From the sleeve notes for the latest release End Titles...Stories For Film released in July 2008, the current line-up is stated as James Lavelle and Pablo Clements, also a member of the Psychonauts.
The original line-up was James Lavelle, Tim Goldsworthy (now a member of DFA) and Kudo (Major Force West, Skylab). This incarnation released several EPs and singles, usually involving collaborations with other Mo'Wax affiliated artists.
In 1998, after the departure of Goldsworthy and Kudo, Lavelle enlisted US producer DJ Shadow to help complete UNKLE's debut album, "Psyence Fiction". On this album they collaborated with a variety of guest artists including Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Mike D (Beastie Boys), Badly Drawn Boy and Richard Ashcroft (The Verve). The album contained songs which merged indie-rock with hip hop.
In 2003 UNKLE released "Never, Never, Land". At this time UNKLE consisted of Lavelle and new collaborator Richard File, and the album also featured Ian Brown (The Stone Roses), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Robert Del Naja (Massive Attack), Mani (The Stone Roses, Primal Scream) and others.
A third album entitled "War Stories" was released in July 2007. It features collaborations with Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Ian Astbury (The Cult), Autolux, Robert Del Naja (Massive Attack), The Duke Spirit, and Gavin Clark, and is far more strongly rock-influenced than previous releases. The album was preceded by an EP, Nights Temper, of which a limited pressing was released in May 2007.
Lavelle has also released several mix albums and remixes under his own name and under the name UNKLEsounds (together with Richard File).
UNKLE is known for remixing music from artists such as Explosions in the Sky, Massive Attack, and Oasis.
The Knock
UNKLE Lyrics
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Drums of death that are worth your while
In the file, I'll dial, I said
Anyone who says we're not versatile
Cause it's me, M-i-k-e to the D
Getting down, U-N-K-L-E
For this you pay a fee
It's not for free
Crossing continental with these beats
And getting your ass up and out your seats
The drop-top up with the Flintstone feats
We're gonna put you down with the tasty treats
Hand me the mic and I will say
Living positive each and every day
Whether in the fall or the month of may
Lavelle be getting down with no delay
Yeah drums of death y'all
Put me to the test y'all
Never rest, y'all
Check it out
I got a little story to tell
With DJ Shadow and James Lavelle
It starts right now in history
And I am known as the rapper Mike D
Funky funky beats, one-two, break it down
Deliver it on down with the a-1 sound
Ounce by ounce and pound for pound
Got the shit that's out of bounds
The beat's on time and I hope you feel
Nice and complete like a happy meal
Sounds of tomorrow, can't y'all just steal?
Or is it too hectic for y'all to deal?
Gotta keep moving 'till we hit the top
My boys UNKLE gonna let the beat drop
Grab the mic and I start to mop
Like I done since day one in the game of Hip-Hop
Hip-Hop
Yeah drums of death y'all
I'ma break it down in the UNKLE style
Funky funky beats
Yeah, drums of death
You know what I'm sayin'?
Straight more money-makin'
Money-makin', ho
The lyrics to UNKLE's song "The Knock" are all about their unique style of music-making. The song starts with a promise to break it down in the UNKLE style, which is characterized by drums of death that are worth your while. The rapper then goes on to assert that anyone who doubts their versatility is wrong. They then introduce their bandmates before promising that their music is not free and that they are coming to the end of the century with their beats. The line "crossing continental with these beats" suggests that their sound is worldly, and not confined to any single genre or style. The call to action is to get up and dance to the beat, which is described as a "tasty treat". The rapper then proceeds to shout out his own name and cleverly uses the initials of the other band members to spell out UNKLE.
Line by Line Meaning
Now I'm a break it down in the Unkle style
I'm going to explain something to you in the style of Unkle
Drums of death that are worth your while
We've got some great beats for you to listen to
In the file, I'll dial, I said
I'm going to play a file for you
Anyone who says we're not versatile
People who don't think we're versatile are wrong
Cause it's me, M-i-k-e to the D
This is Mike D rapping
Getting down, U-N-K-L-E
We're getting down with UNKLE
For this you pay a fee
This costs money
It's not for free
It's not available for no cost
We're coming to the end of the century
We're getting close to the end of the 20th century
Crossing continental with these beats
Our beats are going all over the world
And getting your ass up and out your seats
Our music will make you want to get up and dance
The drop-top up with the Flintstone feats
We're cruising around in a convertible with big wheels
We're gonna put you down with the tasty treats
We'll entertain you with some great music
Hand me the mic and I will say
Give me the microphone and I'll start rapping
Living positive each and every day
I always try to have a positive attitude
Whether in the fall or the month of may
No matter what time of year it is
Lavelle be getting down with no delay
Lavelle is dancing without any hesitation
Yeah drums of death y'all
These beats are really intense
Put me to the test y'all
Try to challenge me
Never rest, y'all
I never stop working
Check it out
Listen to this
I got a little story to tell
I'm going to tell you a story
With DJ Shadow and James Lavelle
DJ Shadow and James Lavelle are involved in this story too
It starts right now in history
This story is happening right now
And I am known as the rapper Mike D
I am known as Mike D, the rapper
Funky funky beats, one-two, break it down
There are some really great beats, let me break them down for you
Deliver it on down with the a-1 sound
We're delivering great beats with excellent sound quality
Ounce by ounce and pound for pound
Every aspect of our music is great
Got the shit that's out of bounds
Our music is amazing and revolutionary
The beat's on time and I hope you feel
The rhythm is perfect and I hope you enjoy it
Nice and complete like a happy meal
Everything in this song fits together perfectly, like a satisfying meal
Sounds of tomorrow, can't y'all just steal?
We're creating music that's ahead of its time, can't anyone else do it too?
Or is it too hectic for y'all to deal?
Is it too much for you to handle?
Gotta keep moving 'till we hit the top
We need to keep working hard until we're at the top of our game
My boys UNKLE gonna let the beat drop
UNKLE is going to play some great beats
Grab the mic and I start to mop
I'm going to start rapping and making great music
Like I done since day one in the game of Hip-Hop
I've been doing this since I first started rapping
Hip-Hop
This song is hip hop
Straight more money-makin'
We're taking this seriously and trying to make some money
Money-makin', ho
We're going to make some money and succeed
Yeah drums of death y'all
These beats are really intense
I'ma break it down in the UNKLE style
I'm going to explain something to you in the style of Unkle
Funky funky beats
There are some really great beats
Yeah, drums of death
These beats are really intense
You know what I'm sayin'?
Do you understand what I'm saying?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSH PAUL DAVIS, MICHAEL LOUIS DIAMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind