Many have asked if this is an “anti-war” song.  I’m not sure if that’s it or more of a cautionary tale about the flippancy that accompanies the use of military force.  Members of the military, their families and loved ones make a great sacrifice, and that should not be diminished.

This track began as a acoustic guitar, bass and drum demo.  Electric guitar and mandolin were then added.  The middle bit was originally designed to be more of marching drum sound, but we changed our minds.  Tony overdubbed keyboards and Fred overdubbed tom-toms during the middle eight portion.  

We’re not really a “political” band per se , but are a “person” band 

This track is based on a riff I’ve had lying around forever.  Tony, Fred and I jammed for a while and came up with the verse music.  The breakdown was improvised and Tony doubled the guitars and added effects.  When it came time for vocals all I had was the title and the line “Molasses for the masses”.  The rest of the lyrics are improvised ( including the Yardbirds reference).  Your guess is as good as mine! 

We love this song. Andy Summers guitar, Copeland’s drums, Sting’s bass & voice. Classic track.  During our tour for our first record (Make the Noise) we would play gigs and run out of songs.  We would jam on this song and really came to love it.  We played it from memory for this recording (and probably wrong).  Fred is a hard rock/metal drummer at heart by he really grooves on this track.  He and Tony didn’t think I could hit the vocal notes anymore.  I think I showed them lol!  We always try to pick cover songs we can do something with. 

This one started as an acoustic boom box demo. We worked the song up as a band later.  This one also features the Inflatable Girls (Rachael, Amy & Kara) on backing vocals. The middle “prog-rock” section is a homage to bands like Rush & Genesis. Lyricly this one deals with loving someone so much you push them away….

@SocietyBasement: #NowPlaying “Vampire Polo Hat” by @rubberclowncar – perhaps the most BEAUTIFUL song i’ve heard this year….

@logospilgrim: Finally got the new @rubberclowncar album, Let’s Prentend… On CD, ’cause I’m old school. They rock, by the way! https://t.co/7TtzZ6lnk1

@xaccrocheur: @rubberclowncar Listening to your #music right now, I kinda love it 🙂 This is exactly my kind of current poisonous #melody

“My Kinda Crazy. That’s just who you are. Face it baby you’re a star”. 

This track was an attempt to get a Adolfo Paul Westerberg/Keith Urban vibe (“Missed it by a mile” – Tony).  Drums, bass and guitar done together to get the groove going.  The lyrics are about telling a woman not to worry about day-to-day issues in life and just let it all go.  She feels like she’s “crazy” She’s my kinda crazy.   Also dedicated to our fans who have been known to be crazy as well!  

Let’s Pretend is the lead off track from our new record. Featuring driving bass, drums and chiming guitar this one was written about feeling like you want to get out of your own skin for a while.  The line “Let’s pretend we’re John, George, Ringo.   I’ll pretend I’m a circus clown” is about friends of mine who are in a Beatles tribute band (I was in it for a while).  They continue to do these songs, while ignoring their own original music.  I was chastised when I left for wanting to follow my own creative direction.  Nothing against tribute bands but I’d rather be known for being me.  I played my favorite guitar (Gibson Es-335) and HiWatt amp cranked up for this one.  Tony played his Fender Precision through an Ampeg amp.  Fred plays a hybrid Tama/DW kit (he mixes stuff up a lot).  Fred plays some nice fills on this track.  The lyric during the break is pretty self-explanatory…..  Big Bob Mould influence on this song (thanks Bob, you rock!).   So that’s the lead off track…..

 @Tkbmusic444: @RubberClownCar, A Rock Band From Illinois Makes Me Rock And Laugh Out Loud At The Same Time http://t.co/SCvIJgQOLp via @Tkbmusic444