“SK6ERS,” as the band is affectionately known, have carved a determined, inspiring path since forming. An exceptional live act given to high-energy showmanship, The Sixers are closing in on their 1000th show with a newfound grit and gratitude. Stephen and core Sixers – Kit “Goose” Karlson (keys, bass, tuba, accordion) and Brian “Boots” Factor (drums, mandolin, banjo) -- are friends who act like brothers and switch off on their instruments to keep it fresh; much in the tradition of their collective heroes, The Band. “We’ve all opted to approach our life in the same way – trying to put integrity ahead of ambitions of fame and fortune, though we’d like that too... at least the fortune part,” Stephen says with a laugh.
Many bands talk about “keeping it real,” but in The Sixers’ case, they mean it. “We’re not up there projecting a personality we can’t believe in. I think it’s important to go with the feel of each moment and take chances. If that means we get out of synch or sing out of key once in a while, so be it. The crags are cool because they’re interesting.”
That explains why producer Tom Schick (Norah Jones, Ryan Adams, Rufus Wainwright) signed up for the new record. “Each person in The Sixers really adds a lot,” he says. “They’re so locked in with each other. Stephen is definitely the leader of the gang, but everybody has their say,” he adds of the roles played by Boots Factor and Kit Karlson. “They rise and fall together. It’s amazing to watch them work.”
Schick now understands why the group has a growing legion of loyal fans. “They’re a ‘classic rock’ band in the best sense of the phrase,” he says. “You can hear Neil Young, Tom Petty and John Cougar in there. It brings back a lot of good feelings about growing up and listening to great people who can really play their instruments. It’s not pieced together on a computer. It’s very refreshing.”
The band announced an indefinite hiatus in July 2012 and began a farewell tour that wrapped up in New York City, as the band played to their largest headlining audience ever.
www.stephenkellogg.com
Father's Day
Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And then gave me a faint little smile
Like she knew that I
Might be gone, gone for a while
And if you're looking for advice my dear
I have nothing to say
I am always at a loss for words
But the bruises keep the breaks at bay
On Father's Day
And the flowers they did bloom
On the day that you were born
They're like diamonds littering
On the cross on my shores
And if you're looking for advice my dear
I have nothing to say
I am always at a loss for words
When you look at me that way
But the bruises keep the breaks at bay
On Father's Day
But you can make yourself better
Better than me
You are more than just a product of your history
You're like you Mom, little girl
And believe me, that's the best thing in the world
And I'm sorry for the things that get messed up
And they will be places that you may not get enough
And some memories you wish you never had
But won't kill you makes you stronger
And you just tell them
You got that from your dad
And if you're looking for advice my dear
I have nothing to say
I am always at a loss for words
When you look at me that way
And I'll always, always love you
No matter what you do
When you're growing up without me
I will always be with you
Must be something in the way that I was raised
And the bruises keep the breaks at bay
Yeah the bruises keep the breaks at bay
On Father's Day
The song "Father's Day" by Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers is a touching tribute to a father's love for his daughter. The opening lines describe a poignant moment between the father and daughter, where she gives him a small smile as if she knows that he might be leaving for a while. The father is at a loss for words and has no advice to offer his daughter, but he knows that the bruises in his life have kept the breaks at bay on Father's Day, and this gives him strength.
The song's lyrics also touch on the father's regrets and hopes for his daughter's future. He acknowledges the mistakes he has made and the difficult memories that he wishes his daughter never had, but he also encourages her to be better than him, to be more than just a product of her history. He tells her that she is like her mother, and that's the best thing in the world. The father promises his daughter that he will always love her, no matter what she does, and that even when he's not with her, he will always be with her.
Overall, "Father's Day" is a touching and emotional song about the relationship between a father and daughter, and the unconditional love that binds them together.
Line by Line Meaning
The way she held my hand
The author reminisces about a time when his daughter held his hand.
And then gave me a faint little smile
The daughter gave him a gentle smile as if she knew he would be gone for a while.
Like she knew that I might be gone, gone for a while
The daughter probably sensed that the author will leave for a period of time.
And if you're looking for advice my dear, I have nothing to say
The author isn't sure what to say to his daughter when she looks at him a certain way.
I am always at a loss for words when you look at me that way
The author doesn't know how to respond when his daughter looks at him in a certain way.
But the bruises keep the breaks at bay on Father's Day
The author may have bruises, but he keeps going despite them to celebrate Father's Day.
And the flowers they did bloom on the day that you were born
The author remembers the day that his daughter was born with flowers.
They're like diamonds littering on the cross on my shores
The flowers that bloomed on the day of his daughter's birth are like precious gems scattered on the author's life.
But you can make yourself better, better than me
The author encourages his daughter to be better than him and her history.
You are more than just a product of your history
The author believes that his daughter has the potential to be more than just a reflection of their family history.
You're like your mom, little girl
The daughter takes after her mother, which is a positive characteristic according to the author.
And believe me, that's the best thing in the world
The author thinks that the daughter taking after her mom is the best thing ever.
And I'm sorry for the things that get messed up
The author regrets that some things will not go as planned or may get messed up.
And they will be places that you may not get enough
The author acknowledges that there may be times where the daughter will feel as if she's not getting enough.
And some memories you wish you never had
The author knows that the daughter may have some negative memories that she would rather not have.
But won't kill you makes you stronger
The author believes that one can gain strength from difficult experiences.
And you just tell them you got that from your dad
The author wants his daughter to remember that she is stronger because of her experiences and that she can attribute it to her father.
And I'll always, always love you, no matter what you do
The author reassures the daughter that he will always love her unconditionally, regardless of whatever she chooses to do.
When you're growing up without me, I will always be with you
Even if the author is physically absent during his daughter's growth, he will always be with her.
Must be something in the way that I was raised
The author thinks that his upbringing may have influenced his way of thinking and behavior.
And the bruises keep the breaks at bay
The author may have bruises, but he keeps going despite them.
Yeah the bruises keep the breaks at bay, on Father's Day
The author chooses to push through his struggles and celebrate Father's Day with his daughter despite his bruises.
Contributed by Sarah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.