1996-2001: Hollywood Records years
In 1995 the band signed to Hollywood Records, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. 1996 saw the release of their first album, Destruction by Definition. Its blend of punk rock and ska brought the national attention in the midst of the mid-1990s punk rock mainstream revival. The single "No Face" became a minor hit on modern rock radio stations and the album was supported through extensive touring across the United States. They released a follow-up in 1998 entitled Battle Hymns, which continued their ska punk style while incorporating more aggressive elements of hardcore punk, with nearly all of its songs lasting under two minutes in length.
Following the release of Battle Hymns Grant left the band. He went on to play with numerous groups including Thoughts of Ionesco, The Vandals, face to face, and Telegraph before finding a permanent position in the Alkaline Trio. He was replaced by Erin Pitman for some touring before new permanent drummer Ryan Vandeberghe joined. In 2000 this lineup released The Suicide Machines, a more pop rock oriented effort that moved away from the ska influences of their earlier releases. They received some radio and video play for the single "Sometimes I Don't Mind" and performed on the Warped Tour that Summer. In 2001 they released Steal This Record, which continued their exploration of pop punk style while mixing in elements of their earlier ska punk and hardcore albums.
2002-2005: Side One Dummy years
Following touring in support of Steal This Record bassist Nunley left The Suicide Machines to start his own band, Blueprint 76, and was replaced by Rich Tschirhart. The band also ended their contract with Hollywood Records, fulfilling their contractual obligations by releasing the compilation album The Least Worst of the Suicide Machines. They then moved to the independent label Side One Dummy Records. Their next album A Match and Some Gasoline, released in 2003, found the band abandoning the pop experimentations of their previous two albums and returning more to the ska punk and hardcore styles of their earlier years. They also began to explore sociopolitical themes in songs such as "Did You Ever Get a Feeling of Dread?" and "Your Silence," which were critical of President George W. Bush's administration, its response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. They toured internationally in support of the album and again performed on the Warped Tour.
In 2005 the band released the album War Profiteering is Killing Us All, which continued their political themes by openly attacking the Bush White House, the continuation of the Iraq War, and conservative Republicanism. Navarro also launched his own record label, Noise Riot Records, and released On the Eve of Destruction: 1991-1995, a compilation of the band's early EPs, singles, and demos.
2006: Breakup and post-Suicide Machines activity
In 2006, while touring in support of War Profiteering is Killing Us All, the band abruptly broke up. Explanations given by the band members for this included Vandeberghe's desire to take a break from touring, which he did while friend Steve McCrumb filled for a performance at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on May 11. A tour of Mexico had been planned to follow this, and Navarro had suggested that the band perform its final shows that Christmas. However, interpersonal tensions came to a head after the Troubadour show when Lukacinsky refused to finish the tour. Lukacinsky himself further elaborated that the band had been planning to break up for some time.
Following the band's breakup, Navarro and Vandeberghe continued working with Left in Ruin, a band they had started as a Suicide Machines side project and had worked on and off with for almost 6 years. Vandeberghe also joined the new band Hifi Handgrenades. Lukacinsky, meanwhile, started his own band Bayonetting the Wounded. Navarro is currently fronting Hellmouth. Tschirhart is in The A-Gang.
Vans Song
The Suicide Machines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get a pair of chukas or some checkerboard slip-ons
Worship Jeff Spicoli not Chris Cornell
Get a pair of Vans or God will send you to Hell
To Hell¡ÂÂ
You think Doc Martens are the coolest invention Listen | Buy
Since someone sliced a loaf of bread in someone else's kitchen
So why should I tell you not to waste a hundred bucks
Vans in my head
Vans on my feet
My sole is on the ground when I'm walking down the street 2, 3, 4
Don't wear no Doc Martens
Can't wear no Birkenstocks
Just a crummy old pair of chuka boots and a smelly old pair of socks¡ÂÂ
If you want to wear them you don't have to ride a skateboard
You can even wear them with a pair of old cords
Someone'll probably tell you that they're not in trend
Just tell them that's the reason why you don't have any friends
No friends¡ÂÂ
I don't want to hear about alternative footwear
And I don't want to hear about your new hair-do
I don't give a shit about you stupid motherfuckers
'Cause I just want to get a pair of olive green chukas!
Vans in my head
Vans on my feet
My sole is on the ground when I'm walking down the street 2, 3, 4
Don't wear no Doc Martens
Can't wear no Birkenstocks
Just a crummy old pair of chuka boots and a smelly old pair of socks¡ÂÂ
Vans in my head
Vans on my feet
My sole is on the ground when I'm walking down the street 2, 3, 4
Don't wear no Doc Martens
Can't wear no Birkenstocks
Just a crummy old pair of chuka boots and a smelly old pair of socks¡ÂÂ
The Suicide Machines's song Vans Song is a playful and humorous criticism of the punk and alternative subcultures, specifically their obsession with certain brands and styles. The song encourages the listener to ignore societal pressures and trends and to wear what they want, specifically Vans shoes. The first verse takes a jab at those who wear Doc Martens, suggesting that it is a "club fag" style and that they should opt for "chukas or some checkerboard slip-ons." The song then goes on to criticize those who idolize certain musicians or characters, such as Jeff Spicoli from the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High instead of Chris Cornell. The chorus emphasizes the importance of wearing Vans and warns that not doing so will result in damnation.
The second verse encourages the listener to not waste their money on expensive, trendy footwear, and instead opt for "a crummy old pair of chuka boots and a smelly old pair of socks." The bridge reinforces the message that it doesn't matter what others think or say and that one should wear whatever they want, whether it's trendy or not. The song ends with a repeated chorus emphasizing the importance of Vans as a symbol of individuality and rebellion against societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you're just like a club fag wearing Doc Martens
You are like a pretentious person trying too hard to fit into a certain social group by wearing Doc Martens shoes.
Get a pair of chukas or some checkerboard slip-ons
Try wearing some different shoes like chukka boots or slip-ons with a checkerboard pattern.
Worship Jeff Spicoli not Chris Cornell
Admire the laid-back surfer Jeff Spicoli from the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High, rather than copying the fashion style of grunge musician Chris Cornell.
Get a pair of Vans or God will send you to Hell
Rather than sticking to Doc Martens, try wearing Vans shoes, or else you may face the wrath of God.
Since someone sliced a loaf of bread in someone else's kitchen
Things have changed drastically over time and embraced novelties in every possible domain.
The plain truth is that you just plain suck
Let me be frank, you do not have good fashion sense.
So why should I tell you not to waste a hundred bucks
There's no point in advising you to not waste your money on expensive shoes because you won't listen anyway.
Vans in my head
I am a huge fan of Vans shoes.
Vans on my feet
I am currently wearing Vans shoes.
My sole is on the ground when I'm walking down the street 2, 3, 4
I am walking normally with my feet grounded.
Don't wear no Doc Martens
Avoid wearing Doc Martens shoes.
Can't wear no Birkenstocks
Birkenstocks aren't an option for me.
Just a crummy old pair of chuka boots and a smelly old pair of socks
I prefer wearing old, worn-out chukka boots and socks.
If you want to wear them you don't have to ride a skateboard
You don't necessarily have to be a skateboarder to wear Vans shoes.
You can even wear them with a pair of old cords
You can even mix and match Vans with old corduroy pants.
Someone'll probably tell you that they're not in trend
Someone might criticize your fashion choice as outdated.
Just tell them that's the reason why you don't have any friends
If someone mocks your fashion choice, reply sarcastically by saying that's why you don't have any friends.
I don't want to hear about alternative footwear
I am not interested in hearing about other types of shoes that aren't Vans.
And I don't want to hear about your new hair-do
I also don't care about your new hairstyle.
I don't give a shit about you stupid motherfuckers
I don't care about the opinions of ignorant people.
'Cause I just want to get a pair of olive green chukas!
I am determined to buy a pair of chukka boots in olive green color.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANIEL JAY LUKACINSKY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind