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.
Freddy Kreuger
Reuben Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is, for my band
The ones who shared the struggle
The whining and the ?bitching?,
Sat on my sofa
My friends all went to college
I still live in my dad's house!
And though you may regret it
You said it 'cause you meant it
Always, together
A touch of cabin fever
We find out how we really feel
This girl that I'm so sick of
This girl that I'm so sick of
This girl that I'm so sick of
This girl that I'm so sick of
When I, was fifteen
I swear it looked so easy
You go out and you get paid
Cut to an LP
You slam it on the TV
And now its just another day down
And it's another month gone
God knows how many shows
Yeah we still keep moving on and on
But that's rock'n'roll I spose
Girl...
Girl...
This girl that I'm so sick of
This girl that I'm so sick of
This girl that I'm so sick of
This girl that I'm so sick of
My name is Freddy Kreuger
And I've got the elm street blues
I've got a hand like a knife rack
And I die in every film!
This girl that I'm so sick of
This girl that I'm so sick of
This girl that I'm so sick of
This girl that I don't love
The lyrics of Reuben's song "Freddy Kreuger" are a reflection of the band's experience with the music industry and their relationships with women. The opening lines are a reference to the band's struggles to make it big in the music industry, while their friends have moved on to college and other pursuits. The lines "Thinking, about it, and though you may regret it, you said it 'cause you meant it" could be interpreted as a nod to the band's relentless pursuit of their dreams, despite the challenges they face.
The chorus "This girl that I'm so sick of" is a constant repetition that suggests a relationship that has become stale and unsatisfying. It could be an allusion to a particular female that the singer can't seem to shake, or a metaphor for the disappointments that are an inevitable part of any artistic career. The use of the phrase "sick of" implies frustration and disillusionment.
The bridge of the song turns to horror movie imagery, with the famous villain Freddy Kreuger making an appearance. The lines about his hand like a knife rack and his propensity to die in every film add an element of humor to the song, while also pointing to the way that horror movies can offer escape from the boredom and frustrations of everyday life. The final line, "This girl that I don't love", suggests that the relationship referenced in the song has come to a definitive and final end.
Line by Line Meaning
Well
The start of the lyrics
This is, for my band
The song is dedicated to Ruben's bandmates and their struggles
The ones who shared the struggle
Ruben's bandmates understood his struggles
The whining and the bitching,
The complaining and venting about their troubles
Sat on my sofa
They spent time together, relaxing on the sofa
My friends all went to college
Ruben's friends pursued higher education
I still live in my dad's house!
Ruben is still living at home with his dad
Thinking, about it
Reflecting on their situation
And though you may regret it
There may be regrets in the future
You said it 'cause you meant it
Words were said with sincerity
Always, together
Ruben and his bandmates stick together
A touch of cabin fever
They feel confined and restless
We find out how we really feel
Their situation helps them discover their true feelings
This girl that I'm so sick of
A girl who Ruben is tired of dealing with
This girl that I'm so sick of
The repetition emphasizes Ruben's frustration
This girl that I'm so sick of
Once again, expressing his annoyance with the girl
This girl that I'm so sick of
Ruben is really fed up with this girl
When I, was fifteen
A reference to Ruben's past
I swear it looked so easy
He thought success would come easily
You go out and you get paid
Making money seems simple
Cut to an LP
Releasing a record
You slam it on the TV
The excitement of seeing themselves on TV
And now its just another day down
The excitement fades and days blend together
And it's another month gone
Time passes quickly
God knows how many shows
They have performed many gigs
Yeah we still keep moving on and on
Despite challenges, they keep going
But that's rock'n'roll I spose
This is the life of a musician, with its ups and downs
My name is Freddy Kreuger
A reference to the horror movie character
And I've got the elm street blues
A play on words, referring to the character's name and the blues
I've got a hand like a knife rack
Describing the character's creepy appearance
And I die in every film!
A characteristic of the movie franchise
This girl that I'm so sick of
Repeating yet again how he feels about the girl
This girl that I'm so sick of
He really can't stand her
This girl that I'm so sick of
His feelings toward her are negative
This girl that I don't love
He outright declares that he no longer loves her
Contributed by Caden M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@SenorCrazylegs
This is one of those bands in my catalogue who are completely amazing, but somehow never made it to where they should have been. I'll listen to their albums until I'm dead, but most people wouldn't have a clue who they are.
@aliray1165
Thats why they so great
@robertkeech9480
yeah... One of my for lifers too. A few bands like this tbh and it's such a shame. Another one is Sixties matchbox b-line disaster. Different music but I also feel they should be huge.
@kraziehart95
They made it pretty well imo. Being on MTV is no small deal, plus they got a bunch of nostalgic nerds like us coming back to this video?
@mickgee130
Same thing is happening right now with dinosaur pileup, amazing band
@richfrommitch
Them, Million Dead and Hell is for Heroes. They burned brightly but quickly and never really got the success they deserved.
@Ianwee
God I wish Reuben got way bigger than they did. I’d love to see what they could have been
@aliray1165
I could.....I could have been someone else!!!
@RaccoonKing1676
It’s 2023 and am still listening to Reuben wish I could have seen them love back in the day
@kezman63
This was the first song I heard of Reuben, they then became my favourite band. Long live Reuben!!