Osker broke away from the typical Southern California punk band with the release of their second CD "Idle Will Kill". Previous to this was their first full length album "Treatment 5. Both contained cynical and snotty lyrics about teen angst. As a consequence to their stage antics, among which was Devon's brutal sincerity, criticizing conformity in the punk scene and "fashion", as well as their crowd-taunting habit, Osker were labelled as one of the most hated and mean acts on Epitaph.
"I decided that it is about just doing what you want, while you have gallons of mohawks and leather jackets telling you that they do what they want, I don't believe them... I respect the person that says, 'I don't care for that' because there is no extreme, it's pure sincerity. Punk is doing what you want despite the infiltrators, outside of the skateboards and shoes and hair and patches and the diets and the tattoos. I am Devon and I have 5 close friends, the rest of the world is divided into the helpers and the clueless."
After the split, Williams announced they had been working on a new album (tentatively titled "Thriller"), however it was later said by Benitez to be a joke.
"The split between Dave and I is astounding to me. I always thought we were the next Simon and Garfunkel. I thought we would be our generations Hall and Oates ... Of course, I plan on killing Dave." - Devon Williams
Devon Williams recently played in folk/acoustic band Fingers-Cut, Megamachine! He currently plays music under his own name with the same essence while playing guitar in a folk rock/psychedelic band Lavender Diamond. Drummer Phil Drazik now plays in punk/hardcore band End on End and emo/punk band Life Support.
Members
Devon Williams - Vocals and guitar
Dave Benitez - Bass
Phil Drazik - Drums
Kinetic
Osker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All I really wanted was a pair of interested ears.
I learned that for every pause, I was almost guaranteed more time to speak.
It's always the selfish who say that life is way too short.
I'm not looking to get old, but I bet it'll happen anyway.
Now I look at my hands they don't move the same as two years ago.
At a slow steady pace, I made my way back home.
At least there I won't be ashamed.
Now the city surrounds me in different tones of gray.
Those are the same cries that make my bones shake...
Those are the same assholes that take more than they can handle.
I'm alone, but I'm not lonely.
I have kinetic energy.
The dividing line will separate us all.
Sometimes it's those nights,
Where I'm all I have is really all I need...
The song "Kinetic" by Osker is a reflective and introspective piece that touches on themes of self-discovery, growth, and emotional resilience. Through the opening line, "Through the strength of your arms, I realized I was off the mark," the singer suggests that through the supportive actions of someone else, they were able to gain a new perspective on themselves and their goals. The singer then expresses a desire for someone to listen to them, suggesting that they have perhaps been ignored or overlooked in the past. The line "I learned that for every pause, I was almost guaranteed more time to speak" suggests that the singer is finally finding the space to express themselves.
The song goes on to explore the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of aging, with the line "I'm not looking to get old, but I bet it'll happen anyway." The singer reflects on the physical changes they are experiencing, noting that their hands no longer move in the same way they did two years ago. The idea of returning home is explored, suggesting a sense of comfort and safety in familiar surroundings. However, the singer notes that the city they inhabit is full of "different tones of gray," suggesting a sense of detachment or detachment from their surroundings.
Although the singer acknowledges that they are alone, they find solace in their own "kinetic energy." The song ends on a hopeful note, with the line "Sometimes it's those nights, where all I have is really all I need," conveying a sense of self-sufficiency and contentment in being alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Through the strength of your arms, I realized I was off the mark.
I struggled to hit my mark until you helped me realize what I was doing wrong.
All I really wanted was a pair of interested ears.
I just wanted someone to listen to me and hear what I had to say.
I learned that for every pause, I was almost guaranteed more time to speak.
I figured out that if I take a pause while speaking, it gives me more time to think and continue talking.
It's always the selfish who say that life is way too short.
People who only think about themselves are the ones who tend to say that life is too short.
I'm not looking to get old, but I bet it'll happen anyway.
I don't necessarily want to grow old, but I'm sure that it will happen anyways.
Now I look at my hands they don't move the same as two years ago.
I noticed that my hands, and by extension myself, have changed and aged over the past two years.
At a slow steady pace, I made my way back home.
I took my time and walked at a steady pace until I reached my home.
At least there I won't be ashamed.
I feel more comfortable at home and won't feel embarrassed or ashamed there.
Earlier today I felt the warmth as the skin it held the heat,
Before, I felt the warmth of the sun on my skin and it held the heat.
Now the city surrounds me in different tones of gray.
Now, I'm in the city where everything feels dull and lifeless.
Those are the same cries that make my bones shake...
Those same sounds and cries that I hear are enough to make my body tremble.
Those are the same assholes that take more than they can handle.
The same people causing the chaos are the ones who can't handle the consequences of their actions.
I'm alone, but I'm not lonely.
I don't have anyone around me, but I don't feel lonely.
I have kinetic energy.
I have energy and potential to do things and keep moving forward.
The dividing line will separate us all.
There will always be differences and boundaries that will separate us from each other.
Sometimes it's those nights, where I'm all I have is really all I need...
Sometimes, all I really need is just to be alone and rely on myself.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DEVON WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dawn Latham
I'm so sad they couldn't keep going. Their verses were so deep and meaningful....I cried with every chorus. I'm glad their music could live on no matter what media. I miss you Osker!
Justin Wilton
Yep, these guys had so much left to put out....however, I'm glad they didn't at the same time...The 2 albums they put out is exactly how I want to remember them. That goes for a lot of bands actually.
Cody Olmstead
2023. It's still an amazing song
Chase Peel MMA
These guys were so underrated. Such an awesome band. My brother got to see them live before they ended up calling it quits and bought this album at the show. Been one of my favorites ever since.
Jeff Spicer
love the bass line in this song. This entire CD is golden. loves it.
Steven White
So I glad I just found this! I was obsessed with this band back in high school! 12 yrs ago...brings back memories for sure.....amazing
Kurt Gally
The melody is so emotional, yet he's mocking overly emotional songs lol. Pure genius!
XVITNG
Their bassist always wrote the most amazing “cliche” bass lines. And I mean that in a good way. Cause I feel like they just embodied that LA punk sound but in such a natural and non forced way.
So many of those bands just sounded like kids trying to be NOFX - or they went the pop punk route and wanted to sound like Green Day.
But Osker almost had a little bit of that late 90s emo sound that bands like promise ring and my favorite Lifetime had
Fixed Frequency Productions
one of my top ten songs of all time. hands down!!
Danny Roe
Great track, I always come back to Osker every now and then.....