Kerbdog were formed in 1991 by Cormac Battle (vocals/guitar), Colin Fennelly (bass guitar) and Darragh Butler (drums) under the repressive regime of the Christian Brothers. Darragh went to St. Kieran's College thus escaping the Christian Brothers. The band members were underage drinkers and self-described lousy students, (despite obtaining 3rd level degrees) devoting their energies to music rather than studies. Their early live shows primarily consisted of cover versions of songs by Sonic Youth, Loop, Spaceman 3 and Fudge Tunnel. Billy Dalton (guitar) joined the band in March 1992.
Initially Cormac was suspicious of Billy's liking for Metallica and Slayer. Though he liked elements of the sound, he feared the genre's tendency toward dragging its knuckles along the ground. Equally Billy regarded Cormac's fascination with the British and New York undergrounds as obnoxious and elitist. What they both recognised in each other was a certain uncompromising determination.
The songs that resulted from the disparate influences of the band's primary members was visceral and cerebral, a large sound that left you "thinking as your mind blew". Realising that they had a potential for success with the band, Cormac, Colin and Darragh dropped out of college and Billy left his job as a truck driver with his family's prosperous Milling company.
After only three gigs at the New Park Inn (since demolished) in Kilkenny, their fanbase grew rapidly within Ireland. By mid-1992 word of the band reached the ears of an A&R man from Los Angeles, who, finding himself in Ireland, decided to hear them play. Before the end of the opening number of the band's act, Cleaver, he found himself winded and crushed against the stage beneath swarms of sweaty teenagers. Battered and bruised, he returned to Los Angeles, wondering whether to sign the band or sue them.
In 1993, Kerbdog recorded their self-titled debut album at the studios of Vertigo Records in London. The album was produced by Jack Endino, who had also worked with artists like Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and Gruntruck. They were also planning a major tour of the British clubs.
1996 saw the band back in the recording studio, although Billy Dalton was kicked out of the band the previous year. This time they were with a different record label - Mercury/Fontana, part of the same organisation (PolyGram) as Vertigo Records. Produced by GGGarth of Rage Against The Machine fame, and recorded in Los Angeles, On The Turn set out to be their best album.
Quote from GGGarth about the making of the On The Turn album. "We did one record with a band named Kerbdog, and we started off with about 25 cabinets and amps. It took about two days just to go through em all, but we got the best sounds that we have ever gotten. We used old Les Pauls, old Strats and Teles, different strings, different pickups." Book - 'Music Producers: Conversations with Today's Top Hit Makers'
They disbanded in 1998 and Cormac and Darragh went on to form another band Wilt. However, after just two albums Wilt also broke up and after much speculation Kerbdog was reformed in 2005. Thus far they have played several gigs in Ireland, (notably sell-out concerts in the Temple Bar Music Centre, Dublin) including a triumphant set at the Oxegen music festival in July 2005. Due to the great changes in their lives they have no plans to record which ultimately means December's 2005 gigs will be their last!
Their fan base remained loyal throughout the bands' short lived span evident in Kerbdog's 'comeback' gigs. Cormac Battle lives in Dublin, Ireland and hosts a Sunday night radio show on Ireland's national 2FM. Colin Fennelly lives outside Dublin and works as a civil engineer in a cement factory. Darragh Butler lives and works in Kilkenny, Ireland where he owns a music store Rollercoaster.
Rewind
Kerbdog Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothing matters saving over empty sacks.
Given time I'm sure a leak will break.
Second time around is here and I won't take.
Dizzier my sides again I find.
Even with a super feeling left behind.
Neither mean exceptions to the blame.
You play the rules that I keep breaking,
Whether you know that I am making.
The times keep me wise.
Give me a rise.
Cheap disguise.
The times keep me wise.
Give me rise.
Cheap disguise.
Digging up a part of me so new.
Couldn't leave a pointer,
Couldn't leave a clue.
Curious the stories I can tell.
Leaving me no option but to run as well.
While you're here I could scream.
It's OK, it's not me.
Empty heads are still awake.
I've tried.
In "Rewind," Kerbdog presents a biting perspective on the music industry and its fickle nature. The lyrics suggest a reluctance to return to the past, accompanied by a sense of disillusionment with the industry's shallow and empty values. The opening lines, "Stop me if you think I'm going back / Nothing matters saving over empty sacks," suggest a fear of backsliding, of returning to a point where progress has been stunted or lost. The lyrics then touch upon the inevitability of failure and the possibility of success, with "Given time I'm sure a leak will break / Second time around is here and I won't take."
Throughout the song, Kerbdog contrasts the pursuit of fame with artistic integrity. The lines "Can't accept a reason for a rise in fame" and "You play the rules that I keep breaking" suggest a refusal to compromise one's artistic vision and a belief that true success comes from staying true to oneself. The refrain "The times keep me wise / Give me a rise / Cheap disguise" further underscores this sentiment, suggesting that there is no shortcut to success and that fame can be a false illusion.
Overall, "Rewind" is a defiant statement against the pressures of conformity and commercialism in the music industry. Kerbdog paints a picture of an artist unwilling to compromise their values and determined to forge their own path, no matter the cost.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop me if you think I'm going back.
I'm determined not to go back to my old ways and if anyone tries to stop me, they'll have a hard time succeeding.
Nothing matters saving over empty sacks.
There's no point in wasting time trying to save something that's already empty and has no value.
Given time I'm sure a leak will break.
If you give me enough time, I'm bound to reveal something that will cause problems or complicate the situation.
Second time around is here and I won't take.
I won't make the same mistake twice, so don't expect me to take the same path again.
Dizzier my sides again I find.
I'm feeling really dizzy and confused once again.
Even with a super feeling left behind.
Despite feeling great before, that feeling has now passed and I'm once again feeling lost and unsure.
Neither mean exceptions to the blame.
Both parties are equally responsible for the situation and can't be blamed more than the other.
Can't accept a reason for a rise in fame.
I don't see any good reason for the fame and recognition someone has received.
You play the rules that I keep breaking,
You follow the rules that I choose to break, even though you know better.
Whether you know that I am making.
Regardless of whether or not you're aware of it, I am intentionally going against the rules.
The times keep me wise.
As time goes on, I'm becoming wiser and more experienced in life.
Give me a rise.
I want to succeed and achieve greatness.
Cheap disguise.
I'm hiding my true self and intentions with a flimsy and unconvincing facade.
Digging up a part of me so new.
I'm discovering a new part of myself that I never knew existed.
Couldn't leave a pointer,
I can't give any clues or hints about this newfound part of myself.
Couldn't leave a clue.
There's nothing I can give you to help figure out what's going on with me.
Curious the stories I can tell.
There are many fascinating tales I could tell you about my life experiences.
Leaving me no option but to run as well.
I have no other choice but to run away too, because staying put will only lead to more trouble.
While you're here I could scream.
I'm feeling so overwhelmed with emotion that I could scream while you're still around to witness it.
It's OK, it's not me.
Don't worry, my outburst isn't directed at you personally, it's just a general expression of my frustration.
Empty heads are still awake.
People with no real substance or depth are still out there living their lives, which is both frustrating and disheartening to witness.
I've tried.
Despite my best efforts, things still aren't working out the way I want them to.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gaetano Curreri, Vasco Rossi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
NiallCul
Great tune, great album, great band.
Evan Maguirety
Classic