Ben Morrison and Alex Morrison are brothers. They have been making music together from birth. Ben's first word was 'front-man' and Alex's was 'moustache' (see band photo). Joe Pacini and Gio Benedetti met Ben and Alex in high school. They shared many a living room jam session, many a raucous music party, many a front-stoop hoedown, but there was no band.
After years of studying, vision quests in far off lands, moving about, relocating, and the occasional intermittent music party, the young and now much hairier fellows found themselves in San Francisco with Alex, Ben and Joe living in a vibe-steeped flat on Haight Street, playing music (Ben on guitar, Alex on Banjo - both of them singing - and Joe on mandolin and cigarette breaks) at parties and open mics across the fair city. They needed a bassist. Gio happened to be a bassist. He also happened to live nearby.
The, now, quartet continued their tradition of stoop-and-living-room-esque performances, but moved them public. The dive bars of San Francisco became inspired, momentary homes, as friends, fans and music lovers rallied around the snug honesty of the band's barroom shows. All they lacked was a brilliant fiddler with tremendous soloing skills, and with feet and soul firmly planted in the legacy of Old-Time, Bluegrass musics. Oh where, oh where could such a person be?
Philip Brezina - graduate student in classical violin at the nearby Conservatory and recent transplant from Pennsylvania - knew good roots music, knew how to play it and, best of all, knew how to play it on the fiddle. He wandered into the quartet (answering an ad posted in the Conservatory halls), and the long lost Brother Comatose was found.
Doors began opening. Performances at such legendary places as San Francisco's Fillmore Poster Room, the Great American Music Hall, and the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival followed, supporting such acts as The Devil Makes Three, Justin Townes Earl, Hillstomp, Greensky Bluegrass, John Doe and the Sadies, Yonder Mountain String Band and others.
Now touring in support of their recent debut full-length, Songs From The Stoop, The Brothers Comatose aim at converting the entire West Coast into their Living Room Music Party. Their shows exude a foot-stomping, shout-along, drink-along ease that was once a staple in every music-playing, front-stoop-possessing home in the land. Their shows can't help but remind folk that music is collective, is for dancing, is for sharing, and for whatever else you might do with friends and family in your own living room.
120 East
The Brothers Comatose Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
with the wild fire smoke runnin' over my gills
i could drive with my eyes closed
the moon so bright
city blocks turns to rivers n trees
and I motion to dirt to wake up with me
and im looking to friends
a wiskey jar tonight
"120 East" by The Brothers Comatose is a song that takes the listener on a journey. The song starts off with the singer driving 120 East, leaving the city behind and heading into the hills. The smoke from a wild fire is in the air and he can feel it running over his gills. Despite this, he knows the road like the back of his hand and could drive it with his eyes closed. As he drives, the city blocks start to turn into rivers and trees, and he motions to the dirt to wake up with him. He's looking forward to seeing his friends and sharing a whiskey jar with them that night.
The lyrics in "120 East" evoke feelings of freedom and adventure. It's a song about leaving your troubles behind and heading out into the wild unknown. The imagery of the smoke from a wild fire and the road turning into rivers and trees create a sense of danger and excitement. The singer's desire to share a whiskey jar with his friends highlights the importance of human connection and the need for companionship and community.
Line by Line Meaning
driving 120 East headed into the hills
I am driving towards the hills on the 120 East route
with the wild fire smoke runnin' over my gills
The smoke from the wildfire is filling my nostrils as I drive
i could drive with my eyes closed
I know this route so well, I could navigate it even with my eyes shut
the moon so bright
The brightness of the moon is adding to the beautiful ambience
city blocks turns to rivers n trees
As I move further away from the city, the buildings are replaced by scenery of rivers and trees
and I motion to dirt to wake up with me
I feel so connected to nature that I am signaling the dirt on the ground to wake up with me
and im looking to friends
I am eager to meet my friends living in the hills
a wiskey jar tonight
We plan on drinking whiskey together tonight
and there, and then
At that moment, I am content and at peace
Contributed by David V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nancy Young Lincoln
and I'm washin the dirt of the week offa me
@danielandrews8386
"I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter."
from Francis Thompson's "The Hound of Heaven"
+++
"On a spiral road to a place in my mind
Where I struggle with God, and with life, and with time
And I feel I can’t do anything but wrong.
Every choice feels empty and mean,
And I can’t remember my hopes or my dreams,
And I’m failing
Feelin’ everything but strong.
And then
And then
The music puts me on the road again."
from The Brothers Comatose's "120 East"
@armchairastrologer1858
I love how one doesn't have to be a traveling musician to resonate with this song. And the line "the music puts me on the road again" also just feels like, the music puts me straight again. Music makes it right. Takes you to other side of what you're feeling. It moves you and takes you, yet centers you. Fucking love your music. Keep making 👏
@Mozlove
Its rare to find a song these days that touches not only your heart but also moves the wells of inspiration. I heard this song a few nights ago. i dont remember the last time a song froze me in time. then I figured it was a lucky star that came through these guys paths as they created it. So I got the album. True Blue Roots style Rock and Roll. enjoyed every minute of it and will confidently say I am now a big fan. cant wait to hear more of these amazing musicians and this very reassuring beautiful voice. But what I love the at first sound. was the writting. simple and without the complications of complications....what tbe story was is and will be.......great band
@scottbaker2985
At 70 yrs old and growing up in a great era for music, these guy's have one of the best sounds to come along in a long time,,,, great acoustics, harmony and a love for their music...Instruments are real and they know how to play them....Great Job Guy's and gal's...
@georgelewis1664
This is the fifth song I’ve heard and seen of this wonderful group of talented and very cool musicians . Each of the songs have had an infectious rhythm ( with that delightful , deep bass giving it structure and beat and heart-warming harmonies that are wonderful to listen to . Each time I view one of their videos I feel refreshed and renewed . It’s only been a week since I first found them . And now . . . I’m never gonna let ‘em go .
Power on Brothers ! George Lewis, Sr.
@justinprice5753
One of my favorite groups! I love you guys, keep on doing what you love. I just discovered you recently and love it. Come to Austin TX pleaseee
@ETIENNESDAD1
THESE GUYS ARE AWESOME AND REAL PEOPLE DOING WHAT THEY LOVE ...AND REALLY NICE
@gendigg
So good... Y'all are so good! Love this song ❤
@shnooster
This was the first song I heard from these guys, and I was driving the 120 East past Crane Flat to go into the high country of Yosemite. Which is the most beautiful drive I have ever had the glory of taking. Little did I know that I would spend the next two years working in Tuolumne meadows. That area will always be home to me, and The Brothers Comatose will always remind me of home, not just this song but every one of their songs. I have repeated all their albums while hiking in the high county and it somehow embodies the spirit of the place and what I feel when I am there. Please keep making music guys! Thank you so much!!!!
@robinlages6673
Sorry.....Its on fire right now.