1) Slapstick was a Chi… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:
1) Slapstick was a Chicago-based (many members were from Elgin, IL) ska/punk band active from 1993-1996, consisting of Brendan Kelly (vocals), Dan Andriano (bass), Dan Hanaway (trumpet), Matt Stamps (guitar), Rob Kellenberger (drums), and Peter Anna (trombone). They toured extensively and played endless shows in the greater Chicagoland area. They were signed to Asian Man Records. Reports exist that Slapstick turned down large amounts of money to sign to a major label, and instead broke up in 1996.
Following their 1996 breakup, the members of Slapstick went on to form a number of notable groups. Andriano, Stamps and Kellenberger formed Tuesday. Likewise, Kelly and Hanaway formed The Broadways with Rob DePaola and Tricky Dick guitarist Chris McCaughan. Tuesday eventually broke up in 1998 when Andriano took over bass duties for Alkaline Trio. The Broadways also broke up in 1998 with Kelly and McCaughan starting The Lawrence Arms, still active today. A little later, Hanaway and DePaola started The Honor System. In 2004, Andriano, Kelly, Neil Hennesey and former Rise Against guitarist Todd Mohney formed the supergroup The Falcon.
The Lawrence Arms recently performed Slapstick songs at the Asian Man Records 11th anniversary show after years of refusing, and occasionally mocking, fans' requests to play them at shows. They since added "Broken Down" to setlists on their 2007 tour.
2) Pre-Antidote (Netherlands) band.
The Man
Slapstick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Told me not to stay out late when I wanted to
Told me not to do a lot of things, but I don't really care
Always did what I wanted to
Never did what I should do
Always did what I wanted to
Never one to listen to you
Told me not to be a punk when I wanted to
Told me not to do a lot of things, but I did them anyway
Always did what I wanted to
Never did what I should do
Always did what I wanted to
Never one to listen to you
The lyrics to Slapstick's song "The Man" reflect a rebellious spirit that defies authority and refuses to conform to expectations. The singer in the song is being told not to do a lot of things, presumably by a parent or authority figure, but they don't care and do what they want to anyway. The opening lines of the song, "Told me not to go outside when I wanted to/Told me not to stay out late when I wanted to" depict the kind of restrictions that the singer is being subjected to. However, their desire to assert their independence and autonomy is stronger than any restrictions imposed upon them.
The next verse mentions being told not to be a man or a punk, which may be interpreted as societal expectations of gender roles and norms. The phrase "told me not to be a man" might suggest pressure to conform to traditional masculinity, while "told me not to be a punk" might allude to a countercultural movement that the authority figure is disapproving of. Despite this pressure, the singer asserts their autonomy and continues to do what they want, regardless of the consequences.
The refrain of "Always did what I wanted to/Never did what I should do/Never one to listen to you" reinforces the idea of the singer's rebellion against authority and underscores their desire to chart their own course in life. The song is an anthem of nonconformity and the desire for personal freedom, which is something that many people can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Told me not to go outside when I wanted to
I was warned not to venture outside when I had the urge to do so.
Told me not to stay out late when I wanted to
I received advice not to stay out until a late hour when I desired to do so.
Told me not to do a lot of things, but I don't really care
Despite being told not to engage in multiple activities, I did not care about the warnings.
Always did what I wanted to
I consistently followed my desires without regard for the advice of others.
Never did what I should do
I failed to follow the proper course of action
Never one to listen to you
I showed disregard for others' advice.
Told me not to be a man when I wanted to
I was advised against behaving in a masculine manner when I desired to do so.
Told me not to be a punk when I wanted to
I received advice not to behave in a cowardly or weak manner when I wanted to.
Told me not to do a lot of things, but I did them anyway
Despite being advised against multiple actions, I still pursued them.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Aloe Blacc, Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Khalil Abdul-Rahman, Daniel Seeff, Sam Barsh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wildman Aturmoms
Totally feelin it!
james HOLDEN
this one is as awesome as Crooked!!
GG123
I love Brendan <3
mrfish4lyfe
fuck yes i have not seen ska or punk in like 10 years this is gonna rule
DumbPunk
@zach0kitty Hey man for these guys its totally worth it. I would drive there myself but i don't think my mom would let me take her car all the way to California just so I can go see a band she never heard
Victor G
0 dislikees!!! this is how i love to see ;D
blade lawrence
man miss the good ol days
DumbPunk
@zach0kitty Yeah it, its fucking cool their getting back together but the only problem is the show is in California. But hopefully they'll do a chicago show just for fun.
DumbPunk
If anyone doesn't know yet these guys are getting back together for the Asian Man 15th anniversary show
Lokix
Chicago is awesome. I'll be living there in a couple years.