The band members were Lars Frederiksen (vocals and lead guitar), Gordy (also credited as "Unknown Bastard") (vocals), Big Jay Bastard (bass), Craig Leg (rhythm guitar) and Scott Abels (also credited as "Skatty Punk Rock") (drums). Whilst Craig did not appear on the first album, he has always been a touring member of the band.
Both the untitled debut and the second effort 'Viking' have been produced by Tim Armstrong (Rancid, Operation Ivy, The Transplants).
Campbell CA
Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're meager disciples they gather in light
It's time for the indignant paupers to speak
This town belongs to me
This town belongs to me
The gravel lines highways
The perilous streets were desperate deeds
They find buyers in heaps
This town belongs to me
This town belongs to me
The wind from the ocean it whistles in trees
My mouth stagnated by the cold that it brings
The end of the world is closer than it seems
This town belongs to me.
This town belongs to me.
This town belongs to me.
This town belongs to me.
The song "Campbell CA" by Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards is a passionate ode to a small town in California that the singer claims as his own. The opening lines describe the alleys and their warm light that enshrouds the disciples that gather there in the night. The singer claims that it's time for the indignant paupers (likely a reference to the working class) to speak and claim the town for themselves. The gravel-lined highways and perilous streets are described as places where desperate deeds find buyers in heaps, implying a sense of lawlessness and danger in the town. The singer praises the concrete and chaos that keeps the town running, suggesting that despite its flaws, it's worth protecting and preserving.
As the song progresses, the singer describes the wind from the nearby ocean that whistles in the trees and chills his mouth. He suggests that the end of the world is closer than it seems, which could be interpreted as a plea to cherish and protect what we have before it's too late. But throughout the song, the singer's love for Campbell CA is clear. He repeats the chorus several times, claiming that the town belongs to him and reinforcing his ownership of the place.
Overall, "Campbell CA" is a powerful and emotional tribute to a small California town. It critiques the flaws and dangers within the town while recognizing the value and importance of its concrete and chaos. The song suggests that despite all of its imperfections, the town is worth fighting for and protecting.
Line by Line Meaning
Well the light from the alleys brings warmth to the night
The dim lights from the alleys makes the night seem less cold and unwelcoming
We're meager disciples they gather in light
We are insignificant followers who come together in search of comfort
It's time for the indignant paupers to speak
It's time for the angry poor people to have a say and voice their opinions
This town belongs to me
I have a sense of ownership and belonging to this town
The gravel lines highways
Gravel covers the roads that lead us to our destinations
The perilous streets were desperate deeds
The dangerous streets can drive people to do desperate things
They find buyers in heaps
Those who make a living through crime are plentiful, but their lives are at risk
God bless the concrete and chaos it keeps
May God show favor to the chaos and destruction that exists within the city
The wind from the ocean it whistles in trees
The ocean breeze carries a hauntingly beautiful tune through the trees
My mouth stagnated by the cold that it brings
I am left speechless by the icy coldness of the wind
The end of the world is closer than it seems
The apocalypse may be nearer than we realize
This town belongs to me.
I have a strong sense of possession over this town
This town belongs to me.
I firmly believe that this town is mine to claim
This town belongs to me.
I repeat again that I have a deep connection with this town
This town belongs to me.
My sense of ownership and belonging to this town is unwavering
Contributed by Jayce A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.