After sending demo after demo to labels around the county, the music caught the attention One Eleven Records owner Brad Fischetti. The result of that record deal was the raw and emotive Sunsets and Car Crashes, released on April 20, 2004, which began to amass Thomas eager fans around the country. Thomas was then joined by members Joe Beck, Ross Wheeler, and Brandon Aegerter shortly after the release of Sunsets and Car Crashes. Wheeler and Aegerter left the group and were replaced by Scott McGuire and Dan Ludeman. The four members collectively wrote what would be The Spill Canvas' second album, One Fell Swoop. The album was released on August 9, 2005.
After officially transitioning from solo act to full-fledged rock band, The Spill Canvas recorded their dynamic debut full-length, One Fell Swoop, with producer Ed Rose (The Get-Up Kids), releasing it on One Eleven in May of 2005 to great acclaim, eventually selling over 50,000 copies.
While on tour in support of One Fell Swoop, The Spill Canvas caught the eye of Sire Records President Michael Goldstone at New Jersey's The Bamboozle Festival in 2006. Ready to take the next step forward, The Spill Canvas formed a partnership with Sire, which Thomas believes will provide the band with the promise of career longevity.
In early 2007, McGuire declared that he was no longer a part of the band, stating, "The Spill Canvas has decided in order to make music to its fullest potential, they must do so with out me." There is still much speculation as to whether he was kicked out of the band or if he decided to leave. The temporary replacement for McGuire was Landon Heil, the guitarist of another band known as The Glass Atlantic. He is now a permanent member of the band.
On May 1, 2007, the band released an EP entitled Denial Feels So Good, to hold their fans over until their new album arrived. The EP consisted of three original songs and two covers. Marc Sheaffer, a keyboardist from Sioux Falls, played keyboards on Gold Dust Woman. Following the release of the EP, the band played on the entire 2007 Warped Tour, promoting the release of their third album No Really, I'm Fine. The album was recorded in March and April 2007 and featured Anthony Green of Circa Survive and Andrew McMahon of Jack's Mannequin. Green sang backup vocals on the song Bleed, Everyone's Doing It, and McMahon played keyboards in the re-recorded version of Saved, a song originally recorded for the soundtrack of the motion picture, Superman Returns.
The third album for The Spill Canvas, (which was recorded by Neal Avron (Fall Out Boy, The Wallflowers, Yellowcard) in Hollywood, California) No Really, I'm Fine was released on October 2, 2007, although it was leaked on the internet a few days earlier. The band went on a Fall tour across North America in the Fall of 2007, named "All Your Favorite Spots". The tour was supported by Meg & Dia, Playradioplay!, and Treaty of Paris. On January 23, 2008, it was confirmed on Yellowcard's official MySpace that The Spill Canvas would be touring with them in a spring acoustic tour. In February 2008, they headed to Europe with Plain White T's and The Fold. In the summer of 2008, The Spill Canvas headlined a national tour, supported by Steel Train and Ludo. Up-and-coming pop-punkers [artist[Sing It Loud joined them for the first half of the tour, with Liam and Me joining for the end. They were joined by Motion City Soundtrack for the final leg of the tour. In late 2008, they toured with OneRepublic, The Hush Sound and Augustana. On this tour, most vocalists from all of the opening bands, including Nick, came up during Augustana's set to perform Traveling Wilbury's hit Handle With Care, trading off lead vocals.
On September 25, 2009, Joe Beck announced via the band's Twitter site that they had already finished recording 4 songs from the upcoming album. Their latest release to date is Honestly, I’m Doing Okay, a follow up EP to No Really, I’m Fine. Released in 2008 the EP was available only on the internet. Having five tracks in total it included one new song and two new acoustic versions of pre-released songs.
The Dutch Courage
The Spill Canvas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They are right on cue
You're full up to the brim with that 'he said she said' trash
You exist behind your keyboard
Then you're gone in a flash
Ten bucks says you don't have it in you
To conquer fear and quit believing what they tell you to
You will live alone with your chemicals and gin
I am utterly disgusted with the path you trek
As inebriated as you can get off your latest pay check
I am at a loss for words here
I hate to break this to you but being a coward is not a legitimate career
Ten bucks says you don't have it in you
To conquer fear and quit believing what they tell you to
You are careening shamelessly into oblivion
You will live alone with your chemicals and gin
We were born and raised the same way
So what gives you the right to say
(At least I'm not a liar)
We were born and raised the same way
So what gives you the right to say
At least I'm not a liar
At least I'm not a cheat
At least I don't care what these god damn mindless people think of me
Ten bucks says you don't have it in you
To conquer fear and quit believing what they tell you to
You are careening shamelessly into oblivion
You will live alone with your chemicals and gin
(We were born and raised the same way)
You will live alone with your chemicals and gin
(We were born and raised the same way)
You will live alone with your chemicals and gin
The Spill Canvas's song "The Dutch Courage" is a scathing commentary on contemporary society's addiction to technology and the fear of judgment from others. The lyrics describe the singer as paranoid and consumed by "he said she said" gossip, living behind a keyboard and unable to conquer their fears. They are depicted as careening into oblivion, living a life of solitude with their "chemicals and gin." The singer is utterly disgusted with the path the singer has taken and asserts that being a coward is not a legitimate career.
The line "You exist behind your keyboard, then you're gone in a flash" illustrates the false sense of security that technology can provide us. It's easier to hide behind a screen and project an image of oneself than to face the world on our own terms. This theme is reinforced with the repeated refrain of "Ten bucks says you don't have it in you to conquer fear and quit believing what they tell you to." The singer is trapped in a cycle of fear and consumed by what others think of them.
Line by Line Meaning
Paranoia is hunting you and all these dirty looks
You are constantly feeling nervous and suspicious due to the looks people give you.
They are right on cue
These dirty looks are happening at the exact time and place you would expect them to.
You're full up to the brim with that 'he said she said' trash
You are completely consumed by rumors and gossip, with no space left for anything else.
You exist behind your keyboard
You spend most of your time hiding behind a computer, instead of facing your problems.
Then you're gone in a flash
You disappear as soon as things get uncomfortable.
Ten bucks says you don't have it in you
I don't think you have the courage within yourself.
To conquer fear and quit believing what they tell you to
To overcome your fears and stop blindly accepting what others say.
You are careening shamelessly into oblivion
You're recklessly heading towards your own demise without any regard for your future.
You will live alone with your chemicals and gin
You will eventually end up isolated and dependent on substances to cope with your problems.
I am utterly disgusted with the path you trek
I am completely repulsed by the way you're living your life.
As inebriated as you can get off your latest pay check
You are drinking away your problems instead of facing them.
I am at a loss for words here
I can't find the words to express how I feel about your actions.
I hate to break this to you but being a coward is not a legitimate career
I'm sorry to inform you, but being afraid all the time is not a valid way to live your life.
We were born and raised the same way
We grew up in the same place with the same upbringing.
So what gives you the right to say
What makes you think you have the authority to make judgments on others?
(At least I'm not a liar)
(What you say doesn't matter) as long as I'm not dishonest.
At least I'm not a cheat
At least I don't take shortcuts or cheat to get what I want.
At least I don't care what these god damn mindless people think of me
I don't give a damn about the opinions of those who are not worth my time.
You will live alone with your chemicals and gin
You will eventually end up alone, relying only on alcohol to get you through.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DANIEL LUDEMAN, JOSEPH DEAN BECK, NICHOLAS THOMAS, NICHOLAS EDWARD THOMAS, SCOTT MCGUIRE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind