The band retained the rights to their self-titled debut album which was released through licensing deals in several territories via their newly formed label, White Drugs. It was around this release that they quickly garnered a rabid following in many parts of the world - namely the United States, UK/Europe and Australia - as the result of heavy touring, intense live shows and their unusual blend of 1980's punk and modern day rock music.
The Bronx's style is influenced by bands from the 1980s Californian punk scene, such as Black Flag, Fear and Suicidal Tendencies - with subtle DC influences such as Bad Brains and Fugazi. This is blended with more traditional big rock guitar riffs and a hardcore style of drumming to further intensify the band's unique style.
To date, the band has released one full self-titled album (2003) as well as the limited edition "Bats!" (Tarantulas) and "La Muerte Viva!" (Wichita & Shock) EP's. A live DVD, titled "Live At The Annandale" was recorded at the Annandale Hotel in Sydney, Australia and released by, White Drugs.
Their second (again, self-titled) full-length album was released on July 18th, 2006 by Island Records - with a special vinyl edition of the album released on July 4th, 2006 by Swami Records - San Diego indie-label belonging to John Reis (Rocket From The Crypt).
In August 2006, former The Dragons guitarist Ken Horne became an official member of the band.
The bands most recent release (2008) was again self titled, and released on White Drugs. In 2009, the band, under the deceptive pseudonym Mariachi El Bronx, released an album entitled "El Bronx". It featured all band members playing mariachi music.
Rockers NYC
The Bronx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The white burning.
Will you remember when your memory's faceless?
Ah, you got a new curse.
Which one of you will find it first?
There's just no telling,
'til we start breaking down patterned walls.
Oh, you know we hated every time you called,
You might sound crazy,
But you don't care.
You should be famous,
Oh, but you'll probably go nowhere.
So put your money where your mouth is.
Your body's coming,
Under the common-street of "Hollywood-o-sis."
Oh, but you're just not selling,
Anything to get control of this:
A new business,
Of blending in right between the pits.
Oh, you want to give them everything they name.
But you can never quite find the words.
You might sound crazy,
But you don't care.
You should be famous,
Oh, but you'll probably go nowhere.
Cause this life just isn't fair.
You don't care!
You could be crazy,
But we don't care.
You should be a millionaire.
The opening line of "You don't remember hypnosis" seems to imply that the listener has lost touch with themselves, perhaps due to the overwhelming nature of living in New York City (as hinted at in the title). The mention of "white burning" suggests a sense of disorientation or confusion, which is reinforced by the line "will you remember when your memory's faceless?" It seems as though the singer is urging the listener to take control of their life and their surroundings, and to break down the barriers that are holding them back.
The next few lines introduce the idea of a "curse" that one of them will find first. This could be interpreted a few different ways, but it seems to suggest that there is some kind of negative force that is impacting their lives, and that this force may be different for each person. Moving on to the lines "you might sound crazy, but you don't care," the singer seems to be encouraging the listener to embrace their uniqueness and not worry about what others may think of them. The idea of wanting to be famous, but probably going nowhere, speaks to the struggle of trying to make it in a city like New York, where there is so much competition and so few opportunities.
The chorus is repeated several times throughout the song, with slightly different variations each time. The final lines of the song - "you could be crazy, but we don't care. You should be a millionaire" - suggest that the singer is still urging the listener to embrace their eccentricities and not worry about what others may think of them. It's almost as if they are saying that success can come from being true to oneself, rather than trying to fit into the mold that society has created.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't remember hypnosis.
You have forgotten how to let yourself be influenced or manipulated by outside forces.
The white burning.
The intense, blinding light of fame and success that people seek, which can ultimately be destructive.
Will you remember when your memory's faceless?
As you continue to pursue a career in music and chase after fame and notoriety, will you still be able to remember who you really are?
Ah, you got a new curse.
Trying to make it big in the music industry can be a double-edged sword, as it can bring both fortune and misfortune.
Which one of you will find it first?
Among the group of musicians trying to become famous, who will be the one to break through first and achieve success?
There's just no telling, 'til we start breaking down patterned walls.
It's impossible to predict who will succeed until the old ways of doing things are challenged and new possibilities are explored.
Oh, you know we hated every time you called, 'cause we never know what to say.
As your friends and supporters, we find it difficult to watch you struggle and feel helpless in being able to offer solutions or advice.
You might sound crazy, But you don't care.
Even if people think you're chasing an impossible dream, you're not going to let that stop you from pursuing your goals.
You should be famous, Oh, but you'll probably go nowhere.
Despite your talent and potential, the reality of the music industry is that not everyone will make it to the top and achieve fame and fortune.
So put your money where your mouth is.
If you want to succeed, you need to be willing to invest time, effort, and resources towards making it happen.
Your body's coming, Under the common-street of "Hollywood-o-sis."
If you're serious about making it in the music industry, you'll need to physically move to places like Hollywood where the opportunities are more abundant.
Oh, but you're just not selling, Anything to get control of this: A new business, Of blending in right between the pits.
Despite your efforts, you're not making much headway in finding success and are struggling to navigate the complex and competitive industry.
Oh, you want to give them everything they name. But you can never quite find the words.
You have a strong desire to be successful and give your audience everything they want, but you're struggling to express yourself creatively and find your unique voice.
Cause this life just isn't fair. You don't care!
The music industry can be ruthless and unfair, but you're determined to persevere and make it anyway.
You could be crazy, But we don't care.
Even if others think you're crazy for pursuing a career in music, your true supporters will always stand by your side.
You should be a millionaire.
You have the talent and potential to achieve great success and wealth in the music industry, but it will require hard work, dedication, and a bit of luck.
Contributed by Henry F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.