Times They Are A Changin'

They Wanna Put Aligators In Our Apartments

2008-11-20T11:50:00.000-08:00

My parents spent 20 years managing apartments. This is how I grew up. These are all true stories. This is a new song. It has me very excited!!!!

They wanna put aligators in our apartments
Big snakes to play with the kids in the backyard
Basketball players to beat us up
And just when you think that you've had enough
They break our legs and then run away
They chop down the trees then ask to stay
And just when you think that it can't get worse
YOU PACK THEIR BAGS AND YOU KICK THEM OUT!!!!

They fight and they scream and their voices seem
like samauri swords cut through paper walls
They shoot their guns down through the floor
once not enough so they shoot some more
They throw their cigarettes in the flowers
three days later it starts a fire
They track us down when we go to church
And it feels like they rule our universe

They wanna put aligators in our apartments
Big snakes to play with the kids in the backyard
Basketball players to beat us up
And just when you think that you've had enough
They break our legs and then run away
They chop down the trees then ask to stay
And just when you think that it can't get worse
YOU PACK THEIR BAGS AND YOU KICK THEM OUT!!!!

They like to get naked when they're alone
Then stand in the doorway when you get home.
They scream and convulse in the parking lots
And then they take up two parking spots
They ALL like to call us on Christmas day
The one day we want them to STAY AWAY
They wake us up at 3 am
Because somebody kicked their front door in
But you can't kick them out when they're selling drugs
Because they say they know karate and their daddy owns the place

The greatest Christmas we ever had is when we locked ourselves away
In a hotel in California in that city by the bay
Oh they couldn't find us if they wanted to NO WAY!
Oh they couldn't find us if they wanted to NO WAY!

They wanna put aligators in our apartments
Big snakes to play with the kids in the backyard
Basketball players to beat us up
And just when you think that you've had enough
They break our legs and then run away
They chop down the trees then ask to stay
And just when you think that it can't get worse
YOU PACK THEIR BAGS AND YOU KICK THEM OUT!!!!

Loving You Means Everything

2008-05-26T14:22:00.000-07:00

I'm married to my best friend. Sometimes it is very surreal. Life feels to wonderful - she does not pressure me to change. She loves me. But in our world that might be newly wed bliss (I'm not so sure - we've been friends for a very longtime and worked through alot)... I'm learning that loving someone mean with everything I have which sometimes laying down my past ways of doing things and pressing on regarless of consiquence. Tessa I love you. You are - "Miss full of good ideas!"

I'm laying down my worries all my past mistakes
I'm burning all the the bridges to my past escapes

I'm praying for compassion because some things have to change
Yes me and my priorities Yes things have to rearrange

See I don't lack desired or ability to run
Run right over everything and run right over you

I'm praying for compassion because some things have to change
Yes me and my priorities Yes things have to rearrange

So I'm begging for forgiveness and I'm hoping you'll agree
Because loving you means everything means everthing to me

I'm laying down my worries all my past mistakes
I'm burning all the the bridges to my past escapes

I'm praying for compassion because some things have to change
Yes me and my priorities Yes things have to rearrange

Chords: D A G

Electrified

2008-05-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

This song was inspired by a Vena Cava sticker, a book on dreams, and Bob Dylan's record "Desire," The Beach Boys "Endless Summer," some magnets on our fridge that formed the words "Hold her hand with soft desire and say "yes" - let's always make forever tonight" (this quote was influential in Tessa and I deciding to tour this summer) and some song titles off a Safari's record. I'm excited about this song it's most likely the lead track on our new record "Welcome To The Future."

Enjoy:

"last night I dreamed of nothing but I woke up with desire to change the world (to change the world) To live an endless summer to spend all of our nights out on the road"

i'm electrified you electrify me
i'm electrified, i'm electrified

"last night I dreamed of nothing but i woke up with desire to change the world (to change the world) to live a true adventure to live the the greatest story ever told"

i'm electrified you electrify me
i'm electrified, i'm electrified

And I will hold her hand with soft desire and say yes
and we will ways make forever tonight
and i will hold her hand with soft desire and say yes
and we'll press on till our dreams come into sight

i'm electrified you electrify me
i'm electrified, i'm electrified

"Last night I dreamed of nothing but I woke up with desire to change the world (to change the world)
And I will walk and not run unil the day is done
I will take a golden minute and sit down
YES I WILL LIVE IN SIDE THE CONTEXT OF THIS MOMENT
and dance like i'm the only fool around....

i'm electrified you electrify me
i'm electrified, i'm electrified

Chords: A E D

The Cops

2008-05-26T13:06:00.000-07:00

Cops like to follow our van and make my life interesting. Whenever thers is a behind me I get very nervious. Last night when I was driving home a cop almost hit. That was also scary. I wrote this song in Sutherlin, Oregon on with The Intolerants. The first story if from Sutherlin (2 of the last 3 times I've pulled in to Sutherlin I've been followed by Cops - and gotten stopped once) the second story is from Kansas.

Jesus, Keep Us Safe From The Cops
Jesus, Keep Us Safe From The Cops
Jesus, Keep Us Safe From The Cops
Jesus, Keep Us Safe From The Cops

I swear we just rolled into this town
So why are tailing us trying trying to take us down

Jesus, Keep Us Safe From The Cops
Jesus, Keep Us Safe From The Cops

Well I was sleeping in a parking log
They "They'll kill you boy on this very spot"
Then a few hours later there friends came around
They said, "Listen here boy. You best get out of our town!"

Jesus, Keep Us Safe From The Cops
Jesus, Keep Us Safe From The Cops
Jesus, Keep Us Safe From The Cops
Jesus, Keep Us Safe From The Cops

Here We Are

2008-04-18T10:35:00.000-07:00

A conversation with a friend yesterday inspired this song. Take from it what you will maybe one day I'll tell you what it's about.

Here We Are

Here we are on our broken wings
Praying fire from the sky on the evil things
Oh why oh why do the angels have to fly
Do the angels have to fly away?

Come my warrior come my king
Fly over all and everything
Oh why oh why do the good guys have to cry
Do the good guys have to cry today?

Well the day is over it's getting late
Have I decided my own fate?
Oh why oh why do these dream have to die
Do these dreams have to die this way?

Chords: D G A

Some Things

2008-04-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

For Tessa's birthday I cleaned our spare room and made into a sewing room, complete with all Tessa's old rock n' roll posters from when we lived in SF. She loved it. I wrote this song on Tessa' birthday in the new room. She my inspiration. It was also greatly helped by a concert posters on the wall.

Some Things

You are my beloved and I love your tattoo
Whenever I'm lonely I just think of you
Somethings can't be explained they must be experience
And I'm so glad I ended up with you

Well these are strang days and this is funny weather
Wheneve I'm with you I'm so glad were together
Somethings can't be explained they must be experience
And I'm so glad I ended up with you

You were my favorite thing in San Francisco
You were my favorite thing in San Francisco
And it's true our Rebellion
And it's true our Resolution
And it's true our Evolution's just begun

Well today it's your birthday your turning 31
According to my records you make my life so fun
Some things can't be explained they must be experience
And I'm so glad I ended up with you

You were my favorite thing in San Francisco
You were my favorite thing in San Francisco
And it's true our Rebellion
And it's true our Resolution
And it's true our Evolution's just begun

She Used To Be

2008-04-18T09:49:00.000-07:00

Some of these new songs contain my fabulous wife singing along on them... This is one of the first songs I wrote specifically for her to sing with me. All the lines he used to are Tessa singing about me. Tessa also helped write some of the lyrics on this number. We wrote this on the way to a friends house where we heard the Moldy Peaches for the first time. It seems they share some similiar dynamics. I guess I'm behind the times.

She used to be a drummer in the marching band
She used to be a person I don't understand
She used to be a stranger from so far away
And now she's my best friend

He used to be the singer in a punk rock band
He used to be a baseball player in the sand
He used to be a stranger from so far away
And now he's my best friend

She used to call a commune in Chicago home
She used to never ever wanna be alone
She used to be the truth behind my contradictions
And now she's my best friend

He used to be a cheerleader in Highschool
He used to wear hammer pants when they weren't cool
He used to be the truth behind my contradictions
And how he's my best friend

She used to drive me crazy and right up the wall
And then she'd go and answer all my phone calls
And then she went she went ahead and married me
And now she's my best friend

He used to be the answer to my greatest fears
You see he is my junior by a few years
And then he went he went ahead and married me
And now she's my best friend

Now were so happy to be living not alone
Yes were so glad to not be talking on the phone
Yes I'm with you and I'm so happy your with me
AND NOW YOUR MY BEST FRIEND!

Chords: G D C

Not Quite Yet

2008-04-18T09:24:00.000-07:00

This song is about not Tessa and I not quite being ready to have kids yet. It's share some musicial commonality with Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. It's easily one of my most complex and dynamic songs to date. It should be noted that while this song is about a real fear of ours, the whole story is not true. Our parents are not pressuring us to have kids or come visit. It is a whole hell of a lot fun to play live though.

Not Quite Yet

(we sing the chorus together)
I love you and you love me
Together we'll make a family
But NOT, NOT Quite Yet.

I got a call from my dear old mom
She said when you making babies well it's been to long
Well NOT, NOT Quite Yet.

I got a call from my mother in law
She said when you coming to visit well you live to far
Well NOT, NOT Quite Yet.

I got a call from my dear old dad
He said it will be the best time you've ever had
Well NOT, NOT Quite Yet.

I love you and you love me
Together we'll make a family
But NOT, NOT Quite Yet.

(tessa sings) See I wanna beat on this big old drum (tessa plays a drum solo)
I wanna travel the world and have lots of fun
Yes we wanna live life fit fancy and free (but were still working on it)
We wanna shoot for the stars be all we can be

I love you and you love me
Together we'll make a family
But NOT, NOT Quite Yet.

So here's our cry and hears our prayer
one day we want kids but were just not there
O NOT, NOT Quite Yet.

Whoooaaa Whoooaaa
Whoooaaa Whoooaaa

Tessa starts screaming like a baby.

I keep screaming whooaa whooaa..

I love you and you love me
Together we'll make a family
But NOT, NOT Quite Yet.

Chords: A D E G

Tonight

2008-04-18T08:38:00.000-07:00

I wrote this song a few weeks ago laying out our bed while Tessa was reading a Tess of the d'Urbervilles. It's the catchiest new song so far and a really fun sing-a-long. It was originally a remix of the song Glad Tiding off Take It Easy but it quickly took on a life of it's own. You can hear an early mix over on my myspace page. This song has real sing-a-long / old green day feel. I love it.

Tonight

Here's to glad tiding and great great joy
Here's to talk of revolution with no dreams destroyed

Tonight ------ It Will Be Alright

Well my names Nate Allen I'm not a rock star
I work at a call center drive a broken down car

Tonight ------ It Will Be Alright

In this game of life there's nothing but possibilities
We have have skills and we all have abilities

Tonight ------ It Will Be Alright

So when the rains come down and the floods come up
And when your finally over it and when you've had enough

Tonight ------ It Will Be Alright

Because there's always an answer there always escape
There always tomorrow and it's never to late

Tonight ------ It Will Be Alright

Your like a rocketship headed to the moon
Our candles will be lighted soon
and don't you know....... YOUR FUTURES BRIGHT

Tonight ------ It Will Be Alright

So here's to glad tiding and great great joy
Here's to talk of revolution with our dreams deployed

Tonight ------ It Will Be Alright
Tonight ------ It Will Be Alright

Chords: B F# E

Asshole

2008-04-12T11:32:00.001-07:00

This song was originally set to the tune of the song This Is The Army by Irving Berlin. It's can be percieved an apology or an offence but I prefer to think of it as confession. The second verse contains a reference to the fact it took me 2 years to tell my best friend and now wife that I loved her. The third verse contains refences to two Against Me! songs. Tessa thinks this song will become a standard in the set. 2 of the verses were originally in the song Revolutionary Colors off my Home Again record.

Asshole

I woke up this morning on a sunday
One of my 2 split days off this week
started feeling tired around 8 Pm
And I can't find a kind word to speak

I hate feeling like an Asshole
I hate feeling so unnerved
I hate feeling like the things I hate
And I wish I could take back my words

See I can't even tell you that I love you
But I wanna love before I do
One more year in holy isolation
Maybe I'll finally get to try

Oh truly I've never laughed at danger
But I talk a pretty good game
And when were all walking honest
We all look the same

I hate feeling like an Asshole
I hate feeling so unnerved
I hate feeling like the things I hate
And I wish I could take back my words

I woke up this morning on a Sunday
One year later sleeping next to you
Wishing I could say that I've tamed my tongue
But someday that would not be true

I hate feeling like an Asshole
I hate feeling so unnerved
I hate feeling like the things I hate
And I wish I could take back my words

Chords: G D C

It's Never To Late

2008-03-13T15:22:00.000-07:00

A version of Carrying The Banner appeared on Take It Easy but I never liked the chorus. The other day I had some free time around the house and wrote this version which I'm a much bigger fan of. 3 settings are described around San Francisco in the song. There are alot of quotes in the songs "All my roads are set before me" is a C. S. Lewis quote, "It's Never To Late Too Mend" is from Blues Brothers and the title "Carrying The Banner" is taken from Newsies!

All my roads are set before me. Which path will I take?
Will I allow myself to answer? Will I allow my heart to break?

See I'm sitting on the back porch on a sunday afternoon
All the kids are keeping company but it's just not what i do
Yes you told me that you loved me as I walked out the front door
Yes you gave me your interegrity and I just asked for somemore

And this world has raked me over and this world has dragged me down
And the best things that are happening are in you part of town

Oh my baby with a broken heart you mean so much to
And I can't wait to see what our futures will be

It's never too late, oh it's never to late too render
It's never too late, oh it's never to late too mend
It's never too late, oh it's never to late too render
& We can start all over again

Standing in the alley behind the record store
And I'm feeling kinda burnt out and I'm feeling pretty poor
Like the guy around the corner asking for a dollar bill
Just to buy his mom a present and to send her some good will

All my roads are set before me. Which path will I take?
Will I allow myself to answer? Will I allow my heart to break?

And this world has raked me over and this world has dragged me down
And the best things that are happening are in you part of town

Oh my baby with a broken heart you mean so much to
And I can't wait to see what our futures will be

It's never too late, oh it's never to late too render
It's never too late, oh it's never to late too mend
It's never too late, oh it's never to late too render
& We can start all over again

I treated your affection like the woman down the hall
And I don't think I'm quite ready just to hear the trumpet call
But it's time you met my family it's time you met my friends
It's time for celebration it's time we start to mend

All my roads are set before me. Which path will I take?
Will I allow myself to answer? Will I allow my heart to break?

And this world has raked me over and this world has dragged me down
And the best things that are happening are in you part of town

Oh my baby with a broken heart you mean so much to
And I can't wait to see what our futures will be

It's never too late, oh it's never to late too render
It's never too late, oh it's never to late too mend
It's never too late, oh it's never to late too render
& We can start all over again

In The End It Will All Be Ok

2008-03-13T14:59:00.000-07:00

I was totally suprised by a song that came back to me from my first acoustic release End of The Rope called The Ballad of a Broken Heart. You can hear the link the original recording by clicking HERE!

Well I thought she was in love maybe in love with me
But I guess I was wrong you see
Well I had such great ambitions and such wonderful ideas
And it all turns out to be a joke

But oh well, all is well - IN THE END IT WILL ALL BE OK

Well I left a good friend on the side of the road
The night after I slept on his couch (sorry joe)
Maybe we'll fight later but I don't really care
Because I am out of out of here

But oh well, all is well - IN THE END IT WILL ALL BE OK

So now I sit with my van on fire just north of Eugene
Strangely enough I'm happy to be hear
And things are more then seem

But oh well, all is well - IN THE END IT WILL ALL BE OK
But oh well, all is well - IN THE END IT WILL ALL BE OK

It's Called Coffee

2008-03-13T09:24:00.001-07:00

Marriage has been good for me. I've been in the middle of writing a legitimate batch of songs for the first time since before tour. Along the way I've also managed to finish a song that's been sitting dead for around 6 years amply titled, It's Called Coffee - this simple little tune is a little bluesy and definitely inspired by Deluxetone Rockets rockabilly fun.

There are photos of me drinking coffee at 6 months old.

A fun little note is that my friend Jessica was denied the ability to buy coffee when she was 17 @ a crazy book store in Roseburg because she was underage - the same time she was working @ coffee shop across town.

On my last tour I made a conscious decision to drink caffeine rather than die. Driving alone if my van all day everyday it felt like those were my only choices. By the end of the tour after drinking alot of caffeine everyday, I got to the point where I only had about 7 useable hours in each day, my eyes stopped working at night - speeding vehicles started to look like they were standing still, and my muscles still feel like there shutdown in parts. I was still drinking coffee everyday when I got my current job but during our walk through during orientation I was overwhelmed by the amount of very over weight co-workers I was seeing. I noticed a coffee machines everywhere and it just seemed to easy to just drink coffee all day long. So I decided to try quitting. I now only drink occasionally and most times when I do I feel pretty crappy the next day - dry skink, dehydrated, sore muscles, not to mention the feelings of almost puking when I drink coffee on an empty stomach. So here ya go enjoy the new/old lyrics.

It's Called Coffee

They say life being only after 9 AM and for the most part I agree
But then that coffee it gets inside of me

It's called coffee - if it's a drug then I'm an addict
It's called coffee - if it's so bad then I'm a victim

When I was younger I drank it for the style
now I'm old and grown and I drink it on my own

It's called coffee - if it's a drug then I'm an addictIt's called coffee - if it's so bad then I'm a victim

Now I've got a job working 40 hours
Where everyone drinks coffee seems like the shoot in there showers

It's called coffee - if it's a drug then I'm an addict
It's called coffee - if it's so bad then I'm a victim

Well I'm trying to quit coffee because it's dragging me down
Yes all my youthful energy just is not coming around

It's called coffee - if it's a drug then I'm an addict
It's called coffee - if it's so bad then I'm a victim (x2)

Driving Out Of Cleveland

2008-03-12T17:59:00.000-07:00

I was trying to tell Tessa a story one night on tour and I was so tired I said the phrase "I was driving out of cleveland" about 30 times.. I kept forgetting the story about 2 lines in and almost falling asleep in my van. We ended up laughing alot until the line became one of those inside jokes that means nothing to anyone else. The song is me processing the changes and compromises that now exsist after choosing to be committed to someone for life.

The line about quite being passive is taken from a Microcosm Publishing sticker. The phrase haunted me until I told Tessa I loved her. Thank you Microcosm! This song also has reference to Social Distortion, The Beach Boys and The Hanover Saints. Can you find them?

I was driving out of Cleveland across the USA
Away from all my problems in California
Then I called you up, I was too tired to speak
Then I called you everything for six straight weeks
Then I quit being passive quit making laws
started loving my best friend now I have in-laws

And 2 become one, that's what we've done
and 2 become one, one, one that's what we've done

Now I'm sitting in Portland, strange sunny day
Not quite sure if this is where we wanna stay
See it's warmer than Chicago, colder than LA
East coast keeps calling us so far away

And 2 become one, that's what we've done
and 2 become one, one, one that's what we've done

I was driving out of Cleveland across the USA
Away from all my problems in San Francisco Bay
Now were raising the banner singing harmonies
Yes this is our future you and me

And 2 become one, that's what we've done
And 2 become one, one, one that's what we've done

And as the truth rings out on a saturday night
I'm gonna love you.... my whole life

3 Chords and A Smile

2008-03-12T17:52:00.000-07:00

I played this song before Tessa's father gave her away at our wedding! I really enjoy it. Tessa and I were both really proud of the fact that we were virgins when we got married, so she was really excited when that was worked into the song.

What people neglected to tell us was that sex is hard work!

I'm telling you that I love you with 3 chords and a smile on my face
Yes with you I feel satisfied even in this crazy place

Yes I swear I've never been happier than whenever I'm holding your hand
I can't believe you wanna marry me feels like I've reached the promised land

And I Love You, Tessa I Love You
And I Love You, Tessa I Do

They say were gonna be happy and I thank God that there right
Because we've both waited all our lives to celebrate our wedding night!

And I Love You, Tessa I Love You
And I Love You, Tessa I Do

And I Love You, Tessa I Love You
And I Love You, Tessa I Do

We Can Work Together

2007-12-12T20:13:00.003-08:00

A song about my relationship with my best friend and soon to be wife Tessa. I've decided I'm better when I'm with her even when we've had a long weekend and I'm beyond tired. An interesting subnote is we watch We Are Marshall tonight. Part of the first verse was written several months ago on tour and references the town of Hurricane in W. Virginia where Marshall University is located.

* We decided to play this song in lue of lighting a unity candle at our wedding.

Since the first time that I saw you I've never been the same
Because I love your perfect smile and I love your perfect name
Yes your so faithful and true and not just when I want you to
Yes your so patient and kind and least most always all the time
So in sickness and in healthy may kindness be our weath
Because your my better half your my best friend and I'll love you tell the very end

We can work together - We can work it out
We will work together through all our fears and doubts

Well I took a left turn and I might never return to the states that's for lovers and the people they spurn Well I fell like I've been through a hurricane And I've been driving on 95

We can work together - We can work it out
We will work together through all our fears and doubts

So if this time is for just being THAN I'M BURNING MY REGRETS -
Of not saving the world with a song
YES if the GREATEST TIME IN HISTORY is being here with you
then we'll put on some coffee and we'll talk the whole night through

(potential trumpet solo)

We can work together - We can work it out
We will work together through all our fears and doubts

We can work together - We can work it out
We will work together through all our fears and doubts

Chords: A G A/D

I'm Not An Anarchist

2007-12-12T20:13:00.001-08:00

I'm particularly excited about this song!!! It's our engagement story. We've been performing it live.. Tessa sings her lines. We have loads of fun.

I'm not an anarchist but I play one on TV
I'm not a communist but that cd is free
I'm just an average man but at least I have a plan
Yes I'm looking for a job to put some tires on my van

I picked you up in Carolina and I took you for a ride
I said I was your ambulance and you filled me with pride
Then I took you to a parking lot and I asked to hold your hand
How could I have ever know that you'd wanna join the band

I'm not an anarchist but I play one on TV
I'm not a communist but that cd is free
I'm just an average man but at least I have a plan
Yes I'm looking for a job to put some tires on my van

We've never been to Memphis but we've been to Illinois
And whenever I'm with you, my heart is filled with joy
Well it's your first winter in Oregon and the rain it's gonna fall
But whenever I'm with you my dreams don't feel so small

I'm not an anarchist but I play one on TV
I'm not a communist but that cd is free
I'm just an average man but at least I have a plan
Yes I'm looking for a job to put some tires on my van

Then I took you to a mountain top and I got down on my knees
I said Tessa Gretel Rhyne would you marry me please
Then you started hyperventilating and I started to get scared
(You said) - Are you serious?
(I said) - Is that a yes?
(You answered) - um um um uhuh YES!" ..... SHE SAID YES!

I'm not an anarchist but I play one on TV
I'm not a communist but that cd is free
I'm just an average man but at least I have a plan
Yes I'm looking for a job to put some tires on my van

Chords: G C D

O' Columbus (I Thank You)

2007-12-12T20:10:00.000-08:00

My friend Eric Ayotte sang a song that convicted my heart and changed my perspectives you can check it out here: http://www.myspace.com/killerbunnyhop. It's called Father Nurture.

He sang this powerful song at a show in Columbus, Ohio. I wrote this song ironcally on Columbus Day but it's very much my response to the show w/Eric and Ghost Mice and the changes they brought about it my life. Thank you so much!

O' Columbus

6 months into 5 months on the road and I'm scared to go home
5 days into this burnt out week and I’m scared to go home

Still I must give credit where credit is due
(must give credit where credit is due)
O’ Columbus I thank you

Yes you sang the words that cut straight to heart
Enlighting my worst parts

Still I must give credit where credit is due
(must give credit where credit is due)
O’ Columbus I thank you

So I’m burning the books like I’m burning the lies
And I’m burning the fact that I was despised
Yes in fear I held your hand,
and I hope you understand
That I’m scared, I'm scared, I'm scared!

6 months into 5 months on the road and i'm scared to stay home
5 days into this burnt out week and I’m scared to stay home

Still I must give credit where credit is due
(must give credit where credit is due)
O’ Columbus I THANKS YOU! (x2)

Take It Easy Lyrics and Story

2007-12-12T19:57:00.000-08:00

"This is one of those 'miracle' albums of sorts, that genuinely caught the artist with his guard down, hitting the record button in someone's basement studio in the vampire hours of the morning. Without the aid (or hindrance) of energy to carefully micro-manage the recording process, out comes raw nerves, passion, grit and slightly urgent strumming on the guitar. In other words, he was too tired to hold back or be self-conscious. It's easy to imagine Nate trying to play faster in an effort to finish the song and get to sleep quicker. "Stand by Me' calls out with crackled voice, while 'Ambulance' patiently expresses emotions of being 'tired of being this wired' and 'take it Easy' almost as both a toast and a life-sermon-all seeming more believable in the end. Check out either one of these tunes out and you'll have a perfect representation of Nate's musical identity. The 4 bonus live tracks are an accurate testament to his infectious songs, too, as they capture an audience joyfully singing or clapping along- especially during his great and unforgettable older tune 'Don't Walk Away.' -Doug Van Pelt HM MAG

Let’s Get Together

We’re cooking up a recipe for disaster because the blueprint of society is dead
For we’ve spent our finest hours under the dark and broken powers
And we’re looking for some answers tonight

Let’s get together like a family and sing some songs
Let’s get together because this is where, this is where, this is where we belong

We’re writing up some plans for the revision yes we’re making all our dreams come true
For we’ve spent our finest hours under the dark and broken powers
And we’re looking for some answers tonight

Because you and I together are a family even when we are apart
And together we can change this society yes we call all play a part

Stand By Me

Verses the elephant I can’t complain that logan wanted this one was his last refrain
We’re all looking back and looking forth and staring down the hall
Waiting for the quarterback the quarter back to fall

And come stand by me till the end
Till the end, come stand by me till the end

Versus the astronaut I can’t complain so far from everything was his last refrain
We’re all looking up and looking down and staring at the wall
Waiting for the photograph the photograph to fall

Yes when you’ve reached that last perfection and you’ve hear that trumpet sound
And when you’ve climbed that holy mountain just to fall back to the ground
Yes when you’ve given you’re everything and you’ve even done your best
Please know that your no different or better then the rest

On With The Show (White Flag)

If it’s true that this would happen before even time began
Then I guess I’ll just surrender because I’m doing all I can
Yes in vain I’ve risen early just to stumble home to late
To comfort my addictions and to teach myself to hate

I’m gonna raise the white flag, I’m gonna raise the black flag too
I’m gonna raise the right white flag and sing this song for you

You see these words they are not weapons but these streets brew honesty
And we’re all soldiers on a journey yes we’re all pilgrims you and me

Because these minutes are momentum against the wires and the walls
And I want to stop complaining but each time I stand I fall

So may all fear be forgotten as the memories fade away
May the whole world join us in this song as we dance on yesterday

Carrying The Banner

sitting on the back porch on a sunday afternoonall the kids are keeping company but it's just not what i doyes you told me that you love and i turned and walked awayyes you gave your integrity and I don't know what to say
and I'll give you two thumbs upI'll give you one in the holeI'll give you everythingI'll give you everythingI'll give you everything i stole
standing in the alley behind the record storeand I'm feeling kinda burnt out and I'm feeling pretty poorlike the guy around the corner asking for a dollar billjust to buy his mom a present and to send her some good will
yes I treated your affection like the woman down the halland I don't think I'm quite ready just to hear the trumpet callbut it's time you met my family it's time you met my friendsit's time we start to celebrate it's time we start to mend

Holiday (soft mix)

Do you remember dreams birth long ago in the innocence of youth and the grace we once believed in we treated as the truth / Well there's a pain that keeps pushing me from the things that I love and the promise of tomorrow I've been dreaming of / Have you ever help hope far behind in pursuit of anything or felt after the day that things just weren't quite as they seemed today I grant permission yes this is your reprieve to set fire to the system and rebuild your broken dreams we're gonna celebrate the new year holiday with out any fear, were gonna celebrate the new year dance until we disappear if your looking for some answers well I'll probably disappoint and if you think you've found salvation well you might of missed the point but I know a redeemer who's so faithful and true and if you have some questions he'll answer them for you because a holidays no holiday with out you and truth is not as distant as it seems and there's a certain mount of living with out wisdom that come when we erase our dreams

Ambulance (True- Mix)

I'm so tired, tired of being this wired and of things not working out And I'm so willing to be fulfilling of your dreams Like a bird in a tree I'll sing this song for you and me And there's a place where we can be free & like an eagle in flight I'll help you make it through the night And like a ship upon the sea I'll take your heart away with me I'm so sick, sick and ready to quit yes the good feelings are gone But I swore I'd always love you, and this would be our song And I'll be you’re ambulance you'll be a sailor and together we'll travel cross the sea I'll pick you up whenever, yes I'll pick you up when ever, yes I'll pick you up when ever you're in need

Legion Hall

Took a ride on a rodeo train, took a ride on a rodeo train
But I never went back, never went back, never went back, never went back again
Took a walk down memory lane took a walk down memory lane
But I never went back, never went back, never went back, never went back again
Had a dream of a legion hall where great men stand and fall
But I never went back, never went back, never went back, never went back again

Because maybe I’m too shallow, maybe I’m too shallow to fall in love, to fall in love again

Had a dream of a baseball game ninth inning and the scores the same
But I never went back, never went back, never went back, never went back again
Bought a coffee and we shared a cup we both drank and we had enough
But I never went back, never went back, never went back, never went back again

All Shall Be Well

From the dust on the tracks I knew that you weren't coming back

And through the smoke and the mirrors I knew that you had many fears

From the look in your I knew that this was no surprise

Yes we've all been forsaken but we can trade I the lies
And all shall be well, all shall be well yes all manner of thing, shall be well
In the silence of the morning when the sun has yet to speak
I hear screams of no tomorrow but we're just starting the week
Yes you preached life and resurrection but you up and went away
And you took my hope and dreams and now I can't even pray

From the warmth of the wind I know that this is not the end

Yes my hope it will arise and I'll see you again
Because there's nothing quite so special and there's nothing quite so true
As dancing with my lover which is what I'm gonna do

Reference: Dame Julian of Norwich

Take It Easy

When you feel like your surrounded and your just standing in the line
And the children are all crying maybe for the hundredth time
When the prophets are all preaching as the preachers scream in vain
As the words become a melody and the melody a refrain

Take it easy my friends and take it easy my friends

We’ll these records are recycled and I think I’ve lost my mind
And the politics of boredom aren’t killing all my time
Yes I’ve run round in circles hopefully to some great gain
As the words become a melody and the melody a refrain

Take it easy my friends and take it easy my friends

And here’s the all, here’s to all the company and the nights you spend alone with me
So I say farewell and so long hallelujah we’ll sing this song

References: Sound of Music, Johnny Rotten and Mickey Mouse Club

Glad Tidings

The sidewalks getting close as I’m falling off the fence
And streets are getting quiet as the riots making sense
And like a bullet in the dessert or a brick upside the head
If it wasn’t for your hear with me I’d probably just be dead

We bring you glad tiding We bring you great great Joy
And when our hopes in revolution, It means our dreams have been destroyed

These walls are getting closer as I’m losing my defense
And these letters that you wrote me aren’t making any sense
And like a woman caught in servitude I’d rather just deny
Because these angels are all demons and I think I’m gonna fry

We bring you glad tiding We bring you great great Joy
And when our hopes in revolution, It means our dreams have been destroyed

References: The Christmas Story, Johnny Cash, the chorus was originally written so I’d have words to put on a patch.

Arizona

Well I fell asleep in southern Arizona in a place I swear I’ve never seen before
Another parking lot another Friday night I think I found the perfect place to spend my life

And soon I’m headed for the state of Texas where the love and death are all they sing about
Another parking lot another Friday night I think I found the perfect place to spend my life

I’ve been to Little Rock and New Iberia I’ve slept in Baton Rouge and I’m all alone
Another parking lot another Friday night I think I found the perfect place to spend my life

I went to Miami and I wasn’t on the bill, lost all my dinner and remember it still
Another parking lot another Friday night I think I found the perfect place to spend my life

Then came a tap tap tap on my window sill the cops woke me up game me such a thrill
Another parking lot another Friday night I guess I broke the law just to spend the night

So when your at your worst and I’ve let you down
and you’d pay all your enemies to swing back into to
Just know the parking lots and the Friday nights
Have taught me a few things and we will be alright

So bring on the parking lots and the Friday Night I think I found the perfect place to spend my life!

Reference: A song about sleeping in Wal-Mart parking lots.

