The name Silversun Pickups refers to a liquor store across the road L.A. rock-scene hang Silverlake Lounge. One of the band’s friends would often arrive at the store late at night to buy liquor, and would be as such making the "Silversun Pickup".
The band is signed to Dangerbird Records. They released their debut EP "Pikul" in July of 2005. The band has released four albums, 2006's "Carnavas", 2009's "Swoon", 2012's "Neck of the Woods" and 2015's "Better Nature". The band managed two Top 10 singles on Billboard's Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart in 2007: "Lazy Eye" (#5) and "Well Thought Out Twinkles" (#9). In 2009, they managed their third top 10 on the chart, "Panic Switch" (#1) and a fourth song "Substitution" was also on that chart (#23).
Silversun Pickups have been compared to The Smashing Pumpkins (possibly due in part to Brian Aubert's vocal style) and 90's shoegazing bands like My Bloody Valentine, Lush, Ride, and Slowdive. Silversun Pickups claim they have been heavily influenced by Modest Mouse and The Velvet Underground as well as other lesser-known acts.
Their first break came when a friend mailed a boombox demo to CMJ and they were accepted. They got their start in many of the most important L.A. clubs and began to draw a strong following upon the release of the Pikul EP. This culminated in frequent touring, including a co-headlining stint with Viva Voce.
The band finished a three-week tour opening for Australian rockers Wolfmother on December 9, 2006, and have toured with OK Go and Snow Patrol on their U.S. spring tour, which ended on April 10, 2007. The Pickups played at the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California on April 27, 2007.
The band supported Foo Fighters, along with Nine Inch Nails on August 21st 2007 as part of the 'T on the Fringe' music festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, and then on the 22nd in Marley Park, Dublin, Ireland. They also performed at the Carling Reading and Leeds festivals on the 25th/26th August 2007 and supported Kaiser Chiefs on their Autumn European tour and Snow Patrol on their tour of Australia (with Paolo from Snow Patrol joining them regularly to play guitar on Lazy Eye and Nikki guesting on vocals for Snow Patrol's Set The Fire To The Third Bar onstage). On some of these dates the band have been covering Joy Division's Shadowplay and Bjork's Big Time Sensuality, both of which have been recorded for web or radio sessions.
The second full studio album, entitled "Swoon", was released 14th April 2009 in both the US and UK.
The band was also part of Lollapalooza 2009 in Chicago, IL, Voodoo Fest 2009 and 2012 in New Orleans, and the 2009 Sasquatch! Festival.
In early 2010, they supported the UK anthem-rock superstars Muse for several of their North American dates for The Resistance tour.
Booksmart Devil
Silversun Pickups Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So believe
In streetwise angel
So believe
So believe
In booksmart devil
So retreat
From land-locked lover
With anchored armor
Sobering
Sobering
So believe
So believe
In streetwise angel
In booksmart devil
Sobering
Sobering
Sobering
Sobering
The lyrics to "Booksmart Devil" can be interpreted in a few different ways, but one possible interpretation is that the song is about the idea that good and evil can coexist in the same person or entity. The idea of a "streetwise angel" suggests someone who may seem rough around the edges or even dangerous, but who ultimately has a good heart and is capable of doing the right thing. The "booksmart devil," on the other hand, suggests someone who may present themselves as intelligent and knowledgeable, but who may also have ulterior motives or be willing to do harm in pursuit of their goals.
The lines "So retreat / So retreat / From land-locked lover / With anchored armor" could be interpreted as a warning to stay away from someone who is emotionally closed off and unwilling to let others in, even if they appear strong and self-sufficient on the surface. The repeated refrain of "Sobering" could be seen as a reminder that these contrasting qualities in a person or situation can be jarring and difficult to reconcile.
Line by Line Meaning
So believe
Have faith
So believe
Have faith
In streetwise angel
In someone who is street-smart and can guide you
Repeat previous stanza
In booksmart devil
In someone who is smart, but not necessarily good
So retreat
Withdraw
So retreat
Withdraw
From land-locked lover
From someone who is stuck in one place and cannot change
With anchored armor
With heavy protection that is difficult to move
Repeat previous stanza
Sobering
Reality-check
Sobering
Reality-check
Sobering
Reality-check
Sobering
Reality-check
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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