Tons of Guns (The Complete Collection) + Reach the Moon Demo

As many versions of what was probably the best song on the Chunk of Change EP -- but one of the melodies ended up on "The Reeling."

Wearing sweaters playing a sold-out show at the Great Scott in Boston. Smart.

As a teaser for those thinking about subscribing, here’s one of the demos I did for my friends Matt and Jake before my first show (solo), opening for them on 4/20/2007 in the cabaret at Emerson.

This one’s pretty dope.

I know.

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Tons of Guns

Apparently, I sent it to my dad the night after I made it. This tracks. However, no, it never became a duet. I don’t think I’ve ever really done one of those, come to think of it…

It was always one of my favorites, but I thought it was kind of corny and I didn’t know if it would work on Chunk of Change. I was young and getting criticized by cooler older kids, so I guess I just wanted to be taken super seriously (…that went well). In any case, I ripped “Tons of Guns” and “Batty Lashes” off the EP, though I now plan on releasing both of them in their many forms, and that begins here at least as far as Tons of Guns goes. Paying members get the a complete four-song ToG collection and a bonus song today. Free subscribers get the original lyrics and the instrumental (but the slower tempo one. Still trying to find the faster one.)

The Instrumental (og tempo)

Tons of Guns

Lyrics by Michael Angelakos (late February, 2007)

Speak quietly and carry big sticks
Full of wise-cracks and cheap tricks
And life is just a crossword puzzle
A noir tip-off and a step right in a puddle

This isn’t anything to worry about
It’s all quite normal
This isn’t anything to fret over
There’s nothing you can do

‘cause I know the truth, do you?
Do you know the truth?

Everyone knows that your packing tons of guns
And I’ll believe it can’t be fun
Because everything falls apart
Just when you think you’ve got a head start

The truth of the matter is that nothing’s ever set
That’s why I’ve chosen never to bet and
All these things that I take for granted
Are the things that leave me empty-handed

Speak loudly and make a big scene
Tell jokes absurd and obscene
Turn red in the face of due-mockery
Hole up and don’t ever leave your pity party

Everyone knows that your packing tons of guns
And I’ll believe it can’t be fun
Because everything falls apart
Just when you think you’ve got a head start

The truth of the matter is that nothing’s ever set
That’s why I’ve chosen never to bet and
All these things that I take for granted
Are the things that leave me empty-handed

Okay, now for the good stuff, including original piano demo of “Moonbeam”