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.
Probation Blues
The Strange Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Could cover up
What I had hiding in my trunk
Oh, baby, it will bring you down
No, I ain't sorry for what I did
'Cause for them it's more of a business
Than a punishment
Now I can't do
'Cause don't you know
It will show up in my piss
Oh, baby, how it will bring you down
In the song Probation Blues by The Strange Boys, the singer sings about the difficulties he is facing while being on probation. He claims that no amount of talk can cover up what he had hiding in his trunk, implying that he has done something illegal and is now paying the consequences for his actions. The line "Oh, baby, it will bring you down" suggests that his probation is not only affecting him but also his loved ones. He then goes on to say that he is not sorry for what he did, because for the authorities it's more of a business than a punishment. The tone of the song is very melancholic and seems to invoke a feeling of hopelessness and regret. The singer then explains how being on probation limits his freedom, as he can't do what he once did anymore, because it will show up in his urine test. The song ends with the repeated line "Oh, baby, how it will bring you down" emphasizing the burden and negative consequences of being on probation.
Line by Line Meaning
No amount of talk
Regardless of what I say or explain
Could cover up
Will not hide the truth of the situation
What I had hiding in my trunk
The illegal items I was trying to conceal in my car trunk
Oh, baby, it will bring you down
My actions will lead to your downfall as well
No, I ain't sorry for what I did
I do not regret my actions
'Cause for them it's more of a business
The justice system considers punishment as a means of profit
Than a punishment
Rather than for the sake of correcting behavior
Now I can't do
Presently, I am unable to
What I once did
Perform the same illegal actions as before
'Cause don't you know
Do you not understand
It will show up in my piss
The evidence of my actions will be detected in my urine test
Oh, baby, how it will bring you down
My actions and consequences will also affect you negatively
Contributed by Josiah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.