The band has 11 releases through Fat Wreck Chords: eight studio albums, one EP, one live album and a collection of B-sides, compilation tracks and demos. Lagwagon has never had, nor have they seemed to pursue, strong mainstream success, but they do have a devoted underground following in North America, Europe and Asia. Their moderate success reflected a growing interest in punk rock during the 1990s, along with fellow California bands Rancid, Green Day and The Offspring. Their song 'May 16' was also featured in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2.
The story about the name Lagwagon is that Joey’s mom was often late picking him and his brother up from school. She drove a station wagon, which his brother dubbed the "lagwagon". After signing to Fat Mike's label Fat Wreck Chords, Lagwagon released their debut album for the label, Duh, in 1992. Frontman Joey Cape commented on how the album was made, "Back then, we were inexperienced in the studio. It was less about the recording process and more about rehearsing. We recorded and mixed Duh in 4 days. There's something to be said for a budget. You have to have your shit together before you go into the studio and the end result is a record that better reflects the band's sound at the time." Two years later, Lagwagon released Trashed, their second record on Fat, which turned out to be highly successful, leading to the eventual production of a video for "Island of Shame." During this time, a number of punk bands, such as Green Day, The Offspring and Rancid, had hit the mainstream and Lagwagon turned down offers to join several major labels. Hoss, the third Lagwagon album, was released on November 21, 1995. After the release of that album and an extensive tour in Europe, Australia, and Japan, both guitarist Shawn Dewey and drummer Derrick Plourde would leave the band and be replaced temporarily by Ken Stringfellow (The Posies) on guitar, and permanently by Dave Raun (RKL) on drums. Shawn Dewey, already in the side project band Buck Wild on Lobster Records would go on to release two full-length LPs Beat Me Silly and Full Metal Overdrive and do two European tours with Good Riddance and Ten Foot Pole.
After two more albums, Double Plaidinum and Let's Talk About Feelings, the band went on indefinite hiatus in 2000, due to all members working on side projects. Lagwagon resurfaced in 2002, and released their sixth album Blaze the following year. In 2004, frontman Joey Cape released a split album with No Use for a Name vocalist Tony Sly featuring acoustic versions of songs by both bands. On November 1, 2005, Lagwagon released Resolve, which is a homage to the life of Derrick Plourde, original drummer for Lagwagon and Bad Astronaut.
In 2008, Lagwagon released an EP titled I Think My Older Brother Used to Listen to Lagwagon. Despite earlier reports that the band would begin recording their next full-length studio album by 2009, Lagwagon had gone on hiatus from touring and writing again, due to Cape launching a solo career, releasing Bridge in 2008 and Doesn't Play Well with Others in 2010.
In January 2010, Joey Cape announced during an interview with Canada's Exclaim! magazine[4] that Jesse Buglione had left Lagwagon, having been with the band since its foundation in 1990. However, Cape dismissed rumors of Lagwagon breaking up. While he was not sure if Lagwagon would record a new album or embark on another full-scale tour, he said that he was open to playing shows and possibly recording and releasing new Lagwagon songs sporadically. Jesse Buglione confirmed his departure on Lagwagon's official message board himself, as reported by sputnikmusic.com and punknews.org. Lagwagon toured with No Use for a Name that summer. In an interview with fasterlouder.com.au Joey Cape, revealed former RKL bassist Joe Raposo is Lagwagon's new bassist. In a June 2011 interview with ExploreMusic however, Joey Cape said that things didn't work out with Raposo, and the band is testing a new bassist. After first announcing Patrick Solem as the new bass player in August 2011, the band decided that Raposo would remain in the band permanently.
On September 22, 2011, Fat Wreck announced they would be re-issuing expanded editions of the first 5 albums on CD, vinyl, and digital download. The albums were available both separately and in a box set titled Putting Music In Its Place. The reissues were released November 22, 2011, with a short line-up of concerts in the USA played in December and January, and a European tour following in April 2012. As of October 2012, Lagwagon is headlining a full U.S. tour titled The Fat Tour 2012, with Dead To Me, The Flatliners, and Useless ID as support.
In October 2012, Joey Cape stated that there will be a new Lagwagon album, which will be their first since 2005's Resolve. While details and release dates are not yet known, the band announced on its Twitter feed that songs are being written for a new album. The September 22 Tweet reads, "Writing, writing, writing. New album... It's gonna happen!"
The band recorded their eighth album, Hang, with Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore at The Blasting Room, Ft Collins, CO. The album was released on October 28, 2014, and debuted at #95 on the Billboard 200.
On October 4, 2019, the band released their ninth studio album Railer.
Billy Club
Lagwagon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It places him above them
The feeble incompletes
Billy Club has found his pride
He looks down on their state
The verdict justified
It's self-defense
It's vigilance
Oppose them all
The lesser ones are
The vital threat
He needs them
Billy Club has got his faith
He's followed every lead
Set down in history
Billy Club has found his place
It's comforting and cold
It's here he realized his role
And here it comes
That old defense
He's consequence
But he has chosen
The iron grip
His Billy Club
Desensitized
He's everywhere
He's anyone
He's every
Billy Club has got his strength for this world
Billy Club has got his strength for this world
The song Billy Club by Lagwagon seems to be a reflection on a character who has found strength and pride in his position of power over the weak and vulnerable. The lyrics suggest that this character views himself as a vigilante, protecting against what he sees as less important threats to his existence. He has found comfort and purpose in this role, but at the cost of becoming desensitized to the consequences of his violence. He has chosen to wield his billy club as an extension of his power, and sees it as a necessary tool for survival in the world he perceives.
The lyrics are a commentary on the dangers of using violence to maintain power and the mentality that can justify it. The character described in the song sees himself as a protector, but the language used suggests a disregard for the complexity of social dynamics and the humanity of those he sees as threats. The billy club is a symbol of his willingness to use force, desensitization to its effects, and disconnection from any empathy for his victims.
The song is a warning of the impact of this mindset on individuals and society, and an encouragement to seek alternatives to violence and domination. It underscores the danger of simplistic solutions to complex social problems and the need for empathy and respect for all people.
Line by Line Meaning
Billy Club has got his strength
Billy Club has an advantage in this world
It places him above them
He feels superior to those without his strength
The feeble incompletes
He looks down on those he deems weak
Billy Club has found his pride
His strength has given him confidence
He looks down on their state
He feels superior to those without his strength
The verdict justified
He feels justified in his actions
It's self-defense
He thinks he is defending himself and his position
It's vigilance
He is always watchful for any potential threats
It's nature's call
He believes his strength is a natural advantage
Oppose them all
He sees those without his strength as threats
The lesser ones are
He considers those without his strength to be inferior
The vital threat
He believes those without his strength pose a significant risk
He needs them
He needs someone to feel superior to
Billy Club has got his faith
He has faith in his strength
He's followed every lead
He has sought out every advantage he can find
Set down in history
He believes his strength is something that has been valued throughout history
Billy Club has found his place
He feels he belongs in a position of power
It's comforting and cold
He finds power and authority comforting, even if it is cold and ruthless
It's here he realized his role
He believes his role is to be strong and in control
And here it comes
His strength is about to be put to the test
That old defense
He has used this excuse before
He's consequence
He understands the potential consequences of his actions
But he has chosen
He has made a deliberate choice to use his strength to his advantage
The iron grip
He is in complete control
His Billy Club
His strength is symbolized by his weapon
Desensitized
He has become emotionally numb to the consequences of his actions
He's everywhere
His power and influence can be felt everywhere he goes
He's anyone
He can be anyone he wants to be, as long as he has his strength
He's every
He sees himself as everyman, the one who has the strength to succeed
Billy Club has got his strength for this world
He was born to succeed in this world
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dope
i love that song! just great
Passeio Noturno
brilliant lyrics, chilling
sawyerg13
greatness
DMZ ELECTRÓNICA
Does someone tell me what voice effect the vocalist uses please?
DMZ ELECTRÓNICA
@Bear Oak Project thank you hahaha
Bear Oak Project
its a little late, but its distortion and a bit of squelch
FULOKSB1
witit ass song!!!