The band released their debut EP Introducing Save Ferris in 1996. Later that year, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences gave the band a Grammy showcase award for best unsigned band, earning them a recording contract with Epic Records. The band released their debut full length for the label in 1997. It Means Everything featured several re-recorded tracks from the EP, several new songs, and a cover of Dexys Midnight Runners' "Come on Eileen," which the band released as a single and was a minor hit. The band also released "The World is New" as a single which was featured in the film The Big Hit as well as being used in Tara Lipinski's debut program as a professional skater in the 1998 Skate TV Championships.
The band toured extensively in support of the album, opening for bands such as Sugar Ray, The Offspring, and Reel Big Fish, and Powell also provided vocals on the Reel Big Fish song "She Has A Girlfriend Now." In April 1998, they made their television debut on HBO's music series Reverb and made an on-screen appearance in the film 10 Things I Hate About You. The album proved to be a moderate success in the United States, selling over 400,000 copies, and spawned three Top Ten hits in both Japan and Mexico.[1]
Winter 1998 saw the departure of drummer Marc Harismendy. Evan Kilbourne joined shortly thereafter, and the band began writing their follow-up to It Means Everything. The appropriately-titled Modified was released in October 1999, approximately one year later. The album saw the band moving away from their ska-punk roots and into pop-rock territory. It was largely panned by critics and fans alike, with fans unhappy about the drastic change in the band's sound. The band toured with fewer ska-punk and pop-punk bands as a result, opening for bands like Lit.
José Castellaños left the band in June of 2000, citing a desire to return to school.[2] He was replaced by T-Bone Willy's former bandmate from Six Feet Deep and Nuckle Brothers, Oliver Zavala.
The band continued to tour in support of Modified throughout 2000 and 2001, but by the end of 2001 were becoming increasingly less active. Throughout 2002, the band updated their website infrequently and toured sporadically, rarely venturing outside of the Southern California area. Rumors circulated that Monique Powell had been scheduling tour dates without the rest of the band's input or consent since mid-2001. The rest of the band had initially played the dates anyway, but eventually left Powell who assembled a new band so she could continue touring under the name Save Ferris.
In June 2002, the band's website announced they were working on a new album, but later that year, the site began redirecting to Powell's own website. The band officially announced their breakup in mid-2002, stating they'd originally wanted to quietly disappear from the music scene but Powell's insistence on continuing under the Save Ferris moniker forced them to officially announce a breakup. The band's final performance was held in Culver City on September 20, 2002.
On March 29th 2003 at Ska Summit 2003 in Las Vegas a band named Save Ferris played on the main stage. Monique was the only actual member of the former band. More statements were made about the new lineup and work on an album continuing but nothing came from it.
Father Christmas
Save Ferris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
though I knew it was my dad. And I would hang up
my stalking at Christmas, open my presents and
I'd be glad.
But the last time I played Father Christmas I
stood outside a department store. A gang of kids
came over and mugged me, and knocked my reindeer
They said: Father Christmas give us some money.
Don't mess around with those silly toys. We'll
beat you up if you don't hand it over. We want
your bread so don't make us annoyed. Give all
the toys to the little rich boys.
Don't get my brother a Steve Austin outsit, don't
get my sister a cuddly toy, don't want a jigsaw
or Monopoly money, we only want the real Macoy.
Father Christmas, give us some money, we'll beat
you up if you make us annoyed. Father Christmas,
give us some money, don't mess around with those
silly toys.
But give my daddy a job 'cause he needs one. He
gots lots of mouths to feed. But if you've got
one, I'll have a machine gun so i can scare all
the kids down the street.
They said: Father Christmas give us some money.
Don't mess around with those silly toys. We'll
beat you up if you don't hand it over. We want
your bread so don't make us annoyed. Give all
the toys to the little rich boys.
They said: Father Christmas give us some money.
Don't mess around with those silly toys. We'll
beat you up if you don't hand it over. We want
your bread so don't make us annoyed. Give all
the toys to the little rich boys.
They said: Father Christmas give us some money.
Don't mess around with those silly toys. We'll
beat you up if you don't hand it over. We want
your bread so don't make us annoyed. Give all
the toys to the little rich boys.
Have yourself a Merry Merry Christmas, have
yourself a good time. But remember the kids who
got nothing, while your drinking down your wine!
