The Vincent Black Shadow have the moxie to awaken the retro heart and pump it full of new school blood. Their throwback 1940’s cabaret sound has been twisted and contorted forming a modern hybrid. Combining hook laden riffs, gain stained guitar, hypnotic rhythms, classical piano and unpredictable lyrics that take you on a disturbing journey to a world you clamor to revisit.
This Vancouver based quintet is comprised of Cassandra Ford (Vocals), the brothers’ Kirkham. Robbie (Guitar/Vocals), Chris (Bass/Vocals), Anthony (Drums) and Mary Ancheta (Keyboards). In 2000 Rob and Cassandra met while ordering the same obscure martini at a local hot spot this spawned the friendship that then turned into musical collaboration. Cassandra’s talents were called upon in the South Pacific when Universal Philippines invited her down for a record deal. With their discarding of music she and Rob had created she realized they were not interested in her talents, they just wanted to turn her into an Asian pop star. Cassandra quickly booked herself a ticket back to Vancouver where her and Rob reunited. The two started feverishly writing. Continuously expanding their project they called upon the other Kirkham brothers to join in their endeavor. The Kirkhams - Robbie, Chris, and Anthony's have been musically raised by their father, a trumpet player for The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra for nearly 40 years. It was dad’s fervent work ethic and broad basis of musical knowledge that nurtured the three’s talents and fed their quest for personal musicianship. Rounding out the equation is Mary Ancheta. When Mary Arrived on the scene she brought with her a very distinguished past filled with guest appearances on albums by Default and Bocephus King as well as award winning movie scores and featured music on network tv shows. With a band in tact, the five collaborated to create a new sound drawing influence from an eclectic variety, such as film soundtracks (Ennio Morricone, Angelo Badelamenti, Danny Elfman), Faith No More, No Doubt, Chris Isaak, Blondie, Danzig, Megadeth, Burt Bacharach, and classical music. The five piece took their name from a mysterious motorcycle in the Hunter S. Thompson novels. The bike was referred to as “The Vincent Black Shadow”. The name is the perfect match for the band. Cassandra is an artist first and foremost, her art can be found in their albums and music videos.
First playing live in 2003 they set out to take Vancouver by storm. Acquiring a cult following because of their no holds barred stage show.
TVBS’s recordings are just the soundtrack to their completely mesmerizing stage performance. Each individual presenting their own undeniable stories. Rob’s fiery passion and action packed guitar performance is intensified by his fancy foot work and zoot suit garb. Balanced by a rhythm section of brothers, bassist Chris lays down thick pocketed riffs with his bold, hold it down swagger, and driving sonic undertones. Leaving way for the popping and flying of sticks brought to you by the third Kirkham in the troupe, Anthony. His relentless breakdowns and crushing fills bring the percussive pop punk twinge that set TVBS in their own category. Mary’s body rocks the boards as she thrashes her long locks through the air while providing the eerie notes and mysterious tones on the keys creating a whirlwind of sounds for the others to dance around. It is this explosive high energy the acts as the complete spectral opposite when juxtaposed to Cassandra’s icy demeanor. The emotional intensity that is vacant from the contemptuous eyes of Miss Ford is malicious, murderous, yet addictive and captivating. She hypnotizes audiences with powerful glass shattering vocalizations of lyrics that twist and turn. It is the undisturbed vacancy and belting bravado that has crowds wondering what incredible angst lies within the black heart of this diminutive beauty.
The Vincent Black Shadow signed with Bodog Music in 2006 and promptly recorded their premier CD entitled Fear’s In The Water, this album is unapologetic, unyielding, and is one of the few truly original new alternatives to the world of music. Scheduled for release July 11, 2006. Put on your dancing shoes and get your Prozac prescription filled.
As of 2010, Nikki Hurst replaced Ford as lead vocalist when Ford expressed interest in taking a break to go to school. The new line up however remained the same and Ford decided to work on other musical projects minus the Kirkham brothers. Their latest creation, an EP entitled "The Finest Crime" will be released via iTunes on Valentine's Day 2011.
metro
The Vincent Black Shadow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tick. I?m talking.
Down the street and I?m sick
Of the talk of the trick that?s every time we meet
But.
Oh, I don?t know why. Oh, I don't know why.
Blinking, thinking something?s moving 'cross my skin
And I scratch the spot, I watch the dot, that?s on the lens but
Something?s closing in and I can?t do a thing.
No, I can?t do a thing but wonder.
He said I?m crazy, I know.
He said I?m crazy, I know.
All I can say is that the drugs don?t work no more.
(x4)
My face is shaking,
Knees are breaking,
Swallow this and for once I?m mistaken
The rules I?ve been breaking, make you sick but
Oh, I don?t know why. Oh, I don't know why.
My mind is in an oily state of screaming sin
And the moment I want to relax is when the shit kicks in, but
Oh, I don?t know why. Oh, I don't know why.
Now he?s back again.
And now he?s brought a friend.
And his friends brought a whole dark army.
He said I?m crazy, I know.
He said I?m crazy, I know
All I can say is that the drugs don?t work no more. (x3)
He said I'm crazy, I know.
He said I'm crazy, I know.
All I can say is that the drugs don't work no..
da da
(x8)
Sick of talking.
Tick. I?m tocking.
Down the street and I?m sick
Of the talk of the trick that?s every time we meet
And I?m sick
Of the talk of the trick that?s every time we meet
And Ohh ohh ohh
He said I?m crazy, I know.
He said I?m crazy, I know
All I can say is that the drugs don?t work no more.
(x3)
He said I?m crazy, I know.
He said I?m crazy, I know
All I can say is that the drugs don?t work no..
Mooooore..
Drugs don't work no
Mooooore...
The lyrics to The Vincent Black Shadow's song Metro speak about a person who is sick and tired of their daily routine, particularly the mundane conversations that occur every time they meet with someone. The individual's mind begins to wander, and they feel something closing in on them that they cannot control, making them feel crazy. The individual talks about the drugs they have been taking to cope with the stress, and how they are no longer effective. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "He said I'm crazy, I know, all I can say is that the drugs don't work no more." This song seems to be about losing control, feeling trapped, and trying to cope with it through drugs.
The lyrics of Metro touch upon the themes of mental illness and substance abuse. The individual in the song feels as though they are losing their sanity and they rely on drugs to function. The repetitive chorus emphasizes this feeling of hopelessness and despair. The overall message of the song is that no matter what the individual does, they cannot escape their own mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Sick I'm walking.
I feel physically ill and am walking.
Tick. I?m talking.
I am emphasizing the rhythm of my words and speaking.
Down the street and I?m sick
I am walking down the street and still feeling physically unwell.
Of the talk of the trick that?s every time we meet
I am tired of the deception and games that occur whenever we meet.
But. Oh, I don?t know why. Oh, I don't know why.
I am expressing confusion about the situation.
Blinking, thinking something?s moving 'cross my skin
I am experiencing hallucinations or paranoia, possibly due to drug use.
And I scratch the spot, I watch the dot, that?s on the lens but
I am trying to get rid of the hallucination, even though I know it is not real.
Something?s closing in and I can?t do a thing.
I feel trapped and powerless in the current situation.
No, I can?t do a thing but wonder.
All I can do is speculate and worry about what will happen.
He said I?m crazy, I know.
Someone has accused me of being insane, and I am aware of this.
All I can say is that the drugs don?t work no more. (x4)
I have become immune to the effects of drugs, and they no longer have the same impact on me.
My face is shaking, knees are breaking, Swallow this and for once I?m mistaken
I am experiencing physical and emotional distress and trying to alleviate it by taking drugs.
The rules I?ve been breaking, make you sick but
I know my behavior is not acceptable to others, but I cannot stop myself.
My mind is in an oily state of screaming sin
I feel overwhelmed by negative thoughts and feelings.
And the moment I want to relax is when the shit kicks in, but
As soon as I try to calm down, the negative effects of the drugs take over.
Now he?s back again. And now he?s brought a friend. And his friends brought a whole dark army.
People from my past, or negative influences, are returning and multiplying in number, making the situation worse.
And Ohh ohh ohh
I am expressing frustration and helplessness.
He said I?m crazy, I know
I am aware that someone is calling me insane.
All I can say is that the drugs don?t work no more. (x3)
I am reiterating that drugs no longer have the same effect on me.
Mooooore.. Drugs don't work no Mooooore...
I am repeating my frustration with the ineffectiveness of drugs.
Sick of talking.
I am tired of talking and interacting with others.
Tick. I?m tocking.
I am emphasizing the passage of time and am using wordplay to do so.
And I?m sick of the talk of the trick that?s every time we meet
I am exhausted by the deceit and duplicity that I encounter whenever I see this person.
And Ohh ohh ohh
I am expressing my exasperation and negativity.
He said I?m crazy, I know
I am acknowledging the accusation of insanity.
All I can say is that the drugs don?t work no more. (x3)
I am repeating that drugs no longer have the same effect on me.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@utveda1
After a decade or so of trying to remember the name of this band, watching the first episode of the 4th season of Sopranos brought me here when Carmela's father mentioned he had a Vincent Black Shadow. Finally... I FOUND IT!!!!!!
@freshfarm5859
I was watching Keanu Reaves talk about motorcycles and he mentioned wanting to ride a Vincent Black Shadow. Memory flash!
@donttalktomeyoureannoying8736
I just remembered some alternative Cd commercial from way back and then this song popped in my head 😂
@xlDysenterylx
I'm literally watching that episode right now. Cheers, mate. Lol
@robertrippeth2089
That episode reminded me of this song 😂❤
@Arkatox
Today is the day I learned Caxx used to be the vocalist of an alternative rock band. And they sound damn good.
Today is a good day.
@brebre4519
I remember this video would play CONSTANTLY on Fuse, to the point where I bought the cd just to see if the rest of the album was just as good.
I still listen to this album to this day, so yeah. It’s good 🖤
@jasonbrorby3919
I had been searching for this song for over 10 years!! I used to have it on a burned CD (yes, I'm old) and I could NEVER remember what it was. Found it on Reddit, by accident. Crazy.
@davarango
14 years? youtube born with this video sticked at his face
@MoosefeetProductions
I've been looking for this song for 7 years since I first heard it on Fuse. maybe now I can finally get it out of my head after all these years.