Sarah Kirsch (guitar, vocals) of Fuel (think Monuments to Excess) was in the band when they first formed in 1991, but eventually left, citing personal differences with Green Day (the band for which Billie Joe Armstrong is most famous).
The band's name comes from a brand of "high octane" green tea discovered serendipitously by Aaron Cometbus during one of his many dumpster diving adventures. Aaron Cometbus, who releases the "Cometbus" fanzine, has played with many other bands, such as Crimpshrine and Cleveland Bound Death Sentence, and has long been a part of East Bay's punk culture.
Pinhead Gunpowder's music has been released through Lookout Records and Adeline Records (the latter co-owned by Billie Joe Armstrong and a major occupation of Jason White).
Homesick Hopes
Pinhead Gunpowder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ANother boring kid in town again
Who stares at photograpghs
Of far away friends
Frustrated, he can't think clear
His aspirations seem sincere but how
Can he make them all work out
Homesick hopes and inside jokes
He can't find a reason why
A reason to stay
It's been too long a lull and
All the self pity is getting dull today
He can't find another way
Sitting down with his final mistake
Thinking of another fake smile tonight
He's waiting for someone for someone to save his life
He got a letter today
Steve moved to Knoxville'
Another reason to stay
The lyrics to Pinhead Gunpowder's song Homesick Hopes tell the story of a character who is feeling disconnected and disillusioned with his life. This character is portrayed as being the typical "boring kid in town" - someone who feels like they don't fit in with the rest of their peers. The opening line, "No one wants to hear his story," sets the theme for the song - this character feels like he doesn't have anyone to talk to and nobody cares about his problems.
The character is described as being frustrated and unable to think clearly. He wants to pursue his aspirations, but he doesn't know how to make them work out. The chorus, "Homesick hopes and inside jokes, they're all taking him away," suggests that he's reminiscing about happier times and longing for a sense of belonging. He can't find a reason to stay where he is, and he's waiting for someone to come along and save him from the situation he's in.
Towards the end of the song, he gets a letter from Steve, who has moved to Knoxville. This gives him another reason to stay where he is. The final line, "Another reason to stay," suggests that the character is starting to feel more hopeful about his situation. The song ends on a slightly positive note, with the suggestion that things might start to look up for him.
Line by Line Meaning
No one wants to hear his story
The singer's life story is tedious and uninteresting to others.
Another boring kid in town again
The singer is nothing special, just another ordinary person inhabiting a mundane town.
Who stares at photograpghs
The singer spends a lot of time looking at pictures.
Of far away friends
The pictures the artist has are of friends who live far away.
Frustrated, he can't think clear
The artist is struggling to think clearly and logically.
His aspirations seem sincere but how
The singer genuinely wants to achieve his goals, but doesn't know how to go about it.
Can he make them all work out
The singer is unsure if he can successfully accomplish everything he hopes to achieve.
Homesick hopes and inside jokes
The artist misses his friends and insider humor.
They're all taking him away
The memories and nostalgia are distracting the artist from the present.
He can't find a reason why
The artist is at a loss as to why he can't be content in his current situation.
A reason to stay
The singer needs a compelling reason to remain in his current location.
It's been too long a lull and
The artist has been feeling unfulfilled for an extended period of time.
All the self pity is getting dull today
The singer is tired of indulging in self-pity and wallowing in sadness.
He can't find another way
The singer can't find an alternative solution to his current problems.
Sitting down with his final mistake
The singer resigns himself to the realization that he has made one last error in judgment.
Thinking of another fake smile tonight
The artist is anticipating having to put on a facade of happiness in public later.
He's waiting for someone for someone to save his life
The artist is hoping that an outside force will rescue him from his current situation.
He got a letter today
The singer received correspondence in the mail.
Steve moved to Knoxville'
The letter informs the singer that his friend Steve has relocated to Knoxville.
Another reason to stay
The artist is reassured that he still has a worthwhile connection to his current location due to Steve's presence there.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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