Formed in 2001 by Andrea Kerr and Jared Hawkes the London duo caught the attention of renowned producer John Fryer (Depeche Mode, Cocteau Twins, Nine Inch Nails, and many more) who produced their debut EP ‘White Like Snow’ which was released in August 2004 on Johns label 'Something to Listen To'.
The band received high praise for the EP and played several UK shows including support for Psychic TV and Whitehouse in London, but increasing pressure surrounding the name forced the band to withdraw from the public eye and in March 2005 LWED performed their last gig - the ground-breaking gallery event, Parliament Of Monsters; a multi-media exhibition of live performance, alongside photography, film and sculpture, inspired by their music.
Keen to move beyond the controversy surrounding the name, the band returned on Halloween 2005 as Colt, to release their debut album 'These Things Can't Hurt You Now, So Throw Them in The Fire' on John Fryers label 'Something to Listen to' to critical acclaim from the independent worldwide press.
In 2008, after changes in the live line-up and the dissolution of 'Something to Listen to', Colt released the EP ‘You hold on to what's not real’ featuring four tracks, and remixes by artists including Arlen Figgis and William Bennett, on their own label 'obvious records' along with the video for 'Black Rabbits'. They also re-released 'These things can't hurt you now, so throw them in the fire' with bonus tracks 'Arm' and 'Lullaby Remix' by Arlen Figgis featuring Mike Figgis on Trumpet, from the LWED EP 'White Like Snow', and the previously unreleased 'Gag Reflex'.
In 2016 Andrea contributed lyrics and vocals to the track 'She Stands on a Storm' by John Fryer for his project 'Black Needle Noise'.
In 2019 the band released a series of six original Ep’s, ‘Superhero’, ‘Polaroid’, ‘Harm’, ‘Everything You Hide’, ‘More Than This’, and ‘These Pieces That You’ve Saved’. Remastered and available online for the first time, it was these stripped-back and more electronic tracks originally distributed as limited edition CD-Rs sold directly to fans at live shows that caught the attention of John Fryer.
Living With Eating Disorders are currently working on follow up tracks to The Snake and Carcass to be released this year.
Menace
Living With Eating Disorders Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you stamp from
The inside
And you burn like
Shivering coals
In my mind
But when you speak
Grassy and cool
And when you speak
Vanilla ice cream
Icy and pure
Like a car crash
You're exciting
Dangerous to touch
Electricity
Sits inside you
Waiting to fuse.
The song "Menace" by Living With Eating Disorders is a contemplative piece about a person who exudes a sense of danger and excitement. The opening line compares this person to "McCaig's horse," which is a famous sculpture by artist Andy Scott that stands in Falkirk, Scotland. This sculpture is said to represent the power and majesty of horses, but the line suggests that the person being described is similarly awe-inspiring. However, this individual is also compared to "shivering coals" in the singer's mind, which suggests a level of anxiety or unease.
The second verse describes a dichotomy in the person's personality. When they speak, they are compared to "sticky dew" and "grass," which are natural and earthy images. However, they are also likened to "vanilla ice cream," which is smooth and cold. This contrast suggests that the person is both soothing and unsettling, adding to their overall menace.
In the final verse, the person is described as being like a "car crash" - thrilling to witness but also dangerous. The singer notes that there is "electricity" inside this person, hinting at a wild and unpredictable energy that is waiting to be unleashed.
Overall, "Menace" is a complex and evocative portrayal of a person who exudes a mix of awe, anxiety, and danger.
Line by Line Meaning
Like McCaig's horse
You are like the horse that belonged to the poet McCaig, a symbol of strength and endurance.
But you stamp from
However, you have a habit of stomping and making an impact wherever you go.
The inside
This behavior is not just physical, but comes from within.
And you burn like
Your presence is intense and passionate, like the heat of burning embers.
Shivering coals
Your passion can also have a chilling effect, like the shivers one feels in a cold winter.
In my mind
Your memory lingers in my thoughts and has an impact on my emotions.
But when you speak
However, when you talk, you have a soothing effect on me.
It's sticky dew
Your voice is like dew drops that cling onto the grass, soft, refreshing and cool.
Grassy and cool
You have a calming effect, like being surrounded by grass on a cool day.
And when you speak
Your words have a purity and simplicity that is comforting to me.
Vanilla ice cream
You are like vanilla ice cream, a simple and classic flavor that is universally loved.
Icy and pure
Your essence is clear and unadulterated, like a chilly winter night's sky.
Like a car crash
You have a thrilling and high-octane persona, like the spectacle of a car crash.
You're exciting
Your presence stirs up my senses and awakens my spirit, making me feel alive and exhilarated.
Dangerous to touch
However, you are also unpredictable and can be risky, like a wild animal that is dangerous to get too close to.
Electricity
You have an energy that is both powerful and dynamic.
Sits inside you
This energy is dormant within you, waiting to be unleashed.
Waiting to fuse
It is only a matter of time before that energy is unleashed and causes an explosive reaction.
Contributed by Kaitlyn T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.