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
The Knell
Lovedrug Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on now babe let's seal it with a kiss.
And I'd only avenge you if no one does harm.
No one here can lay on your memory bed
Where you kissed your mother -your father on the head
no one understands you and
but I've got to try
oh someone's got to try
[Chorus:]
C'mon play that 45 and dance like sin
I'll lock up the doors honey no one'll come in
You're beautiful alone but with so much to give to world
So why not let 'em in?
(mhmmm)
Shaking all these branches for love to fall
it's hard when you're looking down and see it all
the leaves are all ending and nothing's there
Laying on the highest limb pulling down stars
calling your name I've traveled so far
No one understands you here but I've got to try
[Repeat Chorus 2x]
C'mon play that 45 and dance like sin
I'll lock up the doors honey
No one'll come in
You're beautiful alone but with so much to give to the world...
The song "The Knell" by Lovedrug speaks of a person's desire to help someone who is suffering from pain and loneliness. The first verse seems to allude to the emotion of the singer, who at times mistakes the pain he feels for achance for happiness. The second line offers a suggestion, as if to say, "let's ignore this and pretend that we're happy." The third line indicates the singer's desire to protect the person he wants to help. He mentions that he would only act if no one else would.
In the next verse, the singer describes the loneliness of the person he wants to help. The memories of the person's family may haunt him or her. The singer acknowledges that no one around him understands the pain this person is going through, but he feels the need to try and help, even though it may not change the situation much. The chorus repeats twice and gives an upbeat tone to the song. The singer encourages the person to dance, to keep the energy going, to keep the sourness of their lives away for a while. The singer then emphasizes how much this person has to offer to the world, and asks them to let others in.
The song's optimistic tone is a result of the singer's determination to help the person despite the odds of not succeeding. Despite the struggles, the singer feels the need to try and lift the person from their problems. The song offers encouragement to those who have experienced heartache or dark times.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I mistake my heartache for bliss.
At times, I confuse my emotional pain with happiness.
Come on now babe let's seal it with a kiss.
Let's seal our relationship with a kiss.
And I'd only avenge you if no one does harm.
I only seek revenge for you if no one hurts you.
No one here can lay on your memory bed
No one can share your memories with you.
Where you kissed your mother -your father on the head
Where you showed affection to your parents.
no one understands you and
No one comprehends you.
but I've got to try
Yet, I have to make an effort to understand you.
oh someone's got to try
It's imperative that someone understands you.
C'mon play that 45 and dance like sin
Let's dance to the music on the record player.
I'll lock up the doors honey no one'll come in
I'll keep the doors locked to keep us alone.
You're beautiful alone but with so much to give to world
You are attractive even when alone, and you have a lot to offer to society.
So why not let 'em in?
Why not allow others in to enjoy what you have to offer?
Shaking all these branches for love to fall
I'm trying to find true love everywhere.
it's hard when you're looking down and see it all
It's difficult to see everything clearly when you're overwhelmed.
the leaves are all ending and nothing's there
All that is left is nothingness.
Laying on the highest limb pulling down stars
Reaching for the impossible, the highest aspirations.
calling your name I've traveled so far
I've come a long way calling your name.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind