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.
Tonguebiter
Teenage Bottlerocket Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you do you? Never answer your telephone
Do you do you? Spend time thinking of me
Do you do you? Try to hate on everything
I could have made a list of all the things you'd do
And given it to you weeks before you'd do them too
I find it funny that I'm picking on your predictability
When I knew you'd drive me crazy
Do you do you? Never answer your telephone
Do you do you? Spend time thinking of me
Do you do you? Try to hate on everything
I could have made a list of all the things you'd do
And given it to you weeks before you'd do them too
I find it funny that I'm picking on your predictability
And my inability and all these insecurities
That drive me crazy
I thought of words to tell you
When I was walking out your door
I nearly turned around to face
The same thing as before
I'm going to keep on doing nothing
Because I learned to bite my tongue
It swelled up so big I can't speak
Or sing the songs you sung
Do you do you? Try to hate on everything
The lyrics of Teenage Bottlerocket's song "Tonguebiter" can be interpreted as a reflection on a dysfunctional relationship and the insecurities and frustrations that come along with it. The repeated questioning of "Do you do you?" implies a sense of uncertainty and confusion in trying to understand the actions and thoughts of the other person in the relationship.
The lyrics suggest that despite the predictability of the other person, the singer is unable to handle it or communicate effectively, leading to feelings of frustration and helplessness. The line "I'm going to keep on doing nothing / Because I learned to bite my tongue" highlights a sense of resignation and defeat in the face of the ongoing conflict and communication breakdown.
Overall, the lyrics of "Tonguebiter" convey a sense of emotional turmoil and struggle in a relationship where communication and understanding has broken down.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you do you? Have trouble leaving home
Do you have difficulty leaving your home and venturing out into the world?
Do you do you? Never answer your telephone
Do you avoid answering your phone calls and messages?
Do you do you? Spend time thinking of me
Do you spend your time contemplating about me and our relationship?
Do you do you? Try to hate on everything
Do you make an effort to criticize or hate on everything around you?
I could have made a list of all the things you'd do
I could have foreseen and anticipated all the things you were going to do.
And given it to you weeks before you'd do them too
And I could have warned you about them long before they happened.
I find it funny that I'm picking on your predictability
I find humor in teasing you for your predictable behavior.
When I knew you'd drive me crazy
Even though I was aware that your actions would irritate me greatly.
And my inability and all these insecurities
My incapability of handling the situation and my insecurities.
That drive me crazy
That make me go insane or lose my mind.
I thought of words to tell you
I had planned out what I wanted to say to you beforehand.
When I was walking out your door
While I was leaving your place.
I nearly turned around to face
I almost changed my mind and went back to see you.
The same thing as before
The same situation or routine as previously experienced.
I'm going to keep on doing nothing
I will continue to do nothing and stay idle.
Because I learned to bite my tongue
Because I have learned to hold back my comments and emotions.
It swelled up so big I can't speak
My tongue has swollen to such an extent that I cannot speak.
Or sing the songs you sung
Or sing the songs that are associated with you.
Do you do you? Try to hate on everything
Do you make an effort to criticize or hate on everything around you?
Contributed by Jason T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.