A turning point in Piebald's career came when they recorded seven tracks, and put them on the CD that came to be known as Sometimes Friends Fight. Their musical sound had greatly matured, and Travis' lyrical ability was finally brought to the forefront of the band's music. Another two seven-inches later, Piebald was ready for another metamorphosis.
Eleven tracks recorded at Salad Days became the first record to showcase Piebald's signature sound and wry jokes. Traditionally the most sought-after Piebald recording (before it was immortalized in its entirety on All Ages), When Life Hands You Lemons was considered to be Piebald's best music yet. This release furthered the lyrical style that had been growing within the band, and also showcased the first lead vocals by lead guitarist Aaron Stuart, and a piano track by Shettel.
Following If it Weren't for Venetian Blinds, It Would Be Curtains for Us All, Piebald released their most popular album to date, We Are the Only Friends We Have. It featured the single "American Hearts" which achieved a modicum of success, garnering some mention on MTV and college radio. This, together with the band's signing to respected indie label Big Wheel Recreation brought Piebald their most mainstream attention to that date. This trend was continued when the band signed to the very popular Side One Dummy label and released their next album, and when Piebald was chosen to play 2004's Warped Tour.
The following album, All Ears, All Eyes, All the Time, features noticeably improved vocals by singer Travis Shettel and continues their evolutionary progress toward the piano-driven fare they've tended towards over the last couple of releases, and features such additions as horn sections, increased use of vocal harmonies, and extremely catchy hand-claps.
Piebald's latest album, Accidental Gentleman was released in late January of 2007. Its mix of raw rock and roll and perfected lyricism, which has always set Piebald apart, shows the band at a peak for themselves and the rest of the music industry. With cover songs like the Kinks' "Strangers", front man Travis Shettel brings a whole new generation the universal truths famously broken down by the legendary Ray Davies into three minute pop songs.
Lead singer Travis Shettel has released solo recordrings under the name Totally Travis. Shettel is also a member of LA based The Was.
The band generally only tours during the summer due to lead singer Travis Shettel's day job as an elementary school teacher.
Piebald announced they would be breaking up following the end of their US tour with The Format, Limbeck, Steel Train and Reubens Accomplice. Piebald played their farewell tour in April 2008 with one stop in New York city and two in Cambridge, MA.
Sex Sells And I'm Buying
Piebald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't stand up and can't sit down
I'm only half as fast as I was yesterday
The tighter the shirt the better it is
A carrot and stick type of thing
I have already got my hands in the pig farm
Cut the kid some slack
There was nothing to feel, nothing to hold
Nasty habits rule this place
And of course the walk of shame
It's something that you may or may not understand.
All out at once clean and compact
Flipping through the stations
I heard some rapper once say there's a message in everything
It's just like liquor stores, mailboxes and pay phones
Whenever you need them they are impossible to find.
Piebald's song "Sex Sells and I'm Buying" is a commentary on the consumerist nature of our society and how sex has become a tool to promote products. The title itself reveals the theme of the song where the singer admits to being a willing participant in this culture where he has bought into the idea that sex is a powerful marketing tool. The opening lines of "I don't mean this like it sounds, I can't stand up and can't sit down" could be interpreted as the singer feeling conflicted about his own complicity in supporting the sexualization of advertising. He might be feeling uncomfortable with his own actions but is powerless to resist the seduction of sex in advertising.
The lyrics "I'm only half as fast as I was yesterday, The tighter the shirt the better it is" could be interpreted as a nod to the idea that sex sells by using the human body as a selling point. The speed element in the first line implies that the singer is feeling slowed down, maybe even weakened by his own actions here. The second line implies that women's clothing has become more revealing as a marketing ploy. The next lines, "A carrot and stick type of thing, I have already got my hands in the pig farm, Cut the kid some slack, Cut the kid some cake" is harder to interpret. It could be that the "carrot and stick" means that sex has become a way to lure people into indulging, like a carrot dangling in front of a horse, but at the same time, the consequences, or the "stick", of one's actions are constantly looming. But the following line, "I have already got my hands in the pig farm" is a confusing metaphor, making it difficult to understand the message behind it.
More lines of the song are about how sex is becoming a pervasive part of our culture, and it has even infiltrated the media which is supposed to be objective. The line "Flipping through the stations, I heard some rapper once say there's a message in everything" highlights the idea that even music, especially rap, has become a way to market sex. The final line of "Whenever you need them they are impossible to find" is a reference to how complicated the issue of sex in advertising is, how it's everywhere but we have a hard time seeing it.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't mean this like it sounds
The intention behind my statement may be misunderstood
I can't stand up and can't sit down
I am in a state of physical discomfort
I'm only half as fast as I was yesterday
My pace and productivity has slowed down significantly
The tighter the shirt the better it is
Wearing tighter clothing is more appealing and attractive
A carrot and stick type of thing
A reward and punishment system is at play here
I have already got my hands in the pig farm
I am already involved in something shady or unethical
Cut the kid some slack
Give the person a break or some leeway
Cut the kid some cake
Give the person a reward or something positive
There was nothing to feel, nothing to hold
There was no emotional or physical connection
Nasty habits rule this place
Unhealthy and harmful behaviors are prevalent
And of course the walk of shame
The feeling of regret or embarrassment after a questionable decision
It's something that you may or may not understand.
This is a complex issue that not everyone will comprehend
All out at once clean and compact
A sudden and efficient completion of a task
Flipping through the stations
Quickly changing TV or radio channels
I heard some rapper once say there's a message in everything
A hip hop artist expressed the idea that there is meaning to be found in all things
It's just like liquor stores, mailboxes and pay phones
Finding these items when needed can be challenging
Whenever you need them they are impossible to find.
It is difficult to locate these objects when they are needed
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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