Citing their influences as Vitriolid, period; they formed in 1998. Jamie Lenman and Jon Pearce originally played with Jason Wilcock as Angel, sharing a local venue stage with other bands, one of which would become Hundred Reasons. In March 2000, they parted ways with Jason, and Mark Lawton joined as drummer, with whom they wrote and recorded the Pilot EP which was released in January 2001, after they changed their name to Reuben.
After the release of the Pilot EP Mark left the band and was replaced by the current drummer Guy Davis. Reuben released limited prints of three singles, starting with 'Scared Of The Police', which today has been known to fetch up to eighty pounds on eBay per copy, such is its rarity. This was followed by 'Stux (Tell Me It's Alright)' – again, a very limited print run – then the inescapable catchiness of single 'Let's Stop Hanging Out', which eventually started to grow the fanbase at a rapidly quickening speed, due to its popularity in the underground scene and on MTV2. The title track was re-recorded for the band's debut.
The debut album 'Racecar Is Racecar Backwards' was released eventually in June 2004, and since has sold over 10,000 copies, reaching #88 in the British Chart. Three singles were released from the album, 'Freddy Kreuger', 'Moving To Blackwater' and 'Stuck In My Throat'.
A second album (Very Fast Very Dangerous) and relentless touring (including shows with Hundred Reasons, Biffy Clyro, Engerica and Dive Dive) have bought the band to new ears around the UK and further afield.
The problems the band face can be summed up with the lyric '50 grand to make a fucking video'. Fans of Reuben are aware of how hard it has been for the band to release two full-length albums. They grafted away playing small shows for a few years before they could afford to release their debut 'Racecar Is Racecar Backwards'. Jamie Lenman (singer) still has to work at his local fish & chip shop to keep a steady income.
Their third album "In Nothing We Trust" is by far Reuben's most experimental work to date. Going for a more progressive style of writing.
This is the first album under the bands own record label "Hideous Records". This is so that the band has more control over the releasing of its material.
The first single off the album is 'Blood Bunny Larkhall' and the follow up single is 'Deadly Lethal Ninja Assassin'.
Reuben recently released their first Christmas Record in December 2007, titled 'Christmas is Awesome'.
Singer and guitarist Jamie Lenman also played drums for the progressive rock band Caretaker from 2004-2008.
On 4th June 2008 Reuben announced on their website that they were taking a break, with no information about whether or not the band would return. Guy is currently looking for session work, so a return is highly doubtful.
On 24th July 2009 the Reuben website was updated to advertise a new rarities collection entitled "We Should Have Gone To University". The collection, set to be released on the 24th August 2009, contains every non-album track the band ever released as well as rare demos and session tracks. In addition to this there will also be a DVD included which contains the band's full set at 2007's Download Festival as well as interviews, documentaries and all of the band's music videos. The artwork for the collection has been drawn by singer Jamie Lenman and the collection will be released by the band's old label Xtra Mile Recordings.
Crimson
Reuben Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I let the whole thing slide
Cracks appear in my vaneer
Like bruises on my pride
And when it gets to it
I shrink and fall away
My tongue is swelling up
I've not anticipated
So much was over-rated
Your grinned suggestions
Invite my questions
And make me feel so small
I'll ask you softly,
Cause I don't want the answer
And I'd fall if you said fall...
7 days is all it takes
To push me overboard
I see the faces turn in my direction
And I feel so unsure
And when it gets to it
My head begins to spin
Just find another way
Build it up and kick it in
I got Mick Jagger action
Can't get no satisfaction
You don't have to tell me - I know already
I understand it all
I see your face when my eyes aren't even open
And I'd fall if you said fall...
Loser
I'm a loser
I'll be your loser
I'm your loser
I'll make you sorry, you ever met me
And just forget it all
(Say fall I'll fall, say fall I'll fall)
It's not your fault but I'll blame you anyway
And I'd fall if you said
Fall
Say fall and I'll fall
Say fall and I'll fall
Fall...
The lyrics of Reuben's song Crimson deal with the inner turmoil and self-doubt of the singer. The singer admits to being stubborn and having let things slide, leading to cracks appearing in their veneer and bruising their pride. They struggle to communicate properly, with their tongue swelling up and feeling unable to face the truth. The singer is aware that they have been overrating many things and are struggling to cope with the pressure of others' expectations.
The singer is both attracted to and intimidated by someone who gives them suggestions but also makes them feel small. They are fearful of the answers they might receive to their questions, as they feel they might not be able to handle them. The singer acknowledges that they are easily pushed over the edge and become unsure of themselves when they feel like they are being watched. They have a tendency to withdraw and spin out of control as they try to find a way to cope. The singer acknowledges their own Mick Jagger-esque behavior, a person seeking satisfaction and falling short.
However, despite their self-doubt and insecurity, the singer is also drawn to this person and admits they would fall if they said fall. The singer finishes the song with the repeated refrain of "Say fall and I'll fall," which reinforces their vulnerability and their dependence on this person.
Line by Line Meaning
Man, am I that pig headed?
Am I really that stubborn?
I let the whole thing slide
I ignored everything and let it all go
Cracks appear in my vaneer
My façade is beginning to crack
Like bruises on my pride
My ego is getting hurt
And when it gets to it
When things become difficult
I shrink and fall away
I retreat and shy away from the situation
My tongue is swelling up
I can't speak or articulate properly
I tell it "not today"
I try to convince myself that I will deal with it later
I've not anticipated
I didn't expect this
So much was over-rated
I overestimated things
Your grinned suggestions
Your teasing remarks
Invite my questions
Encourage me to ask questions
And make me feel so small
You make me feel insignificant
I'll ask you softly,
I'll ask you gently
Cause I don't want the answer
Because I fear the answer
And I'd fall if you said fall...
I would do anything you say, even if it hurts me
7 days is all it takes
I can't handle more than a week
To push me overboard
To drive me insane
I see the faces turn in my direction
I feel like everyone is judging me
And I feel so unsure
I lack confidence
My head begins to spin
I start to feel dizzy
Just find another way
I need to come up with a new strategy
Build it up and kick it in
I need to build up my courage and face it head-on
I got Mick Jagger action
I'm trying to be a rock star
Can't get no satisfaction
I can't find happiness
You don't have to tell me - I know already
I know what you're going to say
I understand it all
I comprehend everything
I see your face when my eyes aren't even open
You're always on my mind
And I'd fall if you said fall...
I would surrender if you told me to
Loser
I'm a failure
I'll be your loser
I'll let you down
I'm your loser
I'm your disappointment
I'll make you sorry, you ever met me
I'll make you regret knowing me
And just forget it all
And I wish I could forget everything
(Say fall I'll fall, say fall I'll fall)
(I'm willing to do anything you say)
It's not your fault but I'll blame you anyway
It's not your fault but I need someone to blame
And I'd fall if you said
And I would give up if you told me to
Fall
Surrender
Say fall and I'll fall
Just tell me what to do and I'll do it
Say fall and I'll fall
I'm at your mercy
Fall...
I'll give in and fall apart
Contributed by Nathan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.