Download the record for free @ http://destroynateallen.com/

New Lyrics

2007-02-10T01:12:00.000-08:00

It's All Part Of The Plan:

for 2 years i've been travelin up and down the western sea
by trains or by buses just to see what i can be
in vain i've risen early just to stumble home to late
to comfort my addictions and to teach my self to hate

because i am a pirate and a pirates what i am
and if you don't listen to me it's just all part of the plan

for too long i've been running and from what you might ask?
well i've got alot of character but i can't escape my past
but i soon shall be remember and i soon shall be released
from this place i've called a prison and the lover of the least

because i am a pirate and a pirates what i am
and if you don't listen to me it's just all part of the plan

and now the sidewalks getting close as i'm falling off the fence
and the streets are getting quiet and the sirens making sense
and you told me that you loved me and if i cared i'd stay
but I had to play this old guitar and throw my blues away

because i am a pirate and a pirates what i am
and if you don't listen to me it's just all part of the plan

It's Never To Late Too Mend:

well these word they are not weapons but these street brew honesty
and were all soldiers on a journey yes were all pilgrims you and me

and it's been a while since i've seen your style
but the thought of you with me keeps me dancing in denial

this world bears a witness but there's scales over my eyes
and i'm dreaming of a future when i can see past the lies

and it's been a while since i've seen your style
but the thought of you with me keeps me dancing in denial

well these minute are momentum against the wires in the walls
and i want to stop complaing but each time i stand i fall

still i will climb the highest mountain when my hopes and dreams have died
and i will fight through this depression yes i will fight for you and i

and it's been a while since i've seen your style
but the thought of you with me keeps me dancing in denial

It Could Be Worse, It Could Be Raining:

I've been to the dessert and i've seen the ocean roar
i've walked across this great land just to sleep upon your floor

but there's no place i would rather be than sitting hear with you
because your all that i value and your all that i hold true

So the lights are low and the losing free
Won't you come on in won't you sing with me

and we'll sing 10-10 oh amen
hope is right around the bend
singing 10-10-10 oh amen

well i'd burn down my bridges and i'd sell my baseball cards
just for one more second with you under neath the shooting stars

because the memories and traditions can only go so far
when i'm sitting on the highway watching the fire take my car

So the lights are low and the losing free
Won't you come on in won't you sing with me

and we'll sing 10-10 oh amen
hope is right around the bend
singing 10-10-10 oh amen

Carryin' The Banner:

sitting on the back porch on a sunday afternoon
all the kids are keeping company but it's just not what i do
yes you told me that you love and i turned and walked away
yes you gave your integrity and I don't know what to say

and I'll give you two thumbs up
I'll give you one in the hole
I'll give you everything
I'll give you everything
I'll give you everything i stole

standing in the alley behind the record store
and I'm feeling kinda burnt out and I'm feeling pretty poor
like the guy around the corner asking for a dollar bill
just to buy his mom a present and to send her some good will

and I'll give you two thumbs up
I'll give you one in the hole
I'll give you everything
I'll give you everything
I'll give you everything i stole

yes I traded your affection like the woman down the hall
and I don't think I'm quite ready just to hear the trumpet call
but it's time you met my family it's time you met my friends
it's time we start to celebrate it's time we start to mend

and I'll give you two thumbs up
I'll give you one in the hole
I'll give you everything
I'll give you everything
I'll give you everything i stole

All Shall Be Well:

from the dust on the tracks i knew that you weren't coming back
and from the look in your eyes i knew that this was no suprise
and through the smoke and the mirrors i knew that you had many fears
yes we've all be forsaken but you traded in the years

and all shall be well, all shall be well
yes all manner of thing, shall be well

in the silence of the morning when the sun has yet to speak
i hear screams of no tomorrow but we're just starting the week
yes you preached life and ressurection but you up and walked away
and you took my hope and dreams and i can't even pray

and all shall be well, all shall be well
yes all manner of thing, shall be well

from the warmth of the wind i know that this is not the end
yes my hope it will arise and i'll see you again
because there's nothing quite so special and there's nothing quite so true
as dancing with my lover which is what i'm gonna do...

and all shall be well, all shall be well
yes all manner of thing, shall be well

The Puzzle...

2005-08-24T22:49:00.000-07:00

Here's my new bio. Let me know what you think.

My grandma says my family was made of up horse thieves and preachers. I haven’t touched a horse since I was 4 years old....

I was born in Eugene, Oregon because Oakridge was to small to have a hospital. Eugene is a town made famous by it’s hippies and anarchist. I guess at times I have both traits. Oakridge is where my Dad’s from. It’s proverbial ghost town killed off when the lumber mill shut down when I was two. My Dad was a mill worker so we had to move. We eventually settled in Roseburg a small conservative town made up of suburbs, mill workers and a few hippies. My mom was a hippie. I was raised on a steady diet of whole wheat bread and other healthy essentials. (She constantly tried to trick me into eating TOFU!!!).

I was also raised in church. My earliest childhood memory is dressing up in a suit for Sunday morning and declaring I was gonna be a preacher when I grew up! My first taste of music came in the form of church music. I went to holy roller assembly and it was quite common to see a shouting preacher and red face piano player three times a week. When I was old enough, I was quickly placed in a small private school that was a good example of Christian education gone horribly wrong. Some how I escaped the rod but some of my friends eventually lost count of their beatings. My teachers would always say I was a good kid I just talked to much, even to them.

When I was in 5th grade, I discovered what in many ways was a saving grace: Punk Rock. When Green Day came blasting out of my friend Justin’s stereo I found a reason to live. Going to church and organized religion had become boring but punk rock was alive and fun. In place of hypocrisy, I found acceptance and for the first time in my life I had friends.

When I was 15, while on a trip to visit a bible college in Southern California, I had the good fortune to have my heart broken by a pastors daughter. As I sat down to vent in my journal, to my surprise, a set of lyrics came out. Soon, I started writing hundreds of lyrics and dreaming of the day when I could play in a band. The only problem was I couldn’t sing and I couldn’t play guitar.

About the same time, a guy named Pete Kroll came into my life and for the first time I saw a relationship with Jesus for what it was intended to be: an friendship and an adventure!!! I hesitantly signed up not quite sure where the road would lead. I quickly learned to compartmentalize my faith and my music. No matter how hard I tried the two seemed at constant odds. I was told by my teachers that punk rock was unacceptable and I was benched on the basketball team for dying my hair. So much for grace and mercy.

Two years later, I attended Tomfest (an independent Christian nw music festival). I saw bands like 90 LB Wuss, Havalina and Five Iron Frenzy display honesty and quality I had seldom scene. I happen to wonder by Shorthanded’s set just in time to see them throw out an abundance of merch, including an oddly autographed drum head. Later, I stopped by their merch booth and found out they lived just a few hours from my house. We talked about possibly bringing them down for a show. When I returned home, I relayed the weeks events to my mother and told her it would be fun to invite Shorthanded down sometime. Unbeknownced to me she proceeded to pick up the phone and book Shorthanded for my birthday party three weeks later. Soon I found myself promoting as many shows as possible, and watched the ever expanding world of the music business unfold.

After I graduated high school, I went off to study in Denver, Colorado with Youth With A Mission. Despite my efforts put my faith on the shelf, I never could escape the fact that I new there was a God who loved me and wanted what best for me. When I arrived in Denver with stunning clarity I heard God say, “Send your cd’s home. You’ve made music an idol in your life.” Six weeks later I begrudgingly agreed and packed off 100 cd’s in a box post marked for Oregon. That was Tuesday Feb. 13th 2001. I woke up the next day with a new set of lyrics in head and on Thursday Feb. 14th 2001, I picked up my roommates guitar and beat out the melody for my first song. I had no clue what I was doing. I had to ask my friends I was playing: they told me bar chords. 15 days later I played the songs at a local open mic. It had begun.

When I returned home for the summer, I recorded The Wasted Days EP with my band Miles Mouth Guard. The band consisted of my good friends Tyler Hentschel (Insomniac Folklore) on guitar, Jory Randall on bass plus a 40 year old Safeway clerk named Ken on drums. We recorded on 9-11 and quickly changed our layout removing images of planes and bombs. As we proudly marched to practice with our new cd, we marveled out how punk rock our record sounded. Ken remarked, “Punk rock sounds like shit.” He was right. In mixing stages our record had been flat lined. So much for instant success.

I after I finished my schooling in Denver, I returned home to Oregon to find my beloved punk scene dead. I played a few acoustic shows around town that summer but decided to put down my guitar and start Rock4Reason, a non-profit concert collective dedicated to providing all age music for to Southern Oregon. With the help of my parents, sister and countless amazing friends, I was fortunate to work with many of top up and coming bands from around the nation. I got a chance book tours for bands such as As I Lay Dying, Emery, Showbread and Countdown To Life and learn first hand what it means to be a musician. Around March 2004, I started toying with the idea of leaving Oregon and R4R and in May I made it official. I was moving to San Francisco.

In early 2004, I began to participate in a open mic down at a local country bar. I made it my quest to play the most honest music I could produce. As I wrote new songs, something strange started to happen; elements of country and gospel started to appear in my music. I didn’t know what to do. I grew up hating this music. I couldn’t play it. Gospel belonged in churches and country music came from hell. Soon, I realized the inevitable was happening. I was enjoying country and Gospel music. God forbid!

With my move quickly approaching, all the work promoting and booking shows had got me itching to begin playing in a band again. I soon enlisted some friends and The Southern Oregon Gospel Trio was born. We played 13 shows, with the likes of The Fall of Troy, Akimbo, Big Business, Schoolyard Hereo’s and Believing In June and recorded the Glory Bound EP in just under three months.

Originally, I intended to move to San Francisco to attend seminary and play in a band on the side. Unfortunately, before I could pay my first months rent the seminary closed. I was left with music as my focus. I got a job bagging groceries again and soon I started playing guitar in a hardcore band. But something was wrong, I didn’t feel honest. I wasn’t born to play hardcore. I knew I had to sing my songs. I had to play rock n‘ roll like my heroes: Johnny Cash, Mike Ness and Hank Williams.

That was one year and three releases ago. San Francisco has made me a better musician. With every show things change just a bit and I get a little more out of control. These days, I spend more energy on stage than I ever have in a punk band and Friday night I even sang a Gospel song. Tyler summed things up wonderfully the other day, “Your evolving right before our eyes, into what we don’t know, but we like what we see.“ Honestly, I don’t know what I even sound like these days or what tomorrow will bring but good things are happening. By the grace of God, I am recovering from the pains of my youth. Each day I figure out a little more about the person I am intended to be. Who would of thought but in some strange way I found my salvation in San Francisco. For the first time in my life, I feel like I’m one person not two. I’m learning to be honest and at peace with my heritage and my faith.

In about a week, I am getting ready to move for the fourth time this year. Hopefully, I’ll finally get to settle down. I have a hard time guessing what tomorrow will bring much less next month but I know brighter days are bound to come soon enough. In the meantime, I guess I should pack some boxes and fix my CD player.

Please drop me a line or come out to a show and say hello. Without people to listen a musicians life is a sad existence. I can’t thank you enough.

Sincerely,

Nate Allen

I don’t know what I’ll sound like tomorrow but these artists have influenced me as of late. Hopefully you’ll get the idea. Mike Ness/Social Distortion, Johnny Cash, Jeff Suffering, Havalina, Hank Williams, The Blackjacks, Old 97’s, Against Me!, Flogging Molly, Green Day, Mike Knott, Arthur, Zippy Josh, The Violent Femmes, Kat Jones, Violence and Valentine, Pedro The Lion and Iknowkungfu.

Check out

2005-08-24T22:48:00.000-07:00