The self-proclaimed "demi gods of horror-cor… Read Full Bio ↴2008–2012, 2014–present
The self-proclaimed "demi gods of horror-core" known as Spraynard formed in 2008 with one intention in mind: to plant the ideological seeds of unrestrained patriotism in the minds of their listeners.
Guitarist Pat Graham was seen at rallies supporting the Iraq War as recently as January, 2010. "I'm not just here to support our military offensive in Iraq - I'm here to support every kind of military action imaginable, past, present, and future. I will not be satisfied until every last person in this world is pledging to my American flag. I have no apologies."
To propagate this message of extreme colonialism, Spraynard implements "subtle yet strong patriotic themes" in their songs and records. Graham explains, "if you actually take just two fucking minutes to think about our lyrics, you'll find that they're all about preserving the kind of America that the puritan settlers intended to create. And yes, that means I support the revival of actual witch hunts."
These intensely nationalist perspectives have caught up with the band in the form of physical confrontation. Outside of a show in Boston, MA, the band was assaulted by a small army of 242 anti-fascist skinheads. According to the band, if it weren't for Dos, they might have actually lost the fight.
Bassist Mark asserts that he is indifferent to his bandmates' political beliefs. Showcasing Spraynard's trademark sense of humor, Mark joked "as long as I get paid in smack, I am happy."
The band reunited in March 31, 2014.
Ah Gun
Spraynard Lyrics
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So here's to looking back, looking back to when we were so young and scared (scared to become like this)
Finding comfort in bottles while we were out of step
Now everyone I know walks in time
Changes seem harder the more I age and the more I stay the same
Maybe everyone is thinking the same thing and I'm the one in a different place
Maybe everyone is thinking the same thing and I'm the one in a different place
The lyrics to Spraynard's song "Ah Gun" speak to the difficulty of change and the feeling of being out of place as one grows older. The singer observes that life seems so sad, disjointed, and broken beyond repair. However, to find solace and hope in the present, they look back to a time when they and their peers were young and scared of the future. They used to find comfort in bottles, perhaps alcohol, while feeling out of step with the world around them. Now, however, everyone they know seems to walk in time, leaving the singer feeling left behind in their struggle to keep up with the changes of life.
The song suggests that changes seem harder the more one ages and yet remains the same. The singer wonders if perhaps everyone else is thinking the same thing, but they are the only ones in a different place. The lyrics have a melancholic tinge to them, expressing a sentiment that is both relatable and sad. The song's poignancy lies in its ability to capture the feeling of being caught between the past and the present, feeling stuck and out of sync with the rest of the world. It's a powerful reminder that change is hard and that the passage of time can leave us feeling adrift and disconnected.
Line by Line Meaning
This seems so sad, so disjointed, so broken beyond repair
The situation being described appears to be incredibly depressing, disorganized, and beyond any chance of being fixed.
So here's to looking back, looking back to when we were so young and scared (scared to become like this)
Let's reflect on the past when we were young and afraid of ending up in the current terrible state.
Finding comfort in bottles while we were out of step
We relied on alcohol to ease our discomfort and feeling of being out of sync with others.
Now everyone I know walks in time
Now it seems like everyone around me is in tune with the usual norms and conforms to the typical way of life.
Changes seem harder the more I age and the more I stay the same
As I grow older and refuse to change, it becomes increasingly difficult to make any progress or modification in life.
Maybe everyone is thinking the same thing and I'm the one in a different place
Perhaps everyone else is feeling the same way as me, but I am the only one not fitting in with the rest due to my individuality.
Contributed by Emily O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.