With their own band of Americana rock, the band brings an optimism and integrity only acquired when its been performing so long the only thing left to tell is the truth. Five albums after MMC was founded in Challis, Idaho, in 2002, the band still writes more than 90 percent of its music as it defines the lives of brothers Micky Braun (vocals, acoustic guitar) Gary Braun (vocals, guitars, mandolin, harmonica) childhood friend Mark McCoy (bass), Kris Farrow (guitars, saxophone) and Shane Vannerson (drums, percussion).
Micky and the Motorcars may be self-described as “a little rough around the edges,” but with its rocking sound, MMC shares real thoughts, is full of depth, and has a honest, raw emotion and energy bleeding through Micky’s heart straight out into the crowd. Anyone who has ever loved and lost or loved and drank or loved at all knows exactly where he’s coming from and what he’s talking about in a sincere, piercing way.
It’s also made Micky one of the most sought after songwriting collaborators on the scene, and consequently MMC songs have credits to brother Willy Braun, Randy Rogers, Cody Canada, former Jack Ingram bassist Robert Kearns who now can be seen backing Lynyrd Skynyrd, as well as Kevin, Dustin and Savannah Welch. Throughout its tenure, MMC’s Braun front men have been quoted repeatedly as “just wanting to play good songs.”
For Micky and Gary, whose genetic musical legacy precedes them, playing and singing is damn near the only life they’ve ever known. The boys grew up in the Western mountains, playing music with their family: older brothers (Reckless Kelly’s Willy and Cody Braun) and father (full-time musician, Muzzie Braun). The boys’ paternal grandparents were both were full-time musicians as well, and the boys watched their father play in his own Braun brother band with their uncles Billy and Gary.
For MMC’s Braun brothers, they hope to create their own legacy — of doing what feels good, what sounds right, and hoping it pays off. So far, it has. MMC has come a long way from playing for free and sleeping on random floors and couches to its most recent debut, “Micky and the Motorcars Live at Billy Bob’s Texas” and adding the three-disc (two CDs and one DVD) compilation to its discography.
The compilation features songs from 2002’s “Which Way from Here,” 2004’s “Ain’t in It for the Money,” 2007’s “Careless, and 2008’s “NAÏVE,” takes the audience member center stage to experience Micky’s edgy, boy-next-door crooning and the rocking licks Farrow throws across a driving beat.
Now, travelling nationwide more than 200 days year, the most rewarding thing for MMC is watching the crowds they perform for with the same raw emotion from the live release get bigger as Micky and the Motorcars head on down the road. There’s an excitement, Gary says, never really knowing how everything is going to work out. But the ups and downs of the road somehow make it all worthwhile for the Motorcars, who don’t have any plans of slowing down.
Guts
Micky & The Motorcars Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Even I could see that it was my fault
I didn?t have the guts to leave you
I just thought that it would fall apart
And in time that we would be through
But not this time
No, not this time
It was apparent you were falling in love
All I could see is I wasn?t good enough
And I?ve never been good at breaking hearts
I?ve tried and I just fall apart
And I don?t know what to say or what to do
All I know is I?m trying not to hurt you
I don?t know what the hell could be wrong with me
I just always try to run away
I guess that I could try to be happy
But in time everybody?s gotta pay
But not this time
No, not this time
It was apparent you were falling in love
All I could see is I wasn?t good enough
And I?ve never been good at breaking hearts
I?ve tried and I just fall apart
And I don?t know what to say or what to do
All I know is I?m trying not to hurt you
All I know is I?m trying not to hurt you
All I know is I?m trying not to hurt you
The song "Guts" by Micky & The Motorcars is a heart-wrenching ballad about a man who knows he should leave his partner, but doesn't have the courage to do so. The lyrics reveal his inner conflict - on one hand, he recognizes that the relationship is doomed and that he is not good enough for his partner, but on the other, he can't bring himself to hurt her by leaving. He admits that he is not good at breaking hearts and that every time he tries, he falls apart. The repetition of the line "All I know is I'm trying not to hurt you" throughout the song highlights the singer's desire to do the right thing but also his inability to follow through.
Line by Line Meaning
Even I could see that it was my fault
I can admit that I made a mistake in our relationship.
I didn?t have the guts to leave you
I lacked the courage to end things between us.
I just thought that it would fall apart
I believed that our relationship would naturally come to an end.
And in time that we would be through
I had hope that eventually we would break up.
But not this time
This time, things were different than what I expected.
No, not this time
Our relationship did not end as I had anticipated.
It was apparent you were falling in love
It was obvious that you were developing romantic feelings for me.
All I could see is I wasn?t good enough
I felt inadequate and not deserving of your love.
And I?ve never been good at breaking hearts
I have never been able to end a relationship without hurting someone.
I?ve tried and I just fall apart
Even when I tried, I was not successful in breaking up without pain.
And I don?t know what to say or what to do
I am unsure of how to handle the situation.
All I know is I?m trying not to hurt you
My main goal is to avoid causing you pain.
I don?t know what the hell could be wrong with me
I am confused about why I have such difficulty ending relationships.
I just always try to run away
I tend to avoid confrontations and tough situations.
I guess that I could try to be happy
I could attempt to be content with our relationship.
But in time everybody?s gotta pay
Eventually, the consequences of our actions catch up with us.
All I know is I?m trying not to hurt you
Once again, I am emphasizing that I care about your feelings and do not want to cause you pain.
All I know is I?m trying not to hurt you
As a conclusion, my top priority is avoiding hurting you despite my own conflicts and confusion.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN DAVIES CALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind