Tim Rogers formed the first version of the band in Sydney, Australia, with his school friend Nick Tischler and his older brother Jaimme in December 1989. This initial line-up was short lived and by the end of 1990 both Nick and Jaimme had left the band. They were replaced by the group's one-time sound mixer Andy Kent on bass and Mark Tunaley on drums.
The band released several EPs and singles in the early 90s, though the real breakthrough came when Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth caught the band performing at 1993's Big Day Out festival and was impressed enough to produce their fourth EP, Coprolalia, and later the debut album, Sound as Ever, which went on to win the 1993 ARIA Award for Best Alternative Release.
After the release of their first album, Mark and the band parted company. He was replaced by the charismatic Russell Hopkinson (formerly of Nursery Crimes) creating the core line-up to this day. Since then, the band has been augmented by Davey Lane of The Pictures on guitar.
You Am I had toured the US extensively during the mid 90s, including playing with Soundgarden on the Lollapalooza festival, Red Kross, The Strokes and Smoking Popes to name a few. Despite little success overseas, the band became well known throughout Australia for their Pete Townshend-esque guitar windmills and their upbeat "ponce and thuggery" take on Rock 'n' Roll.
Further success came with the albums Hi Fi Way and Hourly Daily, with both picking up ARIA Awards. Hourly Daily was the first album released on the Shock label to go to number one in the ARIA charts upon launch. For many, the suburban inspired, 60s bop and folky 12 string melodies were a welcome departure from ever pervasive 70s rock sounds, or even grunge rock.
Subtle country influences became apparent on their 1998 Number 4 Record, which included the poignant Heavy Heart. A heart wrenching, almost karaoke inspired ballad about being 'dropped' by your girlfriend. Evidently each subsequent album has had a few countryish twang which have polarised some fans, who idolise the band's earlier warts and all rock beginnings.
1999 saw frontman Tim Rogers release his first solo album What Rhymes With Cars And Girls, followed up in 2004 by the record Spit Polish. In 2005 he released the critically acclaimed double-LP 'Ghost Songs' and 'Dirty Ron'.
After an album absence prolonged by touring and record label interference, Dress Me Slowly was released April 2001. Arguably containing some of the bands' best work including Damage and Kick a Hole in the Sky there were also some stellar b-Sides on the commercial singles that accompanied the album. These include a song called Older Guys which is track 2 on the Get Up single. Older Guys was one of the stand out songs on Gram Parsons' group The Flying Burrito Brothers album Burrito Deluxe and although the You Am I b-side is an original, Rogers is recognised as a keen student of music history and some connection can be assumed.
Dress Me Slowly was second guitarist, Davey Lane's first bona fide appearance on a studio record. Lane had come to the band's attention from his own work with The Pictures and transcribing, with almost scary accuracy, the band's guitar tabs on the You Am I web site. The band's last collective studio effort was Deliverance in 2002.
The likes of Nic Cester of Jet have mentioned that You Am I, at the very least, reminded them that you don't have to be American to be a successful rock band. Iconic references to Australian everyday suburban life remain a constant theme of Roger's material. The Vines also credit You Am I as a major influence and Silverchair take their name, in part, from You Am I's song Berlin Chair.
Their seventh album "Convicts" was released in May 2006. An about face on the previous two albums, Convicts rocks hard all of the way through with much more straight forward production and higher energy that makes you jump.
Their eighth album "Dilettantes" was released in September 2008.
Berlin Chair
You Am I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will you rub my head, make it all shiny and new?
And you drag my coat tails, drag my coat tails down
And I'll be the only cold assed king around.
If you wait I'll give all my aches to you.
Take the chance, to ignore what you're going through?
My cold hand is there for you to take
(If you leave, can I fall down)
I'll ignore each golden, dragging kiss you can give.
On the blankest face that you ever had to forgive.
If you see my failings, see my failings through.
I'm the re-run that you'll always force yourself to sit through.
If you wait I'll give all my aches to you.
Take the chance, to ignore what you're going through?
My cold hand is there for you to take
(If you leave, can I fall down)
I'm your Berlin chair, won't you lean on me 'til I break.
Well you're too late. You're too late.
You're too late.
The song "Berlin Chair" by You Am I is a haunting tune that tells the story of a man who is seeking comfort and solace from a loved one. The lyrics are full of powerful imagery and vivid descriptions that paint a picture of the singer's despair and loneliness. The opening lines, "If half of what I'm saying, of what I'm saying is true / Will you rub my head, make it all shiny and new?" set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is struggling, and he's looking for someone to help him through his pain.
Throughout the song, the singer begs for someone to take his aches and share his burdens. He promises to be there for them, to be their support, and to be their Berlin chair - a symbol of stability and strength. However, despite his pleas, the singer remains alone. The song's final lines, "Well, you're too late. You're too late. You're too late." speak to the singer's disappointment and frustration. He wanted someone to be there for him, but no one came.
Overall, "Berlin Chair" is a powerful and moving song about the human need for connection and support. It speaks to the pain and loneliness that we all feel at times, and serves as a reminder to reach out to those we love and let them know that we're there for them.
Line by Line Meaning
If half of what I'm saying, of what I'm saying is true
If some of what I'm saying is true, do you believe me?
Will you rub my head, make it all shiny and new?
Will you comfort me and make me feel better?
And you drag my coat tails, drag my coat tails down
You bring me down and hold me back
And I'll be the only cold assed king around.
I'll be the only one feeling this way
If you wait I'll give all my aches to you.
If you listen to me, I'll share my pain with you
Take the chance, to ignore what you're going through?
Will you ignore your own troubles to help me?
My cold hand is there for you to take
I'm here for you even when I'm struggling myself
(If you leave, can I fall down)
(If you leave, will it push me over the edge?)
I'm your Berlin chair, won't you lean on me 'til I break.
I'm here to support you until I can't anymore
I'll ignore each golden, dragging kiss you can give.
I'll overlook any manipulation or false affection you show me
On the blankest face that you ever had to forgive.
Even when I show no emotion, will you forgive me?
If you see my failings, see my failings through.
If you understand my shortcomings, can you still stand by me?
I'm the re-run that you'll always force yourself to sit through.
I'm the problem you can't escape from
Well you're too late. You're too late.
It's too late to save me now.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, MUSHROOM MUSIC PTY LTD
Written by: ANDY KENT, MARK TUNALEY, TIM ADRIAN ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
leokimvideo
The song that inspired Silverchair
James Rowden
I thought that was every thrash band from Seattle when they were at school?
Glen_Daverley
Prince Caspian. Sit down please.
DonPandemoniac
Excellent tune, first heard it on the radio driving a cab years ago through a rough town. Stuck with me ever since
The LoneWolf
I was a cab driver in that city too, It required a lot of ammo to survive
DonPandemoniac
@Gary Slackjaw Some tough missions there, taking out the fun. But, the meek shall inherit zilch.
DonPandemoniac
@TheUTubeTeamSucks The look in their eyes man. But hey, some offered to share a pizza
CrushProductions
I've heard the pedestrians in that city can be quite troublesome, hope you "looked past them" and continued with your business. Glad you made it out of there.
Gary Slackjaw
I'm surprised you managed to leave the city I found it tough as shit to get out and thusly never managed it.
W.J.
One of the great Aussie bands of all time!