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.
Junk
You Am I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But this big ol' bark sure sounds worse than its stink
Thick like dipsticks and white as a sheet
But for a pile of trash I sure smell sweet
[Chorus]
Can in a bag for just $2.35
Nobody looks you straight in the eye
Drop like butter, just let me fry
Been digging holes like I'm in need of work
I can't sit for a minute just dry my shirt
This city's been sucking on me like a cheap cigarette
It's drunk my drinks and cashed my bets
[Chorus]
Junk, Junk, Junk, Junk
Sure smell sweet for junk
The song "Junk" by You Am I tells a story of a person who is down on luck, but is still trying to find a way to stay on top of things, even if it means resorting to living off of junk. The first line of the song, "I ain't blue yet hell I ain't even sick," sets up the tone for the rest of the lyrics to follow, which are about a person who is seemingly content with their life, despite their circumstances.
The next line, "But this big ol' bark sure sounds worse than its stink," could be interpreted as a metaphor for the person's situation. They might appear confident on the outside, but their reality is less than desirable.
The chorus of "Can in a bag for just $2.35, nobody looks you straight in the eye, drop like butter to the floor just let me lie, drop like butter, just let me fry," reinforces the idea of a person who has resorted to living off of junk food and is becoming increasingly isolated from society. The phrase "drop like butter" could also be seen as a reference to the person's physical and mental state deteriorating.
The following verse mentions how the person is trying to make ends meet by doing physical labor and is being drained by the city they live in. The lyrics are an acerbic commentary on the disillusionment with modern society and the individual's futile attempts at survival.
Overall, You Am I's song "Junk" is a portrait of a person who has reached rock bottom and is trying to find solace in their current situation. The lyrics may be viewed as a critique of the societal pressures that can drive a person to the edge.
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't blue yet hell I ain't even sick
Despite the appearances of my surroundings, I am still joyful and not feeling unwell.
But this big ol' bark sure sounds worse than its stink
Although I may put on a tough exterior and talk a big game, the reality of my situation is not quite as impressive.
Thick like dipsticks and white as a sheet
My physical appearance is unimpressive and lacking vitality, resembling a used car's oil measuring tool.
But for a pile of trash I sure smell sweet
Despite being surrounded by garbage and undesirable things, I am content and have a pleasant aroma.
Can in a bag for just $2.35
A cheap and accessible way of consuming alcohol, indicative of my struggles and lack of resources.
Nobody looks you straight in the eye
My status is so low that people refuse to acknowledge or engage with me in a meaningful way.
Drop like butter to the floor just let me lie?
I am so weak and defeated that I am unable to stand up and need to lay on the ground.
Been digging holes like I'm in need of work
I am constantly active and trying to stay productive, seeking meaning and value in my life despite my circumstances.
I can't sit for a minute just dry my shirt
My life is constantly on the move and I am unable to rest for even a short time, constantly sweating and trying to stay comfortable.
This city's been sucking on me like a cheap cigarette
The city and its inhabitants are constantly taking advantage of me, treating me like a disposable and insignificant object.
It's drunk my drinks and cashed my bets
Even my small pleasures and indulgences have been taken from me, leaving me with almost nothing.
Sure smell sweet for junk
Despite the unpleasantness of my circumstances and surroundings, I have managed to retain some semblance of positivity and optimism.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TIM ADRIAN ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind