The original lineup consisting of Kody Templeman, Zack Rawhauser, Cory Laurence, and Tim (Timmy V) O'Hara as a four-piece only recorded the first 7",I Lost My Marbles, produced by Joe King of The Queers for his More Bounce to the Ounce compilation. The band continued as a three-piece after Zack quit.
Their first full-length album, titled Shit Out of Luck, was released on Clearview Records in 1996. Following the release of their first album the band changed their lyrical focus. In 1999 they went into the studio with producer-engineer Mass Giorgini to record a new LP. This was done with the band's own money, and without the benefit of a record label. The result was Death By Television, an album that took sci-fi movie-themed songs such as War Of The Worlds and Invasion Of The Saucermen and combined them with tracks that made references to other retro themes, such as X-Ray Specs. The recordings instantly created a buzz. Successful label Fat Wreck Chords offered to release the album, but the band had already accepted an offer of Panic Button Records, an imprint of influential punk label Lookout! Records that was overseen by Ben Weasel of Screeching Weasel fame.
The band spent the next two years touring heavily within the punk scene and disbanded after teaming with Giorgini for their final Panic Button/Lookout! release, the spy-themed LP The Backchannel Broadcast, which was released in February, 2001. The album included the song Wait It Out, written by Ben Weasel and later re-recorded by The Riverdales for their record Phase Three.
John Jughead (of Screeching Weasel and Even in Blackouts) filled in as second guitar on many tour stops on the Death by Television and Backchannel tours. Other notable appearances on these tours include Ben Weasel (at The Fireside in Chicago, his first stage appearance since 1995), and Lurch Nobody. Timmy V left the band after Death by Television and was replaced by Austin, Texas drummer Scott.
Red Scare Industries reissued Death By Television (remastered) and Backchannel Broadcast in 2005.
The band split for a few years before reuniting with all original members to release an album, [album artist=the lillingtonsThe Too Late Show in 2006, with no plans on reuniting for a tour to support due to the members' other commitments.
In 2017 they released an album [album artist=the lillingtons]Stella Sapiente.
Frontman Templeman is currently a member of Laramie, Wyoming pop punk band Teenage Bottlerocket.
Drummer Timmy V is currently playing as a hired hand with Albuquerque, New Mexico all girl three-piece The Eyeliners, and plays drums in his own project Stabbed in Back, with a hardcore/punk album entitled A Portrait of Noise.
All I Hear Is Static
The Lillingtons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All I hear is static when you talk
No, you don't make any sense
It's all noise to me
All I hear is static when you talk
All I hear is static when you talk
No, you don't make any sense
All I hear is static
'Cause my brain's on automatic
My emotions are on cruise control
My head has fucking had it
With you talking so erratic
And I think it's going to explode
I don't want to hear you plea
Could you please step out from in front
Of the TV?
All I hear is static when you talk
All I hear is static when you talk
No, you don't make any sense
It's all noise to me
All I hear is static when you talk
All I hear is static when you talk
No, you don't make any sense
It's all noise to me
All I hear is static
'Cause my brain's on automatic
My emotions are on cruise control
I wish you could be quiet
But you always start a riot
When I pick up the remote control
I don't care about your day
Could you please get out of the way
So I can see?
Yeah, all I hear is static when you talk
Yeah, all I hear is static when you talk
Yeah, all I hear is static when you talk
Yeah, all I hear is static when you talk
The lyrics of The Lillingtons' song "All I Hear Is Static" is all about feeling frustrated with someone who talks aimlessly and incoherently. The lines "All I hear is static when you talk, no you don't make any sense, it's all noise to me" emphasizes the singer's inability to understand what the person is saying. It suggests that the person is on "automatic" and is not fully present in the conversation emotionally. The singer's "brain's on automatic" and emotions on "cruise control," which indicates that they are not engaged in the conversation and struggling to listen.
The singer wishes that the person could be quiet, which shows that they are feeling overwhelmed and need a break from the chaos. Even the most basic conversation seems to be too much for the singer, and they wish that the person would be quiet, so they could watch TV or see what they're trying to do. The singer says "I don't care about your day, could you please get out of the way, so I can see?" which illustrates their frustration.
Overall, the lyrics of the song are straightforward and reflect the singer's annoyance with someone who is talking but not making sense. It's an excellent reflection of how some conversations can be frustrating and ultimately lead to static.
Line by Line Meaning
All I hear is static when you talk
I can't understand what you're saying and it just sounds like white noise to me.
No, you don't make any sense
Your words and actions don't make sense or add up in my mind.
It's all noise to me
Your communication and behavior is meaningless and unimportant to me.
'Cause my brain's on automatic
I'm not fully engaging with you and my mind is not present in this conversation.
My emotions are on cruise control
I'm not emotionally invested in what you're saying and my feelings are muted.
My head has fucking had it
I'm fed up and irritated with your erratic and confusing communication style.
With you talking so erratic
You're communicating in an unpredictable and inconsistent way that's hard to follow.
And I think it's going to explode
My frustration and annoyance with you might reach a critical boiling point.
I don't want to hear you plea
I'm not interested in or receptive to any excuses or apologies you might offer.
Could you please step out from in front of the TV?
I'm trying to watch TV and your presence is blocking my view and disrupting my experience.
I wish you could be quiet
I wish you would stop talking and being disruptive.
But you always start a riot
Your behavior and communication style often leads to conflict and turmoil.
When I pick up the remote control
Even trying to watch TV, your presence and behavior disrupts my peace.
I don't care about your day
I'm not interested in hearing about your experiences or thoughts.
Could you please get out of the way
Your presence is interfering with my perception and experience of the environment.
So I can see?
I want to be able to fully see and experience what's happening without your disruption.
Contributed by Jake H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.