Keit… Read Full Bio ↴THE GONE JACKALS are a four piece hard R&R group based in S.F., CA.
Keith Karloff is the bandleader & front man of the G.J.'s. A singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, Keith relocated to S.F. from his native N.Y.C. where he had been performing under the name Keith Gale as a solo artist. Breaking from the restrictive environment and high expectations that the N.Y.C. circuit and its "big business" atmosphere fostered, Keith's was first and foremost a quest for personal and artistic freedom.
After a period of experimenting with ine-ups and instrumentation, everything came together best with Judd Austin on guitar and vocals (formerly with TOWER OF POWER's Ed McGee Group) and Trey Sabatelli (JEFFERSON STARSHIP, THE TUBES, VINCE WELNICK's MISSING MAN FORMATION) on drums. Enjoying the chemistry of his combo and feeling that he had begun to assimilate a reasonable amount of S.F.'s atmosphere, Keith became "Keith Karloff" and the band became "THE GONE JACKALS" - a musical unit.
"Out & About with THE GONE JACKALS" (ConTon-BLUE/BLACK) released in 1990 was the group's first full length C.D. and their first official recording as THE GONE JACKALS. THE GONE JACKALS second full length C.D. "BONE TO PICK" is the featured R&RThe Gone Jackals Live and Posterized soundtrack to THE LUCAS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP's smash hit interactive motorcycle P.C. game FULL THROTTLE which has sold hundreds of thousands of units worldwide. "BONE TO PICK" sold out its entire first run of 2K units within two months of its initial release, primarily through mail order via the BLUE/BLACK P.O. Box (listed in the game information) with only a limited amount of "in store" distribution and no air play whatsoever. "BONE TO PICK" was then added to the LUCAS Mail Order Catalog and has since become the #1 selling item in the entire Catalog.
BONE TO PICK has also caught the attention of Don Johnson's Music Director, who featured the song "Born Bad" in the "Baby Boy" episode of the hit C.B.S. Television series NASH BRIDGES.
Can't Slow Down
The Gone Jackals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The air is clammy, a hamper full of nightmare's sheets.
I'm goin' fast like a fading blonde
No time for nothing but goin, goin', goin' - gone.
My brakes are failing, blasting through all the lights
My radiator's been blown since I was five.
The night is clinging and the sidewalks reel
My body's rusted, I'm rotten, screaming steel.
Goin' 'round.
Sirens wailing long and loud
But what's a man to do
If he can't slow down.
I'm knockin', knockin' underneath my hood.
Don't you inspect me, you know I just ain't no good.
I'm spittin' licorice in the D.M.Z.
Both sides sit helpless - ironic equality.
Like a warrior who fights without shield
I'll go down.
You'll see me smashed to bits in this town
Long before I'm due
'Cause I can't slow down.
The Gone Jackals's song "Can't Slow Down" is a fast-paced rock song that tells a story of a rebellious character who refuses to slow down, even when it's necessary. The lyrics describe the character's intense driving, with lines like "I'm driving hard, punching holes in the heat" and "My brakes are failing, blasting through all the lights." The song equates the character's relentless behavior to that of a machine, describing their body as "rusty, rotten, screaming steel" and comparing their tire treads to being "smooth and hot."
The song also implies that the character has a reckless and dangerous lifestyle, with lines like "I'm spittin' licorice in the D.M.Z." referencing the use of dip or chew tobacco, and "Both sides sit helpless - ironic equality" suggesting a sense of political and social nihilism. Despite the seriousness of the character's situation, the song has a rebellious and almost celebratory feel, with the character being likened to a warrior fighting without a shield, and the repeated refrain of "goin', goin', goin' - gone."
Overall, "Can't Slow Down" is a high-energy rock song that captures the thrill and danger of a reckless lifestyle, but also hints at the consequences that come with living life in the fast lane.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm driving hard, punching holes in the heat
I'm pushing my limits, driving at a high speed in hot weather.
The air is clammy, a hamper full of nightmare's sheets.
The air is uncomfortable and oppressive, like a basket full of unpleasant dreams.
I'm goin' fast like a fading blonde
I'm going so fast that it's as if I'm disappearing, like a blonde dye that fades away.
No time for nothing but goin', goin', goin' - gone.
I have no time for anything except for speeding ahead and disappearing into the distance.
My brakes are failing, blasting through all the lights
My braking system is failing, causing me to speed through all the traffic lights.
My radiator's been blown since I was five.
My car's radiator has been malfunctioning since I was very young.
The night is clinging and the sidewalks reel
The night is oppressive and the surroundings seem to be spinning out of control.
My body's rusted, I'm rotten, screaming steel.
My body is in bad shape, rusted and decaying, and my car is screeching as I speed ahead.
Tire treads are smooth and hot
The tire treads are worn out and overheated from all the high-speed driving.
Goin' 'round.
Continuing to circle around at a high speed.
Sirens wailing long and loud
Police sirens are blaring, warning me to stop.
But what's a man to do
As a man, I feel compelled to keep going and not give up.
If he can't slow down.
Even though I know I should slow down, I find it impossible to do so.
I'm knockin', knockin' underneath my hood.
Something is wrong with the engine of my car and it's making a knocking sound.
Don't you inspect me, you know I just ain't no good.
I don't want anyone to inspect my car because I know there are problems with it that I can't fix.
I'm spittin' licorice in the D.M.Z.
My car is emitting black smoke like licorice in the demilitarized zone or a dangerous area.
Both sides sit helpless - ironic equality.
Both the driver and the police are helpless in this situation, creating an ironic sense of equality.
Like a warrior who fights without shield
I am like a warrior who fights without a shield, taking risks and facing the consequences.
I'll go down.
I know I'm going to lose this battle and suffer the consequences of my actions.
You'll see me smashed to bits in this town
I know that I'm going to crash and my car will be destroyed in this town.
Long before I'm due
I know that this is going to happen sooner than I expect or than it should.
'Cause I can't slow down.
I know that the reason for my inevitable crash is my inability to slow down and be responsible.
Lyrics © LEATHER VOLCANO MUSIC BMI
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