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.
The Devil
The Lawrence Arms Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or maybe just limp around?
These feet are cold and beat, and strangers
To the ground.
The sound of the kick is arousing.
The couples are sweet in their love.
Tonight, we'll stagger up from the basement
You've got those moves and those eyes
I've got these shakes and bad breath.
I've never tried that, but I know
I don't like it.
Or, maybe I do I'm just too weak to
Fight it. Where are you? I hate
To let em see me crying.
I'm gonna zip on my party suit
And show y'all something:
There ain't no such thing as strumpin'
For nothing
You can fly with us or hang on to the
Walls but the devil's takin' names
When the last curtain falls
I got a deep sick worry and I don't know
Why!
Where are you? what are you doing tonight?
Laughing and crying are almost the same
They just show everyone how much
Attention you're paying
So dry them eyes
Everyone else went back inside
The Lawrence Arms's song The Devil talks about the various emotions one goes through while attending a party, specifically the ones hosted by people who indulge in different forms of debauchery. The chorus of the song, "Shall we dance? Or maybe just limp around?" really sets the tone of the song. It questions whether the person wants to fully partake in the festivities and let go of their inhibitions or not. The feet being cold and strangers to the ground signify the uncertainty and the unfamiliarity of the situation. The sound of the kick is arousing, which might be interpreted as the alcohol, drugs or any other intoxicants. The couples in love represent people who come to the party solely to indulge in romantic or carnal pursuits.
The lyrics of the song also explore the feeling of apprehension while at such parties. The lines "I've never tried that, but I know I don't like it. Or maybe I do I'm just too weak to fight it." portray that the person is not well versed in the ways of the party and is not fully comfortable with it but is still tempted by the allure of it.
The lines "I'm gonna zip on my party suit And show y'all something: There ain't no such thing as strumpin' For nothing You can fly with us or hang on to the walls but the devil's takin' names When the last curtain falls" talks about how everyone is ultimately accountable for their actions at the party, and no one can shirk responsibility. There might not be any repercussions for one's actions in the moment, but eventually, they will have to reckon with them.
The last line of the song, "Everyone else went back inside" gives off the sense that the person is left alone outside the party, maybe because they could not fully participate or because they are experiencing conflicting emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Shall we dance?
Do you want to join me and engage in a dance?
Or maybe just limp around?
Or do you want to just shuffle and move slowly?
These feet are cold and beat, and strangers to the ground.
My feet are numb and tired, and I haven't touched the ground in a while.
The sound of the kick is arousing.
The beat of the music is stimulating and captivating.
The couples are sweet in their love.
The people dancing together are affectionate and lovely.
Tonight, we'll stagger up from the basement or fall to our deaths from above.
This evening, we'll either stumble upstairs from the lower level or plunge to our demise from the top floor.
You've got those moves and those eyes I've got these shakes and bad breath.
You possess those smooth dance steps and captivating gaze, whereas I am filled with nervous twitches and unappealing breath.
I've never tried that, but I know I don't like it.
I have no experience with that particular activity, but I have a negative impression of it.
Or, maybe I do I'm just too weak to fight it. Where are you?
However, it's possible that I secretly enjoy it, but I'm simply too powerless to resist it. By the way, where are you currently?
I hate to let em see me crying.
I dislike displaying my tears to others.
I'm gonna zip on my party suit and show y'all something: there ain't no such thing as strumpin' for nothing.
I will quickly change into my festive clothing and demonstrate something to you all: there is no such thing as engaging in raucous behavior without any consequences.
You can fly with us or hang on to the walls but the devil's takin' names when the last curtain falls.
You can join us on this wild ride or cling to the sidelines, but our actions will have consequences, and the devil will keep track of them in the end.
I got a deep sick worry and I don't know why!
I currently have a profound, unpleasant anxiety, and I am uncertain of the reason.
Where are you? What are you doing tonight?
I'm curious about your whereabouts and activities for this evening.
Laughing and crying are almost the same. They just show everyone how much attention you're paying.
In a way, laughing and crying are similar since they both reveal how attentive you are to your surroundings and emotions.
So dry them eyes. Everyone else went back inside.
Stop crying and wipe your tears. Everyone else has already returned to the indoors.
Lyrics Ā© O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dababy-_-jesus343
Shall we dance?
Or maybe just limp around?
These feet are cold and beat
And strangers to the ground
The sound of the kick is arousing
The couples are sweet in their love
Tonight, we'll stagger up from the basement
Or fall to our deaths from above
You've got those moves and those eyes
I've got these shakes and bad breath
I've never tried that, I've never tried that
I've never tried that, but I know I don't like it
I've never tried that, I've never tried that
I've never tried that, but I know I don't like it
Or, maybe I do I'm just too weak to fight it
Maybe I do and I'm just too weak to fight it
Maybe I do and I'm just too weak to fight it
Where are you, where are you?
Hate to let 'em see me crying
Let me zip on my party suit and show y'all something
There ain't no such thing as strumpin' for nothing
You can fly with us or hang on to the walls
But the devil's takin' names when the last curtain falls
I got a deep sick worry and I don't know why
Where are you, where are you, what are you doing tonight?
Laughing and crying are almost the same
They just show everyone how much attention you're paying
I've never tried that, I've never tried that
I've never tried that, but I know I don't like it
I've never tried that, I've never tried that
I've never tried that, but I know I don't like it
Or, maybe I do I'm just too weak to fight it
Maybe I do and I'm just too weak to fight it
Maybe I do and I'm just too weak to fight it
Where are you, where are you?
Hate to let 'em see me crying
So dry them eyes
Everyone else went back inside
Laughing and crying are almost the same
They just show everyone how much attention you're paying
So dry them eyes
Everyone else went back inside
@PATRICKRIDGETV
One of the most underrated bands of all time
@brockt4350
Are you following me? Get back to tiktok Patrice, and tell oleg to get back to Cherkasy. Bye.
@brownpunk1794
Yep..true punk
@dave9928
Dude their early live performances...in like a community center or something, are so raw and one of my favorite of all time
@ScotCinamon
One notch more rated than The Broadways though... If you like old Lawrence Arms and have never listened to The Broadways, you're doing something wrong.
@Christpuncher138
THIS
@nigelgrim
I love his band! I used to listen to their 2nd album all of the time as teen. The Broadways were an amazing band as well! I love the fact that they never change their sound. š¤šš
@lagronemikal
I saw these dudes play in my small hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama in an abandoned building lol. It (unbelievably) was the first show of that tour for them. I have no idea how that shit got arranged but I'll remember that feeling forever. Smoke or Fire opened. Saw them again in Birmingham, AL and my girl was pissed that I went while she had to work so I got the drummer to write her a personal letter exonerating me of any wrongdoing haha. Cool guys and I've been a fan for about almost 20 years at this point.
@dababy-_-jesus343
Shall we dance?
Or maybe just limp around?
These feet are cold and beat
And strangers to the ground
The sound of the kick is arousing
The couples are sweet in their love
Tonight, we'll stagger up from the basement
Or fall to our deaths from above
You've got those moves and those eyes
I've got these shakes and bad breath
I've never tried that, I've never tried that
I've never tried that, but I know I don't like it
I've never tried that, I've never tried that
I've never tried that, but I know I don't like it
Or, maybe I do I'm just too weak to fight it
Maybe I do and I'm just too weak to fight it
Maybe I do and I'm just too weak to fight it
Where are you, where are you?
Hate to let 'em see me crying
Let me zip on my party suit and show y'all something
There ain't no such thing as strumpin' for nothing
You can fly with us or hang on to the walls
But the devil's takin' names when the last curtain falls
I got a deep sick worry and I don't know why
Where are you, where are you, what are you doing tonight?
Laughing and crying are almost the same
They just show everyone how much attention you're paying
I've never tried that, I've never tried that
I've never tried that, but I know I don't like it
I've never tried that, I've never tried that
I've never tried that, but I know I don't like it
Or, maybe I do I'm just too weak to fight it
Maybe I do and I'm just too weak to fight it
Maybe I do and I'm just too weak to fight it
Where are you, where are you?
Hate to let 'em see me crying
So dry them eyes
Everyone else went back inside
Laughing and crying are almost the same
They just show everyone how much attention you're paying
So dry them eyes
Everyone else went back inside
@weezersthebluealbum9479
So glad Watch_Dogs turned me on to this band, one of the most underrated punk bands of all time.