of the original song, which had a more rock influence.
Morris left the band before sessions for the 2nd album had begun. The Licks then recruited Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl to fill the gap. Grohl then went on to ask the Licks to be a guest act at the Foo Fighters sell out Hyde Park performance on the June 17, 2006, to around 85,000 people (other acts were Angels & Airwaves, Queens of the Stone Age and Motörhead). At the same event, Lewis and Moa Holmsten from Meldrum came on stage for one of Motörhead's songs to do backing vocals.
After their performance at Hyde Park, their second album Four on the Floor, was released in late 2006. "Hot Kiss" which was one of the Licks' most successful singles, was the first release from the album, though the following single, "Sticky Honey", proved less commercially successful.
With the release of their second album, Juliette and the Licks went on tour in late 2006 in America and many parts of Europe. They once opened for Muse, and Chris Cornell.
On July 15, 2007, Juliette and the Licks announced on their MySpace page that Kemble Walters decided that it was time for him to go back to his original career as leader of his own band, The Rise. Juliette and the Licks also announced that they would be continuing their tour as planned with a temporary player until a permanent member could be found. In August 2007, Juliette and the Licks chose guitarist Emilio Cuetoto permanently fill the spot.
On September 27, 2007, the band appeared at MTV Brasil's music awards, the MTV Video Music Brasil, presenting an award and performing as well.
The band appeared at the 2008 MTVAAs on April 26 in Sydney, Australia. They both performed as one of the headlining acts and presented at the show. They were well appreciated and highly regarded at the Awards Show and at their subsequent gigs in Australia.
As of 2008, Todd Morse was no longer with the band. While there was no official statement made from the Juliette and the Licks camp Morse commented via a MySpace blog on May 1, 2008 he would not be touring with the band on their current tour. Morse stated "Just let me say that I love all you J.&T.L. fans and totally appreciate all your continued interest in my music and life. I don't know what the future holds but this what's best for me right now." Craig Fairbaugh has replaced Morse on the Juliette and the Licks tour.
A remix of the band's song "Inside The Cage" can be heard in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV on the Radio Broker station, where Juliette herself is the featured DJ.
They reunited in [reformed]2015[/reformed].
Other band members:
Jason Morris (drums 2004-2006)
American Boy
Juliette and the Licks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For your blue-eyed culture deprived American boy
You got your dicks in a twist and you're raising your fist
But your argument has been bought and paid for
American boy
So flex that corporate muscle with your media circle jerks
ADHD, OCD, social anxiety
It's money baby!
Hey!
You're pushing me
Hey!
I'm pushing you
No rhyme or reason
Watch your television
Hey!
You're pushing me
Hey!
I'm pushing you
No rhyme or reason
Watch your television
Frat boys and military toys
All I see is white noise
With your pussy collection and your simple minds
I never knew tits could sell so many cars
And you fucking debutantes with your skin-flicks
What the fuck's the matter with you?
Gloss up your lips, Show us your tits
All for your fifteen minutes of nothin'
I just gotta laugh at you
The song "American Boy" by Juliette and the Licks is a critique of American culture and society. The lyrics express the idea that the United States is a country of plenty and privilege, particularly for white Americans. The song calls out the hypocrisy and shallowness of American culture, pointing out the ways in which it is dominated by corporate power, media manipulation, and consumerism.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for the critique: "The land of plenty is the land of privilege / For your blue-eyed culture deprived American boy." By using the term "blue-eyed," the song emphasizes the idea that white Americans are the ones who benefit most from the country's wealth and status. The next lines reference the anger and frustration felt by many Americans, but suggests that this anger is misplaced or co-opted by those in power: "You got your dicks in a twist and you're raising your fist / But your argument has been bought and paid for."
The chorus of the song, repeated several times, emphasizes the power of media and consumer culture in shaping American society: "Hey! You're pushing me / Hey! I'm pushing you / No rhyme or reason / Watch your television." The verses critique specific aspects of American culture, such as frat culture, military culture, and the objectification of women's bodies in advertising and film.
Overall, the song "American Boy" is a searing critique of American culture and its emptiness and shallowness. It suggests that American society has been co-opted by corporate power and consumerism, and that this has led to the erosion of real social and political values.
Line by Line Meaning
The land of plenty is the land of privilege
America is a country of abundance and opportunity, but it comes with its own privileges.
For your blue-eyed culture deprived American boy
White Americans have a lot of cultural advantages that they take for granted.
You got your dicks in a twist and you're raising your fist
You’re upset and angry, but you’re not sure why.
But your argument has been bought and paid for
Your opinions and beliefs have been influenced by the people who control the media and the government.
So flex that corporate muscle with your media circle jerks
Use your power to control public opinion through media, even if it means you’re betraying the whole society.
While you sell out humanity
You are willing to sacrifice your values and humanity for a good profit.
ADHD, OCD, social anxiety, It's money baby!
Pharmaceutical corporations invent new conditions and sell drugs to make money from people’s miseries.
Frat boys and military toys
People who like to party and militarism culture are just a noise.
All I see is white noise
All that comes from those people is a repetitive nonsense.
With your pussy collection and your simple minds
You value women only as objects of sexual desire and you’re intellectually lazy.
I never knew tits could sell so many cars
You’re amazed at how easily consumers can be manipulated into buying a product by a simple sensuous appeal.
And you fucking debutantes with your skin-flicks
You disrespect and objectify women by encouraging them to perform in degrading, erotic movies
What the fuck's the matter with you?
Why are you acting so damn ridiculous?
Gloss up your lips, Show us your tits, All for your fifteen minutes of nothin'
Women who show off their nudity and sexuality in media only receive temporary fame but end up with nothing.
I just gotta laugh at you
You’re ridiculous and pitiful, and the only thing Juliette can do is to laugh at your antics.
Lyrics © Fintage House Publishing
Written by: JULIETTE LEWIS, TODD MORSE, III PAUL, PATTY SCHEMEL, KEMBLE WALTERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind