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.
Push
Reuben Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm already bored
In this age of goldfish consciousness
And rock star Gods
How will you react,
Do I blaspheme
If I said
You still wear the face
Of a guy you never knew
Where were all your fucking shirts
When Dobbs and Straight went down
I don't see them out
You're bored again
I killed Kurt Cobain...
We all killed Kurt Cobain
And I'm bored
And when I get bored
I go fucking ape-shit
I beat up on walls
And I fucking hate it
I hate it...
The lyrics to Reuben's song Push reflect on the frustration and boredom of living in a society that perpetuates a culture of quick and fleeting entertainment, where individuals are idolised almost to a god-like status. The first two lines of the song indicate the singer's current state of mind, where even with a functional TV, they're already bored. The next two lines refer to the current climate, where people have become accustomed to shorter attention spans and are driven to worship individuals who seem larger than life, like rock stars. The following lines suggest that the singer is questioning how others would react if they admitted to killing Kurt Cobain, a famed rock star who was idolised for his music and persona. The confrontation here is challenging people's ideas of what it means to worship and how people can become so absorbed that they forget who they are.
The song then turns its attention to the listener, who is wearing the face of a person they never actually knew, presumably referring to their idolisation of rock stars like Cobain. The reference to Dobbs and Straight refers to two individuals who lost their lives in a car accident, perhaps serving as a reminder that there are real people to be remembered, not just those in the public eye. The repeated line, "You're bored again", suggests that people become too engrossed in their idols, only to find themselves feeling uninspired once again.
The final lines depict the singer's reaction to feeling bored with their surroundings. They become angry and destructive, beating up walls. The "I hate it" line serves as a commentary on how this state of mind is not productive, and that something needs to change in order to break the cycle of boredom and frustration.
Line by Line Meaning
TV's screwed again
The television is not working properly again.
And I'm already bored
I am already feeling disinterested and lacking in stimulation.
In this age of goldfish consciousness
In this era of short attention spans and poor memory retention.
And rock star Gods
And celebrities being regarded almost like deities by their massive followings.
How will you react,
What will your response be?
Do I blaspheme
Am I saying something that is considered offensive or sacrilegious?
If I said
Suppose I were to mention the following...
I killed Kurt Cobain
I am claiming responsibility for the death of the musician Kurt Cobain.
You still wear the face
You still look like or identify with the persona of...
Of a guy you never knew
A person who you may never have actually met, but you perceive as being significant or admirable.
Where were all your fucking shirts
Where were all of your belongings or possessions...
When Dobbs and Straight went down
During a time when these two individuals experienced some sort of downfall, which may have led to a sense of loss or disappointment.
I don't see them out
It does not appear that those items are currently available or visible.
You're bored again
You are feeling uninterested and unengaged once more.
I killed Kurt Cobain...
I am emphasizing my assertion that I was somehow responsible for the death of Kurt Cobain.
We all killed Kurt Cobain
We, as a collective society or group, may have contributed to the circumstances that led to Kurt Cobain's death.
And I'm bored
I continue to experience a sense of ennui or tedium.
And when I get bored
When I feel particularly disinterested and inactive...
I go fucking ape-shit
I become extremely agitated and irrational.
I beat up on walls
I physically assault the surfaces of the surrounding environment.
And I fucking hate it
I feel tremendous disdain for this behavior, even though it is a symptom of my boredom.
I hate it...
I strongly dislike engaging in violent or destructive actions, but I may not be able to control myself when my boredom reaches a peaking point.
Contributed by Ellie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
alex wheeler
God i love this band so much
Brian Ajax Wintor
Best UK band.
Myles Crosley
this song pays tribute to kurt and lynn strait. rip brothers
Aidan Willis
and dobbs
man55100
loove this song!
zcb12345
Nostravia.