Lovedrug drew nationwide attention with two independent EPs in 2003 and 2004, followed by the highly acclaimed debut full-length Pretend You’re Alive in July 2004 on indie The Militia Group (Sony). The fastest selling debut in label history, Militia upstreamed the band to parent label Columbia Records for a planned rerelease in March 2005 around the radio single “Spiders”. Though unrelated corporate purging at Columbia left many plans stillborn, Lovedrug toured heavily, including dates with The Killers, Robert Plant, Switchfoot, and Coheed & Cambria, and established a sizable American following.
By late 2006, Lovedrug had a new album’s worth of material and, to avoid continued upheaval at Columbia, returned to The Militia Group to release Everything Starts Where It Ends in March of 2007. The album was well received, selling close to 30k albums in several months on the back of Japanese and North American touring, including two headline runs and tours with Sparta and Blue October. Several singles/videos saw traction at radio & MTV, including “Ghost By Your Side” and “Happy Apple Poison”, but a lack of significant label support failed to capitalize, leaving the band frustrated and burned out.
After a brief interlude, founder Shepard reformed the group and proceeded to write what would become Lovedrug’s 3rd album as a bit of catharsis, working with iconic producer Michael Beinhorn (Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mew) to exorcise several years of demons in an aggressive homage to grunge. Though the 2008 release of The Sucker Punch Show coincided with the collapse of the Militia Group in North America, the album was especially well received upon it’s 2009 release in Europe, landing at #6 on the coveted Visions summer chart, garnering broad radio play for the single “Only One”, and seeing the band play shows and festivals with Kings of Leon, Nine Inch Nails, Silversun Pickups, and Eagles of Death Metal.
Following the European summer tour, a fully revitalized Lovedrug took the rest of 2009 to explore and define what would come next. The band self-released EP- PART I in April, the first in a series of three such indie EPs planned for 2010, while continuing to write, tinker, and prepare for the HiFi album to come. Lovedrug will play a number of dates this spring, including a headlining tour June/July, Bamboozle, and others.
Band Members:
Michael Shepard - Vocals, Guitar, Piano
Jeremy Michael Gifford - Guitar, Synthesizer, Piano
Thomas Bragg - Bass
James Childress - Drums
Radiology
Lovedrug Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the chemicals I need to make it grow,
Later on, the glowing teeth,
Lessons learned in radiology
Choking on the tales of joy and bliss,
Broken sails, we should bale, but let's kiss,
I'll embrace the brewing thunder and let it take me under
I believe in the search of the fawn,
The forest creatures wild, but so am I,
The bloody noses, the broken arms,
Lessons learned well in mythology
Amaurosis, I belong in an asylum,
Abused yet confused what you like,
Tar angels await as I learn to hate,
This perfect world of my life
The lyrics of Lovedrug's song "Radiology" are enigmatic and poetic, making it open to interpretation. This song appears to be about a longing for escape from a monotonous reality and an obsession with exploring the unknown. The first stanza talks about "chemicals" required to "make it grow" presumably referring to the singer's home or personal life. The next line, "glowing teeth," could be interpreted as referencing a medical condition or a metaphorical phrase for the quest for enlightenment. "Lessons learned in radiology" in this context refers to the scans and X-rays done in hospitals where it lays bare the hidden underlying conditions. The singer is drawn towards the unknown and is willing to explore any limits to find what he desires.
In the second stanza, the idea of being trapped in a space is presented when they refer to "choking on the tales of joy and bliss." The lines, "Broken sails, we should bale, but let's kiss," indicates a hesitant desire to leave behind the familiar but do not take action out of fear. The final sentence of the stanza, "I'll embrace the brewing thunder and let it take me under" is a more willing acceptance of the journey into the unknown. The singer is willing to let it consume them entirely.
The third stanza seems to take inspiration from mythology, where the singer is looking to venture into the wild or perhaps a spiritual awakening. "Amaurosis" refers to a condition where an individual's vision loss occurs due to nerve damage, making the singer question their sanity. They wish to explore this feeling further and push themselves to the limits. "Tar angels await as I learn to hate, this perfect world of my life" refers to a feeling of animosity towards a perfect existence, and how the singer cannot be happy in such a space but rather needs things to be more unpredictable and chaotic.
Line by Line Meaning
I believe in my garden home,
I have faith in the idea of finding a peaceful and nurturing environment, and I am willing to use chemical substances to cultivate it.
And the chemicals I need to make it grow,
I am aware that some plants require certain supplements or fertilizers in order to thrive.
Later on, the glowing teeth,
I anticipate the potential side-effects of my reliance on chemicals, such as discolored teeth or other health issues.
Lessons learned in radiology
Through scientific study and experimentation with radiation, I have come to understand the effects of various elements and chemicals on organisms.
Choking on the tales of joy and bliss,
I am suffocating under the weight of other people's stories of happiness and pleasure.
Broken sails, we should bale, but let's kiss,
Our hopes and dreams have been shattered, and we should abandon them, but let's pause to share a moment of intimacy.
I'll embrace the brewing thunder and let it take me under
I will surrender myself to the chaos and uncertainty of life, and let it consume me.
I believe in the search of the fawn,
I find value in seeking out innocence and purity.
The forest creatures wild, but so am I,
I identify with the untamed and unpredictable nature of the natural world.
The bloody noses, the broken arms,
I have experienced physical pain and injury.
Lessons learned well in mythology
I have gained knowledge and insight into human experience through the study of traditional tales and legends.
Amaurosis, I belong in an asylum,
I am blinded by my own misguided beliefs and actions, and I feel like I am losing my grip on reality.
Abused yet confused what you like,
I have been mistreated and taken advantage of, but I am uncertain about what I really desire or need.
Tar angels await as I learn to hate,
I am becoming more bitter and resentful towards the world around me, and I fear the consequences of my negative emotions.
This perfect world of my life
I have created an idealized vision of the world around me, which is in conflict with the reality I experience.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL L. SHEPARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind