Loving You Means Everything

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

3 Chords and A Smile

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

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

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)

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)