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.
K6
The Lillingtons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A hidden passage led us deep in underground
These halls fall silent with unknown symbols on the walls
A man of... wall
We're mapping a ...code
Disproving the lies we've been told
Prophets on strings we controlled
The compass spins, we've lost our way
We forge ahead, we've gone astray
These catacombs run on and on
Til we emerge in the pantheon
With monoliths of some unknown
We realize we're not a-
The Lillingtons' song K6 is a lyrical journey into the unknown depths of an underground world filled with mystery and secrets. The opening lines describe passing through hills where K6 was found, possibly referring to some kind of hidden location. The mention of a hidden passage only adds to the sense of intrigue and wonder that permeates this section of the song. As they navigate deeper into the underground, they come across halls that are filled with unknown symbols on the walls. The reference to a "man of wall" adds yet another layer of mystery to the lyrics, leaving the audience with a sense of curiosity about what lies ahead.
The second section of the lyrics shifts the focus to a different theme - the idea of disproving lies and discovering the truth. The group is mapping a code, perhaps referring to some kind of encrypted message or hidden information. The lines "Prophets on strings we controlled" suggest that there may be some kind of manipulation of information or people taking place. However, the puzzle pieces are beginning to unfold, indicating that the truth may be just around the corner. The sense of confusion and disorientation is reinforced with the mention of a spinning compass and the idea that they've lost their way. Despite this, they continue forging ahead until they emerge in the pantheon, surrounded by monoliths of some unknown origin. The final line of the song, "We realize we're not a-," leaves the listener hanging, inviting interpretation and speculation about what has been discovered.
Line by Line Meaning
I pass a mile in hills where K6 was found
I travel through hills that are marked by the location of K6, a place presumably known to me and others in my group.
A hidden passage led us deep in underground
We came across a concealed entrance that took us into an underground location.
These halls fall silent with unknown symbols on the walls
We find ourselves in quiet corridors decorated with symbols neither I nor my comrades recognize.
A man of... wall
This line is incomplete and offers no clear meaning on its own.
We're mapping a ...code
We are surveying an enigmatic code that we must decipher for some reason or another.
Disproving the lies we've been told
We are seeking to refute falsehoods we've been told or led to believe.
Prophets on strings we controlled
We pull the strings of seers or oracles of some sort in order to achieve our goals.
The puzzle pieces are beginning to unfold
As we continue to gather information and clues, the intricate pieces of a complex puzzle begin to fit together.
The compass spins, we've lost our way
We encounter a setback as our compass becomes unreliable and we lose our sense of direction.
We forge ahead, we've gone astray
Even though we're lost, we continue moving forward and are uncertain of our destination.
These catacombs run on and on
We're stuck in an endless network of catacombs that seem to have no end.
Til we emerge in the pantheon
Eventually, we emerge in a grand hall or chamber that commands awe and respect, presumably tying back to our mission or quest.
With monoliths of some unknown
The pantheon is adorned with monoliths that belong to an unfamiliar and mysterious culture.
We realize we're not a-
As with the earlier incomplete line, this sentence is also cut off and does not provide a complete idea.
Contributed by Leo C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.