1989 - 1999
Formed by a group of friends in the bars of Helsinki, Finland in the summer of 1989, a nod to illustrate the band's tight-knit friendship is that the lineup has stayed the same since creation. The band originally played glam metal inspired music, different from their current gothic rock style.
The band released their first 7 inch EP, "Sugarman", in 1990, followed by another 7 inch, "Barbarella" in 1991. These releases paved the way for the bands first album Bump 'n' Grind released in 1992 which contained some re-recorded versions of songs from the first 2 EP. This same year, the band released their final 2 7 inch EP's, titaled "Juicy Lucy" and "High Times Low Lives". In 1994 through a Japanese Label the band's second CD release was unleased, the compilation album "Motor City Resurrection". It has since been re-released with 8 bonus tracks worldwide. Though this release featured no new songs, it collected the majority of the bands early material and contributions to other compilations. It was followed in 1995 by Savage Garden which featured Hanoi Rocks guitarist Andy McCoy on the track "Wild Talk". Also released during this time were 2 VHS tapes "Motor City Resurrection" and "Savage Tales" available only through the band's self-run fanclub which are seen rarely, if ever for sale online. In 1997, Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams, which fans generally mark as the last "glam" album before the milestone success of 1999's goth rock infused, Wasting the Dawn which was released internationally on Roadrunner Records and marked the band's major label debut. The album's hit single, the title track Wasting the Dawn lyrically paid tribute to The Doors' Jim Morrison and was released as a digipack CD, which is now a rare find for fans of the band. Jyrki 69 developed a concept video for this track which featured long-time friend and collaborator HIM member Ville Valo posing at a snowy cemetery as the ghost of Jim Morrison. This video was released on VHS in Finland featuring a behind the scenes feature, both the video and feature were later added as extras on the Helsinki Vampires DVD.
2000 - 2002
Spring of 2000 brought the single Gothic Girl which spent months on the Singles Top 10 and on Finnish nation radio playlists. It brought the band their first gold record. After recording their sixth studio album, Blessed Be, the band did their first short tour for Wasting the Dawn in Germany which included a show at the M'era Luna Festival. Support for the tour was Norwegian rock band Zeromancer.
Released in September 2000, Blessed Be rose straight to number 4 on the Finnish Album Charts and stayed in the top 10 for over a month. The second single was Brandon Lee, the third was The Chair and Stolen Season was the fourth. Videos were filmed for the first 3 singles.
In 2002 the band released Paris Kills, which would be known as their breakthrough album. It stayed for weeks as number 1 in Finland and went gold in a month, June 2002. In Germany it rose to number 35 in the first week. After touring Europe and Finland for months, a sold-out show at Helsinki's famous Tavastia Club was filmed and documented in November for use in the "Helsinki Vampires" DVD.
2003 - 2007
At the end of 2003, The 69 Eyes were signed to EMI Finland, as they geared up to record their highly successful Devils album. The well-timed "Lost Boys" single was released in Finland at this time, paying homage to the film of the same name as anticipation for the full length album grew.
2004 saw the release of Devils, their 8th album, to which they toured the UK in support of Wednesday 13. Once again the album was number one in their native Finland and reached gold in a month. It was their first release on a big major label Virgin/EMI. Released in their native Finland in October 2004 later on in Europe through Virgin/EMI and in October 2005 in USA through 456 Entertainment it is also their 4th album to reach gold status and again another number one position on the Finnish TOP 40 album charts.
In 2005 The 69 Eyes played nearly one hundred shows around the world in fifteen countries, from Mexico to Japan. Devils was also released in the USA. The band filmed their video for their biggest ever hit single "Lost Boys" in Hollywood and the Philadelphia area, directed by the band's friend and MTV superstar Bam Margera.
In 2006, The 69 Eyes toured for the first time in the USA in March with Program The Dead & Damone, appearing on Last Call with Carson Daly. Their new album Angels, the sequel to their 2004 album Devils, was released in March 2007. Shortly after their Early 2007 tour with Cradle of Filth & 3 Inches Of Blood. Their latest album Angels was released on the 25th of June 2007 in the UK. The first single from the album is "Perfect skin" which went straight to number 1 on the Finnish singles chart. The second single is "Never Say Die". Angels debuted at number 1 in Finland and has since gone gold.
The band did a summer 2007 US tour with Wednesday 13, Night Kills The Day, & Fair To Midland, and supported Within Temptation on tour in the UK in November. They played 125 shows world wide in 2007.
2008 - present
In 2008 the band released their first live album, titled The 69 Eyes: Hollywood Kills. It featured a complete live show recorded at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood in March 2006.[9] The performance featured hits spanning the six latest albums an introduction by Bam Margera and a live cover of The Ramones "I Just Wanna Have Something to Do". The concert was also filmed in its entirety. Five tracks from the performance were released on DVD as bonus content on the Angels/Devils box set and the entire concert was released on the "Back in Blood" bonus DVD.
The band began 2009 by touring in Europe as a part of Hellhounds Fest with Tiamat and Ava Inferi. The band started recording their tenth studio album with Grammy award winning producer Matt Hyde. He is most known from his works with Slayer, Monster Magnet and Fu Manchu. The recording process took place both in Helsinki and Los Angeles. The new album has been titled Back in Blood was released on the 28th of August in Europe and will be released the 15th of September in the USA. In early June, Bam Margera directed the music video for the first single from the album, "Dead Girls Are Easy." The video premiered on playboy.com on 17 of July 2009. The 69 Eyes also toured Australia for the first time in mid June, playing in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.
A tour of the United States followed in October 2009, and Jyrki 69 was featured on both FOX New's "Red Eye" program, and CNN International also. In December 2009, the band debuted their newest video for the song, "Dead & Gone" via Myspace. This new video marked the band's third collaboration with Bam Margera. On August 10 the band revealed a contest for fans to create a video for the next single "Kiss Me Undead". The response was overwhelming, and on September 30 the band posted their 14 favorite videos on their YouTube page.
In April 2010, during an interview with Sean Twisted of Renegaderadio.net, Rudi Protrudi, frontman & founder of the Fuzztones, reported he had completed work on new song with The 69 Eyes, although further details were unavailable during that time.
On the official The 69 Eyes webpage they reported a European tour with Hardcore Superstar and Crashdïet in March and April 2011.
Early in 2012, The 69 Eyes began recording their next studio album X. X was released on September 28, 2012, across Europe and on October 9, 2012, in the United States. The first single from the album was "Red" and featured a music video. The second single was "Borderline." Both singles were available before the album was released in Europe. On February 2013, the band released the singles "Love Runs Away" and "Tonight" simultaneously via iTunes. "Tonight" was released exclusively in Finland while "Love Runs Away" was released everywhere else. Both singles included two previously unreleased tracks, "Rosary Blue" and "Dracula's Castle," the latter being the song Rudi Protrudi reported he had co-written with The 69 Eyes back in 2010.
The 69 Eyes will release a double CD compilation of their radio hit singles called “The Best Of Helsinki Vampires” on November 1, 2013. The compilation also includes their brand new single “Lost Without Love.”
In 2016 on the 22th of May The 69 Eyes released their 11th studio album called Universal Monsters containing 11 tracks.
Always
The 69 Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One step more and I'll blow your head around
I ain't got nothing for you
Better believe what I'm tellin' you
I've been runnin' through the world with a gun in my back
Never got a ride in a Cadillac
Now look out scum here I come
Down to kill like a son of a gun
You can try to tell me what is right or wrog
It so easy to see through you
I'll do - ALWAYS - DO WHAT I WANT!
I never ever learned at school
To play their rules
Unlike all those jackass fools
Standin' blind in the line
They got their heads from the same mould
And doin' exactly as they're told
But hey that ain't for me
Still at war with apathy
Doncha try to tell me what is right or wrong
'cause it so easy to see through you
[Chorus]
The lyrics to The 69 Eyes's song "Always" describe a rebellious and independent attitude towards authority and society's expectations. The singer refuses to conform to the norms of society and do what they want, despite being told what is right or wrong. The lyrics suggest that the singer has lived a rough life, running through the world with a gun in their back and never riding in a Cadillac. The line "down to kill like a son of a gun" may also suggest a violent or aggressive nature.
The second verse of the song contrasts the singer with those who blindly follow societal rules and expectations, implying that they are not like the "jackass fools" standing in line. The singer asserts their individuality and independence by saying they never learned to play by the rules at school.
Overall, the lyrics of "Always" convey a sense of defiance and rebellion against authority and societal norms, with a focus on individuality and independence.
Line by Line Meaning
Come and get me sucker bite down
I am daring you to try to attack me
One step more and I'll blow your head around
If you take another step towards me, I will use lethal force
I ain't got nothing for you
I have nothing to offer you
Better believe what I'm tellin' you
You should trust what I am saying is true
I've been runnin' through the world with a gun in my back
I have been navigating the world with a sense of constant danger
Never got a ride in a Cadillac
I have never had the privilege of luxury
Now look out scum here I come
I am ready to fight against anyone who crosses my path
Down to kill like a son of a gun
I am willing to use deadly force to protect myself
You can try to tell me what is right or wrong
You might attempt to teach me moral standards
It so easy to see through you
However, I can see right through your manipulative behavior
I'll do - ALWAYS - DO WHAT I WANT!
I will relentlessly prioritize my own desires
I never ever learned at school
I did not gain knowledge from attending school
To play their rules
I never conformed to their standards
Unlike all those jackass fools
I am unlike those who blindly follow commands
Standin' blind in the line
Those individuals lack awareness or insight
They got their heads from the same mould
They are all the same and lack individuality
And doin' exactly as they're told
They comply without question or hesitation
But hey that ain't for me
That mentality is not for me
Still at war with apathy
I am still fighting against indifference or lack of emotion
Doncha try to tell me what is right or wrong
Don't bother trying to impose your morals on me
'cause it so easy to see through you
I can see right through your intentions and motivations
[Chorus]
This is the chorus of the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jon Bon Jovi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind