Michael Borja - Bass & Vocals
Bil… Read Full Bio ↴Rob Benedict - Lead Vocals & Guitar
Michael Borja - Bass & Vocals
Billy Moran - Guitars & Vocals
Stephen Norton - Drums & Vocals
LOUDEN SWAIN
By Nick DeRiso
Fronted by lead singer and actor Rob Benedict, Louden Swain also includes bassist Mike Borja, lead guitarist Billy Moran and drummer Stephen Norton. The band has just released its fourth full-length recording – Eskimo, on their own 3 Car Wreckords label.
This fizzy amalgam of sound ties together a wide array of influences. Benedict and Borja, who formed the band in the late 90s, shared a background of indie/college rock legends like R.E.M., the Pixies, Pavement and the Replacements. The addition of Moran completed the band’s sound, as he and Norton brought in early musical influences from the hard rock/metal world – notably Kiss and Gun ’n Roses. The quartet’s common ground, early on, could be found in classic rock icons like the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and the Who – and that provided additional spices in their melting pot of musical textures.
Louden Swain’s first album with Moran, 2009’s A Brand New Hurt, reflected the earliest flowerings of the band’s current sound, and began to rapidly expand its fanbase. In addition, Benedict’s connections to the acting world – he’s appeared on TV’s “Felicity,” “Alias” and “Supernatural” and films like “Waiting” have also attracted attention for the band. Recently they penned the tune “Help You” which was placed in the Jenna Fischer movie “A Little Help,” in which Benedict co-starred. A 2011 successful tour of Europe through England, Germany and Austria also brought Louden Swain to new audiences.
Louden Swain now aims to build on their already considerable momentum with the forthcoming Eskimo, which features 13 of their most polished songs to date. This time through they enlisted the help of several industry veterens--the album was mixed by Joe McGrath (Ryan Adams, Green Day, B.B. King), Mike Farrell (Morrissey, Macy Gray) guested on keyboards, and the finishing touches on the album were provided by the Grammy winning mastering of Gavin Lurssen.
For more information on Louden Swain, go to http://www.LoudenSwain.com.
Hot Times
Louden Swain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drugs are your friends and your enemies
You're sober
Then its over
Hold close all your vanities
Swallow the obscenities
No room for them
But can you hold it
In the palm of your hand
break it down
and make it understand
Grip it tight
like a marker in the sand
type it up
like you've got a plan
fake the tell
you got the winning hand
hold your ground
like a marker in the sand
Hot trial of the century
a little piece of history
you always lose
when you're on the news
it's your biography
all about you when you're the lead
fall over
then its over
But can you hold it
In the palm of your hand
break it down
and make it understand
Grip it tight
like a marker in the sand
type it up
like you've got a plan
fake the tell
you got the winning hand
hold your ground
like a marker in the sand
Hot times in the 70's
Drugs are your friends and your enemies
You're sober
Then its over
Hold close all your vanities
Swallow the obscenities
No room for them
To make amends
But can you hold it
In the palm of your hand
break it down
and make it understand
Grip it tight
like a marker in the sand
type it up
like you've got a plan
fake the tell
you got the winning hand
hold your grove
like a marker in the sand
Woah
The lyrics of "Hot Times" by Louden Swain speak to the hedonistic and self-destructive tendencies of the 1970s. The first verse addresses the drug culture of the time in which an individual may have moments of sobriety but ultimately succumbs to their vices. The second verse delves into the idea of holding onto one's ego and pride, swallowing obscenities and not allowing room for amends. The chorus repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the need to hold onto one's goals and self-worth despite the challenges of the era.
The lyrics use vivid and poetic language to convey a sense of rebellion and recklessness that characterized the time period. The references to biographies and news stories add a meta-quality to the lyrics, suggesting that the song is not just about the past, but also about the present and the never-ending cycle of fame and notoriety. The final line, "hold your grove like a marker in the sand," implies that one must stand their ground and hold onto their beliefs, even if they feel as temporary as a marker in the sand.
Overall, "Hot Times" offers a glimpse into the cultural and social context of the 1970s while also exploring universal themes of ego, identity, and self-preservation.
Line by Line Meaning
Hot times in the 70's
Reflecting on wild and carefree times during the 70's decade
Drugs are your friends and your enemies
The dangers of substances that can both provide a high and ruin your life
You're sober
Not under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Then its over
Once the high or good times are gone, it's all downhill
Hold close all your vanities
Preserving and cherishing one's ego and pride
Swallow the obscenities
Hiding or internalizing negative and vulgar feelings or words
No room for them
Not allowing those negative feelings or words to take over
To make amends
Making things right or fixing a problem
But can you hold it
Questioning one's ability to handle certain situations or emotions
In the palm of your hand
Being able to control and manage something
Break it down
Analyze and understand something by taking it apart
And make it understand
Being able to explain or comprehend something fully
Grip it tight
Hold onto something with determination and strength
Like a marker in the sand
Leaving a lasting impression or claim on a situation
Type it up
Put something in writing, particularly with a plan in mind
Fake the tell
Appear confident even if you're not entirely sure of the outcome
You got the winning hand
Believing that you are going to come out on top, even if it's not guaranteed
Hold your ground
Stand firm and resist giving up ground or compromising
Hot trial of the century
An important and widely-covered legal case
A little piece of history
Even smaller cases can have historical significance
You always lose
Being in the public eye and the scrutiny that comes with it can be a losing game
When you're on the news
Being a subject of media coverage
It's your biography
Being in the spotlight can shape and define one's life story
All about you when you're the lead
Being the main focus or protagonist of a story or situation
Fall over
Losing or failing in a significant or public way
Then its over
Being defeated can mark the end of a chapter or period in one's life
Hold your grove
Maintain your rhythm or momentum in life, similar to a musical groove
Woah
An exclamation of surprise or excitement
Contributed by Vivian Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.