David Dennis- guitar, vocals
Anthony Aguiar- guitar, organ, backing voca… Read Full Bio ↴David Dennis- guitar, vocals
Anthony Aguiar- guitar, organ, backing vocals
Phillip Munsey II-bass
Kurt Allen- drums

We are often told to make the most of each day. But Voxhaul Broadcast, a four piece band from Orange County, California, took this mantra to the extreme. Frustrated with the formulaic nature of today’s indie rock scene, the band decided to record and mix their debut EP “Rotten Apples” live. In one day. So on a sunny day in June the record was recorded live by Dwayne Larring, mixed by Dave Larring and later mastered by Mark Chalecki at Capitol Mastering.

It was a decision that came naturally to these childhood friends. Having played together in various incarnations for years, David, Tony, Phil, and Kurt began to consider themselves more of a live band than a studio one. Previous recorded efforts had been mainly done at home, laying down songs they had the chance to pick apart and overanalyze. The results of this process bordered on stale, an adjective that is far from reflective of the energy and passion they exude on stage.

After signing with Retone Records early in 2007, Voxhaul decided to take a page from some of their favorite artists and embrace the kinks and mistakes that make live records so great. By harnessing a sound that reflects a range of influences from James Brown and Al Green to The Beatles and Donovan, the group composed tracks with smart lyrics and undeniably catchy beats. In turn, the results of their labor are 8 songs full of raw enthusiasm, echoing the sort of musical honesty that turns even the most pretentious listeners into fans.

The LA Times just picked Voxhaul Broadcast as one of the "buzz bands" to watch in 2008, hailing their "soul-infused rock" while the Futuresounds blog says “one listen to this batch of songs and you'd never guess this band was from Orange County, feels more like Manchester, England, but it's true. With lyrics like "I need your love in my blood, so I cut off all my limbs", what's not to like? A band with massive amounts of potential and star power in surplus."

Now with the upcoming release of “Rotten Apples,” a name they chose as a state of comparison for the current climate of the music industry, the band ready to take off. They showcased at CMJ the past October, played Sundance in January, will be performing at the Noise Pop fest in SF in February and will be appearing every Monday in March at Spaceland in LA. The band will also be making their SXSW debut this year. With UK dates scheduled for later this year these performances are sure to establish them as one of 2008’s most memorable and genuinely indie rock bands.

Rotten Apples
Voxhaul Broadcast Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Took a long trip to try to get it right
They heard the crickets singing in the trees
And the slow parade
Of the whole thing coming down
City lights were fireflys
From the hill on the edge of town
I know that you had to change and
At the time I didn’t blame you

I just sort of took it personal
I think you like the taste of sugar coated rotten apples
I think I look funny with that hat on

People say the strangest things in the name of self defense
I need your blood in my arms so I cut off all my limbs
Right as I was changing realized I did
“Shut your mouth, you stupid boy.
You just don’t understand.”

So I went looking for surrender
Looking for pretenders
Waiting all the time
Had so much love that I didn’t know what to do
So I wasted it (on petty crimes?)
If you want to change then you gotta grow
If you want to change then you gotta wait for it
If you gotta change then you gotta grow
If you gotta change then you gotta do it my way

People say the strangest things in the name of self defense
I need your blood in my arms so I cut off all my limbs
Right as I was changing realized I did
“Shut your mouth, you stupid boy.
You just don’t understand.”

I understand perfectly!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Voxhaul Broadcast's song Rotten Apples seem to be about personal growth and change. The first few lines suggest a journey or quest to get things right, with a reference to crickets singing and the slow parade of things coming down. The city lights are seen as fireflies from a hill on the edge of town, which creates a sense of perspective and distance. The singer goes on to explain that they did not blame the person who had to change, but they took it personally. There is also mention of a taste for sugar-coated rotten apples, which could be interpreted as liking things that appear good on the surface, but are ultimately damaging.

The second verse continues with the theme of people saying strange things in self-defense, and the idea of needing someone's blood in their arms so much that they would cut off their own limbs. This could be interpreted as either needing someone so badly that they would harm themselves, or as a metaphor for a toxic relationship that requires sacrifice. The singer goes on to describe a search for surrender and finding pretenders, realizing they had wasted love on petty crimes. The last lines of the song suggest that if you want to change, you have to grow and wait for it, but that it has to be done "my way."

Overall, the lyrics seem to be about the difficulty of personal growth and change, and the sacrifices and challenges that come with it. The references to crickets and fireflies create a sense of nostalgia and introspection, while the repeated refrain of people saying strange things in self-defense reinforces the idea that change can be difficult and met with resistance.

Line by Line Meaning

Took a long trip to try to get it right
The singer went on a journey in search of personal growth and a clearer sense of purpose.

They heard the crickets singing in the trees
The singer and their companions were surrounded by nature on their journey, which contributed to a sense of peace and reflection.

And the slow parade
The gradual decline of something important or significant, which the singer is observing and reflecting on.

Of the whole thing coming down
The loss of something the artist cares about, or the realization that something they relied on is no longer reliable or sustainable.

City lights were fireflys
A metaphor describing how the city at a distance looks beautiful and bright, but from up close loses its magic and can be deceiving.

From the hill on the edge of town
The singer has an outsider perspective and can see the bigger picture of what's happening from afar.

I know that you had to change and
The singer acknowledges that another person in their life went through a necessary change.

At the time I didn’t blame you
The artist empathizes with the other person's situation and didn't hold them responsible for the change that occurred.

I just sort of took it personal
The artist felt a sense of loss or discomfort from the other person's change, even if they understood it was necessary.

I think you like the taste of sugar coated rotten apples
The artist believes that the other person is falsely drawn to something harmful or unappealing.

I think I look funny with that hat on
A self-effacing comment that is not meant to be taken literally, but rather to express the singer's insecurities or discomfort.

People say the strangest things in the name of self defense
The artist is aware of how people can hurt others when they feel threatened or insecure, using defensiveness as a justification.

I need your blood in my arms so I cut off all my limbs
An extreme example of how people might sacrifice themselves or their own well-being in order to obtain something they desire from others.

Right as I was changing realized I did
The singer had a realization or moment of clarity while going through their own process of transformation.

“Shut your mouth, you stupid boy.
A dismissive or aggressive response from someone who is not willing to listen or understand the singer's perspective.

You just don’t understand.”
A common refrain used to belittle or dismiss someone else's opinions or feelings.

So I went looking for surrender
The artist sought a way to let go of control, possibly as a way of coping with the feelings of powerlessness or confusion caused by external changes.

Looking for pretenders
The singer is seeking out a kind of connection or relationship that may not be genuine or healthy.

Waiting all the time
A sense of anticipation or expectation, either for something specific or for a general sense of fulfillment, that the singer is struggling to attain.

Had so much love that I didn’t know what to do
The artist had a surplus of positive feelings or emotions, but was unsure of how to direct them in a productive or meaningful way.

So I wasted it (on petty crimes?)
The artist used their emotional energy in ways that were ultimately unproductive or possibly even harmful.

If you want to change then you gotta grow
The artist believes that personal transformation requires a willingness to go beyond one's comfort zone and embrace new challenges or experiences.

If you want to change then you gotta wait for it
Personal growth is a slow and incremental process that requires patience and persistence.

If you gotta change then you gotta grow
The artist stresses the importance of being open to change as a means of self-improvement or empowerment.

If you gotta change then you gotta do it my way
An expression of control or the desire to influence others, which may be either well-intentioned or manipulative.

I understand perfectly!
A dismissive or sarcastic statement used to indicate that the singer does not, in fact, understand the other person's point of view or situation.

Contributed by Ian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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