Indeed, the name Ups and Downs was derived from a track on the Flamin' Groovies 1978 album, Now.
Brothers Greg and Darren Atkinson got their start in late 1970s power pop band 42nd Street. Ken Allen (guitar) and Neil Coombe (guitar) completed the line-up.
42nd Street issued one single, Work It Out, on the Virgo Seven label in 1979 and also contributed a track called Mistaken Identity to radio station 4IP's various artists compilation album, That's Queensland.
42nd Street made little impact beyond the Brisbane scene and in 1983 the Atkinson brothers formed Ups and Downs as a three-piece band with Peter Hamilton-Shaw (guitar) joining soon after to round out the sound.
The band issued it's debut single Living Inside My Head on the Basketcase label in December 1984.
Ups and Downs then issued a second single called Perfect Crime on Basketcase before venturing down to Sydney. The Waterfront label re-issued Perfect Crime in September 1985, by which time Ups and Downs had built-up a strong cult following on the Sydney inner-city music scene.
The bands second single on Waterfront, In The Shadows in April 1986, was a gorgeous slice of harmony-drenched guitar pop and one of the best independent singles for the year.
Ups and Downs signed a new deal with the True Tone label (through PolyGram) which resulted in the release of the mini-album Sleepless in August 1986 and the single The Living Kind. To coincide with the singles release, Ups and Downs supported US visitors the Flamin' Groovies on their Australian tour.
In 1987, Trevor O'Neil joined the band on keyboards, which gave the band an even more spacious sound. By the end of 1987, Ups and Downs had signed with the Mushroom label.
The band entered Sydney's Paradise Studios in March 1988 to record their debut album Underneath The Watchful Eye. Mushroom issued the singles Lit By The Fuse and Moments Away before the album appeared in November.
Underneath The Watchful Eye was a strong showcase for the band's song writing skills and musical adventurousness. Founder member John Flade left the band in June 1989.
The band ended its Mushroom association later in the year and moved to the Volition label for the 12" EP Rash (1990). By the end of the the year the Atkinson's had split Ups and Downs to form the decidedly noisier outfit Big Heavy Stuff.
Greg and Darren Atkinson have gone on to form the Worker Bees, and more recently Greg has been recording as part of indie chamber pop band Theories of Everything.
Greg Atkinson: Vocals, Bass
John Flade: Guitar
Darren Atkinson: Drums
Peter Hamilton-Shaw: Guitar
Trevor O'Neil (1987-): Keyboards
Heart
Ups And Downs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or hide it away till it can't even spark
Leaves you standin' there alone in the dark
It's a high crime
Let the light shine
It's a high crime
Let the light shine
Wondering whether you're the creek or the stone
Just like the static on the end of the phone
Little fights got your mind running round
Take a drive with the windows down
Thinking how to get outta this town
Why you wanna let 'em eat away at your heart
Why you wanna let 'em eat away at your heart
Why you wanna let 'em eat away at your heart
Why you wanna let 'em eat away at your heart
Why you wanna let 'em eat away at your heart
Why you wanna let 'em eat away at your heart
Why you wanna let 'em eat away at your heart
Why you wanna let 'em eat away at your heart
The lyrics of "Heart in 2-3" by Ups and Downs depict a sense of frustration, dissatisfaction and despair. The opening lines "Dear eastern prom, I know what's wrong...But it's suicide eyes that wrote this song" reflects the writer's belief that he knows what's wrong and his desperation to communicate his feelings. The phrase "suicide eyes" suggests that the person who wrote the song is experiencing intense sorrow, possibly to the extent of considering suicide. The writer admits to having writer's block, and despite his attempts, his words seem to be falling flat, as if they were useless bricks. The writer is lamenting the fact that he is far away from the place where he grew up, the New England town, and he is feeling lonely and isolated. He wishes to go back to where he came from, but is unable to do so.
The writer also reflects on his past experiences in the town he came from, where he feels he was an easy target, possibly taken advantage of for his naivety. He is frustrated that he cannot move on from his previous experiences and is choking on his own words. The recurring phrase, "Oh my god - it happened again…What's wrong with me?" suggests that the writer is repeatedly experiencing negative situations that he cannot seem to avoid. The writer is convinced that screaming won't solve anything, but despite his reservations, he can't help but feel trapped and suffocated. The song ends on the note of him drawing a heart around the name of the city, perhaps indicating his lingering love for the place even though he can't seem to find his feet there any longer.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear eastern prom
I address myself to the feelings and thoughts that reside in the location of Eastern Promenade
I know what's wrong...
I am aware of the situation that is causing my distress
But it's suicide eyes
I have a feeling of utter despair and hopelessness
That wrote this song
This song is a reflection of my inner turmoil
For all I'm worth
I am pouring my heart and soul into my writing
Writer's block is a bitch
I am struggling to find the words to express my emotions
Words falling like bricks
My attempts at writing are not going well and are causing me frustration
For a New England wish...
I am expressing a longing for something unattainable and out of reach
I was an easy male fuck
I had a promiscuous past and was taken advantage of
In the town of "naive-ity"
I come from a place where people are trusting and innocent
All I wanted was a shot in the dark
I was hoping for a chance to succeed without knowing if it was possible
But like a knife through the heart
My hopes were dashed and my dreams were shattered
I choke on spit covered words...
I struggle to express myself and my emotions
Oh my god - It happened again
I am experiencing a familiar and painful situation
What's wrong with me?
I am questioning why I am struggling so much
Screaming gets you nothing
I realize that my frustration and anger will not change my circumstances
One more night in this town
I feel trapped and desperate to leave
And I swear that I'm dead...
I feel like my spirit is broken and I am not really alive
I drew a heart
I expressed my love and devotion by drawing a heart
Around the name of your city...
I used the name of the city to express my feelings of love and longing
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Stephen Childress
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind