Lypswitch - Somewhere Someplace - The Story Behind the Song

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

Written in May/June of 1988 shortly after the band's arrival on the Los Angeles music scene, this became the opening song for all Lypswitch shows during the summer.

The song is about the bands first impressions of LA and Hollywood.

At the time the band was young, really young, with KA the oldest at 20, Mick 19, Danny 18, and David just 17.

Somewhere Someplace

Music and Lyrics by David Love
Written in 1988 recorded in 2018

Drug users, abusers, big boozers,
your takin' your life in your hands
Streetwalker, fast talker, night stalker,
your living out of a garbage can

Somewhere, Someplace
there's just got to be a better way.
Well, I'm lost in space, stranded somewhere in LA

Hollywood hooker, club booker, onlooker,
You’re doing it in the streets
There are kids, just killing kids, just killing kids
They're laying their life at your feet

Somewhere, Someplace
there's just got to be a better way.
Well, I'm lost in space, stranded somewhere in LA

Fly’s, lies, and passing out flyers
Waitin’ on flakes for heaven’s sake,
Wasted youth and hidden truth
Wimps and pimps and the late night news
Tattoos and booze and wacky weed
Punks and bums just living in the street
Fires and desires running free,
Those are the things that surround me

Somewhere, Someplace
there's just got to be a better way.
Well, I'm lost in space, stranded somewhere in LA

Slap that contract in my hand,
You sign, I'll sign, I'll get the band,
Do a record, then do a tour,
what the hell are we waiting for?

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
Joe Leste appears courtesy of Bang Tango

This song wasn't on the band's radar as one of the old songs to record for the 30 Years album, but guitarist / producer Mick O'Brien convinced the boys to give it a go and the track turned out to be one of the standout songs on the album. While in the studio, they elevated the song's opening intro to a much darker and heavier sound. The finished version on the album is how they originally envisioned the intro to sound. With the addition of Joe Leste's vocals in the bridge section, the band knew this song was a keeper. And Danny Whaley's vocals are some of the best on the album.

Danny added in the spoken sections during the first verse, "You got a quarter, I'll give you a nickel for a cigarette" and "Hey, you gonna throw that away?". This was inspired by the bums of Hollywood and the crazy shit they would say as you walked by.

How Joe Leste from Bang Tango got involved. KA: "We used to open for BT before they signed with MCA/Mechanic back in 1988 and we remained friends with them. My wife and I ran into Joe after many years on the Monsters of Rock Cruise in 2016 and it turns out he now lives in Phoenix like we do. We started hanging out after the cruise and when we started recording the 30 years CD I asked him to be a part of it. At first he was going to just sing backup vocals but Mick had the idea of having him sing a section of Somewhere Someplace. He recorded it in less than an hour and we’re really happy with how it turned out."

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