“A vein of light banter, enthusiastic swearing and decent some punk rock… I… Read Full Bio ↴“A vein of light banter, enthusiastic swearing and decent some punk rock… I was won over” – Fasterlouder.com.au

Australian 4 piece TheCityShakeUp have built their reputation with punk around the edges renegade rock. Born from the bowels of 90’s punk and rock – TCSU write their music collectively drawing on the combined influences and ideals of all four members in the band. This united front is heavily represented on their latest EP “Trigger Happy Slander” – a social commentary on the less chivalrous - Addressing futile hostility, first world problems and everyone’s old friend heart-ache.

With a sound that’s been forged on the road, TCSU bare it all on stage and leave nothing behind. Whether the show is for a crowd of a thousand or simply for a select few the lads make it their mission to ensure everyone leaves as sweaty and thunderstruck as they are. Winning over the crowd at Australias longest running national music festival – The Big Day Out in 2011, Opening for Canada’s finest Billy Talent in 2012 amongst an onslaught of international and local supports (not to mention their own headlining tours). The TCSU lads are no strangers to the stage and life on the road.

The traditional DIY punk ethos is one that is not lost on these lads. TCSU are self managed, self funded, self promoted, hell they even design and print their own shirts. It only takes one look at their completely self shot film clips or a quick listen to any of the releases recorded in their self made studio (they even constructed their own vocal booth) to realize these self sufficient beasts are no chumps.

Pouring every ounce of energy they have into their music and with 2013 set to be their biggest year yet, The City Shakeup show no signs of slowing down as they herald in a new breed of DIY rock renegades.

Lay It on the Line
The City Shakeup Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I won't listen, you won't tell
Out for failure, wish me well now
Put my weary, mind at ease

'Cause everything's hollow, and everything's gone
Like every time we've lost control
So I'll keep waiting for this moment for the rest of my days
It's like I'm trying to hitch a ride that's never coming my way

No matter what I'll be the last to surrender
I'll lay it all on the line, for the last time

I'm playing with fire, I'm playing with ice
Bladed fire... rolling the dice
Why does it matter, why does it matter
Why does it matter to me

'Cause everything's hollow, and everything's gone
Like every time we've lost control
So I'll keep waiting for this moment for the rest of my days
It's like I'm trying to hitch a ride that's never coming my way
No matter what I'll be the last to surrender
I'll lay it all on the line

So I'll keep waiting for this moment for the rest of my days
It's like I'm trying to hitch a ride that's never coming my way
No matter what I'll be the last to surrender
I'll lay it all on the line

What a shame!
Well what a shame!

We'll hold our ground, here
We'll hold our ground, here

So I'll keep waiting for this moment for the rest of my days
Feels like I'm trying to hitch a ride that's never coming my way
No matter what I'll be the last to surrender
I'll lay it all on the line

So I'll keep waiting for this moment for the rest of my days
Feels like I'm trying to hitch a ride that's never coming my way

No matter what I'll be the last to surrender
I'll lay it all on the line, for the last time

Overall Meaning

The song "Lay It on the Line" by The City Shakeup talks about perseverance and the willingness to give everything for a cause or a goal, even though it may seem impossible or hopeless. The lyrics express a sense of determination and resilience towards life's challenges and difficulties. The lines "No matter what I'll be the last to surrender, I'll lay it all on the line" urge the listener to keep pushing forward and never give up.

The song also portrays a sense of frustration and uncertainty, as seen in the lines "Everything's hollow, and everything's gone, like every time we've lost control." This suggests that the singer feels like they have lost control of their life or situation, but they are not willing to give up. The line "We'll hold our ground, here" reiterates this idea of being firm and not backing down, no matter the odds.

Overall, "Lay It on the Line" is an anthem of determination and perseverance in the face of adversity. It encourages the listener to keep trying, even when it seems like all hope is lost.

Line by Line Meaning

I won't listen, you won't tell
I won't pay attention, you won't inform me

Out for failure, wish me well now
I'm headed towards failure, wish me luck

Put my weary, mind at ease
Relax my tired mind

'Cause everything's hollow, and everything's gone
Because everything is empty and lost

Like every time we've lost control
Just like every other time we've lost our way

So I'll keep waiting for this moment for the rest of my days
I'll wait for this opportunity indefinitely

It's like I'm trying to hitch a ride that's never coming my way
It's like I'm waiting for something that will never happen

No matter what I'll be the last to surrender
Regardless, I won't give up until the very end

I'll lay it all on the line, for the last time
I'll give it my all, for the final time

I'm playing with fire, I'm playing with ice
I'm taking risks with opposing forces

Bladed fire... rolling the dice
Dangerous circumstances... taking chances