Nothing But Thieves’ origins lie in schoolmates Conor, Joe and Dave’s efforts in a variety of bands in their hometown of Southend, Essex. They gained valuable experience on the local live circuit, even if they weren’t going to change the world. Then Dom joined their school in the sixth form and everything went up a notch. A classically trained guitarist from the age of six, Dom brought a musicality and learning to the table which made everyone sit up and take notice. Not that this puts him on a pedestal with his bandmates. They all agree that it’s the mix of his formal training with Joe’s self-taught chops which lies at the heart of the Nothing But Thieves sound.
They released their debut ep, "Graveyard Whistling" on July 18, 2014. The band's single "Itch" picked up Hottest Record and Track Of The Day accolades on Radio 1 and also made it onto the Radio 1 playlist, as well as being added in regular rotation of Sirius XM new hard-rock channel Octane. The same year they signed to RCA Records.
They released their self-titled debut album on October 16, 2015. Frontman Conor Mason said in an interview about the album: Since this record was our first album we especially wanted to make each song stand out in the best way possible. I guess there are tones, lyrics and themes that tie in throughout the album; however, we generally wanted each song to have its own space and world. Overall, I think we achieved the variety we were after and it’s nice that our fans feel the same way too.
They released their sophomore album, called "Broken Machine", on September 8, 2017. The concept for the album came alive soon after the band had written and demoed “Broken Machine,” the 4th track, which became the centerpiece of the album. Lead singer Conor Mason describes it as a metaphor for systems that seem perfect on the surface but cracked underneath, whether that’s mental health, love, religion, or even politics. The singles leading up to the album’s release are “Amsterdam,” released on May 2, 2017, “Sorry” released on August 14, 2017, “Broken Machine” released on August 21, 2017, “I’m Not Made By Design” released on August 26, 2017, and “Particles” released on January 11, 2018.
They released a new ep, titled "What Did You Think When You Made Me This Way?" on October 19, 2018. The lead single of the ep, "Forever & Ever More", was supported by a music video. On October 23, 2020, the band released Moral Panic. Which then followed with a tour in 2021 with Yonaka and Airways.
The band released three singles in 2023, "Welcome to the DCC" on March 15, "Overcome" on May 10 and "Keeping You Around" on June 23, before finally releasing their fourth studio album, "Dead Club City" on June 30, 2023, which peaked number 1 in the U.K Official Album Charts. They then released the single "Oh No :: He Said What?" on January 29, 2024 before dropping the deluxe edition of "Dead Club City" on March 15, 2024, this included the addition of new songs such as "Time :: Fate :: Karma :: God" and "Pure You" as well as the stripped edition of beloved songs from the original album.
Ban All the Music
Nothing But Thieves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's my addiction
It turns me on
It's oh-so quiet at my end of the world
Ban all the music
It's all gone wrong
They're tryna take it from me
Got this, this is it
Won't let them take it from me
Play an illegal song
Turn it up louder
Play an illegal song
Turn it up louder
There's a buzz in the air, I've been told
It's my affliction
Been sick so long
Switching off all the noise I've been sold
Ban all the music
It's all gone wrong
This is, this is it
They're tryna take it from me
Got this, this is it
Won't let them take it from me
Play an illegal song
Turn it up louder
Play an illegal song
Turn it up louder
This is, this is it
They're tryna take it from me
Got this, this is it
Won't let them take it from me
Play an illegal song
Turn it up louder
Play an illegal song
Ban All the Music by Nothing But Thieves is a song about the power that music has on people's lives. The singer of the song feels that music is their addiction, and that cutting them off from it would be akin to taking away a vital part of their being, something they won't let happen. The lyrics suggest that the world is becoming too quiet, and without music, everything has gone wrong. The singer feels an urgent need to hear loud and illegal music, as if it's the only escape from a world that has lost its charm.
The song seems to criticize the idea that music should be regulated, and that certain types of music should be banned. The lyrics argue that music has the power to uplift people, and that taking it away would be a grave injustice. The song also questions the value of silence, suggesting that it's not always a good thing, and that noise- whether it be music or something else- is necessary for survival.
In many ways, Ban All the Music is about the power that music has on our lives. It urges listeners to embrace music, to turn it up louder and take comfort in its embrace. Ultimately, the song is a passionate call to preserve the freedom to listen to whatever type of music one chooses.
Line by Line Meaning
Cut me off from the rest of the world
Isolate me from society
It's my addiction
Music is my addiction
It turns me on
Music excites me
It's oh-so quiet at my end of the world
My world is silent without music
Ban all the music
Eliminate all music
It's all gone wrong
Everything is chaotic
This is, this is it
This is important
They're tryna take it from me
Someone is trying to take my music
Got this, this is it
I have control over my music
Won't let them take it from me
I won't allow anyone take my music away
Play an illegal song
Play a song that is banned
Turn it up louder
Increase the volume of the music
There's a buzz in the air, I've been told
I've heard rumors of excitement
It's my affliction
Music is my affliction
Been sick so long
I've been lacking music for so long
Switching off all the noise I've been sold
Turning off all the music that was imposed on me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Joseph Langridge-Brown, Conor Mason, Dominic Craik, Julian Emery, Jim Irwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Lyrics (bc i feel like it):
Cut me off from the rest of the world
It's my addiction
It turns me on
It’s oh so quiet my end of the world
Ban all the music
It's all gone wrong
This is, this is it
They’re tryn'a take it from me
Got this, this is it
Won't let them take it from me
Play an illegal song
And turn it up louder
Play an illegal song
And turn it up louder
There's a buzz in the air, I've been told
It's my affliction
Been sick so long
Switching off all the noise I've been sold
Ban all the music
It's all gone wrong
This is, this is it
They're tryn'a take it from me
Got this, this is it
Won't let them take it from me
Play an illegal song
And turn it up louder
Play and illegal song
And turn it up louder
This is, this is it
They're tryn'a take it from me
Got this, this is it
Won't let them take it from me
Play an illegal song
And turn it up louder
Play an illegal song
Natasha
I've only heard four of their songs and I strongly believe that I've just found my new favorite band holy shit...
Charizardcc
+KneelSoldier hiatus would you mind recommending some more of their songs for me to listen too?
Natasha
This one is my personal favourite; but Wake Up Call, Emergency, Trip Switch, Tempt You and Itch are also really great.
Jack Silke
Charizardcc Graveyard Whistling is my favourite and I've listened to them for a good bit now
Nathan Rowinsky
+seven deadly edits SAME!!!! Haha
Tasnim Chowdhury
Same
Ricardo Martinez
Ah, British bands, they always have something unique and beautiful. Nothing But Thieves, it is going to be a slow process, but you are going to be big -once your brand of art is properly understood, all over the world.
Amz
pagansforbreakfast he literally just stated his opinion
Alan karog serban van Cann
I heard they're polish but i must be terribly misinformed lol
Hannah Elise
i love british bands sdfgh