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]
Kill Monsters In The Rain
Steel Train Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where you sleep, no more do you ever have to dream
Together we can, together we'll
Kill monsters in the rain
We are the same, what a mess you made
Hide in the cupboard, behind the soap boxes and..
Your mom, will never see us lying, hiding awake
Kill monsters in the rain
We are the same, what a mess you made
I was cold, in line
Picked out, backed down
Fucked up, out of love
Out of time, I fell
I'm never going back again..!..
Come and save me, ill climb on up your hill
We don't sleep, no more life lived like a dream
Together we can, together we'll
Kill monsters in the rain
We are the same, what a mess you made
I was cold, in line
Picked out, backed down
Fucked up, out of Love, out of time
The you were, then you smiled
And again and again and I fell
Open eyes, I did see that ghost, that soul..
Was buried alive, and I swore
Id never see that place again...!!!...
Together we can, together we'll
Kill monsters in the rain
We are the same, what a mess you made
Oh we are the same, what a mess we'll make
The lyrics of Steel Train's song "Kill Monsters in the Rain" tell a story of two people coming together to overcome the monsters in their lives. The first verse asks for someone to come down from their hill and bring an end to the dreaming. The second verse speaks to hiding and finding safety with another person who is willing to join in the fight against life's monsters. The bridge goes on to speak of feeling lost and out of love, but then finding someone who brought light into the darkness. The final chorus repeats the notion that together they can face anything and that they are not so different after all.
The song can be interpreted in several ways, but the general theme is one of finding someone who can help bring an end to the darkness and fear in one's life. It is a song of hope that encourages the listener to keep searching for that one person who can help them fight their fears and overcome the challenges they face.
Line by Line Meaning
Come and save me, come on down from that hill
I need you to rescue me from where you've been hiding
Where you sleep, no more do you ever have to dream
You no longer need to endure any nightmares while you sleep
Together we can, together we'll
Kill monsters in the rain
We can face and conquer our fears and problems as a team
We are the same, what a mess you made
We are both struggling with the consequences of our actions
Hide in the cupboard, behind the soap boxes and..
Your mom, will never see us lying, hiding awake
We're seeking refuge and trying to avoid getting caught or in trouble
I was cold, in line
Picked out, backed down
Fucked up, out of love
Out of time, I fell
I'm never going back again..!..
I made some mistakes in the past and failed, but I won't repeat them again
Come and save me, ill climb on up your hill
We don't sleep, no more life lived like a dream
I'm willing to reach out to you and change my life for the better
The you were, then you smiled
And again and again and I fell
Your positive attitude and presence bring joy into my life
Open eyes, I did see that ghost, that soul..
Was buried alive, and I swore
Id never see that place again...!!!...
I finally realized the trauma and pain I've been carrying, but I promise to move on and not dwell in that dark place anymore
Oh we are the same, what a mess we'll make
We're acknowledging that we're both flawed and imperfect, but we're willing to work together to create a new and better outcome
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JACK ANTONOFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind