Lypswitch - American Song - The Story Behind the Song

From the new album Lypswitch - World of Sin
Available From Eonian Records
ORDER NOW!

Written in early 1991 and debuted at the Troubadour in Hollywood on January 26, 1991.

Danny Whaley, lead vocals: “I can’t believe this song was written 34 years ago and it is more true today than ever!”

Mick O’Brien, guitarist, “The song is about what was happening in the U.S. during the early ’90s, just as the Gulf War was beginning. In many ways, it felt like a warning of the unrest to come, especially with the L.A. Riots going down in April of '92. That truly changed the Sunset Strip forever.”

Kevin Agosta, drummer, “When David Love wrote lyrics, he always drew from what we were experiencing in our everyday lives, the raw, and sometimes dark reality around us. Even though “The American Song” is now 34 years old, it still resonates today, especially given the ongoing tension and division in our country. At its core, I believe the song is a call for empathy and hope and a reminder that, despite everything, we’re all in this together in this great nation. The video was created using bootleg footage from a show we played with the band Children at XPOSEUR 54 in Hollywood, in February of 1991."

Stephen Craig, Eonian Records, “I’ve been friends with the guys in LYPSWITCH since we featured them in our Rock ‘N’ Roll Rebels & The Sunset Strip box set in 2015. When the time came, it was only natural to welcome them into the Eonian family. Their self-described ‘underground punk-funk street rock’ fit perfectly into the gritty, evolving L.A. scene when they arrived in 1988.”

Ryan Northrop of Eönian Records, “This has long been one of my favorite titles in our catalog, and we couldn’t be more excited to unveil the new single and video. LYPSWITCH is the real deal - raw, energetic, and unforgettable. We consider their music a vital part of L.A. music scene.”

Lypswitch performs American Song at X-Pouser 54 in Hollywood February 24, 1991. (Partial Recording)

American Song

Music and Lyrics by David Love
Written in 1991 recorded in 2018

Don't sing me your American song, No!
Where is the love, what the hell has gone wrong?
Jesus Christ is ashamed of us all

Ooh Love is gone, Another piece of the American Song
Ooh Hate Lives on, On to kill the American Song

Land of the free, free to do as you please
Murder and lie, rape and robbery, yeah
Jesus Christ is ashamed of us all

Ooh Love is gone, Another piece of the American Song
Ooh Hate Lives on, On to kill the American Song

Sob story but it ain't no crime,
I don't care cause it ain't my time
Hates a drug and were all addicted,
Bullets fly, but I'm still kickin’

(Pledge of Allegiance Reading)

Ooh Love is gone, Another piece of the American Song
Ooh Hate Lives on, On to kill the American Song
On to kill the American, kill the American,
Die for the American song!

About the Recording

Produced and Mixed by Mick O’Brien
Vocals recorded at Flying High Studios - Upland, CA
Guitars and Bass recorded at Bloodline Studios - Orlando, FL
Drums recorded at Club 3450 - Phoenix, AZ

The verse additions of the scripture readings and the reading of the Pledge of Allegiance were added by Danny during the recording sessions in 2018.

This was one of the final Lypswitch songs written before the band fell apart in 1991. Danny left in May of 1991 and the band began auditioning singers but things were changing. The arrival of Nirvana and the Seattle Grunge movement began to change the LA music scene. And by 1992 when the LA Riots happened the Sunset Strip music scene had changed forever.

Already their upbeat, wild rock sound has spread through the airwaves of Southern California via KNAC 105.5, which has been playing Lypswitch's demo tune "Rattlesnake Skin". Wait any longer and you'll need binoculars to see them from your Coliseum luxury box.

Gena Nason - LA Weekly March 1990

Lypswitch have come a long way from their Orlando, Florida roots, arriving in Southern California two years ago, and graduating to headlining status after sharing stages with the likes of Bang Tango, Love/Hate and Funhouse. They have earned themselves a large and entusiastic following on the local scene.

With such killer songs as "This is my Life", "Foot in the Door", "Rattlesnake Skin", and "Kiss in the Dark" these prophets of what they call "Underground punk funk street rock" are headed to the top.

Wendy Weisberg - BAM Magazine August 10, 1990

Hottest New Group: Lypswitch. They have just enough sex and looks to play the strip, just enough grit, reality, and black leather to play the darker scene.

Concrete Jungle - 1989

A sure bet to sell millions of records it's a wonder that Lypswitch still is unsigned. The band has the material, image and looks required by A&R people to sign a band, hopefully it won't be too long before someone realizes this.

H.R. Long - Rock City News March 1990

Lypswitch have very catchy songs, with good hooks and choruses. This music is very marketable.

Judy Jade - LA Rock Review July 1989

Review of the RnR Rebels and the Sunset Strip Box Set
With 36 bands showcasing two songs each over four discs, ROCK N’ ROLL REBELS & THE SUNSET STRIP is a ridiculously bountiful treasure trove of riches from the third wave of the golden era of the Sunset Strip. In addition to the bands already mentioned, Dallas Dollz, Rough Justice, Cold Shot, Spyder Blue, Lypswitch, Scratch, Longgone and Bad Blood are solid gold guaranteed to get feet tapping, heads banging, and long-gone hair lines and waistlines reminisced about.

Shane Pinnegar - 100 Percent Rock Magazine - Australia - April 2015

Review of the RnR Rebels and the Sunset Strip Box Set

“Sexx On The Sun” — Lypswitch: Hard-driving riffs and an anthemic chorus reminiscent of bands such as GN’R and Poison.

“She's So Psychedelic” — Lypswitch: A punk-fueled rhythm section decorated with an infectious gang-shouted chorus.

Kelley Simms - BraveWords - Canada - April 2015

Lypswitch did their fare share of selling out their headlining gig at the Whisky. They also introduced a new groove with "Kiss in the Dark" offering proof David Love is turning into a vampire

Jessica Black - Crash Magazine 1990