The band began when two friends, Jack Antonoff and Scott Irby-Ranniar, sharing a common love of music, began playing together. They busked in subways and alleyways in New York, and in 1999/2000 recorded a demo that garnered a large degree of record label interest. Despite the array of offers, the guys, now called Steel Train (after lyric in a Sublime song) eventually chose to sign with Drive Thru Records particularly drawn by the support but also artistic freedom the label offered.
In 2002, the band recorded their debut ep entitled 'For You My Dear,' recruiting Evan Winiker (formerly of NJ emo band Random Task) and Matthias Gruber to help with recording and touring. The two later became full members of the band, first Winiker (who was presented as a full member in the promotional pieces for that same ep, released in January 2003) and later Gruber, who joined with second guitarist Matthew Goldman to complete the band and create Steel Train.
Together the band went on to record the '1969' ep (a CD of cover versions of songs from that year that inspired the band and their sound), and their debut album 'Twilight Tales From The Prairies Of The Sun,' dropped a year later in 2005. In December of 2006 the band announced that they would be departing ways with Matthias Gruber (drums) and Matt Goldman (guitar) who chose to pursue other interests. The positions were filled by tour manager Daniel Silbert on guitar and Jon Shiffman on drums.
In 2009, the band left the Drive Thru label and in June of 2010 independently released their eponymously-titled third LP. Included in that release was a companion album, 'Terrible Thrills: Vol. I', consisting of covers and re-imaginings of each 'Steel Train' track by female artists, including Scarlett Johansson, Tegan and Sara, Holly Miranda, Alia Shawkat, Amanda Palmer, and Jack's sister Rachel Antonoff.
The band often polarizes opinions, mainly based around the fact that the style of rock they play is more 'classic' (Jack often jokes the band was "30 years too late"), yet people see them as very much a part of the emo/pop-punk scene (mainly due to their Drive Thru Records connections). They are well noted for their impressive live shows and 'jamming' ability.
The lead singer, Jack, also used to date Scarlett Johansson and the song Better Love off of Twilight Tales from the Prairies of the Sun is about/makes reference to her [1] [2]. Though Better Love is a song strictly about her, he also references her in "2 O'clock'" and "Dig". "Josie smiles and laughs, while me and Scarlett will smoke our hash." [3]and "oh, my scarlet you had a real friend in me."Lyrics
[edit] Current Members
* Jack Antonoff - Vocals, Guitar, Piano
* Evan Winiker - Bass, Backing Vocals
* Daniel Silbert - Guitar, Backing Vocals
* Jon Shiffman - Drums, Percussion
* Justin Huey - Keys
[edit] Past Members
* Matthias Gruber - Drums, Percussion
* Matthew Goldman - Guitar, Backing Vocals
* Scott Irby-Ranniar - Vocals, Percussion
[edit]
Angelica
Steel Train Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't say the lights would not change cause I've seen the gray
Our lives, untouchable
When you see your epic is all in flames
Such coy and winsome lies
Aloft she cries, so high
Thick lovers carry on a passive song
"We are the ill-advised," she said through a disguise
Fancy and short
Fall asleep with all the things you said to me
Running out of time
I'm not crawling
So hide behind what's weak and point the freaks
To a place that lights your name
So here's some alcohol to shake the fall
A drink that frames the need
And if you run for fame and hold such disdain
Everlong
So walk along the lines
And what you know is everything you had in store
And what you thought that you'd adore
You can't hold all you left behind
In light just bleed, Angelica
Don't say the lights could not change cause I've seen the gray
Our lives, untouchable
When you see your epic is all in vain
The spotlight burns inside of me
Cause Bravery is holding my two hands so high in the air
With each breath Angelica sighs
The song "Angelica" by Steel Train is one that can be interpreted in many different ways. At its core, the song seems to be about the fragile nature of life and the inevitability of its end. The first verse opens with the line "In light just bleed, Angelica," which could be interpreted as a reference to the idea that life is fleeting, and that we all have a limited amount of time to live in the light before we fade away. The next few lines seem to suggest that even though we know this on some level, we still try to cling to the idea that we are untouchable, even in the face of destruction.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more abstract and poetic, but the overall theme remains the same. The reference to "thick lovers" carrying on a "passive song" suggests a certain resignation to the inevitability of our eventual demise. The line "we are the ill-advised" adds a sense of helplessness to this idea, as though we are powerless to prevent our inevitable fate. But even as the song acknowledges the fragility of life, it also suggests that there is a certain bravery in facing that reality head-on. The line "The spotlight burns inside of me/Cause Bravery is holding my two hands so high in the air" could be interpreted as a call to embrace the fleeting nature of life and to live as bravely and fully as possible in the time that we have.
Overall, "Angelica" is a song that confronts the idea of mortality head-on and encourages listeners to embrace life in all its complexity, even as we acknowledge its eventual end.
Line by Line Meaning
In light just bleed, Angelica
Despite the brightness, Angelica is hurting inside
Don't say the lights would not change cause I've seen the gray
Don't deny that things can change, as I've witnessed the darker side of life
Our lives, untouchable
Our lives are beyond the reach of others
When you see your epic is all in flames
When you realize that what you thought was great is now destroyed
Such coy and winsome lies
These lies are alluring and charming
Aloft she cries, so high
She cries from a great height, with a high-pitched voice
Thick lovers carry on a passive song
The couple continues their uneventful relationship
The angel lilts in vain
The angel sings in vain, without achieving anything
"We are the ill-advised," she said through a disguise
She admits that they made a mistake, but not directly
Fancy and short
The explanation is superficial and brief
Fall asleep with all the things you said to me
I want to remember all the things you said as I fall asleep
Running out of time
Time is running short, and something needs to be done soon
I'm not crawling
I'm not going to back down or give up easily
So hide behind what's weak and point the freaks
Don't try to blame others for your problems and attack the vulnerable
To a place that lights your name
To a place where you can feel important and recognized
So here's some alcohol to shake the fall
Alcohol is offered to deal with the difficulties of life
A drink that frames the need
The drink highlights what we need in life
And if you run for fame and hold such disdain
If you chase fame while despising it
Everlong
Forever
So walk along the lines
Follow the established path
And what you know is everything you had in store
What you already know is all that you possess
And what you thought that you'd adore
And what you once believed you would love
You can't hold all you left behind
You can't keep everything from your past with you forever
The spotlight burns inside of me
I'm deeply affected by the attention and scrutiny
Cause Bravery is holding my two hands so high in the air
I feel courageous because I'm putting myself out there
With each breath Angelica sighs
Angelica is constantly sighing and feeling down
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JACK ANTONOFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind