In 2004, the Aggrolites released their debut album, Dirty Reggae, on local reggae label Axe Records. The album was recorded at Signet Studios in Los Angeles within one day, and each track was recorded in one take, with many lyrics improvised on the spot. In November 2004, the Aggrolites were featured on Hellcat Records compilation Give 'Em the Boot IV, and were officially signed to Hellcat in October 2005.
Their 2nd, Self-titled album The Aggrolites was released on the independent label Hellcat/Epitaph on May 9, 2006.. This sophomore album boasts 19 dirty reggae songs, including "Countryman Fiddle," and "Mr. Misery."
They released their 3rd album on June 5, 2007 called Reggae Hit L.A., which won an IGN award for Best Reggae Album of 2007.
The Aggrolites made an appearance on the Nick Jr. show Yo Gabba Gabba!, created by Christian Jacobs, lead singer of The Aquabats. Recorded their third song for the show "Animal Sounds", it aired during the debut week of season two.
Their 4th full-length album, aptly named IV (Hellcat Records), was released on June 9, 2009. IV debuted at #110 and peaked at #60 on the Top 200 CMJ Chart. IV also debuted at #37 on the Triple A CMJ Chart and #12 on the Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Commercial Alternative Specialty Show Album Chart.
Their newest album Rugged Road is set to be released on March 22, 2011.
www.aggroreggae.com
also check out " the bullets" a powerhouse of musicians that roger rivas brought together to do a lil something they call reggae with chicano soul .
Lightning & Thunder
The Aggrolites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And hard times gettin' harder
Times like these
Make the weak hearts scatter
And when friday comes
Said I want my pay
Oh them tables must turn one day
Hear the people chatter
Poor man get thin
Rich man gettin' fatter
Lightning flash
Thunder roll
When I get control
Lightning flash
Thunder roll
When I get control
Oh i watched the birds
Down on the street
Some of them got no bread
But they still seem to eat
And this house is not a home
If you ain't got no heat
Some are gona win
Some still gona cheat
All around the town
Hear the people chatter
Poor man get thin
Rich man gettin' fatter
Lightning flash
Thunder roll
When I get control
Lightning flash
Thunder roll
When I get control
Some show off
What they never earned
Nothing lasts forever
It's all gona burn
When the walls come down
Tell me where you gona turn
Many have the minds
Few ever learn
All around the town
Hear the people chatter
Poor man get thin
Rich man gettin' fatter
All around the town
Hear the people chatter
Poor man get thin
Rich man gettin' fatter
Lightning flash
Thunder roll
When I get control
Lightning flash
Thunder roll
When I get control
Yeah when that lightning flash
And that flame get hot
Some take the heat
Some do not
Lightning flash
Thunder roll
When I get control
Lightning flash
Oh that thunder gona roll
The lyrics in "Lightning & Thunder" by The Aggrolites paint a picture of struggling through hard times while watching the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. The opening lines set the tone for the song, as the singer acknowledges that good times can turn into hard times without warning, and those who are weak will scatter and struggle. The chorus of the song, featuring the repetition of "Lightning flash, Thunder roll, When I get control," suggests that the singer is working towards taking control of their own life and ending the struggles they are facing.
The second verse of the song offers some haunting imagery, as the singer watches birds struggle to survive on the street and acknowledges that a home without heat is not really a home at all. The bridge of the song acknowledges that some people may show off what they have not earned, and that all things will eventually burn down. The final chorus brings the song full circle, with a final acknowledgement of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, but a sense of determination that the singer will take control and create a better life for themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Good times get hard
Even good times can become tough
And hard times gettin' harder
Difficulties keep increasing
Times like these
Present times
Make the weak hearts scatter
People who are not strong emotionally or mentally find it hard to cope
And when friday comes
When payday arrives
Said I want my pay
I need my salary
Oh them tables must turn one day
Fortunes can change
All around the town
Everywhere
Hear the people chatter
Hear people talk
Poor man get thin
Poor people struggle or suffer
Rich man gettin' fatter
Rich people keep getting richer
Lightning flash
Sudden electric discharge in the sky
Thunder roll
Sound caused by lightning
When I get control
When I have power
Oh i watched the birds
I observed the birds
Down on the street
On the road
Some of them got no bread
Some birds have nothing to eat
But they still seem to eat
But they still manage to find something to eat
And this house is not a home
A place is not a home unless it is warm and comfortable
If you ain't got no heat
If there is no warmth
Some are gona win
Some people will succeed
Some still gona cheat
Some will still try to cheat or take shortcuts
Some show off
Some people boast or display their wealth
What they never earned
What they did not work for
Nothing lasts forever
Things do not stay the same forever
It's all gona burn
Everything will eventually come to an end
When the walls come down
When everything falls apart
Tell me where you gona turn
Ask yourself where you will go or what you will do
Many have the minds
Many people have the ability to think
Few ever learn
But not everyone learns from their mistakes
Yeah when that lightning flash
Yes, when that sudden burst of electricity happens
And that flame get hot
And the heat becomes intense
Some take the heat
Some people are strong enough to endure the difficulties
Some do not
While others cannot handle the strain
Contributed by Julia B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.