The core of Sunny Day Real Estate formed in 1992, originally under the name Empty Set. Empty Set consisted of Dan Hoerner (guitar, vocals), Nate Mendel (bass), and William Goldsmith (drums). A 7-inch called Flatland Spider was released. Mendel took a break to tour with another band, Hoerner took over the bass, and the group was joined by Jeremy Enigk, a high school friend of Goldsmith. Before long, Enigk ascended as the permanent frontman of the band. Where Hoerner's vocal style had been in the rougher, hardcore vein, Enigk's higher-pitched, somewhat strained vocal style added greater emotional depth to the band's songs. Another 7-inch, Thief, Steal Me a Peach in 1993.
The band's debut album, Diary, released by popular northwest label Sub Pop in 1994, was greeted with numerous positive reviews. That September, the band performed lead single "Seven" on an episode of The Jon Stewart Show. A few days later, they taped several songs for MTV's 120 Minutes. Through November and December, the band undertook a US tour with Shudder to Think and Soul Coughing in support of the album.
The band projected an enigmatic presence to the public. While supporting Diary, the band allowed only one publicity photo and granted just a single interview. (Though, strangely, the band posed for an advertisement for department-store chain Nordstrom. In a 1998 interview with Norm Arenas of Texas Is the Reason, Hoerner explained that the band made up a fake band name and brought in a fake lead singer for the ad shoot, only to have the store stick their real band name on the ad.) For most of its early days, the band also refused to play a show in California, for reasons that were never fully explained. When the band was asked to perform at the 1994 Almost Acoustic Christmas in Los Angeles for radio station KROQ, Hoerner refused to join them, leaving Enigk, Mendel, and Goldsmith to perform the show as a trio.
After finishing their 1994 US tour, the band regrouped to begin recording the follow-up to Diary. While the events surrounding the sessions have not been publicly discussed, the band was clearly enduring internal conflict. Rumors abounded that the root cause was Enigk's sudden conversion to Christianity. In early 1995, the band announced that it was disbanding, with Goldsmith and Mendel leaving to join Dave Grohl's fledging Foo Fighters.
There was much talk but little really known about the reasons for the break-up. While many fans focused on Enigk being a reborn Christian, Enigk and other band members later downplayed that aspect. In a letter addressed "To Seth and other readers", Enigk responded to rumors regarding his faith. Dismissing the connection between his conversion and their break-up, Enigk wrote, "I took a shot on calling upon God. He answered me. My pain was gone. I was full of joy. I had hope again. . . . I must say that the true God is the one who is in the Bible, Jesus Christ," and, "I would be a fool to say that he hasn't worked miracles in my life."
In November of 1995, Sub Pop released the band's second album, bearing only the label Sunny Day Real Estate. The album was released without cover art or liner notes, and was distributed by Sub Pop as LP2. It has also occasionally been referred to as "The Pink Album", a reference to its solid pink cover. When Sub Pop contacted the band for artwork for the release, the band had nothing to offer, so Goldsmith suggested that they "make it pink". The album included the songs recorded during the brief sessions, as well as tracks such as "Rodeo Jones" that were recorded during the sessions for Diary.
After the break up, Enigk pursued a solo career, releasing his first solo album in 1996. Hoerner moved out to a farm in rural Washington, while Mendel and Goldsmith continued with the Foo Fighters. In 1997, following a dispute with Grohl during the sessions for the second Foo Fighters record, Goldsmith departed the band, but Mendel remained.
In 1997, Sub Pop began pressing Enigk and Hoerner about the possibility of releasing a "rarities" record of Sunny Day Real Estate material, including the band's early 7-inch releases and otherwise unreleased songs, such as the band's unused contribution to The Crow: City of Angels soundtrack. Given that there wasn't quite a full album worth of material, the band decided to regroup to record a few new songs. While working on the songs, the quartet realized that whatever had driven them apart was behind them, and decided to continue working on new material, eventually signaling to Sub Pop that they wanted to release a full new album. Initially, Mendel intended to quit the Foo Fighters to rejoin Sunny Day full-time, but hedged for several months on actually quitting. Just before starting the recording sessions for the album, Mendel turned down the opportunity, noting that he didn't want to leave what he had with the Foo Fighters for a potentially tenuous reunion.
In September of 1998, the band released How It Feels to Be Something On. For the album, the remaining trio replaced Mendel with Jeff Palmer, formerly of the Mommyheads. Fans were surprised by the mellower, more mature vibe presented on the record in songs such as the title track and "Every Shining Time You Arrive". On the album, Hoerner took the opportunity to write about his environmental concerns in "100 Million". On tour a few months later, Hoerner dropped hints that their disappointment in Mendel's decision not to rejoin the band was the subject of the song "The Shark's Own Private Fuck".
While supporting the album, Sub Pop approached them about the possibility of filming the band for a live release. Two shows were documented, one on video and one on audio, in the form of Live. In the weeks after their release, the band noted its displeasure with the video and CD, complaining that Sub Pop did not allow them final approval on the artwork or on the final mixes. Having fulfilled their contractual obligations, the band left the label.
The search for a new label was a lengthy and arduous process. Several major labels were eager to sign the band, but the division within the band between remaining true to their indie roots and signing up for the big leagues wrecked the process. The situation was so difficult that it resulted in the departure of long-time manager Greg Williamson. Finally, the band signed with Time Bomb Recordings, an independent label distributed by BMG. With Time Bomb, the band hoped to have the best of both worlds: the freedom of an indie label backed by the wider distribution of a major label.
The band joined with long-time HĆ¼sker DĆ¼ sound engineer Lou Giordano to record The Rising Tide, released in June of 2000. The band had high hopes for the release, and subsequently undertook a lengthy US tour. At the end of the tour, the band expressed its desire to finally reach out to its European fans by undertaking its first overseas tour. However, on the eve of the tour, Time Bomb pulled its tour funding, claiming that they simply could not afford to support the band overseas. It turned out that the label had invested a substantial amount of money in supporting Peter Searcy's Could You Please and Thank You, and the album had performed so poorly that the label was almost completely broke. Not only could they not support Sunny Day Real Estate overseas, they could no longer fund the band, period. Some weeks later, the label ceased operations. Disillusioned and disappointed, the band retreated home, and subsequently announced their disbanding.
After their second disbanding, Hoerner again retreated to his farm in Washington, eventually working with Chris Carrabba on tracks for Dashboard Confessional.
In 2002, Enigk and Goldsmith reunited with Mendel to form a new band, called The Fire Theft, releasing their first self-titled album in 2003. While they had the option of retaining the Sunny Day Real Estate name, the trio decided that it was time to leave the past behind them and start fresh. (Mendel remains with Foo Fighters, joining The Fire Theft when his schedule allows it.)
In 2006 Enigk reignited his solo career by recording and releasing the LP World Waits on his own label, Lewis Hollow Records. Following the October 17 release, Enigk embarked upon a supporting solo tour of the U.S. using material from his 2006 release, as well as his decade-prior solo album, Return of the Frog Queen.
In August of 2007 Enigk released more solo material in the form of a compilation of various b-sides, unrecorded demos, and live songs entitled The Missing Link. In late 2008, he recorded the follow-up to World Waits in Barcelona, Spain with an entirely new backing band. Writing quickly, and allowing his new band to improvise their own contributions to the songs, he finished the recording process rapidly. The new LP, OK Bear, was released on May 12, 2009, again on Enigk's own label, Lewis Hollow Records.
In June of 2009, it was announced Sunny Day Real Estate would reunite with all of the founding members of the group. A subsequent tour would soon follow. The band also released remastered versions of their first two albums. As of 2009, the band had been making statements from the stage implying that new recorded material might have been on the way. In early 2010, Dan Hoerner confirmed in an interview with Australian music website FasterLouder that the band were writing a new album. In a 2013 interview with MusicRadar, Mendel stated that Sunny Day Real Estate is currently inactive. According to Mendel, the band attempted to record a new full length after the end of their reunion tour, but the sessions "just fell apart."
In 2014, the band released a split 7" vinyl with Circa Survive on Record Store Day. The band's only song from the 7", "Lipton Witch," is their first new material released in 14 years.
Killed By An Angel
Sunny Day Real Estate Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
where every brother's knife is set to slay you
and paranoia keeps you healthy
crooked deals can keep you wealthy
serum vials to help you when you're sad
every other face is bent and broken
wrap your teeth around the only game in town
made your clothes from insulation
hide
hide
hide...
killed by an angel
lost inside amazing colors
it's never how you feel
it comes in a bottle
let's say you found a gun;
how would your bad side burn?
it's never how you feel
it comes in a bottle
relax and all these whores will lick the membrane
just a touch, a stain, a hole in your brain
it's cold when you remove the nails
beg for more when all else fails
serum vials to help you when you're sad
killed by an angel
lost inside amazing colors
it's never how you feel
it comes in a bottle
let's say you found a gun;
how would your bad side burn?
it's never how you feel
it comes in a bottle
the way the sea reflects the sun
long gone
and all the miracles of love
long gone
you hold your heart out in your hand
one last long sigh gone
one last long sigh gone...
when you see the sores you can't believe them
pathogenic lovers in a basement cell
dirty white sheets cut up in strips
cracks in the mirror and your mind slips
serum vials to help you when you're sad
killed by an angel
lost inside amazing colors
it's never how you feel
it comes in a bottle
let's say you found a gun;
how would your bad side burn?
it's never how you feel
it comes in a bottle
killed by an angel
killed by an angel...
The lyrics of "Killed By An Angel" by Sunny Day Real Estate delve into the dark and isolated world of Abel. In this world, every brother is out to get you, and paranoia is the only thing that can keep you safe. The song paints a picture of a bleak and hopeless existence where corrupt deals can lead to wealth and serum vials are used to ease sadness. The singer is struggling to survive in such a world, relying on the only game in town to get by. The lyrics emphasize the importance of hiding away from the dangers of the world and finding solace in a bottle.
The chorus, "Killed by an angel, lost inside amazing colors," is an intriguing play on words. The idea of being killed by an angel is a paradoxical concept, as angels are typically associated with salvation and hope. The phrase "lost inside amazing colors" could be interpreted as a reference to the mind-altering effects of drugs, which allow the user to escape reality and enter a world of vivid and intense colors. The lyrics hint at the idea that this escape can be deadly, and it comes with a cost.
The second verse describes the temptation of addiction and the consequences that come with it. The singer is warned that even though it may feel good in the moment, the bad side will eventually catch up with them. The third verse paints a gruesome picture of the physical and emotional toll addiction can have on a person, as makeshift tourniquets, dirty sheets, and cracked mirrors are mentioned.
Overall, "Killed By An Angel" is a powerful and haunting exploration of addiction, isolation, and the desperation that can come with both.
Line by Line Meaning
welcome to the lonesome world of abel
The singer is addressing someone who is entering a lonely and dangerous world, where everyone is out to get them.
where every brother's knife is set to slay you
In this world, even your own brothers will be your enemies and try to harm you.
and paranoia keeps you healthy
Being paranoid and constantly on guard is the only way to stay alive in this world.
crooked deals can keep you wealthy
By making shady business transactions, you can become rich and powerful.
serum vials to help you when you're sad
The only way to cope with the sadness and despair of this world is to take drugs.
every other face is bent and broken
Everyone around you is damaged and broken in some way.
wrap your teeth around the only game in town
You have to take whatever opportunities come your way, even if they're dangerous or unethical.
made your clothes from insulation
You have to make do with whatever you can find, even if it means using insulation as clothing.
break your day for pay and ration
You have to work hard and ration your resources in order to survive.
hide
The only way to stay safe is to hide from everyone and everything.
killed by an angel
The singer is warning that you will be destroyed by something beautiful and divine, like an angel.
lost inside amazing colors
Once you're dead, you will be lost in a beautiful and overwhelming world of colors.
it's never how you feel
The singer is commenting that our emotions are often difficult to understand or express.
it comes in a bottle
The only way to deal with emotions is to drink alcohol or take drugs.
let's say you found a gun;
The singer is posing a hypothetical situation where the listener has access to a weapon.
how would your bad side burn?
The artist is asking how the listener's dark and violent tendencies would manifest if they had access to a gun.
relax and all these whores will lick the membrane
If you relax and let your guard down, you will be taken advantage of by others who are just as damaged as you are.
just a touch, a stain, a hole in your brain
Even the smallest experiences or actions can have a lasting impact on your mental health.
it's cold when you remove the nails
The singer is commenting on the painful and violent nature of this world.
beg for more when all else fails
When you have nothing left, you will do whatever it takes to survive.
the way the sea reflects the sun
The artist is describing a beautiful and serene natural phenomenon.
long gone
However, this beauty is fleeting and temporary.
and all the miracles of love
The singer is commenting on the power of love and how it can transform our lives.
you hold your heart out in your hand
But love can also be vulnerable and fragile, and it takes a lot of courage to be vulnerable.
one last long sigh gone
Eventually, love will fade away and disappear completely.
when you see the sores you can't believe them
The singer is describing the shock and disbelief that comes with witnessing the physical and emotional scars of others.
pathogenic lovers in a basement cell
The people around you are sick and damaged, and they will only make you more sick if you let them.
dirty white sheets cut up in strips
The living conditions in this world are rough and unsanitary.
cracks in the mirror and your mind slips
The artist is commenting on how our perception of reality can be distorted and damaged by our experiences.
Lyrics Ā© BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAN HOERNER, JEREMY ENIGK, WILLIAM GOLDSMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@koncarevicbojana6423
welcome to the lonesome world of abel
where every brother's knife is set to slay you
and paranoia keeps you healthy
crooked deals can keep you wealthy
serum vials to help you when you're sad
every other face is bent and broken
wrap your teeth around the only game in town
made your clothes from insulation
break your day for pay and ration
hide
hide
hide...
killed by an angel
lost inside amazing colors
it's never how you feel
it comes in a bottle
let's say you found a gun;
how would your bad side burn?
it's never how you feel
it comes in a bottle
relax and all these whores will lick the membrane
just a touch, a stain, a hole in your brain
it's cold when you remove the nails
beg for more when all else fails
serum vials to help you when you're sad
killed by an angel
lost inside amazing colors
it's never how you feel
it comes in a bottle
let's say you found a gun;
how would your bad side burn?
it's never how you feel
it comes in a bottle
the way the sea reflects the sun
long gone
and all the miracles of love
long gone
you hold your heart out in your hand
one last long sigh gone
one last long sigh gone...
when you see the sores you can't believe them
pathogenic lovers in a basement cell
dirty white sheets cut up in strips
cracks in the mirror and your mind slips
serum vials to help you when you're sad
killed by an angel
lost inside amazing colors
it's never how you feel
it comes in a bottle
let's say you found a gun;
how would your bad side burn?
it's never how you feel
it comes in a bottle
killed by an angel
killed by an angel...
@Mansplainer452
Welcome to the lonesome world of Abel
Where every brother's knife is set to slay you
And paranoia keeps you healthy
Crooked deals can keep you wealthy
Serum vials to help you when you're sad
Every other face is bent and broken
Wrap your teeth around the only game in town
Made you clothes from insulation
Break your day for pay and ration
Hide, hide, hide
Killed by an angel
Lost inside amazing colors
It's never how you feel
It comes in a bottle
Let's say you found a gun
How would your bad side burn?
It's never how you feel
It comes in a bottle
Relax and all these whores will lick the membrane
Just a touch, a stain, a hole in your brain
It's cold when you remove the nails
Beg for more when all else fails
Serum vials to help you when you're sad
Killed by an angel
Lost inside amazing colors
It's never how you feel
It comes in a bottle
Let's say you found a gun
How would your bad side burn?
It's never how you feel
It comes in a bottle
The way the sea reflects the sun
Long gone
And all the miracles of love
Long gone
You hold your heart out in your hand
One last long sigh gone
One last long sigh gone
When you see the sores you can't believe them
Pathogenic lovers in a basement cell
Dirty white sheets cut up in strips
Cracks in the mirror and your mind slips
Serum vials to help you when you're sad
Killed by an angel
Lost inside amazing colors
It's never how you feel
It comes in a bottle
Let's say you found a gun
How would your bad side burn?
It's never how you feel
It comes in a bottle
Killed by an angel
Killed by an angel
@roiybenkel682
welcome to the lonesome world of abel
where every brother's knife is set to slay you
and paranoia keeps you healthy
crooked deals can keep you wealthy
serum vials to help you when you're sad
every other face is bent and broken
wrap your teeth around the only game in town
made your clothes from insulation
break your day for pay and ration
hide
hide
hide...
killed by an angel
lost inside amazing colors
it's never how you feel
it comes in a bottle
let's say you found a gun;
how would your bad side burn?
it's never how you feel
it comes in a bottle
relax and all these whores will lick the membrane
just a touch, a stain, a hole in your brain
it's cold when you remove the nails
beg for more when all else fails
serum vials to help you when you're sad
killed by an angel
lost inside amazing colors
it's never how you feel
it comes in a bottle
let's say you found a gun;
how would your bad side burn?
it's never how you feel
it comes in a bottle
the way the sea reflects the sun
long gone
and all the miracles of love
long gone
you hold your heart out in your hand
one last long sigh gone
one last long sigh gone...
when you see the sores you can't believe them
pathogenic lovers in a basement cell
dirty white sheets cut up in strips
cracks in the mirror and your mind slips
serum vials to help you when you're sad
killed by an angel
lost inside amazing colors
it's never how you feel
it comes in a bottle
let's say you found a gun;
how would your bad side burn?
it's never how you feel
it comes in a bottle
killed by an angel
killed by an angel...
@Syllablewhar
One of my favorite bands ever. Picked up this disk in a bargain bin in a gas station, having no idea who they were. Discovered all their albums shortly after and am so happy I did.
@joshthomas7999
My favorite band as well. I feel what yer droppin.
@adamhovey407
This is one of my two favourite albums by them, my first one being diary, so the first one and their last one, which is interesting because they're probably the most different from each other, because the ones in between the kind of evolved into this sound. I knew who they were, without knowing who they were, my brother listened to a few songs by them, I just thought that they were another alternative rock band, and I love alternative rock so that's fine, but I didn't know that they were hugely influential on second wave emo until much later, and I'm not even sure I knew their name, even though I knew some songs by them. Great band, great album.
@oscarpicon7164
I discovered SDRE through a friend in college named Juan back in 1998. Never turned back since then.
@nak8327
I saw them come through the town I grew up in my early days on the Rising Tide tour. The club was torn down just a few years after in early 2000s for condos I believe. Elliot Smith also played there, I missed that show.
@TheRobert422
Eu tambĆ©m curti muito essa banda quando um amigo me vendeu um cd deles. Gosto tambĆ©m do trabalho do vocalista Jeremy Enigk. Ć menos Rock. Eu gosto.
@AlejandroGomez-lv2sw
"welcome to the lonesome world of abel
where every brother's knife is set to slay you"
Lyrical mastermind.
@Theability83
Yep, and the opening for the track is just so powerful, perfectly composed music.
@AlejandroGomez-lv2sw
@@Theability83 Such a shame that they've basically dissapeared from the face of the earth. They were one of the greatest, despite doing the things to their own way. Funny thing is, they were to emo too be on Seattle scene, too grunge to be in midwest. imo That's what its make SDRE so unique. They weren't trying to be someone else, they were trying to be themselves. Lyrics like this one and that opening just proves it.
@alevandet5377
@@AlejandroGomez-lv2sw Well, lucky for us, they're back and might go on tour. They have an official instagram.