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)
Killer
Juliette and the Licks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could tell by your hooded eyes
You got the ladies in waiting
Lighting up like fire flies
I always knew you were a killer
I could tell by your bloody guitar
You like to stab it into everything
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, Mr. Fun
Oh, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang it up
Oh, hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, here she comes
Oh, get, get, get, get, get, get, get it and run
I watch you walk around the lake
Like a cool breeze on the take
Give in to me, give in to me
Red finger nails wrapped around your neck
Innocence locked up like a train wreck
You got your 17 reasons for pleasure seeking
Don't give them to me
Chompin' on pussy like chewing gum
Just another way you eat your young
She's calling for you while you're coming for me
See-see-come for me
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, Mr. Fun
Oh, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang it up
Oh, hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, here she comes
Oh, get, get, get, get, get, get, get it and run
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, Mr. Fun
Oh, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang it up
Oh, hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, here she comes
Oh, get, get, get, get, get, get, get it and run
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, Mr. Fun
(Aha, you're so fun, Mr. Fun)
Oh, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang it up
(I like to watch you work)
Ooh, hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, here she comes
(What's that dripping from your tongue?)
Oh, get, get, get, get, get, get, get it and run
(Truly killer, you're such a killer)
The song "Killer" by Juliette and the Licks seems to be about a dangerous and promiscuous man who has a way with women, embodied in the character of Mr. Fun. The lyrics suggest that the singer is fully aware of Mr. Fun's killer persona evident in his hooded eyes and bloody guitar. She describes him as "chompin' on pussy like chewing gum" and having "17 reasons for pleasure seeking." She warns the women who fall for him, saying, "She's calling for you while you're coming for me."
The chorus repeatedly chants "Ha, ha, ha, Mr. Fun" while also including bang, bang, bang it up, and hee, hee, hee, here she comes, which seems to add to the overall dark and playful atmosphere of the song. The singer urges Mr. Fun to run after his conquests before he is caught.
Overall, "Killer" delves into themes of lust, too much pleasure-seeking, danger, and warning.
Line by Line Meaning
Obviously you were a killer
It is evident that you were a murderer
I could tell by your hooded eyes
I could sense your evil nature from your shady eyes
You got the ladies in waiting
You have women waiting for you around the corner
Lighting up like fire flies
They are showing excitement in anticipation
I always knew you were a killer
I was always sure that you were a cold-blooded murderer
I could tell by your bloody guitar
I could sense the violence in you from seeing your blood-stained guitar
You like to stab it into everything
You have a tendency to poke your guitar into anything you come across
Then pull it out when it gets too hard
But you give up when things get out of control
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, Mr. Fun
(Laughing) you are such a fun person
Oh, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang it up
(Sound of gunshots and explosive energy), let's get this party started
Oh, hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, here she comes
(Laughing), she is about to join us
Oh, get, get, get, get, get, get, get it and run
Get whatever you want and run from the situation
I watch you walk around the lake
I observe you walking around the lake
Like a cool breeze on the take
You are like a fresh, cool breeze, but you take advantage of situations
Give in to me, give in to me
Submit to me, surrender yourself to me
Red finger nails wrapped around your neck
Your red nails are grasping tightly around your neck
Innocence locked up like a train wreck
Your innocence is contained and is in complete disarray
You got your 17 reasons for pleasure seeking
You have a lot of reasons for seeking pleasure
Don't give them to me
But I don't want to know them
Chompin' on pussy like chewing gum
You are devouring women like you are chewing gum
Just another way you eat your young
This is your way of preying on the inexperienced
She's calling for you while you're coming for me
While you are trying to get me, someone else is trying to get you
See-see-come for me
Keep on coming for me, I'll take you down
Ooh, hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, hee, here she comes
(Laughing), she's getting closer
(What's that dripping from your tongue?)
(Questioning) What is that thing drooling from your mouth?
(Truly killer, you're such a killer)
(Acknowledging) You really are a killer, you know?
Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp., Fintage House Publishing
Written by: JULIETTE LEWIS, TODD MORSE, KEMBLE WALTERS, JASON WOMACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind