Beeson originally formed a band called Johnson in 2001 with his friend Berckelman, before creating the indie band label Motherlovin' Records in 2004. Subsequent bands included Malcolm X & the Black Auditorium and Berkfinger and The Sweats, the latter combining to form Philadelphia Grand Jury in early 2008. Dan Williams (aka Dan W. Sweat) was the band's original drummer before departing from the group in September 2009 to focus on performing with Art vs. Science. He rejoined the band in 2013 as a part of the band's reunion.
In May 2009, the band signed a joint venture deal with Boomtown Records to release their records, on their own label, Normal People Making Hits, with distribution through Shock Records.
In June 2009, the band released "Going to the Casino (Tomorrow Night)" as a 7" vinyl EP. The EP was self-recorded, produced and released. "Going to the Casino" received significant airplay on Triple J and featured on the television mini-series Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities, also appearing on the soundtrack album. The band's debut album, Hope Is for Hopers, was released on 25 September 2009, reaching #34 on the ARIA Albums Chart.
At the fourth annual AIR Awards, held on 22 November 2009, Philadelphia Grand Jury won an award for 'Best Independent Single or EP'. The video for "The Good News" was filmed in North Sydney and at Parsley Bay, Rowe Street-Bondi Junction & Lighthouse Reserve-Vaucluse.
In October 2010, the band announced that they had Welch had left the band, as the 'rigours of the road have proved too arduous for the 55-year-old drummer'. Welch's replacement was Berlin-based, Brisbane-born Susanna "Susie Dreamboat" Patten (formerly of I Heart Hiroshima), who performed with the band on their tour of the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. Patten finished touring with the band in January 2011.
In March 2011, news surfaced that the band had abandoned work on the follow up to Hope is for Hopers. When FasterLouder sought a follow-up, they were met with the following statement in regards to the band's current status.
Philadelphia Grand Jury are on something of a hiatus. No need to make it a bigger deal than it is. Creative individuals tend to have more than one project and Philadelphia Grand Jury is just one of Berkfinger’s musical personas. Berkfinger is currently focusing on other projects, including moving his recording gear to Berlin to finish the recordings that he has been working on in the various incarnations of studios that he has built over the years.
On 2 November 2011 the band posted on their Facebook page that the band had broken up.
Beeson moved onto production and remix work under the moniker of Boyhood, while Berckelman relocated to Berlin and began working on a solo project entitled Feelings. In 2013, Berckelman assembled Beeson and Williams to join him on tour in Australia under the Feelings moniker. The three playing together for the first time in nearly four years immediately sparked rumours of a reunion, which were confirmed with a midnight performance by the band at the 2013 BIGSOUND Festival in Brisbane.
Going To The Casino Tomorrow Night
Philadelphia Grand Jury Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Going to the casino, tomorrow night [x2]
What could possibly go wrong [x4]
Going to the casino, tomorrow night [x2]
(C-c-c-c-c-c-c yeah) what could possibly go wrong [x4]
(C-c-c-c-c-c-c)
Then it hits me
That no one's in, with me
Going to the casino, tomorrow night [x2]
G-g-g-g to the casino, t-t-t-t tomorrow night [x2]
(C-c-c-c-c-c-c yeah) what could possibly go wrong [x4]
(C-c-c-c-c-c-c)
Then it hits me, that no one's in love with me [x2]
Then it hits me
That no one's in, with me
I got nobody, now I got no money
I got no money, now I got nobody [x4]
Going to the casino!
The Philadelphia Grand Jury's song "Going To The Casino Tomorrow Night" is a catchy tune with a melancholy undertone that explores the common theme of gambling as an escape from the troubles of life. The opening lines of the song, "Going to the casino, tomorrow night / What could possibly go wrong," sets the stage for the rest of the track, with the singer seeking to escape their problems through a night spent gambling. The repetition of this line creates an upbeat and almost frivolous atmosphere despite the underlying despair.
The chorus is where the song takes a more contemplative turn, with the line "Then it hits me, that no one's in love with me" voiced twice. This line conjures up feelings of loneliness and isolation, where the singer is seeking some kind of validation - not necessarily romantic - but from anyone who can provide it. The repetition of the line "Then it hits me / That no one's in, with me" drives home the point of the song, that the singer is seeking something, anything, to fill the void of their life.
The second half of the song brings the listener back to the upbeat chorus, with the line "I got nobody, now I got no money / I got no money, now I got nobody" repeated four times. This line, along with the chorus, highlights the cyclical nature of escapism, and how the things that are supposed to provide a way out can trap us further. The final line of the song, "Going to the casino!" seems to be both a statement of intent and an admission of defeat, and leaves the listener wondering whether this is the end of the singer's journey or just the beginning.
Line by Line Meaning
Going to the casino, tomorrow night
Excitedly looking forward to going to the casino the following evening
Going to the casino, tomorrow night
Still eagerly anticipating the trip to the casino
What could possibly go wrong
Rhetorical question to convey confidence that nothing will go wrong
(C-c-c-c-c-c-c yeah) what could possibly go wrong
Reinforcing the earlier question with an expression of enthusiasm
Then it hits me, that no one's in love with me
Sudden realization that nobody is romantically interested in the singer
Then it hits me
The moment of realization that nobody is romantically interested in the singer
That no one's in, with me
Acknowledgment of being alone or unaccompanied in life
G-g-g-g to the casino, t-t-t-t tomorrow night
Stuttered repetition of excitement for the upcoming trip to the casino
I got nobody, now I got no money
Admitting to lacking both romantic companionship and financial resources
I got no money, now I got nobody
Emphasizing the double loss of both money and companionship
Going to the casino!
Reaffirming the excitement and anticipation of the trip to the casino
Contributed by Thomas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ace
This song needs to be on Spotify. =(
Jules HD
Bravo , j'adore votre musique !! Super , I love your song !!
Alex Johnson
Love your work guys! I'm driving 3 hours from Bundaberg to the Sunshine Coast to see you play with some band I've never heard of!! How long is your set normally?
BitsnPiecezmusic
this song rules! what could possible go wrong? everything!
howee86
Has to be one of the best opening scenes to a video clip i've ever seen.
Lydia White
i love philadelphia grand jury. the good news is the best song ever.
Preeti Singh
one of the coolest songs on earth
Lisa S
Then it hits me, that no ones in love with me, wish I had birthday parties like this when I was a kid, too cool.
pnolave
This is like...THE BEST SONG IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!!...that I'm watching at the moment....
Hannseh
Philly Jays for the win! Go you good thing!