The story behind the song

  • 14 American days

    american trash 2011 I don’t where this one came from. Lyrically, it doesn’t fit with anything i’d done before or since. But, god, I still love this song. This was the first song I was able to write with the Capo on the 2nd fret with the E open. That sound always hits me in Read more

  • 23

    American Trash 2011 Kevin’s toms are what make this song anthemic. I was worried it was gonna sound too much like a Coldplay song, not that that’s a bad thing. We closed with this one quite a few times, and it was always a fitting end. Todd’s work is subtle but effective. Tasteful, as the Read more

  • the midwest harmonium

    “American Trash 2011” The was the first song we played where I KNEW we had something. Everyone in the clubs took notice when we kicked this in. Maybe it was the minor chords. Maybe the creepy mandolin. Maybe the screaming guitar. I’m guessing the whole thing wound up and thrown down at once was what Read more

  • Follow the lights

    (American Trash 2011) Kyle loves this song. I like it. Stealing from Richard Buckner is a habit I had to break. Plus, I finally worked Jess into a song. She is the reason Kyle, Todd, and I met. I had a lot of songs up to this point about running. The common thoughts of a Read more

  • blinded by Darkness

    (American Trash 2011) What an absolute barn burner. This was the first Money for Guns song Dave played on. He gave me a grin and told me I’d love the part he had for the chorus. He was dead on. Bruce and Adam did a perfect job at the Mansion, capturing the raw energy in Read more

  • cold war country

    (American Trash 2011) At Mizzou I took the poetry creative writing sequence in the English Department. I had workshop with this girl Lalainia Broers. She was the far superior writer. I remember she had this couplet about license plates that I loved. I always wanted a line about license plates I finally found a spot Read more