Tiger Army played their first show in 1996 at the Bay Area’s legendary punk collective, 924 Gilman Street, known as the venue where everyone from Green Day to Rancid got their start. The gig saw them opening for AFI, who lent Nick 13 their drummer, Adam Carson. Rancid’s Tim Armstrong took notice of Nick 13’s songs via a series of demos (later collected as The Early Years EP) and signed Tiger Army to his Hellcat Records imprint strictly on the strength of Nick’s songs and vision knowing full well he had yet to secure a steady lineup. The first Tiger Army album followed in late 1999.
The fledgling psychobilly scene in North America took flight shortly thereafter. Songs like “Nocturnal” and “True Romance” presaged the dark palette that would paint much of underground music in the coming year. Geoff Kresge (ex-AFI) came onboard on stand-up after the first album’s release. Now based in Los Angeles, Tiger Army embarked upon eighteen months of touring in support of II: Power of Moonlite, including trips to Europe and Japan and sharing stages with Dropkick Murphys, Reverend Horton Heat and The Damned.
Two sold-out record release shows at the House Of Blues on the Sunset Strip marked the June, 2004 arrival of III: Ghost Tigers Rise as the band took off for a month on the main stage of the Vans Warped Tour. After Warped, Jeff Roffredo (the former bass player for seminal West Coast psychos Cosmic Voodoo who had nearly joined Tiger Army before the first album) came into Tiger Army following Kresge’s amicable departure, along with drummer James Meza. 46 shows with Social Distortion followed.
The Dark Romance Tour came later, after which the band took some time off to prepare Music From Regions Beyond, pausing briefly for gigs with Morrissey and AFI as well as a headlining performance at Orange County's annual “Hootenanny” festival and a trip to the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver to support Social Distortion, among other shows. During this period Nick 13 made a cameo appearance in “Inland Empire,” the latest film from legendary director David Lynch (“Twin Peaks,” “Mulholland Drive”). The band played a “MySpace Secret Show” around the release, a sold-out release show at the House Of Blues in Las Vegas and returned to the Vans Warped Tour as a headliner shortly before starting their own “Razor’s Kiss” US tour, which culminated with two sold-out nights at the Wiltern in Los Angeles.
Standup bass player Geoff Kresge returned to Tiger Army at the start of 2008 as the band geared up for their busiest year yet, headlining tours all around the world. They launched the Octoberflame event as well, headlining five nights at the Grove of Anaheim in 2008, two night at the Grove and two at the Wiltern in Los Angeles in 2009, and will return for Octoberflame III.
Tiger Army remains Nick 13’s vision and mission, with the new material representing his most fully realized songwriting yet.
temptation
Tiger Army Lyrics
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In Tiger Army's song "Temptation," the singer is presented as feeling lost and confused about their life choices. They are on their knees, looking up at the sky, contemplating their pain and the decisions they have to make. The singer admits that life has always been painful, but their contemplation sets their soul afire with uncertainty about which path to follow. They mention the places they have been and the things they have seen, and how they have always been told to stay away from sin, but they admit that sometimes it's just too tempting to resist. They acknowledge that trying to do right often leads them down the wrong path, but if they didn't give in to temptation now and then, they wouldn't have any fun.
The lyrics of "Temptation" suggest a struggle between doing what is right and what is pleasurable. The singer seems to feel a sense of hopelessness about their ability to resist temptation, and the use of religious imagery in the line "if there's a heaven I'm bound for the fire" suggests a fear of eternal damnation or punishment for their sins. The song highlights the human struggle with impulse control and the difficulty of making the right decisions in a world full of distractions and temptations.
Line by Line Meaning
Down on my knees I look up at the sky
I am in a position of submission, looking towards a higher power for guidance.
Here I am again although I don't know why
I'm not sure how I ended up in my current situation, but I'm here nonetheless.
Life is pain I know this in my heart
I have experienced enough hardships to understand that life is inherently difficult.
I guess it's always been that way from the start
It seems like struggle and pain have always been a part of life for me.
This contemplation sets my soul afire
Reflecting on my life and the choices I've made ignites my emotions.
Too many decisions that I can't decide
I am overwhelmed by the number of choices I have and am unable to make a decision.
I don't know what I'm gonna do...
I am uncertain about what actions to take in my current predicament.
The things I've seen, places I've been
I have had many experiences and have traveled to many different locations.
Always told me 'Stay away from sin'
I have been warned to avoid immoral behavior and actions.
Now I could try and do right, but it always turns out wrong
While I could make an effort to behave morally, my attempts often fail.
I guess that if I didn't, wouldn't have no fun
If I strictly adhered to moral guidelines, I would miss out on enjoyable experiences.
Sometimes I try to set my sights up higher
Occasionally, I attempt to aim for a more virtuous path in life.
But if there's a heaven I'm bound for the fire
Despite my efforts, my sinful behavior may cause my ultimate destination to be hell.
Temptation...
The allure of sinful behavior and experiences that conflict with my moral beliefs.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILLY JOEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SumDogMillionare
Down on my knees I look up at the sky Here I am again although I don't know why Life is pain I know this in my heart I guess it's always been that way from the start This contemplation sets my soul afire Too many decisions that I can't decide I don't know what I'm gonna do, I don't know what I'm gonna do... The things I've seen, places I've been Always told me "Stay away from sin" Now I could try and do right, but it always turns out wrong I guess that if I didn't, wouldn't have no fun Sometimes I try to set my sights up higher But if there's a heaven I'm bound for the fire I don't know what I'm gonna do, I don't know what I'm gonna do...
Temptation.
1SpeedDean
i love everything Tiger Army writes, but their old stuff was so amazing!! thanks for uploading this!
Alejandro Altamirano Castro
all time favorite Tiger Army song
zach z
Those are some great lyrics.
joe strummer
You mean there is no such thing as BAD music! All music is good music to its audience
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Down on my knees I look up at the sky Here I am again although I don't know why Life is pain I know this in my heart I guess it's always been that way from the start This contemplation sets my soul afire Too many decisions that I can't decide I don't know what I'm gonna do... The things I've seen, places I've been Always told me "Stay away from sin" Now I could try and do right,
Neverchange20
Ta is sooo amazing!!!!
Fidelio2
I'm 65 and an old hippie. I came of age in the late 1960's, but I love Tiger Army! You guys are awesome! Your music is smokin!
Hi I'm Kara Rae Ophelia
If you like Tiger Army check out......The Meantreators and or The Grims. Really Ace!
Bob Mony
Thank you for uploading I fucking love you!