The band released debut album, Girls and Weather, in September of 2007. In the past, the band have been on tour with numerous popular artists (The Zutons, Good Shoes, Dirty Pretty Things and The Young Knives), and have also played various festivals (including Glastonbury 07 and Cardiff Calling 07). The band also had a successful album tour hitting many venues around the UK and Ireland, including a trip to home-town Tavistock. The album (created with Tony Hoffer - The Kooks, and The Fratellis), was released mid-September 2007. The band gained alot of recognition when single "Alarm Clock" was played on Radio 1, when lead singer of Snow Patrol took over Zane Lowe's evening slot as a one-off.
Band members include:
Charlie Waller – Lead Vocals and Guitar
Tom Gorbutt – Sax, Vocals and Bass
Henry Clark – Trumpet, Vocals and Piano
Sam Mansbridge - Bass / Vocals / "Rumble Drum"
Matthew Wheeler - Drums
Past releases include the single "Motorcycle" (December 2005 and re-released June 07), single "Hate Me (You Do)" (June 2006) EP "Cardboard Coloured Dreams" (November 2006), single "Alarm Clock" (March 2007), which has received numerous plays off of Virgin Radio and on MTV 2 programme "Spanking New Music", and single "Motorcycle" (June 2007) which also received plays off of "Spanking New Music".
"Girls and Boys In Love" is the most recent song to have been released as a single, and also features in the Simon Pegg film "Run Fat Boy Run" and "Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging"
Lead singer, Charlie Waller, was also in the band Vincent Vincent and the Villains at the same time as playing with current band The Rumble Strips. An attack from his conscience lead him to leave both bands before The Rumble Strips were offered to release a single under record label Transgressive.
Don't Dumb Down
The Rumble Strips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What the hell is that all about?
Did you hear that a girl likes it loud
Oooh, honey
You don't come from London, do you?
But sometimes you sound like you do
What the hell is that all about?
Well, honey
Don't dumb down for me
I ain't that kind of girl (x2)
Holding, holding on to nothing
Don't you see that darling
You can shake your fist and shout
There's some people that I can do without
Woah, honey
Don't dumb down for me
I ain't that kind of girl (x2)
It's just more of the same
Don't dumb down for me
I ain't that kind of girl (x2)
Don't dumb down, darling (x3)
The Rumble Strips's song Don't Dumb Down is a clever criticism of individuals who try too hard to fit in or impress others by acting younger, cooler or talking a certain way. The opening line "You're not 17 no more, but you act just like you are" refers to people who cling onto a particular time in their life where they felt popular or included. The song is essentially calling out the need for authenticity and individuality. The line "Don't you see that darling, you can shake your fist and shout, there's some people that I can do without" highlights a sense of frustration with individuals who prioritize fitting in over being true to themselves. They are essentially saying that "dumbing down" to fit in can result in losing one's true identity and possibly even losing people who appreciate them for who they are.
The chorus, "Don't dumb down for me, I ain't that kind of girl," is a straight-forward message to people who feel pressure to fit in or impress someone. The singer is essentially saying that she values individuality and honesty, and that she prefers people who are true to themselves, regardless of whether or not they fit in. The repetition of "Don't dumb down, darling" emphasizes the song's message, and is a reminder to be true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
You're not 17 no more, but you act just like you are
You're acting immature and not embracing your age
What the hell is that all about?
What's your problem?
Did you hear that a girl likes it loud
I heard that some girls prefer louder music
Oooh, honey
Expression of disappointment/frustration
You don't come from London, do you?
Are you faking your accent?
But sometimes you sound like you do
Your accent is inconsistent
Don't dumb down for me
Don't lower your intelligence for my sake
I ain't that kind of girl (x2)
I don't want you to underestimate me
Holding, holding on to nothing
You're clinging onto something that doesn't exist
Don't you see that darling
Can't you realize?
You can shake your fist and shout
You can get angry and yell all you want
There's some people that I can do without
I don't need certain people in my life
Woah, honey
Expression of disappointment/frustration
It's just more of the same
It's repetitive and unoriginal
Don't dumb down, darling (x3)
Don't lower your intelligence or compromise your individuality, dear
Contributed by Aaliyah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.