The Frames have been together since 1990 and are a survivor of Dublin's prolific early 90's rock and roll scene. They have also been essential in the development of the current crop of emerging Irish rock bands, such as Turn. The Frames have toured with various other Irish artists, including Damien Rice and Bell X1. In December 2004, Hansard appeared on stage in a collaboration with singer songwriter Paddy Casey.
The name The Frames reportedly arose from Hansard's habit, at a young age, of fixing the bicycles of many of his friends. The large number of bicycle frames lying around his house led neighbours to dub it the "house with the frames".
Their new, 6th studio album, The Cost, is available in Ireland since 22 September 2006 and worldwide since 20 February 2007.
Lead singer Hansard recently collaborated with Czech musician Markéta Irglová, which led to the solo album "The Swell Season". Glen and Markéta also star and perform in the John Carney movie Once (www.oncethemovie.com). The movie received several awards including the World Cinema Audience Award - Dramatic at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival as well as an Oscar for best Song for the track "Falling Slowly".
On several occasions the members of The frames appear on stage during the Swell season gigs.
www.theframes.ie
Hollocaine
The Frames Lyrics
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The truth is coming out
Driving us away
Your headlights heading south
You turn your head to leave
'Cause there's nothing here for you anymore
But I am not afraid to stay
Got no need for the bible
It's all in here
And all I need for my survival
Is what you say
Is what you say
I told you once, twice
Somewhere in the tunnel
There's a light that shines for me
To brighten up the darkest place
And watch as the world goes
Burning to the ground
Turn back she said
"I just want to go over there and check it out"
I've got no need for the bible
It's all in here
It's all in here
And all I need for my survival
Is hollocaine
Is hollocaine
The Frames' song "Hollocaine" can be interpreted as a statement of defiance against societal norms and religious doctrine. The opening lines, "It's like they always say, the truth is coming out, driving us away," seem to be a commentary on how individuals who reject societal and religious norms are often ostracized and pushed away. The singer of the song, however, is unafraid to stay and assert their own beliefs. They declare that they have "no need for the bible" because everything they need is within themselves. This sense of self-sufficiency is reinforced when they state that "all I need for my survival is what you say," indicating that their survival is dependent on their own beliefs and not what is dictated to them.
Amidst this individualistic sentiment, the chorus "Is hollocaine" can be seen as a play on the word "holocaust." Rather than being a reference to the historical event, it can be interpreted as an acknowledgment of the constant destruction and turmoil in the world. The singer acknowledges that the world may be "burning to the ground," but they have found their own source of light amidst the darkness.
Overall, "Hollocaine" can be seen as a call for individuals to rely on their own beliefs and inner strength in the face of societal pressure and chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
It's like they always say
The saying rings true that the truth will eventually come out
The truth is coming out
The truth is being revealed, despite efforts to keep it hidden
Driving us away
The truth is causing us to separate from each other
Your headlights heading south
You are leaving and moving in the opposite direction
You turn your head to leave
You look back briefly before departing, indicating a feeling of reluctance or sadness
'Cause there's nothing here for you anymore
You are leaving because there is nothing left for you here
But I am not afraid to stay
Despite the departure of others, the singer is not afraid to remain where they are
Got no need for the bible
The artist does not require religious guidance to navigate their life
It's all in here
The answers the artist seeks are already within themselves
And all I need for my survival
The artist only requires one thing to keep going
Is what you say
What you tell the singer is crucial to their ability to survive
I told you once, twice
The artist has previously made the same statement at least twice before
Somewhere in the tunnel
The singer is currently in a dark, foreboding place
There's a light that shines for me
Despite the darkness, the singer sees hope and possibility
To brighten up the darkest place
The light provides illumination and a sense of comfort in a bleak environment
And watch as the world goes
While observing the events transpiring, the artist
Burning to the ground
Sees the world metaphorically falling apart and devolving into chaos
Turn back she said
Someone advised the singer to reconsider their actions or decisions
"I just want to go over there and check it out"
The singer is curious and wants to explore something
I've got no need for the bible
Once again, the artist affirms their lack of desire for religious guidance
It's all in here
The artist's personal beliefs and values are self-contained
And all I need for my survival
The same statement from earlier in the song is reiterated
Is hollocaine
The thing the singer requires to survive is ambiguous, and it is left up to interpretation
Contributed by Grace T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.