Save Ferris's Father Christmas is a poignant and subversive take on the traditional Christmas narrative. The song follows the perspective of an individual who once held a childlike trust in Father Christmas, perceiving their own father as the bearer of gifts. However, the singer's role shifts as they don the Father Christmas costume and are mugged by a group of youths demanding money rather than toys. This experience serves as a harsh wake-up call for the singer, who becomes aware of the stark contrast between the privileged and the marginalised on Christmas day.
The song's chorus "Father Christmas, give us some money, don't mess around with those silly toys" starkly contrasts with the more typical holiday refrain of "Father Christmas, bring us some toys, bring joy to all the girls and boys." This subversion ultimately highlights the harsh realities that many face during the holiday season. The lyrics "Give all the toys to the little rich boys" illustrate the idea that Christmas has become more about consumerism and upholding class structures, rather than a celebration of love and charity.
Overall, Save Ferris's Father Christmas is a bleak yet potent commentary on the economic inequality that persists during the holiday season, urging listeners to be mindful of their privilege and to remember those who might not have the luxury of partaking in the season's festivities.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was small I believed in Santa Claus,
When I was young, I believed in the myth of Santa Claus despite knowing that my dad was the one buying presents for me, and it made me happy during Christmas time.
though I knew it was my dad. And I would hang up
However, deep down, I knew the truth that my dad was the one responsible for getting me the gifts. And during the holidays, I would hang up my stocking for him to fill.
my stalking at Christmas, open my presents and
I would eagerly hang up my stocking and open my presents on Christmas day, feeling happy and content with what I received.
I'd be glad.
Receiving gifts from my dad, disguised as Santa Claus, would bring me joy and happiness.
But the last time I played Father Christmas I
However, the last time I pretended to be Santa Claus,
stood outside a department store. A gang of kids
I was standing outside a department store when a group of kids approached me,
came over and mugged me, and knocked my reindeer
and they attacked me, taking my money and gifts, and even knocking down my fake reindeer decoration.
to the floor.
My fake reindeer fell to the ground and was possibly damaged in the commotion.
They said: Father Christmas give us some money.
The kids demanded that I, posing as Santa, give them money instead of toys or gifts.
Don't mess around with those silly toys. We'll
They threatened to harm me if I did not comply with their demands and not give them toys, calling them 'silly' and not worth their time.
beat you up if you don't hand it over. We want
Their words conveyed a violent message about what they would do to me if I did not give them what they wanted.
your bread so don't make us annoyed. Give all
The kids wanted me to give them all my money so as not to vex them and provoke further harm towards me.
the toys to the little rich boys.
They asked that I give all the toys and gifts to 'little rich boys,' indicating their belief that they themselves were not wealthy or privileged enough to receive them.
Don't get my brother a Steve Austin outsit, don't
They didn't want specific gifts for their siblings, like a Steve Austin action figure or a teddy bear, as they were not interested in such things.
get my sister a cuddly toy, don't want a jigsaw
Instead of soft toys or puzzles, they wanted the 'real McCoy,' the real deal or real money.
or Monopoly money, we only want the real Macoy.
They re-emphasized their demand for real money instead of imitation games or toys.
Father Christmas, give us some money, we'll beat
They repeated their earlier demand and threat, once again insisting on money or punishing me physically.
you up if you make us annoyed. Father Christmas,
Their tone was aggressive and menacing, clearly stating what they would do if I did not comply.
give us some money, don't mess around with those
They further warned me not to waste their time with toys and games and to just give them what they wanted.
silly toys.
The kids used this phrase again to mock and belittle any toys or gifts they considered to be undeserving of their time or attention.
But give my daddy a job 'cause he needs one. He
One of the kids made a separate request, asking me to help their dad find a job because he had many dependents to support.
gots lots of mouths to feed. But if you've got
The child explained the dire situation and need for employment, indicating that the family was going through financial hardship.
one, I'll have a machine gun so i can scare all
However, another child made a rather disturbing comment, stating that if they received a single gift, they would use it, along with a machine gun, to scare and intimidate other children in the area.
the kids down the street.
The child clearly expressed a desire to use violence and weaponry to assert their power and dominance over others in their community.
Have yourself a Merry Merry Christmas, have
The song ends on a more positive, cheerful note, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and encouraging them to have a good time.
yourself a good time. But remember the kids who
However, it also serves as a reminder of those who may not be as fortunate and may not receive any gifts or toys during the holiday season.
got nothing, while your drinking down your wine!
Not everyone celebrates Christmas in the same way or has the same level of privilege. Therefore, while enjoying the festivities and holiday drinks, it is important to remember those who may be less fortunate.
Contributed by Keira W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
mik0430
Thanks! Had this on the LA radio CD 20 years ago