Austin, TX's The Strange Boys evoke a wild-eyed, porcelain-skinned innocenc… Read Full Bio ↴Austin, TX's The Strange Boys evoke a wild-eyed, porcelain-skinned innocence that is capable of summoning the wayward spirit of Brian Jones. The mystery of the South couples with the mastery of rhythm to create a sound completely timeless and familiar, yet absolutely raw and avant-garde. Greg Enlow's syncopated, organ-driven grooves hark back to The Seeds' Pushing Too Hard while guitarist Ryan Sambol's voice wavers beyond comparison. Older brother Philip Sambol keeps the pulse with the aptly named Matt Hammer, who unmercifully pounds an old Ludwig set.

The Strange Boys began as a duo (Hammer and the younger Sambol) in 2003. The other two joined in 2005 and the band has been on tour non-stop ever since. Since 2003 the Boys have recorded a wealth of material which was passed around at shows and to friends, but never officially released. In 2007, Dusty Medical Records put out the Nothing EP, and in 2008, In The Red released the Woe Is You and Me single. Now, finally, the band's proper debut album is seeing the light of day. It's easy to imagine The Strange Boys And Girls Club, a sixteen-track beast, blasting out of any stereo system between The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators and Wire's Pink Flag.

The Strange Boys were the backing band for Mighty Hannibal (the '50s R&B recording artist); were main support for Roky Erickson and the Explosives at the Chaos in Tejas festival; have played South by Southwest the last four years, the Fuck Yeah Fest the last three years, Austin City Limits, Festival in Music Fest Northwest, and Bamalama (all in 2008); shared bills with Daniel Johnston, Black Lips, Reigning Sound, The King Khan and BBQ Show, Jay Reatard, Mika Miko, No Age, and BRMC; have toured with The Black Angels, Fucked Up, The Carrots, and Crystal Antlers[a/rtist]; and will tour with Darker My Love and Mika Miko in '09.î

In 2010, Indierockcafe.Com listed Austin indie band The Strange Boys Be Brave, LP on their "Best Albums of 2010 (So Far)" and "Artists and Bands" favorites list.

Heard You Wanna Beat Me Up
The Strange Boys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I’m in trouble with another man
I did something I shouldn’t
get me out of here if you can
I won’t do anything you wouldn’t
I won’t do anything you wouldn’t

I’m in trouble with another man
I did something I shouldn’t

took what was not yet mine
but I didn’t do anything you wouldn’t
I didn’t do anything you wouldn’t

I’m in trouble with another man
I did something I didn’t plan
get me out of here if you can
and I won’t do anything you wouldn’t
I won't do anything you wouldn't

I'm in trouble with another man
I did something I didn't plan
get me out of here if you can

I won't do anything you wouldn't
I won't do anything you wouldn't

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Strange Boys' song, "Heard You Wanna Beat Me Up," have a straightforward concept of a person who is in trouble with someone else because of a mistake that he made. The singer describes how he did something that he shouldn't have and needs a way out, and he's willing to do anything as long as it’s something that the other person wouldn't do. The phrase "I won't do anything you wouldn't" is repeated throughout the song, which implies that he's asking for mercy and that he's at the mercy of the other person.

The song can be interpreted in different ways, but it may speak to themes of regret, forgiveness, and redemption. The singer regrets what he did and is asking for mercy from the person he wronged. The use of the phrase "I won't do anything you wouldn't" implies that he's willing to make amends and to do whatever it takes to correct his mistake. What's interesting about the song is that there's no resolution; the chorus and the verses are almost identical, which could signify that the singer is still stuck in the situation he described.

In terms of the music, "Heard You Wanna Beat Me Up" has a lo-fi garage rock sound that's reminiscent of 60s bands like The Kinks and The Sonics. The guitar riff is simple, yet catchy, and the drumbeat is steady, providing an energetic and upbeat vibe to the song. The vocals are raw and unpolished, adding to the song's gritty feel, and the lyrics are straightforward and easy to sing along. Overall, "Heard You Wanna Beat Me Up" is an engaging song with a straightforward message that's easy to relate to.

Line by Line Meaning

I’m in trouble with another man
I've gotten myself into a bit of a bind with another guy

I did something I shouldn’t
I took an action that was not wise or appropriate

get me out of here if you can
Please help me escape this situation

I won’t do anything you wouldn’t
I will only behave in a manner that you deem acceptable

I’m in trouble with another man
I'm in a predicament with a guy

took what was not yet mine
I took something that I had no right to yet

but I didn’t do anything you wouldn’t
But I assure you that you wouldn't be any different in my shoes

I’m in trouble with another man
Once again, I find myself in a sticky situation with a guy

I did something I didn’t plan
I didn't intend for things to go in this direction

get me out of here if you can
Please help me find an escape route

and I won’t do anything you wouldn’t
I promise to follow your lead and not act inappropriately