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)
Inside The Cage
Juliette and the Licks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Moon down on the sun
I lost you sleeping, took off with my fun
You'll find the door on the other side, other side
I'll waste, I'll waste, I'll waste inside the cage
I'll waste, I'll waste, I'll waste inside
Cheap tricks and dirty calls
Watching paint dry is good for the walls, it's good for the walls
Silence is deep, never what you'd think
I'll waste, I'll waste, I'll waste inside the cage
I'll waste, I'll waste, I'll waste inside the cage
I'll waste, I'll waste, I'll waste inside the cage
I'll waste, I'll waste, I'll waste inside
Pressure is building up, pressure and pressure is building up
Pressure is building up, pressure and pressure is building up
Pressure is building up, pressure and pressure is building up
Pressure is building up, pressure and pressure
It was the great escape
Foiled guards left in wait
I changed, I came undone
Inside the cell, I would
I'll waste, I'll waste, I'll waste inside the cage
I'll waste, I'll waste, I'll waste inside the cage
I'll waste, I'll waste, I'll waste inside the cage
I'll waste, I'll waste, I'll waste inside
The lyrics of "Inside the Cage" by Juliette and the Licks tell a story of feeling trapped and stuck in a situation that is draining and unfulfilling. The first stanza refers to a heavy burden and losing something valuable while being stuck in a state of boredom and stagnation. The singer speaks of feeling trapped "inside the cage" and wasting away without any hope of escape. The second stanza speaks of the shallowness of some relationships and how sometimes silence can be more profound than any words spoken.
Throughout the song, there is an intense pressure building up, which may refer to the singer's emotional state or external circumstances. Towards the end of the song, it seems like there was an opportunity to escape and break free, but ultimately it led to more despair.
Overall, the lyrics paint a bleak picture of feeling trapped and isolated, with a strong sense of hopelessness and frustration that is palpable in the tone of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
It was a thousand pound weight
I was weighed down by something heavy and oppressive
Moon down on the sun
A paradoxical image suggesting chaos or confusion
I lost you sleeping, took off with my fun
I lost something important to me while preoccupied with something else
You'll find the door on the other side, other side
The way out is not immediately visible or accessible
I'll waste, I'll waste, I'll waste inside the cage
I am trapped and unable to make productive use of my time or energy
You crawl like tipped wine
You move slowly and unsteadily, like a spilled drink
Cheap tricks and dirty calls
Degrading or unethical behavior
Watching paint dry is good for the walls, it's good for the walls
Boredom and monotony can be comforting and provide stability
Silence is deep, never what you'd think
Silence can be ominous or deceptive
Pressure is building up, pressure and pressure is building up
The situation is becoming increasingly intense or stressful
It was the great escape
I attempted to escape a difficult situation
Foiled guards left in wait
My escape attempt was unsuccessful
I changed, I came undone
My attempt to escape had unexpected consequences or caused a crisis
Inside the cell, I would
Even after failed attempts to escape, I am still trapped
Lyrics © Fintage House Publishing
Written by: JASON WOMACK, JULIETTE LEWIS, KEMBLE WALTERS, TODD MORSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind