rockyourlyricsRYL: Your EP “the Briggs” will be released the 5th of may, what do you expect from its release? What it means for you lyrically speaking?
The Briggs: I’ve always been very inspired by story telling lyricist such as Billy Bragg and Elvis Costello.
Even in the more modern realm I’ve been really into Menzingers’ painting of a scenery surrounding the song.
Where you can feel the full picture of what’s happening, it even conveys the region in which it’s set, the architecture and weather is felt through the music. I wanted portray my surroundings the best that I could.
RYL: the first single is titled “Broken Bones”, what its verses means for you?
The Briggs: These verses are based on a friend of mine who was going through a nasty break up after being in a relationship for a very long time.
She’s a musician and doesn’t want to give up on her dream and her husband was pretty fed up and wanted her to move on and get a regular job. Needless to say, that didn’t happen and for better or worse that was the end for them.
I can fully relate to that predicament, the drive to create art can sometime become a burden on your loved ones. I’m sure most musicians can attest to that.
In the third verse, I looked a little more on the lighter side of it relating to my own experience. Pointing out the life I’ve created is responsible for all the wonderful people I have in my life today. Whether we’re all a little messed up and lost at least we have each other to lean on.
RYL: Is there a common meaning/theme between all your songs?
The Briggs: I think there are many running themes through my lyrics. I talk about what I know so it involves a lot of traveling, life on the road, being a fuck up, haha. These things pop up quite regularly.
RYL: Do you remember the day you wrote “gridlocked”?
The Briggs: Yeah, I do. I was sitting in my backyard with a guitar and reflecting on my last European trip where I had just about everything imaginable go wrong. Cancelled shows, lost luggage, stolen computers, car accident. You name it.
RYL: how do you, usually, write the lyrics and music of your songs?
The Briggs: I try to start with a general reference of what I’m looking to create. If I want to make a heart-warming, arm-in-arm anthem, then I’ll have a couple song references in mind.
If I want to write an in-your-face, punch in the nuts song, I like to at lease start with the idea that that’s what I’m doing.
Because I just say, “now I’m gonna write a song.” Without any focal point, I’ll spin my wheels for hours and get nothing done.
RYL: Which is your favorite punk rock song (lyrically speaking)?
The Briggs: You might not consider it a punk rock song but Billy Bragg’s Waiting For The Great Leap Forward is one of my all time favorite songs lyrically. I also think Clash’s Death Or Glory is pretty lyrically genius.
Most songs on London Calling have great imaginative lyrics.
RYL: Tell us about your tour plans….
The Briggs: We have a West Coast tour planned in June with 7 Seconds and Success.
We actually did a full US tour with 7 Seconds back in 2003 so we’re super excited to hit the roads with those dudes again.
We’re also quite close with the Success dudes too so party time USA.
RYL: Which is the best verse you ever wrote?
The Briggs: Ha, ouch no better way to sound like a pompous asshole than patting myself on the back for a verse I wrote, haha. But if I had to choose, I’m very proud of Panic’s verses, I feel it sums it up pretty well for me.
RYL: Which is the last song you wrote (not published yet)?
The Briggs: I write songs on a very regular basis so I’ve got a lot kicking around. One of the last songs I finished up on is called Sorry For Nothing funny enough.
RYL: How does LA influences your music?
The Briggs: Funny enough, when I first started writing songs for the band, since most of my influences were UK bands, I always tried to portray that.
Since it always was inspiring to me that’s what I wanted to write but as time has gone on, I’ve gradually brought more of my own background into the music I write.
Our environment shapes how we see the world anyways so it’s better to be aware of it and channel it through the music.
www.facebook.com/thebriggsmusic
May 2 Fullerton @ Slide Bar (EP Release party)
June 12 Las Vegas @ Divebar w/ Duane Peters’ Gunfight
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