The band's original lineup, consisting of Spencer Moody, Dann Gallucci, Derek Fudesco, Coady Willis and Nate Manny, formed in Seattle, Washington in 1996. Gabe Kerbrat was their permanent roadie, and considered a member. Within a year, the band had released two singles "Three Natural Sixes" (Hopscotch Records #5) and "Dance Hall Music" (Empty Records MTR-354) and signed with the "Die Young Stay Pretty" label, a subsidiary of Sub Pop. The self-titled debut album was released in 1997.
In 1998, the band released "Empty Bottles, Broken Hearts", its second full-length album. This release saw a greatly increased use of electric organ, and in the same year they recruited Leslie Hardy as their full-time keyboard player. Hardy had previously played bass guitar for Hole on the 1993 single "Beautiful Son." The Murder City Devils then embarked on a year-long tour of North America to support the record.
After a short break, the band released "In Name and Blood" in 2000, with photos in the liner notes notoriously depicting every member as a murder victim. They also appeared as both individual actors as well as a band in David Larson's independent film "The Edge of Quarrel". The band released the "Thelema" EP in 2001 before breaking up later that year due to circumstances surrounding Hardy's departure from the band.
The band's 'final' concert on Halloween was recorded and released by Sub Pop in 2003 as "R.I.P." Notably, R.I.P. includes two previously unrecorded songs. It was also released on DVD in 2005.
In 2006, the band announced they were reuniting for a July show in Seattle with all original members and performed on July 29th at the Capitol Hill Block Party, closing the two day music festival on Saturday night. The day following the Block Party performance, the band played a secret unannounced show with The Blood Brothers at The Showbox in downtown Seattle, the same venue where "R.I.P." was recorded.
Another reunion show was played at the 2007 Fun Fun Fun Fest, November 3-4 in Austin and, as of 2014, they have reformed for occasional gigs and short tours ever since. In 2011/2012, The Murder City Devils recorded and released a new single ('Every Day I Rise' b/w 'Ball Busters') and have a new album due out in August 2014.
364 Days
The Murder City Devils Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whiskey and cookies on the mantle
The children asleep wait for St. Nick
While they sleep we can drink
The tree is hung - tribute to you
And three hundred and sixty four days til I see you again
And a thousand more tears
St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas, at the North Pole
364 days spent all alone
Take off your boots, pour a drink
Try not to cry, try not to think
St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas, at the North Pole
364 days spent all alone
Take off your boots, pour a drink
Try not to cry, try not to think
Try not to think...
And you drink your eggnog and I'll drink my wine
Toast the season, but just one more time
The morning is coming, the whiskey is empty
The gifts have arrived, St. Nick has come and gone
St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas, at the North Pole
364 days spent all alone
Take off your boots, pour a drink
Try not to cry, try not to think
St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas, at the North Pole
364 days spent all alone
Take off your boots, pour a drink
Try not to cry...
And it ends like it started, the hugs and the kisses
The bullshit flows, the bullshit flows
You raise your bottle, and I'll raise my flask
Toast Christmas future, and toast Christmas past
And when they're all gone, sit down in peace
Wait one more year
And pour just one more drink
St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas, at the North Pole
364 days spent all alone
Take off your boots, pour a drink
Try not to cry, try not to think
St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas, at the North Pole
364 days spent all alone
Take off your boots, pour a drink
Try not to cry, try not to think
Try not to think...
St. Nicholas... All alone...
The Murder City Devils's song, "364 Days," is a melancholic ode to the loneliness that St. Nicholas feels when he returns to the North Pole after spending Christmas with children. The lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia, longing, and sadness as the band sings about drinking whiskey and eggnog, raising toasts to the season, and waiting for Christmas to come around again. The song is almost like a love letter to St. Nicholas, in which the singer imagines him drinking by himself, trying not to cry or think about the long year ahead, until he can come back and see the children again.
The song's lyrics are deceptively simple, but they convey a lot of emotion and depth. The band uses repetition to great effect, repeating lines such as "364 days spent all alone" and "try not to cry, try not to think" to drive home the central message of the song. The final lines of the song are particularly poignant, as they suggest that St. Nicholas is stuck in a perpetual cycle of loneliness, waiting for Christmas to come and then leaving again, year after year.
Overall, "364 Days" is a beautiful and haunting song that captures the bittersweet nature of the holiday season. It's a reminder that even in the midst of celebrations and festivities, there are those who feel alone and isolated, and that we should strive to reach out to them and offer comfort and support.
Line by Line Meaning
Whiskey and cookies on the mantle
Alcoholic beverages and baked goods left for Santa Claus as gifts from admirers.
The children asleep wait for St. Nick
Kids are eagerly hoping Santa will magically deliver toys into their homes while they’re asleep.
While they sleep we can drink
Adults can indulge in some holiday drinks without children taking notice.
The tree is hung - tribute to you
A Christmas tree is decorated with ornaments, a nod to Santa Claus.
And three hundred and sixty four days til I see you again
It will be a long wait until the next Christmas and hopefully another visit from Santa.
And a thousand more tears
Anticipation sets in and heartache lingers as the days go by and Santa Claus is nowhere to be found.
St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas, at the North Pole
364 days spent all alone
Take off your boots, pour a drink
Try not to cry, try not to think
St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas, at the North Pole
364 days spent all alone
Take off your boots, pour a drink
Try not to cry, try not to think
Try not to think...
Santa Claus is depicted as spending his time alone at the North Pole, missing the companionship other people take for granted.
And you drink your eggnog and I'll drink my wine
Toast the season, but just one more time
Drinking in celebration of the holidays but acknowledging it's the last chance of the year.
The morning is coming, the whiskey is empty
The gifts have arrived, St. Nick has come and gone
Christmas Day has arrived along with the realization that the celebratory drinks are gone, and Santa Claus has finished his gift-giving.
And it ends like it started, the hugs and the kisses
The bullshit flows, the bullshit flows
You raise your bottle, and I'll raise my flask
Toast Christmas future, and toast Christmas past
And when they're all gone, sit down in peace
Wait one more year
And pour just one more drink
As the holiday celebrations come to an end, there is the inevitable departure of friends and family, and the renewed promise to do it all again next year.
St. Nicholas... All alone...
Recapping the initial sentiment of Santa Claus being left alone for most of the year.
Contributed by Gianna F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.