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.
The Six Eighter
Piebald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Anything or not making
Me take anything at all
Or give me nothing
It's just as simple as that
You always ask if us primates are sure
Conveniently confuse disease with the cure
Doubt is a part of believing
You ask why are they misbehaving
Well I don't know why
Mistakes once or twice
Even when you deal with open eyes
Well it would be such a shame
To fall into the nothing or unnamed
Are the things that you want those you really need
Might try to stop you but I will not plead
And I don't know why
The things that are against you will never rest
To rhyme is to complete so I'll just say it's confessed
Well I don't know why
Yeah your head says
You are a luxury
It will convince you
Of what you need to believe
Are you standing
On solid ground
Or are your feet stuck
In the muck and the mud
There will still be mistakes once or twice
Even when you deal with open eyes
You can repeat only so much
Before you lose the sense of touch
Well it would be such a shame
To fall into the nothing or unnamed
You better get out while you can
Just to be the better man
You rush, I slow
We will not get to the middle but I know
I stop, you go
We will not meet in the center but I know
The song "The Six Eighter" by Piebald seems to be about the fragility of human desires and how they can sometimes lead us to make poor decisions. The opening lyrics express gratitude for not being given anything and not having to take or give anything, which can be interpreted as a rejection of materialism and superficiality. The singer acknowledges the simplicity of this sentiment, even though it is not always easy to achieve.
The chorus delves into uncertainty and doubt, noting that doubt is a natural part of believing. The lyrics ask why people misbehave, suggesting that perhaps it is because they are searching for something they believe they need, but are not sure what that something is. Mistakes are acknowledged as a natural part of life, even when we are as vigilant and aware as possible.
The latter half of the song seems to culminate in a realization that we have to make our own path in life, even if it means going against what others want for us or expect of us. The lyrics suggest that things which are against us will never rest, and therefore we must persist in our pursuits, whatever they may be. The song ends on a somewhat ambiguous note, with the three final lines suggesting a meeting point between two people that never quite arrives.
Line by Line Meaning
Thank you for not giving me
Expressing gratitude for not being burdened with anything or forced to take anything against one's will
Anything or not making
Acknowledging the lack of imposition or coercion in one's life
Me take anything at all
Appreciating the freedom to make choices without external influence
Or give me nothing
Not demanding material possessions or rewards from others
It's just as simple as that
Emphasizing the straightforwardness and clarity of the situation
You always ask if us primates are sure
Noting a tendency to question one's intelligence or capacity for decision-making
Conveniently confuse disease with the cure
Pointing out a tendency to conflate problems with their solutions
And I don't know why
Acknowledging a lack of understanding or explanation for certain situations
Doubt is a part of believing
Asserting that skepticism and uncertainty are integral components of faith or conviction
You ask why are they misbehaving
Questioning the motives behind certain actions or behaviors
Well I don't know why
Reiterating a lack of knowledge or comprehension
Mistakes once or twice
Acknowledging the inevitability of erring, even with careful consideration
Even when you deal with open eyes
Indicating that errors can occur even when one is attentive and perceptive
Well it would be such a shame
Expressing regret or disappointment for a negative outcome
To fall into the nothing or unnamed
Avoiding a situation of insignificance or obscurity
Are the things that you want those you really need
Contemplating whether desires and necessities are aligned or separate entities
Might try to stop you but I will not plead
Refusing to actively discourage or obstruct someone's choices, while not necessarily promoting them either
The things that are against you will never rest
Acknowledging the persistence of obstacles or opposition
To rhyme is to complete so I'll just say it's confessed
Indicating that one is revealing the honest truth, even if it may not be favorable or clear
Yeah your head says
Referring to rational thought or logic
You are a luxury
Implying that one's desires or preferences may be unnecessary or extravagant
It will convince you
Stating that one's thoughts or beliefs may be swayed by persuasive arguments or external forces
Of what you need to believe
Asserting that convincing arguments may alter one's perception or conviction
Are you standing
Asking if one is stable or secure
On solid ground
Referring to a stable or concrete foundation
Or are your feet stuck
Suggesting that one may be immobilized or trapped
In the muck and the mud
Stating that one may be in a difficult or compromising situation
You better get out while you can
Advising one to leave a negative or unfavorable situation if possible
Just to be the better man
Suggesting that one may seek moral or personal superiority through certain actions or choices
You rush, I slow
Highlighting a difference in pace or approach to a situation
We will not get to the middle but I know
Acknowledging that certain differences or disputes may not be resolved or reconciled
I stop, you go
Describing a situation in which one person halts while another proceeds
We will not meet in the center but I know
Reiterating that agreement or compromise may not be attainable
Lyrics © TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
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