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
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 love with me [x2]
Then it hits 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 lyrics to Philadelphia Grand Jury's song "Going to the Casino" tell the story of a person who is feeling down and decides to go to the casino in the hopes of turning their luck around. The repeated phrase "Going to the casino, tomorrow night what could possibly go wrong" underscores the character's optimism and belief in the power of gambling to change their fortunes. However, as the song progresses, the character's mood begins to shift. They realize that no one is in love with them, which may lead to a sense of loneliness and a desire for companionship. This realization could also affect the character's gambling strategy, perhaps making them more reckless as they try to fill the emotional void.
The line "I got nobody, now I got no money" is a poignant one as it highlights the link between emotional and financial instability. The character's belief that going to the casino is the solution to their problems may have caused them to neglect other aspects of their life, such as building relationships or securing their finances. The song ends with a renewed determination to go to the casino, despite the mounting sense that things may not work out as planned.
Overall, the song explores the psychology of gambling and the ways in which it can be used as a coping mechanism. It also touches on themes of loneliness, love, and financial stability, showing how these issues are intertwined and can have a profound effect on our decision-making.
Line by Line Meaning
Going to the casino, tomorrow night
Excitedly heading to the casino for some fun and entertainment.
What could possibly go wrong
Feeling optimistic and assuming that nothing could go wrong.
Then it hits me, that no one's in love with me
Suddenly realizing that they're feeling lonely and unloved.
Going to the casino, tomorrow night
Repeating the earlier excitement in anticipation of the upcoming casino trip.
G-g-g-g to the casino, t-t-t-t tomorrow night
Using stuttering to express the excitement and anticipation of going to the casino.
I got nobody, now I got no money
Realizing that they not only feel lonely but also lack financial stability.
Going to the casino!
Ending the song on a hopeful note, still looking forward to the casino trip despite earlier doubts and worries.
Contributed by Owen I. 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!