In 2009, they toured Europe and the USA and spent a lot of time in the studio, with producer Gareth Jones. At Glastonbury they won "Emerging Talent Competition 2009" & now, hoping to prove the critics correct, with their début album, "WHB" (Apr 2010). A new album "Movements" (28 Apr 2014) is planned, produced by band member Thomas and co-produced and mixed by Tim Goldsworthy (DFA Records, LCD Soundsystem, Unkle, Mo'Wax).
Drawing from a well of influences that include ESG, Animal Collective and The Rapture, the band created their own sound - a 21st Century mixtape that defies categorisation or pigeonholing. With the prime focus on making people dance, they quickly took the big step of taking their music to the stage, despite having little to no previous experience between them. “We learnt quickly” says Dede, “I never thought I’d be in a band, I definitely didn’t ever see myself on a stage! But after the first few shows you get over the scary bit and the buzz just took over – there was no looking back.”
‘The snowball effect’ is a fitting description for the band’s first year; play a few shows in London, play a few more outside of London, start getting a lot more hits on MySpace, NME and Dazed & Confused get in touch about doing ‘ones to watch’ features, label’s start calling and before you know it they have their first release. Early singles like the vibrating punk funk monsters 'Oh!' (released on 50 Bones records) and ‘You Came Out’ (released on Kill Em All) as well as the fuzzy, descending disco of 'Hear It In The Cans' (available on the sixth Kitsuné Maison compilation) showed the trio's playful, disco side but those looking for 12 identical tracks on ‘WHB’ may be in for a surprise.
"The singles are poppy, danceable and catchy but there's another side to us," says Thomas. Indeed tracks like 'Buffet' and 'Piano' hint at a rougher, more complex element to the discoball dream. "We like a lot of dark music. Joy Division, early OMD, and Talking Heads are just some of the things that we listen to,” adds Darren. "The three of us have lots of different influences and they’ve all come out on ‘WHB’."
The DIY ethos of the band has meant that they've succeeded without being tied to a record label. "We didn't want to focus on getting a deal, we went out and did everything ourselves. We got on with existing as a band on our own terms," says Darren. This has meant the freedom to tour extensively around the world. "If we were signed to a label, the record company wouldn't have allowed us to tour as much as we have," says Thomas. "I was looking at my passport today and I thought that I needed to get a new one soon, it's nearly run out of pages!" Thanks to this, Dede says, the band have a large international fan-base. "When you go to France or Russia and fans who don't necessarily know English are singing your songs back to you word for word, that's an amazing feeling. You just think 'how do they know the songs?!'"
From the humble beginnings of 'WHB', the trio wrote the rest of the 11 sonically diverse songs that make up their brilliantly eclectic album in between touring, over the course of 2009. The final product is much bigger than their singles and beloved MySpace songs suggest. Beat heavy, yes, but also warm, organic and much more complex, melody driven and beautiful than you would expect.
So here you have it, ‘WHB’, the debut album from We Have Band that really is the full story of everything they’ve achieved as a band, from the very beginning up until now.
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How To Make Friends
We Have Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deep underground
Hear the mice make a sound
As they scramble around
Gathering ground
Of the seasons abound
All the things that you found
Calvary fall And artillery fall
And then infantry fall
Do you think the battles won?
(When on the road)
Are the Spartans overcome?
(What did you see?)
Are they sighing in their sleep?
(Why wont you tell, tell me?)
This is not a dry run
Howl of the hound
Leaving thoughts to be proud
Through the feet of the crowd
Deep underground
Mice make a sound
Scramble around
March as before
We are here we applaud
Want you want we adore
Do you think the battles won?
(When on the road)
Are the Spartans overcome?
(What did you see?)
Are they sighing in their sleep?
(Why wont you tell, tell me?)
This is not a dry run
(We're on a rock) (And it's gonna roll)
Do you think the battles won?
(It gathers pace)
(It's all you stole)
Are the Spartans overcome?
(And when they rise)
(What did you see?)
Are they sighing in their sleep?
(Why wont you tell, tell me?)
This is not a dry run
The lyrics to We Have Band's song "How to Make Friends" evoke a sense of urgency and uncertainty. The opening lines ask "What do you want?" as if the singer is addressing someone specific, perhaps a lover or a friend, encouraging them to come clean about their wants and needs. The image of mice scrambling around underground adds to the sense of chaos and instability, as though things are happening beneath the surface that are beyond our control. The mention of Calvary, artillery, and infantry falling suggests a military battle, but the lyrics are ambiguous enough that they could also refer to a personal struggle or conflict.
The chorus repeats the questions "Do you think the battles won?" and "Are the Spartans overcome?" in a way that suggests doubt and anxiety. The allusions to ancient Greece and military tactics lend the song a sense of history and grandeur, but the repeated question "why won't you tell me?" suggests a personal connection that is being withheld. The line "this is not a dry run" suggests that whatever conflict is happening, it is real and serious, not just a practice or rehearsal.
Line by Line Meaning
What do you want?
Asking the listener what their true desires and intentions are.
Deep underground
Referring to something hidden or secretive.
Hear the mice make a sound
Drawing attention to the small and unnoticed details.
As they scramble around
Describing the frantic and chaotic movements of the mice.
Gathering ground
The mice collecting bits and pieces of their environment.
Of the seasons abound
The collection of various elements and changes throughout different times of the year.
All the things that you found
Referencing an accumulation of knowledge, experiences, and insights.
Calvary fall
A reference to a military defeat or downfall.
And artillery fall
A suggestion of weakened defenses.
And then infantry fall
Describing a complete collapse of military power.
Do you think the battles won?
Questioning the reality of victory and success.
(When on the road)
The setting for a journey or travel.
Are the Spartans overcome?
A critical examination of strength and endurance.
(What did you see?)
Asking for a description or account of an event or situation.
Are they sighing in their sleep?
Questioning the rest and relaxation of those who are supposed to be vigilant.
(Why wont you tell, tell me?)
The desire for the truth or information.
This is not a dry run
Emphasizing the seriousness of a situation or circumstance.
Howl of the hound
A warning call or signal of alarm.
Leaving thoughts to be proud
Creating positive impressions or ideas.
Through the feet of the crowd
Describing a crowded space or environment where people are on the move.
March as before
A repeated or continuous action or behavior.
We are here we applaud
Celebrating a joint effort and the accomplishment of others.
Want you want we adore
Expressing admiration and unconditional support.
(We're on a rock)
Referring to the foundation or basis for something.
(And it's gonna roll)
Suggesting that progress or changes are inevitable.
(It gathers pace)
Describing an acceleration or increase in speed.
(It's all you stole)
Implying that success or gain is based on taking or seizing opportunities.
(And when they rise)
Referring to a possible obstacle, challenge, or enemy.
(What did you see?)
Asking for an account, report, or observation.
(Why wont you tell, tell me?)
Requesting for honesty, transparency, or disclosure.
This is not a dry run
Reiterating the significance and importance of a situation or event.
Contributed by Sarah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@BernCrit
Such a great song!
@condevon2119
I used to love this song for an old girlfriend, she now is one of my best friends :)
@diegoalgo1296
The whole album is just perfect, been recommending it to everyone I know!
@condevon2119
"Why wont you tell me" amazing song it came to me in a time that life was pure wonder