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 Joeyās 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.
Rifle
Lagwagon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You hypocrite
We're not true enough to be part,
But I speak of what I have learned
I haven't a flag to be burned
Born wrong
Descend upon us, you're only honest,
Or just a preacher to those,
Who want to hate everything you told them to see
Everything you told them to hear,
We simply ask them to listen
And express what we feel
Born right
Rifle me
Playing on their sympathy
You're the one waving the flag
You're the one starting the war,
We're not compromising or trying to conquer
The lyrics of Lagwagon's song "Rifle" talks about an internal conflict within a group of people who share common beliefs but have different ways of expressing them. The singer of the song is frustrated with those who were hypocrites, pointing out the flaws of the singer's beliefs but failing to see their own. The first line, "I'm not the one who is pointing the finger, you hypocrite," shows the singer's frustration with those who criticize but fail to acknowledge their own faults.
The song continues to highlight the conflict within the group, how they are not true enough to be part of it. The singer speaks about what they have learned and expresses their frustration, stating they do not have a flag to be burned. The phrase "burning the flag" refers to showing disrespect or protest, but in this context, it could also mean that the singer does not have one specific cause to support fully.
The following lines describe how the group is divided into those who call themselves honest and artists and those who are just following their teachings blindly. The singer believes that they are simply asking people to listen and express what they feel, suggesting that they are not trying to influence but instead share their thoughts. The singer describes themselves as "born right" and challenges others to "rifle me," which means that they are not afraid of criticism and are willing to stand up for their beliefs.
Overall, the song "Rifle" critiques the hypocrisy within groups that share common beliefs but have different ways of expressing them, inspiring listeners to stand up for their beliefs and not to be afraid of criticism.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not the one who is pointing the finger,
I am not blaming anyone else for the situation or problem.
You hypocrite
You are being inconsistent with your beliefs or actions.
We're not true enough to be part,
We don't meet the standard or criteria for being included or accepted.
But I speak of what I have learned
I am sharing the knowledge or understanding that I have acquired.
I haven't a flag to be burned
I don't have a symbol or representation that can be destroyed or criticized.
Born wrong
I was born with some inherent mistake or flaw.
Descend upon us, you're only honest,
You come to us with the truth, but that's all you have to offer.
But are you an artist
Are you someone who creates or expresses themselves in a creative manner?
Or just a preacher to those,
Or are you simply someone who tells people what to think or believe?
Who want to hate everything you told them to see
Who are inclined to reject or oppose anything you present to them.
Everything you told them to hear,
Everything you have said or conveyed to them.
We simply ask them to listen
We just want them to pay attention and consider what we have to say.
And express what we feel
And communicate our emotions or thoughts about the matter.
Born right
I was born with some inherent virtue or goodness.
Rifle me
Shoot me with your words or actions.
Playing on their sympathy
Trying to manipulate or take advantage of their compassion or empathy.
You're the one waving the flag
You are the one promoting or pushing a particular idea or agenda.
You're the one starting the war,
You are the one initiating conflict or discord.
We're not compromising or trying to conquer
We are not giving in or attempting to overpower anyone.
Lyrics Ā© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@milkjake15
A LITTLE TLC!
A LITTLE TLC!
A LITTLE TLC FOR ME!
@Misfit5395
Been a fan of lagwagon for years, yet only just discovered this song. What a masterpiece!
@reereelization
I fucking love you Lagwagon. Thank you for keeping me human.
@poopydoody7618
You are welcome
@sarahumphrey9614
best band ever
@Black25284
This bass line š¤¤š¤¤ 1:47
@spaceballs2462
Got my ticket for the Australian tour bring it!
@galleryofrogues
Love this! Kinda reminds me of The Death of John Smith by NOFX
@spaceballs2462
Great song, rappin Rohan
@tillniederhammer3488
youĀ“re the one raising the flag, youĀ“re the one starting the war...