1) a well known Thai funk/pop band active in the 1970s.
2) an indie band active in the UK in the early 90s.
3) an alternative/ska band from Austin, Texas
1) The Impossibles (Thailand) composed their own hits but were also known for their covers of Western rock songs. They were among the first Thai pop bands to cover English language songs and were the first Thai rock band to record an English language album overseas during a tour of Europe. The band broke up in 1977, but they have frequently performed at reunions over the years, and its members remain active in music in Thailand.
2) The Impossibles (UK) were short-lived UK band consisting of Lucy Dallas and Mags Grundy. They had three releases on Fontana, with their first single "How do you do it?" produced by Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine and giving them some success after featuring in the NME.
3) The Impossibles (US) sprang from the ashes of the tragically named Austin, Texas band 'thefatgirls' in April of 1994 when fatgirls members Rory Phillips (vocals, guitar), Craig Tweedy (bass), and Pat Elliott (drums) found themselves looking for a new singer and a less embarrassing name. Within weeks they were practicing with Gabe Hascall, at that point also a bass player for the Austin hardcore band loophole. Gabe sang one song in Loophole's set, a cover of the Avail anthem 'March', and it was this shining moment that caught Rory’s eye and convinced the future Impossibles they had found their singer.
Acting as a stand-alone singer for the Impossibles first official show, Gabe soon also took on second guitar playing duties, a move that would prove critical to the future direction of the band. Writing songs with dual vocals and dueling walls of guitar sound, the Impossibles began to forge a sound reminiscent of their main influences at the time bringing together the alternative rock pop of bands like Weezer and The Pixies with the punk pop sound of bay area bands Green Day and Operation Ivy. After a short run of demo tapes the band recorded a full length self titled album, which they initially released on local label Red 5 Records and was soon picked up by Florida label Fueled by Ramen.
After a summer of touring on their first full length the Impossibles once again headed into the studio to record a follow up EP, ’Back 4 the Attack’. By this point the four members of the Impossibles were unsure of their futures, with several members wishing to pursue scholastic goals. The band decided to call it quits shortly after the release of their new EP, and would play their final show early the next year never to be heard from again...
Cut to winter, 1999. The first two Impossibles records on Fueled by Ramen along with the first demo recordings were collected into one CD, the Impossibles Anthology 94-97. After two years of playing in Imbroco and The Stereo, Rory found himself back in Austin and looking for a place to live. Although their contact was sporadic, Gabe and Rory somehow kept in contact enough to end up living together in a one-bedroom apartment in Austin’s Hyde Park district. Although the idea had come up from time to time, an Impossibles reunion wasn’t really feasible at any point until then, and somehow to everyone involved, it made perfect sense. Craig had been playing with Austin band Cruiserweight, but after much coaxing and convincing came back to the band solidifying the original lineup once again.
The following springs the Impossibles wrote and recorded 'Return’, their second full length and a noticeable departure from the original formula of ska meets pop rock. With two years apart and a lot of changes in musical influence, the Impossibles were now also incorporating influences from bands like Elliott Smith, Spiritualized, and Fugazi. At its core, however, the sound could still be found in the lyrical hooks and signature big rock guitars that had powered the bands earlier efforts.
The Impossibles hit the road and hit it hard in 2000, supporting acts like Less Than Jake and new found glory and headlining tours with Ultimate Fakebook and Cadillac Blindside, busting their chops and learning how to give their audience the same energy they received, pushing themselves every night to the point of breaking (sometimes literally) only to do it all over again the next night.
In spring of 2001 a new EP was recorded with hardcore super producer Brian McTernan entitled ’Brick Bomb’. The bands fourth effort broke even more new ground (much to the dismay of the third wave ska set, sorry kids) and honed their pop rock skills to a razor point. The songs are at times their most aggressive and their most subdued, but the sound is unmistakable.
After a 6 week US tour with the likes of grade and the movie life, the band found themselves at another impasse with the departure of their original drummer Pat Elliott and gearing up for 6 more months of touring, with their scheduled first tour of Europe in November 2001. Afterwards, being talked into a mini tour of Florida, the Impossibles retired to Austin, where they broke up shortly after.
On June, 2nd 2001 the Impossibles played their farewell concert at home in Austin to a packed house. A copy of their final moments were avalible on a DVD from Fueled By Ramen, and are sold out indeffinitly as no future pressings are planned.
The Impossibles will live on in the hearts and minds of the countless souls they touched with their music.
Hey
The Impossibles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't keep the promise of tomorrow
Hey, you kids!
Turn up the stereo
Can't catch this on the radio
Mad kids
Rock solid audio
We can't stand standing side by side
We all fall down when we divide
Rock kids
Time to testify
at the drive in kickin' asses to Les Savy Fav
Full stacks
Phil Spector sound
Forget the format
Stop the format
Start the round and round
We can't stand standing side by side
We all fall down when we divide
We can't stand standing side by side
We all fall down when we divide
Hey, you kids!
Turn up the stereo
If you catch this on the radio
Full stacks
Phil Spector sound
Get the format
Fuck the format
Start the round and round
We can't stand standing side by side
We all fall down when we divide
We can't stand standing side by side
We all fall down when we divide
Held on to yesterday so hard
(Let it go, let it go)
Can't keep the promise of tomorrow
(Let it go, let it go)
The song "Hey You Kids!" by The Impossibles is about youth rebellion against societal restrictions and conformity. The lyrics suggest that the younger generation is fed up with being told what to do and how to live their lives. The phrase "Hey, you kids!" is a call to arms for young people to break out of these restrictions and live life to the fullest.
The lines "Held on to yesterday so hard/Can't keep the promise of tomorrow" suggest that the older generation is holding on to outdated beliefs and structures that are preventing progress and growth. The younger generation is urging them to let go of the past and embrace change.
The song encourages young people to turn up the stereo and rebel against the mainstream. The reference to Les Savy Fav, a post-punk band known for their energetic live performances, suggests that the rebellion should be loud and aggressive. The lines "Get the format/Fuck the format/Start the round and round" suggest that young people should reject traditional societal structures and create their own way of living.
Overall, "Hey You Kids!" is a call to arms for young people to rebel against societal restrictions and live life on their own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
Held on to yesterday so hard
We have been clinging to the past so tightly and with such intensity that it's difficult to move on.
Can't keep the promise of tomorrow
Despite our best efforts, we often struggle to keep our commitments and promises for the future.
Hey, you kids!
An enthusiastic callout to young people.
Turn up the stereo
Increasing the volume on the music player or sound system.
Can't catch this on the radio
The music is not something that can be heard on the radio, as it is unique and different.
Mad kids
Enthusiastic and passionate individuals.
Rock solid audio
The sound quality is impressive and unwavering, not going down one bit.
Come out bustin' with our everlastin' overflow
The music is always ready and flowing out, with no hesitation or lack of energy.
We can't stand standing side by side
Being together as a group can be uncomfortable or difficult.
We all fall down when we divide
When we separate or disagree, we all suffer the consequences.
Rock kids
Young people who enjoy playing and listening to rock music.
Time to testify
The moment has come to express oneself and speak up.
At the drive in kickin' asses to Les Savy Fav
A reference to attending a drive-in concert of the band Les Savy Fav, a popular indie rock group.
Full stacks
Amplifiers consisting of a full complement of speakers and sound systems.
Phil Spector sound
A reference to a music production technique popularized by Phil Spector, characterized by a grandiose, layered sound.
Forget the format
Discard the traditional approach to music and try something new and unconventional.
Stop the format
A plea to put an end to the formulaic and predictable nature of popular music.
Start the round and round
Begin a more fluid and experimental approach to creating music.
We can't stand standing side by side
Unity within a group can be challenging and uncomfortable.
We all fall down when we divide
Divisions within the group result in failure or struggle for everyone, rather than just one or two individuals.
Held on to yesterday so hard
Our attachment to the past has been overly strong and limiting our future potential.
Can't keep the promise of tomorrow
We lack the ability to follow through on the goals or promises we set for ourselves regarding the future.
Hey, you kids!
A continued call to the enthusiastic younger generation to take action.
If you catch this on the radio
If listeners are lucky enough to hear this unique and special music on the radio, take advantage of the opportunity.
Get the format
Embrace creativity and unconventional approaches to producing music.
Fuck the format
Reject the industry-driven music format that stifles creativity and individuality.
Start the round and round
Begin with a more fluid and experimental approach to music creation once more.
We can't stand standing side by side
The challenge of standing united as a group remains difficult and uncomfortable.
We all fall down when we divide
Just like previously stated, we all suffer difficult outcomes when nay-Saying or disagreeing with each other.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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