At the core, the band consists of Kali Giaritta (vocals, claps, stomps, other) and Matt Harmon (vocals, guitar, other, other, other). Kali and Matt met through a mutual friend while attending college in Boston and found that they had a mutual interest in music, living in Kenmore Square, and each other. Having both been in failed attempts at rock-band-superstardom in the past, they decided to try making music together; not surprisingly, the first two real AJ's tunes were songs they had written about each other.
After taking their name from a group of misfits in a Kerouac novel and testing, nay, jumping into the proverbial water of the Boston scene for a year, our heros decided to move to the Pacific Northwest and take up residency in Portland, Oregon. They quickly assembled a new band, throwing a drummer, a banjo player, and a bassist into the mix, and they just released an entirely self-produced and -recorded full-length album titled One Shoe Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Check them out, go see an energetic live show, and be careful - you may just fall in love with them.
Dracula
The Ascetic Junkies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and I am eastward-bound
this year I though I'd go to Dracula's town
tired of those same old fools
those harmless ghosts and ghouls
this year it's something new
something better than 'boo'
he should be afraid of me
if he thought I could be dinner
boy he would see
I would put up a fight
wouldn't even get a bite
if he tried to suck my blood
I would say "uh uh uh uh uh...
...uh uh uh uh Dracula"
the sun is setting low
the train is rearing near
I know I should but I don't even feel one bit of fear
if he looked me in the eye
I wouldn't dare to cry
I would just lift my chin
I would say "sink your teeth right in"
I ain't no ditzy broad
you can't call me a fraud
I'm a girl of 22
there is nothing I cannot do...
...ooh ooh ooh ooh nothing I can't do
so let's get one thing straight
I don't do well as bait
so if you want a taste
then baby don't you hesitate
it's a matter of thirst
whoever wants it worse
so act quick or I will bite you first...
...uh uh uh uh Dracula
In The Ascetic Junkies' song "Dracula," the singer expresses her excitement for Halloween, but instead of indulging in the usual clichés, such as ghosts and ghouls, she decides to go to Dracula's town. She claims that she is not afraid of Dracula and that he should instead be afraid of her because she is not a typical victim; she is a strong, capable 22-year-old who won't let Dracula suck her blood without a fight. The singer's confidence throughout the song suggests that she is unafraid of the unknown and willing to take risks.
The lyrics address themes of fear, bravery, and independence. The singer demonstrates a bold, confident attitude towards Dracula, who is often considered to be one of the most powerful and terrifying fictional characters. The fact that she is a young woman makes this attitude even more striking, as many depictions of women in horror tend to be weak and vulnerable. By declaring that she is not afraid and would put up a fight if attacked, the singer defies both Dracula's power and the societal expectations placed on women.
Overall, "Dracula" is an empowering song that encourages listeners to face their fears head-on and not be afraid to take risks. The singer's confidence and bravery can serve as an inspiration for those who may feel powerless or frightened by the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
it's October 31st
The song begins on Halloween.
and I am eastward-bound
The singer is traveling eastward.
this year I though I'd go to Dracula's town
The singer is planning to visit the town where Dracula is known to live this year.
tired of those same old fools
The artist is bored of the same Halloween activities every year.
those harmless ghosts and ghouls
The artist doesn't find ghosts and ghouls scary anymore.
this year it's something new
The singer is looking for a new scare this year.
something better than 'boo'
The singer wants to find something more thrilling than just being scared.
I'm not afraid of Dracula
The artist is not scared of Dracula.
he should be afraid of me
The artist is confident in their ability to defend themselves from Dracula.
if he thought I could be dinner
If Dracula thought he could overpower the artist, he would try to turn them into his dinner.
boy he would see
The singer is confident in their own strength.
I would put up a fight
The artist is ready to defend themselves against Dracula.
wouldn't even get a bite
The singer is sure they won't be bitten by Dracula.
if he tried to suck my blood
Dracula's intention is to drink the singer's blood.
I would say "uh uh uh uh uh...
The singer is mocking Dracula and imitating his voice.
...uh uh uh uh Dracula"
The artist is defiant and unafraid of Dracula.
the sun is setting low
It is getting dark outside.
the train is rearing near
The singer is approaching their destination by train.
I know I should but I don't even feel one bit of fear
Despite the situation, the singer is still unafraid.
if he looked me in the eye
If Dracula made direct eye contact with the artist,
I wouldn't dare to cry
The artist wouldn't show any fear or vulnerability.
I would just lift my chin
The artist remains strong and proud in Dracula's presence.
I would say "sink your teeth right in"
The singer is taunting Dracula and daring him to attack.
I ain't no ditzy broad
The artist is confident and capable.
you can't call me a fraud
The singer is genuine and sincere.
I'm a girl of 22
The singer is a young woman.
there is nothing I cannot do...
The singer is confident in their abilities.
...ooh ooh ooh ooh nothing I can't do
The artist can handle any challenge that comes their way.
so let's get one thing straight
The artist is about to make a point.
I don't do well as bait
The singer doesn't like being used as bait for Dracula.
so if you want a taste
If Dracula wants to drink the singer's blood,
then baby don't you hesitate
The artist is daring Dracula to try.
it's a matter of thirst
Dracula needs to drink blood to survive.
whoever wants it worse
It is a test of willpower to see who is stronger: Dracula's thirst or the artist's bravery.
so act quick or I will bite you first...
The singer is warning Dracula that they won't go down without a fight.
...uh uh uh uh Dracula
The artist is still unafraid and mocking of Dracula.
Contributed by Layla A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.