The band came together in 1999 with musical friends Justin Wilson (guitar/vocals), Jeff Wilganowski (drums), Brian Pho (bass), and Matt Pitman (guitar). They've perfected their emo style for something charming and desirable, allowing Deep Elm to take interest in the band and inking them a deal in late 1999. They spent most of 2000 recording in Deedle's Room in Austin, TX, recording what would become a full-length studio effort. The fruit of those sessions was Breaking in an Angel (2001,) plus a split disc with Slowride. The next year, the more complex and ferocious Black Phantom Crusades was released in the fall.
Brian quit the band while in Europe touring. Jeff Meaningless was flown out and soon became the permanent replacement.
2004 saw the release of Polizida, recorded by J. Robbins (Against Me!, Jets To Brazil, Dismemberment Plan) which was released through the Ice Planet label.
Their latest release, Seven Year War was released in 2006 on END sounds.
The band had this to say about the release:
This album came together after it became clear that our music was not getting the distribution it deserves. With End Sounds, we have found American, European, and Japanese distribution with Koch, who was the distributior for Epitaph Records for many years. Koch makes our music available to almost anyone that wants to hear it. Orders will be taken through the End Sounds website for anyone that cannot find it in their local stores.
The music is a collection of songs, new and old, that best represent the band since it's inception in 1998. Some of the tracks were recorded at The Hit Factory in NYC, some with J. Robbins at the Echo Lab in Denton, TX, some at Deedle's Room Recording, one at Mad River Post, which is easily the biggest room any of us have ever recorded in, and two of the tracks are early live recordings in two of Dallas's best clubs.
This release will be enhanced and will include 9 music videos, two of which were directed by Travis Kopach, who's done videos for Matchbook Romance, The Juliana Theory, Koufax, and Straylight Run. The live songs featured on the audio section of the disc will have corresponding videos, two videos will be for songs from our 3rd full-length, "Polizida".
The artwork and tracklisting were left up completely up to the band, so for first time we can say we are giving our fans a record that looks and sounds exactly the way we wanted it to. Any song that first appeared on a 7-inch or CD compilation has been re-mastered from the original recording and sounds 100% better.
We totally appreciate the fans that have stuck by our side and to them we say a warm thank you for buying this record that really means something to us. This release is packed to the gills with material and we hope you enjoy it.
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2006 saw several changes within the band. Jeff Meaningless and Jeff Wilganowski quit the band. Replacing them was Todd Harwell (Flickerstick) on drums and Blake Young (Without Sound) on bass.
The band has remained somewhat silent in the past year after canceling their summer tour.
And So It Begins With Bombs
Red Animal War Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Litter up the countryside
It's like fifteen million fireflies
Have eaten my eyes
They call it paranoia
But would you agree
The gunpowder scent that salts the air
Is a little bit frightening?
Can you believe what you're seeing?
Can you believe you're seeing bombs
Dropping from the sky?
To fall asleep to their lullablies
These shelters act as coffins here
The metal untact
The metal attack
I can't believe what i'm hearing!
Do you believe what you're seeing?
Do you believe you're seeing bombs?
Are you listening?
Why aren't you listening?
To those that would survive:
Become a light for those who cannot shine
Make more of love and less of lies
If this promise could be made good
We wouldn't have to knock on wood
You've inspired me
I always knew you could
The lyrics of Red Animal War’s song, “And So It Begins With Bombs,” are laden with images of war and its effects on the countryside. The pink and yellow lights that litter the countryside suggest an apocalyptic landscape. The scent of gunpowder and the deafening noise of bombs falling from the sky evoke a sense of chaos and destruction. The shelters that act as coffins evoke the sense of impending doom, as if it is only a matter of time before the bombs take their toll. The singer’s sense of disbelief and questioning in the lyrics is illustrative of the confusion and anxiety that war creates in people’s minds.
The second half of the song shifts to a call to action for those who would survive such destruction. The lyrics implore listeners to become a beacon of light for those who cannot shine, to make more love and less of lies. The final lyrics offer a sense of hope, suggesting that if people were to come together and make good on their promises, the horrors of war might be avoided.
Overall, the lyrics of “And So It Begins With Bombs” are a powerful commentary on the destructive power of war and the need for people to come together and act to prevent it.
Line by Line Meaning
Pink and yellow lights
Flashing colored lights disperse throughout the area, akin to the appearance of multiple fireflies lighting up the surroundings.
Litter up the countryside
The lights scattered around the vicinity contribute to the saturation and clutter of the rural setting.
It's like fifteen million fireflies
The sheer quantity of the colorful lights creates a seemingly abundant swarm, reminiscent of a large gathering of fireflies.
Have eaten my eyes
The overwhelming sight is almost too much to bear, consuming the individual's gaze.
They call it paranoia
The fear that arises from the situation is often deemed over-exaggerated or irrational by others.
But would you agree
Asking if the listener shares the same concern or fear.
The gunpowder scent that salts the air
The distinct smell of gunpowder is unmistakable and can be detected in the surrounding atmosphere.
Is a little bit frightening?
This triggers the repeated questioning of whether the situation is alarming or not.
I can't believe what i'm hearing!
Expressing disbelief at the dichotomy of the surreal image and the brutal reality of the situation.
Can you believe what you're seeing?
Posing the same inquiry to the listener, emphasizing the gravity of what is occurring.
Can you believe you're seeing bombs Dropping from the sky?
Highlighting the horrifying nature of bombs falling from above onto civilians and noncombatants.
To fall asleep to their lullablies
The use of air raid shelters as a means of protection is not only uncomfortable, but also lonely and unsettling, as the sounds of explosions become a twisted lullaby.
These shelters act as coffins here
The safety intended by the shelters only provides temporary reprieve; it can easily turn into a final burial.
The metal untact
The protection of the enclosure is only superficial, as people are still in harm's way.
The metal attack
The metal becomes a target during an attack, rendering the safety it is meant to provide as insufficient.
Do you believe you're seeing bombs?
Another question that conveys the surreal and terrifying nature of the situation.
Are you listening?
Asking the listener to pay attention and become aware of the severity of the situation.
Why aren't you listening?
Demanding the listener's attention, as the issue at hand cannot be ignored.
To those that would survive:
Addressing those who would come out of the situation alive.
Become a light for those who cannot shine
Urging the survivors to be a beacon of hope for others who have lost their ability to flourish.
Make more of love and less of lies
Encouraging individuals to exhibit compassion and honesty, rather than spreading hatred and deception.
If this promise could be made good
Hypothetically envisioning a world where the aforementioned suggestions could become a reality.
We wouldn't have to knock on wood
The saying 'knock on wood' is used to ward off any misfortunes that may occur; if the world was the way it was described, there would be no reason to resort to superstition.
You've inspired me
Acknowledging the positive impact of someone who has drummed up motivation and hope.
I always knew you could
Believing that the person referred to had the potential to evoke such a response all along.
Contributed by Jonathan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.