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]
Grace
Steel Train Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it hurts to crawl
this velvet aisle again
and their eyes feast
on my deceased
they hold the cherry of my pit
come please and fel my deceased
and her eyes closed, soul rose
earth will patch the cracks within
i dig a hole for all my sins
big, small
a pain inside you all
will touch your spine when i give in
and grace falls
13 years to tall
i once walked aside my child
but i left him on a velvet aisle
The song "Grace" by Steel Train seems to be a reflection on the complexities and contradictions of life, death, and its aftermath. The opening lyrics, "I'm big, and small, it hurts to crawl, this velvet aisle again" suggest a sense of simultaneous self-awareness and vulnerability experienced by the singer. The phrase "velvet aisle" itself is quite poetic, as it implies a sense of both luxury and solemnity fitting for a funeral or wake.
The next line, "and their eyes feast on my deceased, they hold the cherry of my pit" is quite striking. It implies a sense of both judgement and consumption from those around him, as though people are "feasting" on the dead man's failures and shortcomings. The "cherry of my pit" could refer to the small yet significant parts of one's self that remain even after death, perhaps those that are more difficult or uncomfortable to face.
The chorus shifts gears somewhat, with the plea "come please and feel my deceased" suggesting a need for connection and empathy, as the singer imagines others walking beside him and comforting him. The line "earth will patch the cracks within, I dig a hole for all my sins" speaks to a sense of redemption or rebirth, as though even in death there is the possibility of growth and healing.
Overall, "Grace" is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of life, death, and the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
i'm big, and small
I am both confident and vulnerable at the same time
it hurts to crawl
I am struggling to move forward, and it's causing me pain
this velvet aisle again
I am back in a familiar but uncomfortable situation
and their eyes feast
Others are observing me closely and taking in my every move
on my deceased
They are taking pleasure in my pain and struggles
they hold the cherry of my pit
Others are benefiting from my struggles and taking advantage of me
come please and feel my deceased
I want someone to understand and empathize with my struggles and pain
i know you walk aside your child
I understand that others have their own struggles and are trying to navigate through life as well
and her eyes closed, soul rose
Even in difficult times, there is still hope and positivity to be found
earth will patch the cracks within
Time and life experiences will heal wounds and mend brokenness
i dig a hole for all my sins
I acknowledge my mistakes and am willing to take responsibility for my actions
a pain inside you all will touch your spine when i give in
My struggles and pain will affect others, and they will feel the weight of it as well
and grace falls
Even in the darkest moments, there is still light and beauty to be found
13 years too tall
I feel like I don't quite fit in and am struggling to find my place
I once walked aside my child, but I left him on a velvet aisle
I made mistakes in the past and left behind a part of myself that I still miss
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LLOYD COLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind