There is more than one artist with this name.
1) A Japanese electronic r… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name.
1) A Japanese electronic rock quartet formed in 2005.
2) A New York-based indie rock quartet formed in 2001.

1. A Japanese electronic rock quartet formed in 2005.

The Telephones are Akira Ishige (石毛輝) - vocals, guitar, keyboard, Ryohei Nagashima (長島涼平) - bass & chorus, Nobuaki Okamoto (岡本伸明 ) - keyboard & chorus, and Seiji Matsumoto (松本誠治) - drums.

After playing their first show together in January of 2005, The Telephones began to ring with resounding potential. The electric, electronic rock quartet released their first demo in July of the same year and established their official line up in August. With their roster set, The Telephones released their second demo in February ‘06 and followed things up with a short summer tour around Kanto.

The Telephones released their debut mini album, We are the handclaps ep. on JULY RECORDS in April ‘07 and have continued to rock clubs with their disco and new wave-inspired rock anthems.
In 2008 they performed in festivals such as ARABAKI ROCK FEST’08, ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL, SUMMER SONIC and SWEET LOVE SHOWER.
2008.11.19. the telephones released their 2nd mini Album「Love&DISCO E.P.」DAIZAWA RECORDS.
2012.06 they held their first tour and performed oneman show 「SUPER DISCO Hits!!! the telephones ONE-MAN SHOW!!! ～『Love&DISCOE.P.』SPECIAL RELEASE PARTY ～」at Harajuku Laforet Museum with sold out.
In 2008.12.31 they performed in COUNTDOWN JAPAN 08/09 and continuing next years. Also they became responsible to countdown to New Year comes.
July 2009 saw the release of The Telephones’ first full major album, Dance Floor Monsters. The debut single from this album, Monkey Discooooooo, was in heavy rotation on MTV Japan. In 2010 they were also nominated on World Stage VMAJ 2010 as Best New Artist.
In Jule 2011 the band tracked their new album “Rock Kingdom” with producer/engineer Alex Newport, who worked with band such as At the Drive-in, Death Cab for Cutie, The Mars Volta.
In December 2011 they held oneman concert 「SUPER DISCO Hits FINAL!!! ～そして伝説へ～」at Saitama Super Arena.
In New Year's day in 2012 they performed after countdown on Fuji TV.
In February, 2012 they released their first single with Japanese lyrics “D.E.N.W.A e.p.” and performed in 2 festivals “Version 21.1 fourth” at Yokohama Arena with Sakanation, THE BAWDIES, andymory and etc, continuing in 愛知・Zepp Nagoya and 大阪・なんばHatch. And then on label festival EMI Rocks 2012 with Straightener, ACIDMAN, Tokyo Jihen, Miyavi, 9mm Parabellum Bullet and other label-mates .
In March they participated in Megaport Festival 2012 in Taipei, Taiwan.
Recently they toured across the country, and fihished at 渋谷CLUB QUATTRO with event 「-Golden MIRRORBALL Week!!!!!-」 with all 6 days sold out.

2. A New York-based indie-rock quarter formed in 2001, currently recording their next EP and touring the U.S.

The Telephones are Jesse Adelman on vocals and guitar, keyboardist Bradley Albert, bassist Anton Kreisl and drummer Danny Sher.

The Brooklyn-based indie-rock quartet established in 2001, has been compared to 70s rock groups Faces and The Babys.

The band released debut full-length album and fan-favorite, “Fight Night At Rodeo Dodo,” in 2006. In 2009, The Telephones released EP “Volume 1,” with tracks highlighting Adelman’s unforgettable voice and clever lyrics belted atop twangy tight licks, producing a larger than life, arena-rock sound.
The Telephones recorded a live video for album single, "Libertine" on Fox TV show, Fearless Music.
In 2012, follow-up EP, "Volume 2" was released, and the band is currently recording their next EP, in the intended four-disc set, and a music video for single, "California."

The Telephones have played at New York venues including The Gramercy Theatre, Mercury Lounge, Southpaw, Arlene's Grocery, Rock Off Boat Cruises, The Bitter End, Knitting Factory and more.

Albums, video and other media can be downloaded at their offical website, http://thetelephones.org.

Jabberwocky
the telephones Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

7. Jabberwecky

go out
turn around
go away
the dark side of a town
what's going on?
some kids said fuck and crying loud

oh, no

I don't know what's true
I can not stop

I don't know what's true
I can not stop

I don't know what's true
I can not stop
oh, no

loan out
turn around
go away
the dark side of a crown
what's going on?
I wish everything is over now
oh, no

I don't know what's true
I can not stop

I don't know what's true
I can not stop

I don't know what's true
I can not stop
oh, no

cry out!
don't you know?

I don't know what I can not do

I don't know what's true
I can not stop

I don't know what's true
I can not stop

I don't know what's true

cry out!
don't you know?

I don't know what's true
I can not stop

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Telephones' song "Jabberwocky" present the emotional turmoil of not understanding the truth of a situation and feeling overwhelmed with the inability to control it. The first verse describes the anticipation and anxiety of going out, as well as the unsettling feeling of being in an unfamiliar or dangerous place (the dark side of a town). The chorus repeats the phrase "I don't know what's true, I cannot stop" in a frenzied manner, emphasizing how the uncertainty and lack of control is consuming the singer.

The second verse introduces the idea of a crown, which could refer to the symbol of power and control, adding another layer to the theme of feeling helpless in the face of a situation. The repetition of "what's going on?" adds to the chaotic atmosphere of the song. The bridge, with the plea to "cry out," and the final chorus, which ends with the same line, further emphasize the singer's desperation for clarity and resolution.

Overall, the lyrics of "Jabberwocky" are a poignant portrayal of the emotional distress caused by being in an uncertain or out-of-control situation. The repetition of certain phrases and lines creates a sense of anxiety and urgency, and the use of imagery like the dark side of town and the crown adds depth to the song's theme.

Line by Line Meaning

go out
Leave the current location

turn around
Rotate your body 180 degrees

go away
Move to a different place

the dark side of a town
The negative or dangerous part of a city or town

what's going on?
Asking for information about the current situation

some kids said fuck and crying loud
Children are swearing and crying loudly

oh, no
Expression of worry or fear

I don't know what's true
Lack of awareness of what is accurate or valid

I can not stop
Inability to cease an action or thought

loan out
Offer something temporarily

the dark side of a crown
The negative or oppressive aspects of royalty or power