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.
Phantom Maggot
The Lillingtons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Phantom maggot's right on time always fighting maggot crime,
He puts maggot villains in their place disappears without a trace,
Now there's nothing more to see Phantom maggot saved the day,
You always laugh when you walk by oh yeah,
Someday he'll be a phantom fly yeah,
Someday he'll be a phantom fly-y-y oh yeah,
Someday he'll be a phantom fly-y-y oh yeah,
Someday he'll be a phantom fly-y-y...
And he'll show all you maggots what he's really made of...
The Lillingtons's song "Phantom Maggot" contains lyrics that depict the story of Phantom maggot, a fictional character who got his look straight out of a comic book. This superhero-like character is always fighting "maggot crime" and puts maggot villains in their place. In the end, Phantom Maggot saves the day and disappears without a trace. The chorus talks about how people laugh when they walk by Phantom Maggot, but someday he will be a "phantom fly" and show all the maggot villains what he's really made of.
The lyrics of "Phantom Maggot" can be interpreted in different ways, but one possible explanation is that they reflect the idea of outsiders and their struggles. Phantom Maggot is different from other people, and they laugh at him when he walks by. But he is not discouraged, and continues fighting against "maggot crime" without caring about people's opinions. In this sense, Phantom Maggot becomes a symbol of those who are marginalized and struggle to be accepted. The idea of a "phantom fly" also suggests the possibility of transformation and growth, as if Phantom Maggot is evolving into a more powerful and confident version of himself.
Line by Line Meaning
Phantom maggot got his look straight out of a comic book
The appearance of Phantom maggot is highly inspired by comic book illustrations
Phantom maggot's right on time always fighting maggot crime
Phantom maggot is always punctual and fights against crimes related to maggots
He puts maggot villains in their place disappears without a trace
Phantom maggot apprehends maggot villains and disappears without leaving any clues
Now there's nothing more to see Phantom maggot saved the day
Phantom maggot has successfully saved the day and there is nothing left to witness
You always laugh when you walk by oh yeah
People mock Phantom maggot when he passes by
Someday he'll be a phantom fly yeah
Phantom maggot aspires to become a flying hero someday
Someday he'll be a phantom fly-y-y oh yeah
Phantom maggot reiterates his desire to become a flying hero
And he'll show all you maggots what he's really made of...
Phantom maggot intends to prove his worth to all the people who had ridiculed him
Contributed by Victoria S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.