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.
The Worst
Lagwagon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When does it end?
Blood and love graces everyone
You only want to touch it once
He didn't give it up
She wasn't long enough
He never had a chance
But there it is
You're finally blessed
And you can't handle it
The worst
What did it say?
All you really need is love
But you're gonna make those fuckers pay
You're gonna hurt someone
That's all there really is
The ones that don't survive
They lied to you a thousand times
And you're starving heart has died
But there it is
You're finally blessed
Failure, failure, failure
A cement frown breaking
Allows a straight line blown away
It fell at thirteen
You're wide awake
Hours blind every winding curve
You start the fall from grace
The worst
You never had a chance
But here it is
You're finally blessed
The lyrics to Lagwagon's The Worst seem to be talking about someone who has been through a lot of hardship and pain in their life, but has now finally found some form of happiness or love. The opening lines of the song ask how it all began and how it will end, and how everyone in life is touched by both love and blood, both good and bad experiences. The lyrics then go on to talk about how this person has had a difficult time finding love and acceptance in their life, and has been hurt and let down by those around them.
The lyrics seem to be highlighting the dichotomy of life and how, even in the moments of greatest joy, we can still harbor feelings of pain and betrayal. The line "You're finally blessed and you can't handle it, the worst" seems to sum up this idea perfectly. The person has finally found happiness but still finds it hard to accept or enjoy it because of all the past hurt they have experienced. The song talks about the "cement frown" breaking on this person's face, allowing them to finally experience some form of happiness, but also acknowledging that this journey has been a difficult one.
Overall, the lyrics seem to be a complex and nuanced exploration of human emotion, portraying the often-complicated nature of finding happiness amidst the turmoil of life.
Line by Line Meaning
How does it start?
Asking about the beginning of a situation or feeling.
When does it end?
Asking about the duration of a situation or feeling.
Blood and love graces everyone
Everyone experiences both passion and hurt in life.
You only want to touch it once
You want to experience something but not get attached to it.
He didn't give it up
Someone did not let go of their obsession, even though it was harmful.
She wasn't long enough
The satisfaction or happiness of an experience was not enough or didn't last long.
They didn't save your falling smile
The people who were supposed to help or care did not support during a difficult time.
He never had a chance
Someone did not have a shot or opportunity to succeed or be happy.
But there it is
The harsh reality or truth of a situation can't be avoided or ignored.
You're finally blessed
Having something good or special has finally come into your life.
And you can't handle it
Feeling overwhelmed, fearful or anxious about the responsibility or change that comes with the positive thing in life.
The worst
Despite the good thing, there are still aspects of life that are unpleasant or painful.
What did it say?
Asking about the message, meaning or significance of something.
All you really need is love
Suggesting that love is the most important thing in life.
But you're gonna make those fuckers pay
Seeking revenge on people who have hurt, betrayed or wronged you.
You're gonna hurt someone
The desire to cause harm or pain to someone else as a form of retaliation or self-defense.
That's all there really is
Life only consists of the positive and negative aspects, the good and the bad times.
The ones that don't survive
Those who cannot endure, persist or overcome challenges or trauma in life.
They lied to you a thousand times
People have betrayed or deceived you repeatedly.
And your starving heart has died
Feeling empty, hopeless, or dead inside due to loss or lack of love and relationships.
Failure, failure, failure
Repeating the word 'failure' to emphasize the repeated disappointments or setbacks experienced in life.
A cement frown breaking
A facial expression of sadness, disappointment or anger becoming visibly evident or breaking down.
Allows a straight line blown away
A situation where something predictable or certain, like a plan or a purpose, is suddenly disrupted or destroyed.
It fell at thirteen
An unlucky or tragic event happened at a specific age or point in time.
You're wide awake
Fully conscious or aware of the reality and pain of life.
Hours blind every winding curve
The passage of time can distort, obscure, or make difficult to navigate the various turns and choices in life.
You start the fall from grace
The beginning of a downward spiral, leading away from a formerly positive or virtuous state.
The worst
Despite the previous positive experiences, the unpleasant or painful aspects of life persist.
You never had a chance
Someone did not have an opportunity or a fortunate outcome in life, leading to a sense of bitterness or regret.
But here it is
Despite the lack of opportunities, a positive or fortunate outcome has finally arrived.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ovidio
on Never Stops
twin towers coming down