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]
Bloody Lips
Steel Train Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've got the bloody finger tips
And blood on your lips
You used to love the rock n roll
Now you got me on the phone
Quit putting me on
Don't you remember the prom
You down
Now you're just like them
Making everybody feel bad
What the world has dealt you
Ain't so wrong
Come on, quit putting me on
Hello Mr. White Light
You look kind of angry
Bet you think I want to
Drink from your fountain
But I'm climbing up that mountain
Shout it!
Everyone is walking away
No we can't afford the bills on
This pay
Hey - quit putting me on
Hello Mr. White Light
You look kind of angry
Bet you think I want to
Drink from your fountain
But I'm climbing up that mountain
Shout it!
Everyone is walking away
No we can't afford the bills on
This pay
Hey - quit putting me on
The lyrics to Steel Train's song "Bloody Lips" convey a sense of frustration and disillusionment with someone who has changed from who they used to be. The opening line, "About time you paid for all of this," indicates that the subject has done something wrong, likely related to their newfound callous behavior towards others. The mention of "bloody finger tips" and "blood on your lips" suggests that they have been physically or emotionally hurting others, perhaps even reveling in their own cruelty. The singer of the song pleads with them to stop "putting me on," or trying to manipulate and control them as they do to others.
Continuing on, the lyrics delve into the subject's past and how they were treated poorly by bullies at their prom. The irony of now becoming the thing they once hated - someone who makes "everybody feel bad" - is palpable. Still, the singer tries to empathize with the subject and suggests that the world hasn't been entirely kind to them either. The mention of "Mr. White Light" and "drinking from your fountain" could be interpreted in a few different ways - perhaps it refers to the subject's newfound status or success, and the singer's reluctance to be associated with it. Regardless, they reaffirm their own strength and resilience, "climbing up that mountain" instead of giving in to the subject's negative influence.
Overall, "Bloody Lips" is a song about the dangers of losing oneself to bitterness and cruelty. The lyrics are raw and emotional, conveying a message that is both personal and universal.
Line by Line Meaning
About time you paid for all of this
It's time for you to face the consequences of your actions
You've got the bloody finger tips
You have done something bad or harmful, and it is represented by the blood on your hands
And blood on your lips
You have said something hurtful or malicious
You used to love the rock n roll
There was a time when you enjoyed life more and didn't take everything so seriously
Now you got me on the phone
You are deflecting from your own problems onto me, causing me to bear the burden of your issues
Quit putting me on
Stop insisting that I take responsibility for your problems
Don't you remember the prom
Do you recall how you were ridiculed and talked down to by the popular people at prom?
And the popular kids who put you down
You were looked down upon and made to feel inferior to those who were considered trendy and popular
Now you're just like them
You have become like the very people who you used to despise and felt oppressed by
Making everybody feel bad
You have become a toxic and negative influence, spreading misery and pain to those around you
What the world has dealt you ain't so wrong
Your problems and issues are not as severe as you make them out to be
Come on, quit putting me on
Stop blaming others for your problems and take responsibility for your own life
Hello Mr. White Light
Addressing a higher power or force, hoping for guidance and inspiration
You look kind of angry
Feeling as though any higher power or force is not pleased with the current situation
Bet you think I want to drink from your fountain
Believing that any higher power or force believes that you want to gain something through deceitful means
But I'm climbing up that mountain
Working hard to better oneself and overcome personal struggles
Shout it! Everyone is walking away
Screaming for people to listen and care, while feeling as though they are continuously isolated and ignored
No we can't afford the bills on this pay
Struggling to survive or get by with limited financial resources
Hey - quit putting me on
Demanding that others stop blaming or deflecting their issues onto oneself
Contributed by Madison Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kathleen Freeman
:D