The Pills, formed in the summer/fall of 79', were a popular Tucson, AZ-based postpunk/new wave band featuring charismatic lead vocalist Brian Smith, Robin Johnson on Les Paul, Fred Cross on Bass, Rex Estell on Drums. with Mark Smythe, formerly of Isaiah, on lead and sharing vocals, joining after their first gig.
The Pills, named after a song by Bo Diddley, and covered by the New York Dolls, as well as the Pills, began when local Punk Band Z-9, replaced the amazingly talented and stunningly beautiful 16 year old Ariel Bagby, with former Suspects (Penn Pendleton, Cliff Green, Lee Joseph) vocalist Brian Smith, a former Olympic-trained bicyclist, and the Pills were born. Brian Smith took this energy on stage and mesmerized audiences with his Mick Jagger like presence meets Johnny Rotten/Joey Ramone/David Johansen bravado, and the sheer energy of his performances. His last effort was with the Beat Angels from Phoenix. Kevin Pate of the Beat Angels just passed in March of 2013. Fred Cross, of Caterwaul/IRS Records fame, was last seen in Phoenix, and rumors of his passing have been heard, though no confirmation. Let's hope it's just a rumor.
Breaking up at their peak, at the same time the Clash broke up, they reformed ast the Pills for a short time, and changed their name to Gentlemen Afterdark soon after Winston Watson replaced Rex Estell, and moved to Phoenix where they had great success as a local act.
Rex recoverd fully moved to L.A. and started 'the Watch', a Goth/Pop 80's sounding outfit with Arkie Wolff, Spyder (Dennis) Rhodes, and Guy Bufkin. Janes Addiction was said to have gotten signed to Warner Brothers when the Watch gave their headlining slot at the Whiskey A Go Go to Janes Addiction, and the rest is history. Opening for Janes Addiction would have a huge effect of the direction of the Watch, newly relocated from Tucson to L.A. opening for Janes Addiction, Wall of Voodoo, Love/Hate, Lions and Ghosts, Caterwaul, Human Drama, and many more.
Fred Cross went on the form Caterwaul, with Betsy Martin, Kevin Pinit, and Mark Shaeffer, released 3 albums on IRS and opened for Janes Addiction for a few gigs, including one at the John Anson Ford Theatre in L.A. A seven night stand for Janes Addiction. Z-9, the Suspects, and the Pedestrians started the Punk scene in Tucson, and the ripple effects were felt for years in small, and incremental, yet profound ways.
Breaking up at their peak, at the same time the Clash broke up, they reformed as the Pills for a short time, and changed their name to Gentlemen Afterdark soon after Winston Watson replaced Rex Estell, and moved to Phoenix where they had great success as a local act.
They played a tight, melodic pop-punk style reminiscent of the New York Dolls, Generation X, the Knack and others. Later to be joined by Brian's multi-instrumentalist brother Barry Smith, on violin, keyboards and Saxophone, the band morphed into the more New Wave/New Romantic group Gentlemen Afterdark. Fred Cross was replaced by Kevin Pate, and Winston Watson left the band for a stint playing for Bob Dylan, and many more bands to numerous to list.
The Pills and Gentlemen Afterdark remain legendary among Arizona music fans, and members of the band have gone on to success in numerous other bands.
Winston Watson went on to play for Bob Dylan, Greyhound Soul, and many, many others, including playing drums in the video for 'Walk the Dinosaur', with 'Was/Not Was', for a big MTV video hit.
Boston's The Pills came together in 1995, playing a hard-hitting power-pop sound with influences ranging from classic 60s/70s powerpop to XTC, the Buzzcocks and many others. A huge hit in the Boston area, the Pills came to more national attention with their debut CD "Wide Awake With The Pills'< which featured on many best-of lists in 1999. Members included singer/bassist Corin Ashley, David Thompson (vocals/guitar) and Clyde O'Scope (lead guitar).
Apologize
The Pills Lyrics
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Got me ten feet off the ground
I'm hearin what you say but I just can't make a sound
You tell me that you need me
Then you go and cut me down, but wait
You tell me that you're sorry
Didn't think I'd turn around, and say...
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late
I'd take another chance, take a fall
Take a shot for you
And I need you like a heart needs a beat
But it's nothin new - yeah yeah
I loved you with a fire red-
Now it's turning blue, and you say...
"Sorry" like the angel heaven let me think was you
But I'm afraid...
It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late
It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late
It's too late to apologize, yeah
I said it's too late to apologize, yeah-
I'm holdin on your rope, got me ten feet off the ground...
The Pills's song Apologize is a song about a relationship that has gone sour. The singer is desperately trying to hold on to the relationship, but the other person keeps cutting him down even after admitting that they need him. The singer is left feeling helpless and unable to speak up for himself. The other person offers an apology, but it's too late.
The lyrics "I'm holding on your rope, got me ten feet off the ground" suggest that the singer is at the mercy of the other person. He is holding on to the other person's words and actions, but he feels as though he's hanging by a thread. The line "I'm hearing what you say but I just can't make a sound" implies that the singer is afraid to speak up and challenge the other person's behavior.
The chorus "It's too late to apologize, it's too late" repeats twice, emphasizing the fact that the relationship is beyond repair. Even if the other person were to apologize, the damage has already been done. The line "I loved you with a fire red- now it's turning blue" is powerful and evocative, suggesting that the singer's passionate love has turned into sadness and disappointment. In the end, the singer is still holding on, but it's clear that the relationship has already ended.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm holding on your rope,
I'm relying on you, depending on you.
Got me ten feet off the ground
You've put me in high expectations, and I can barely keep up.
I'm hearin what you say but I just can't make a sound
I'm listening to you, but I'm speechless and can't find the words to respond.
You tell me that you need me
You've told me that you require my presence or help.
Then you go and cut me down, but wait
Despite telling me that you need me, you've hurt or embarrassed me.
You tell me that you're sorry
You apologized for your actions.
Didn't think I'd turn around, and say...
You didn't expect me to leave or be unhappy with you.
It's too late to apologize, it's too late
You can't fix or change what you've done or said; it's too late for that.
I'd take another chance, take a fall
I'm willing to take a risk or even embarrass myself for you.
Take a shot for you
I would do anything for you, even make a fool of myself.
And I need you like a heart needs a beat
You're essential to me, like a heartbeat.
But it's nothin new - yeah yeah
This isn't a new feeling, I've always needed you.
I loved you with a fire red-
I loved you with all my passion and intensity.
Now it's turning blue, and you say...
Now my love is fading away or even turning into resentment, and you're apologizing.
"Sorry" like the angel heaven let me think was you
Your apology seems like a heavenly intervention, but it's not enough to fix our problems.
But I'm afraid...
I'm scared that things won't get better and that my feelings won't change.
It's too late to apologize, it's too late
You can't fix or change what you've done or said; it's too late for that.
It's too late to apologize, yeah
You missed your chance to make things right; it's impossible now.
I'm holdin on your rope, got me ten feet off the ground...
I'm still depending on you, although our relationship has become strained and difficult.
Contributed by Eva W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.