Members of the Lawrence Arms have also played in The Broadways, Slapstick, Tricky Dick and Baxter.
The three musicians came together to form the Lawrence Arms in 1999. Although punk rock bands in their infancy generally start out by releasing EPs and 7" vinyl singles, the band members used their existing relationship with Asian Man Records to immediately begin recording a full-length album, a guided tour of chicago, which was released later that year. A second album, ghost stories, followed in 2000. Both albums focused heavily on the members' own stories of growing up and living in Chicago.
The band's next two releases were split EPs with other bands. The first, a split with Shady View Terrace, was released in 2000 and was their first release to be recorded by Matt Allison, who would continue to record and produce all of their subsequent releases. A second EP, Present Day Memories, was released in 2001 and was a split with The Chinkees.
The band's records and touring schedule had brought them to the attention of Fat Mike of NOFX, who signed them to his label Fat Wreck Chords in late 2001. Their first release on the label was a 7" vinyl single, part of the label's "Fat Club" series of 7" records. This was followed by the full-length album apathy and exhaustion, released in 2002. The album spawned the band's first music video, for the song porno and snuff films and they toured extensively with NOFX and other bands from the label.
Their next album was 2003's the greatest story ever told. Arguably their most ambitious album to date, it demonstrated the band members' continued growth as musicians and songwriters and included extensive footnotes to the lyrics detailing their many references to history, literature and pop culture. It also showed an evolution in the band's vocal style. Kelly had sung most of the vocals on their first album, while on subsequent releases he and McCaughan had split vocal duties almost equally from one song to the next, with Kelly's voice tending to sound more harsh and urgent while McCaughan's sounds more relaxed and melodic. With this release, however, the two began to move towards more of a duet style of singing which would feature prominently on their next album. Extensive touring following the album's release saw the band on the road for much of 2003 and 2004. They also contributed a song to the Fat Wreck Chords Rock Against Bush, Volume 2 compilation, leading up to the 2004 presidential election and became involved with the Punk Voter campaign.
In December of 2004 Kelly and Hennessy joined with fellow Chicago natives Dan Andriano of Alkaline Trio (who had played with Kelly in Slapstick) and Todd Mohney, formerly of Rise Against, to form The Falcon, and released an EP on Red Scare. Meanwhile, with interest in the Lawrence Arms increasing and their EPs out of print, Asian Man Records planned a CD release of the band's EP tracks. The resulting compilation album, Cocktails & Dreams, was released on Asian Man in June of 2005 and included their songs from both EPs along with nearly all of their compilation tracks, rare songs and b-sides.
The Lawrence Arms re-entered the studio in October and November of 2005 and recorded the album oh! calcutta!, which was released on Fat Wreck Chords in March of 2006. It had an overall faster and more urgent feel to it than their previous album, and demonstrated another step in the development of their singing as Kelly and McCaughan shared vocals in a duet style on nearly every song. They filmed a music video for the song the devil's takin' names.
The Lawrence Arms spent most of 2006 touring extensively alongside bands such as NOFX, Alkaline Trio, The Draft, Lagwagon, and A Wilhelm Scream. The full-length debut by the Falcon was released that fall on Red Scare. In December, the Lawrence Arms embarked on their first headlining tour of Australia, also playing supporting shows with Frenzal Rhomb.
In March of 2007, guitarist Chris McCaughan released the debut album from his acoustic side project Sundowner, entitled four one five two.
The band toured again in 2007, with their side projects The Falcon and Sundowner as openers along with the recently reunited American Steel.
The 2010s saw minimal studio activity by the band, but for one album. 2014's Metropole was received well, and marked the band's first full-length in eight years. The band took another extended break in between albums again, taking six years before releasing their seventh album Skeleton Coast in 2020.
Intransit
The Lawrence Arms Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The bar was open but for me the bar was closing
I like to suffer in a silent way
I can't get through the days without a glaze across the face
You're so smart and witty
And funny and pretty and skinny
But tonight I don't feel right
A lonely rage
The hunger is the meanest cage
A lonely rage
The hunger is the meanest cage
I felt like we were at a loss
This is the cost of art, the way you hit me with your grin
And now I'm almost over it
Soon you'll set me free and raise a flag half-mast
I'm so stupid and speechless and burned-out, sedated and faceless
And sometimes it feels like I don't even exist in this place
I'm momentum in transit, alive in the rhythms of movement
It's when I stop and start thinking that I realize all the people I'm missing
The Lawrence Arms's song Intransit is a reflection on the difficulties of living life on the move. The lyrics describe a disconnect with the environment, a sense of isolation, and a longing to belong. The opening lines, "I can't connect to this sacred object / The bar was open but for me the bar was closing," highlights a feeling of being on the outside looking in, of not being able to fully participate in life experiences. This is further compounded by the lines "I like to suffer in a silent way / I can't get through the days without a glaze across the face," which suggest a desire for numbing oneself to the pain of being alone.
The second verse features a comparison between the singer and someone else who is described as "so smart and witty / And funny and pretty and skinny." Despite this person's seemingly perfect exterior, the singer still feels a sense of unease and discomfort. The lines "But tonight I don't feel right / I can't wait until I'm back in the city" highlights a desire to escape the current situation and return to a more familiar surroundings.
The chorus, "A lonely rage / The hunger is the meanest cage," emphasises the desperation and isolation that the singer is feeling. They feel trapped by their own desires and longings, unable to escape the painful cycle of wanting something but being unable to attain it. The last verse, "I'm momentum in transit, alive in the rhythms of movement / It's when I stop and start thinking that I realize all the people I'm missing," encapsulates the overall theme of the song - that there is a cost to living a transient lifestyle, and that it can be difficult to form meaningful connections with people when you are always on the move.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't connect to this sacred object
I am unable to find meaning or connection to something that is supposed to hold great value or significance.
The bar was open but for me the bar was closing
Although the bar was still open, I felt like an outsider and disconnected from the lively atmosphere it was intended to provide.
I like to suffer in a silent way
I find comfort in my own pain and prefer to keep it hidden, rather than seeking attention or help from others.
I can't get through the days without a glaze across the face
I rely on a substance or activity (such as alcohol) to get me through the day and numb any emotional pain.
You're so smart and witty
You are intelligent and clever.
And funny and pretty and skinny
You also possess humor, attractiveness, and a slender figure.
But tonight I don't feel right
Despite your positive traits, something tonight is interfering with my ability to feel fully comfortable or happy around you.
I can't wait until I'm back in the city
I feel more at home and myself in the city and am eager to return there.
A lonely rage
I experience a combination of intense anger and profound loneliness.
The hunger is the meanest cage
The craving or urge inside me is the strongest and most limiting force I face.
I felt like we were at a loss
I experienced a sense of disappointment or defeat in our interactions or relationship.
This is the cost of art, the way you hit me with your grin
The pain and struggle necessary to create or appreciate art is heightened by the impact of your smile or expression.
And now I'm almost over it
I am nearly finished processing or moving on from this difficult experience or emotion.
Soon you'll set me free and raise a flag half-mast
You will provide closure or release from this pain, though there will still be some lingering sadness or mourning involved.
I'm so stupid and speechless and burned-out, sedated and faceless
I feel foolish, unable to articulate my thoughts or feelings, and drained of energy and identity due to my current state of sedation or numbness.
And sometimes it feels like I don't even exist in this place
I feel disconnected and insignificant in my surroundings and experiences.
I'm momentum in transit, alive in the rhythms of movement
I thrive on the constant motion and change in my life and feel most alive during movement or travel.
It's when I stop and start thinking that I realize all the people I'm missing
During quiet or reflective moments, I become aware of the individuals I have lost or am separated from in my life.
Contributed by Chase A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
kevinbeatzeus
Such great lyrics but my goodness, so sad and sorry he was so down to have to write this. I've been there before and hopefully, if any of you are there, it doesn't last long. Much love!!! Selemat jalan
نيوكلير ‖ NUCLEAR
been here since 2000!