Their music often gets compared to bands off the C86 compilation, such as The Shop Assistants, as well as The Buzzcocks; however the band also lists David Bowie as an influence.
The band's lyrics explore "gender, sexuality and queer issues" with themes such as "fluidity and the lack of a binary in gender".
Their debut album, released in 2013, is entitled Dress Up because it "relates to the idea of gender being a social construction, something that can be artificially appropriated". The record received positive reviews from Loud and Quiet, Under the Radar, and The Skinny.
Sophomore release Try To Be Hopeful has also received favourable coverage from music journalists, with emphasis that their world-view encompasses the fluidity of both gender and sexuality and that this gives their output "urgency and cheering freshness".
The Spook School's line-up is made up of four noisey people!
They are:
Nye Todd - Guitar! Singing! Buster Keaton!
Adam Todd - Guitar! Singing! Wearing stripes!
AC Cory - Bass! Hates birds! Speaks French!
Niall McCamley - Drums! Nudity! Moustache!
Something
The Spook School Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Almost but not quite me
Let my feet take me along the road
An old man said alright then son
And I'm smiling and I don't know why
And I'm smiling and I don't know why
There must be something wrong with me
First time I said it, it didn't seem right
Then again, not much did
First time I said it, even then I knew
That with time I might just get used to this
And I'm smiling and I don't know why
And I'm smiling and I don't know why
There must be something wrong with me
These things feel like victory
The Spook School's song Something tells a story of a person's journey towards finding their own identity. The lyrics portray the struggle of self-discovery and the confusion associated with it. The first verse describes the feeling of being almost but not quite themselves, as if they are trying to fit into a shape that doesn't quite fit. The reference to the old man may suggest that the singer is seeking advice or validation from someone who has more experience. However, the simple response of "alright then son" may signify that the singer's journey is an internal one that must be figured out alone.
The chorus repeats the phrase "And I'm smiling and I don't know why," expressing the singer's confusion about their own emotions. They feel like something is wrong with them, but at the same time, they feel a sense of victory in discovering something new about themselves. The second verse emphasizes the difficulty of accepting one's identity, as it may not feel quite right at first. However, with time, the singer may learn to become comfortable with themselves and their newfound identity.
Overall, the lyrics of Something portray a relatable journey towards self-discovery and acceptance. It highlights the vulnerability and confusion that can be associated with finding one's true identity, but also the triumph that accompanies self-acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
Wrap myself up into a different shape
Trying to fit in, but not being true to myself
Almost but not quite me
Feeling like a different version of myself
Let my feet take me along the road
Going through life without much direction
An old man said alright then son
Receiving advice or approval from an older figure
And I'm smiling and I don't know why
Feeling happy, but unsure why
There must be something wrong with me
Questioning oneself for feeling happy
These things feel like victory
Small achievements feeling like major successes
First time I said it, it didn't seem right
Questioning if something is true or genuine
Then again, not much did
Feeling uncertain about most things
First time I said it, even then I knew
Having doubts, but still hoping for the best
That with time I might just get used to this
Hoping that things will become more familiar and comfortable over time
Contributed by Reagan I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.