The band released their debut EP A Bomb on a Laramie communal label, One Legged Pup, in 2002 and soon after on October 31st 2003 the band released their first album, Another Way, on vinyl only through that same label.
After touring through 2004, they set to work on their next release, Total, which was released in April 2005 through Red Scare. After more touring in support of Total, and a spot on the warped tour, they recorded their next LP for Red Scare, Warning Device, which was released on January 8, 2008. A video was released for the song "In the Basement" on December 28, 2007.
On February 10th 2009, Teenage Bottlerocket signed with punk label Fat Wreck Chords, later releasing They Came From The Shadows, their fourth album, on the 15th of September.
The band's most recent album, Tales From Wyoming was released in the spring of 2015 through Rise Records.
On November 7th, 2015 drummer Brandon Carlisle passed away after being hospitalized and comatose for a few days prior. Following the news of his passing, the band was initially ambiguous as to whether or not they would continue on but announced shortly thereafter that, with the addition of Darren Chewka formerly of Old Wives, Teenage Bottlerocket would indeed continue as a band.
Maverick
Teenage Bottlerocket Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Goose and I will buzz the tower if we're in the mood
y old man gave me a bad rap
So charlie's giving me a hard time
Cougar lost his edge, he was holding on too tight
If we screw up just a little bit
We'll be flying cargo planes
Man, it's classified
I'd tell you but you'd have to die
If we don't pull together soon
We'll get our names on the plaque in the ladies room
Slider stinks and Jester's dead
I got an Otis Redding song stuck in my head
In her bedroom today
So I left her a paper airplane
She said this could be complicated
I'm the only guy in Top Gun she ever dated
Go!
Highway to the danger zone takes my breath away
She lost that loving feeling man it flew away
The lyrics to Teenage Bottlerocket's Maverick speak of a man who is struggling with his reputation and self-identity. The first two lines of the song specifically address the notion that his behavior, rather than his ability, might be perceived as the reason for his success or failure. The references to Top Gun, a popular movie from the 1980s, lend weight to the idea that the man is high-flying, but is also struggling with standing out from his peers. The line "my old man gave me a bad rap" speaks to the idea that his father's perceived past mistakes might also impact the pilot's image.
The song also touches on themes of isolation and the desire for love and connection. The line "I'm the only guy in Top Gun she ever dated" suggests that the man may be an outsider in his social circles, having pursued a relationship with a woman who is considered off-limits. The references to "Slider stinks and Jester's dead" also highlights the notion that the man may be struggling to find his place amongst his peers, and perhaps even mourning the loss of camaraderie in his life.
Overall, the lyrics of Maverick explore the complexities of self-identity and belonging, as well as the desire for connection and understanding. Through the lens of the Top Gun movie, the song speaks to the challenge of standing out from one's peers both personally and professionally.
Line by Line Meaning
You say it's not my flying it's my attitude
The singer is being told that their behavior is the problem, not their flying skills.
Goose and I will buzz the tower if we're in the mood
The singer and Goose will do something daring if they feel like it.
My old man gave me a bad rap
The singer's father has ruined their reputation.
So Charlie's giving me a hard time
The artist is being hassled by someone named Charlie.
Cougar lost his edge, he was holding on too tight
Cougar has lost his touch because he's too afraid.
If we screw up just a little bit
Making a mistake will have serious consequences.
We'll be flying cargo planes
Their punishment for messing up will be having to fly cargo planes.
Full of rubber dog shit out of Honk Kong
The cargo planes will be full of something unpleasant.
Man, it's classified
The details of their mission are secret.
I'd tell you but you'd have to die
Revealing the details of their mission would be so dangerous it could lead to someone's death.
If we don't pull together soon
They need to start cooperating in order to succeed.
We'll get our names on the plaque in the ladies room
They'll be seen as failures and mocked if they fail.
Slider stinks and Jester's dead
Slider is a bad pilot and Jester has died.
I got an Otis Redding song stuck in my head
The singer has a song stuck in their head.
In her bedroom today
The singer was in someone's bedroom that day.
So I left her a paper airplane
The artist gave someone a paper airplane before leaving the bedroom.
She said this could be complicated
The person who received the paper airplane is worried things will become complicated.
I'm the only guy in Top Gun she ever dated
The singer has dated someone who is part of Top Gun.
Highway to the danger zone takes my breath away
The danger is thrilling.
She lost that loving feeling man it flew away
Someone has lost their love and it's gone forever.
Contributed by Jasmine K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.