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.
Kick A Hole In The Sky
You Am I Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And sleeps with a Dexedrine smile
Keeps finding the holes where old memory can go
And wash it down liquefied
Keep that old door swinging
'Cause you can be the freeloader
When it's closing time
What you gonna do? It's nothing to see
But something's got you down on your knees
I'm crawling through the dirt to see where it hurts
And it ain't falling down by degrees
I think I'm gonna die
From trying to kick a hole in the sky
Your walls are plastered with ham-fist drunks
And fagans wrapped in denim and smoke
So tell me what chance did you happen to dance
With the step that kicked your feet in the boat?
Loose band on the radio
All static and clashin' a hob-nailed hint
You're never losing ground
It's just the way it sounds
What you gonna do? It's nothing you see
But something's got you down on your knees
I'm crawling through the dirt to see where it hurts, yeah
And it ain't falling down by degrees
I think I'm gonna die
From trying to kick a hole in the sky
Trying to kick a hole in the sky
Trying to kick a hole in the sky
Trying to kick a hole in the sky
You cover me like the sunshine kisses the day
But a pulse starts in my gut now
And it's gonna make us pay
What you gonna do? It's nothing to see
But something's got you down on your knees
I'm crawling through the dirt to see where it hurts
And it ain't falling down by degrees
I think I'm gonna die
From trying to kick a hole in the sky
Trying to kick a hole in the sky
Trying to kick a hole in the sky
From trying to kick a hole in the sky
Oh, bring it on!
The lyrics to You Am I's song Kick A Hole In The Sky are cryptic but powerful. It begins with a description of someone who is not quite right, "walks like a crooked tooth, sleeps with a Dexedrine smile." This person is desperate to forget their past and "find the holes where old memory can go." They self-medicate with alcohol ("wash it down liquefied") and seem to be freeloaders who cling on when it's closing time.
The chorus suggests that something has brought the person down to their knees, but it's not clear what. The singer is "crawling through the dirt to see where it hurts" but can't quite figure it out. They are tormented by the idea that they are going to die "trying to kick a hole in the sky," which suggests they are striving for something impossible.
The second verse is even more obscure, with references to "ham-fist drunks," "fagans wrapped in denim and smoke," and a "loose band on the radio." The idea seems to be that the singer is trapped in a world of dead-end losers, and that they are trying to break away from it. But they can't quite do it, and the dream of kicking a hole in the sky remains elusive.
Overall, the lyrics to Kick A Hole In The Sky are about frustration, despair, and the struggle to break free from a life that is going nowhere. The singer is filled with a sense of restless energy, but they can't quite channel it into something productive because they don't know what they are looking for.
Line by Line Meaning
Walks like a crooked tooth
The person moves or behaves in an awkward, irregular, or unpleasant way
And sleeps with a Dexedrine smile
The person has a broad and fake smile that suggests being under the influence of a stimulant drug
Keeps finding the holes where old memory can go
The person keeps remembering and dwelling on past events or experiences
And wash it down liquefied
The person tries to hide or forget those memories by consuming alcohol or other substances
Keep that old door swinging
Keep the opportunities coming, keep living recklessly
'Cause you can be the freeloader
The person takes advantage of other people's generosity or resources without contributing anything in return
When it's closing time
When everything is about to end or be over
What you gonna do? It's nothing to see
There is no clear solution or path to follow
But something's got you down on your knees
Something is making the person feel helpless, desperate, or defeated
I'm crawling through the dirt to see where it hurts
The person is trying to figure out the cause or source of their pain, weakness, or vulnerability
And it ain't falling down by degrees
The problem or situation is not getting better, but rather getting worse or deeper
I think I'm gonna die
The person is overwhelmed, exhausted, or hopeless
From trying to kick a hole in the sky
The person is attempting the impossible or the absurd, and that is taking a toll on them physically or emotionally
Your walls are plastered with ham-fist drunks
The place or environment is full of clumsy, tasteless, or aggressive people who drink heavily
And fagans wrapped in denim and smoke
The people around the person seem shady, suspicious, or dangerous
So tell me what chance did you happen to dance
What luck or opportunity did you have to be involved with those people or that situation
With the step that kicked your feet in the boat?
What action or decision led you into that uncertain, unstable, or perilous situation
Loose band on the radio
The music or sounds are distorted, chaotic, or unclear
All static and clashin' a hob-nailed hint
The sounds are harsh, grating, or metallic, suggesting rough or heavy boots
You're never losing ground
You are not making progress or achieving success, but you are not losing anything either
It's just the way it sounds
The situation or environment is inherently unpleasant, unwelcoming, or challenging
You cover me like the sunshine kisses the day
The person feels comforted, protected, or loved by someone else, like the sun shining on a beautiful day
But a pulse starts in my gut now
The person feels a sudden or intense anxiety, fear, or excitement
And it's gonna make us pay
The feeling or impulse is going to cause them trouble, consequences, or regret
Oh, bring it on!
The person is ready to face the challenge, danger, or opportunity, no matter the cost or outcome
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: TIM ADRIAN ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Damian Edwards
Still my fave band all these years later. Criminally under-viewed on YouTube...
david williams
Davey Lane...one of our greatest players.
Jack Duncan
A much underrated band internationally They were such a great band in their time.
Jack Duncan
Ben I suppose what I meant was “in my time” as a young man.
Ben
This is the band's account and they could conceivably see this, so I'll be the one to say it. Their time ain't done.
Dukey
the best!
Mekon Headed Freak
Discovered these guys when I was living in Japan in 2005 and been a fan ever since.