The Briefs are a punk rock band originally consisting of Daniel J. Travanti… Read Full Bio ↴The Briefs are a punk rock band originally consisting of Daniel J. Travanti (guitar/vocals), Steve E. Nix (guitar/vocals), Lance Romance (bass/vocals) and Chris Brief (drums/vocals). The group was formed in 2000 in Seattle, Washington. They play punk music common to the Pacific Northwest independent punk / new wave scene, influenced by acts such as the Buzzcocks, The Undertones and the Adverts. They released their first full length, Hit After Hit, in October 2000 via Dirtnap Records. The band was courted by and reportedly signed with major label Interscope Records following the release of 2002's Off The Charts, but the deal fell through. The Briefs surfaced on California's BYO Records with the release of 2004's Sex Objects and the reissue of their Dirtnap-era full lengths. They most recently released Steal Yer Heart in 2005. The Briefs have released a prolific number of 7" singles in their career for a number of small independent labels.

In 2004, the Briefs went on European tour without Lance Romance, who had stayed behind to get his GED. They took in his place bassist Steve Kicks of Vancouver's New Town Animals. Lance rejoined the line-up for the 2004 release party of Sex Objects, however retired from the band in 2005. Kicks has since become a permanent addition and was a full member for the follow up Steal Yer Heart.

Lyrically the Briefs have carried on many themes prevalent in `77 era punk rock. The Sex Objects single "Orange Alert" gained notoriety as a seething criticism of the Bush administration and the of the culture of fear in post-9/11 America. It is one of a number of songs critical of the U.S. Government, including "No More Presidents" and "Destroy The USA" from Sex Objects, and "We Americans" from Off the Charts. The band has written a number of love songs a consciously off kilter style similar to the Buzzcocks' "Orgasm Addict." Through songs like "Dolly Parton" the band has also shown a penchant for light-hearted absurdity.

The Briefs are currently on hiatus while Chris is in Germany and Daniel continues his quest towards becoming the world's littlest astronaut, training at a secret location underground, possibly in California. Nix and Kicks are both in a new band called Steve E. Nix and The Cute Lepers. They play a very similar style of music as The Briefs with some added power pop drive. They have released a 7" single for the songs "Terminal Boredom" backed with "Prove It" on 1-2-3-4 Go! Records. Two more singles are due on the europeon labels NFT and Drunk'n'Roll records.

Run the Other Way
The Briefs Lyrics

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Something's burning in my eyes
I can't see much at all
I can't see nothing girl toniiiiight
I can't see anyone
Give me give me danger give me something I can talk about
I want to get the boot I wanna have to say I wonder why

blood is rushing to my brain

I know a lot of things
People would pay to see a fight tonight alright
I hope they always will

don't wanna be a part of it don't wanna say I saw you there
I'll catch it on the tv I'll be sitting in my underwear

run the other way [x4]

something's burning in my eyes
I can't see much at all
I can't see nothing girl toniiiight
I can't see anyone
Something's burning in my eyes
I can't see clear at all
I can't see nothing girl toniiiight
I can't see anything

give me give me danger give me something I can read about
I want to get the boot I want to have to say I wonder why

run the other way [x4] today.

Overall Meaning

The Briefs's song "Run the Other Way" is a catchy and energetic punk rock tune that speaks to the desire for danger and excitement. The lyrics convey a sense of restlessness and frustration with everyday life, with the singer yearning to escape and experience something more thrilling. The repetition of the phrase "something's burning in my eyes" creates a sense of urgency and heightened emotion, as if the singer is on the verge of a breakdown.

The lines "people would pay to see a fight tonight alright / I hope they always will" suggest a fascination with violence and conflict, as well as a desire to witness it from a safe distance. The singer doesn't want to be directly involved in any trouble, as evidenced by the lines "don't wanna be a part of it don't wanna say I saw you there / I'll catch it on the tv I'll be sitting in my underwear." This indicates a certain level of detachment and cynicism, as if the singer is resigned to watching the world burn rather than trying to make a difference.

Overall, "Run the Other Way" taps into the universal desire for excitement and danger, while acknowledging the darker impulses that can accompany such desires. The song is a testament to the power of punk rock to channel frustration and discontent into something energetic and cathartic.

Line by Line Meaning

Something's burning in my eyes
I am overwhelmed by intense emotions

I can't see much at all
I am blinded by these emotions

I can't see nothing girl toniiiiight
I cannot focus on anything or anyone in particular

I can't see anyone
I am not interested in the people around me

Give me give me danger give me something I can talk about
I crave excitement and stimulation to share with others

I want to get the boot I wanna have to say I wonder why
I desire to experience upheaval and drama to give my life more significance

Blood is rushing to my brain
I am feeling intense emotions

I know a lot of things
I feel more confident and sure of myself

People would pay to see a fight tonight alright
Others are drawn to conflict and spectacle, like I am

I hope they always will
I want this to be a permanent fixture of society

Don't wanna be a part of it don't wanna say I saw you there
I don't want to be involved in the conflict or take sides