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.
Then
The Strange Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While looking at a picture in a magazine
Didn't have a smile how I looked so mean
So I acted like I felt and I showed some teeth
Decided right there that's what you ought to see
Then one day something changed
Always been proud of doing what's right
Always thought your government was on the same side
Your new york city
And with it your trust
And what you thought was right
Then one day everything changed
While listening to someone that you always have
You notice something you never
Thought was bad
You listen a little closer hear what's really being said
And all of a sudden it's so clear in your head
Then one day everything changed
And if that wasn't enough to have on your mind
All of a sudden someone pretty says hi
You give 'em your heart and anything else they want
Come to find they're really not
What you thought
You might not want something to change
If you got three give to to someone else
If you got two give the other to a mouse
And if you got one well give that one away
And teach that to your children instead of everything's ok
The Strange Boys’s song “Then” talks about the different moments that lead to changing one’s beliefs or outlook in life. The lyrics mention different scenarios where things have changed for the singer. The first verse is about changing one’s appearance to be more pleasant to others. This could mean conforming to popular beliefs or society’s expectations. The second verse is about the shift in one’s trust with authority figures after a national tragedy. The third verse is about realizing the true intentions of someone close to the singer. The last verse offers advice about generosity and the importance of teaching it to future generations.
The song offers a reflection on life’s various moments and how they can shape one’s perspective. The lyrics suggest that not all changes are positive but that each moment presents an opportunity for growth and learning. The advice given at the end of the song offers a solution to improving one’s outlook by being kind and generous to others.
Line by Line Meaning
Then one day everything changed
Something happened that caused a major shift in the singer's life
While looking at a picture in a magazine
The singer was in the act of browsing through a magazine
Didn't have a smile how I looked so mean
The singer's facial expression in the magazine photo gave off a mean impression
So I acted like I felt and I showed some teeth
The artist decided to pose with a smile for future photos
Decided right there that's what you ought to see
The artist thought it was important to project a positive outward appearance
Always been proud of doing what's right
The singer has always valued doing the morally right thing in life
Always thought your government was on the same side
The singer has previously believed that their government shared their values
Then they blew up some buildings in Your new york city
The 9/11 terrorist attacks caused a shift in the artist's trust in their government
And with it your trust And what you thought was right
The 9/11 attacks shook the artist's belief in the righteousness of their government
While listening to someone that you always have
The artist was talking to someone they have known for a long time
You notice something you never Thought was bad
The singer realized something they previously didn't consider to be negative
You listen a little closer hear what's really being said
The artist paid closer attention to the words being spoken
And all of a sudden it's so clear in your head
The realization hit the singer with a sudden and unequivocal clarity
And if that wasn't enough to have on your mind
The singer had a lot to process mentally
All of a sudden someone pretty says hi
The singer was greeted by someone they found attractive
You give 'em your heart and anything else they want
The artist fell in love and gave their all to their partner
Come to find they're really not What you thought
The artist realized their partner was not who they thought they were
You might not want something to change
The singer acknowledges that change can be difficult
If you got three give to to someone else
The singer believes in sharing one's abundance with others
If you got two give the other to a mouse
The artist values giving to those who may be smaller or less fortunate
And if you got one well give that one away
The artist thinks one should give away everything, even if it's all they have
And teach that to your children instead of everything's ok
The artist advises passing on the value of selflessness to future generations
Contributed by Alexandra R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@casperfriispedersen5245
What a great band, and a great tune!
@Darkdogfilms4life
One of the most American things I've ever seen, freedom or die.
@Roopfert
south western gummo