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.
Your Gravest Words
The Lawrence Arms Lyrics
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The Lawrence Arms's "Your Gravest Words" can be dissected to reveal multiple interpretations. The imagery of the lyrics paints a picture of someone who is struggling to come to terms with a past relationship. The opening lyrics, "all these words trip over cracks in the sidewalks," implies that the singer is stumbling through life unsure of where to go next. They are haunted by the memory of their past lover and the verse "I'm finally coming close to ghost" signifies this person's attempt at moving on and essentially losing their grip on the relationship they had.
The chorus "I'm dancing on your gravest words. I'm toasting all the coldest stares, all the loneliest of eyes," seems to mock their past lover. The singer now feels a sense of detachment from their past and is able to see their relationship without the rose-colored glasses. By the end of the song, the singer begins to find clarity and purpose as they "cut and paste these sections of maps into my days." The final verse of "and the dreamers ... walk slowly through the crowds nothing can stop us now" suggests that the singer is moving on with their life and has come to accept their past.
Line by Line Meaning
All these words trip over cracks in the sidewalks.
The singer feels overwhelmed by the multitude of words that are constantly being thrown at them from all directions.
Uptown, one year. I'm distantly distressed.
The singer is reflecting on a past experience that happened a year ago in a different part of town and is feeling a sense of unease about it.
I'm finally coming close to ghost.
The singer feels like they are slowly fading away and becoming a ghost-like figure.
I'm dancing on your gravest words.
The artist is metaphorically celebrating the end of a toxic relationship by dancing on the words that caused them pain.
I'm toasting all the coldest stares. all the loneliest of eyes.
The artist is raising a glass to all those who have suffered from loneliness and coldness from others.
I am a satellite never getting signals right. you are a constellation. I can barely make you out tonight.
The singer feels like they are constantly struggling to understand others, while the person they are addressing seems distant and unapproachable.
The city lights are burning too bright.
The singer feels overwhelmed and disturbed by the bright lights of the city.
I cut and paste these sections of maps into my days. sunspots. almost feverish. can you feel me shivering?
The artist is trying to navigate their life by piecing together bits of information, but feels uncertain and anxious about it.
I'm finally breaking out of orbit. I'm clinging to your finest words. I'm draining all the angry glares. all that's building up inside.
The artist is freeing themselves from a negative cycle and is focusing on the positive words that have helped them while also letting go of the hate that was building inside of them.
And the dreamers ... walk slowly through the crowds nothing can stop us now.
The artist is inspired by the dreamers who are slowly making their way through the crowds and is feeling empowered to move forward despite any obstacles in their path.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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