The Get Up Kids - "I'm a Loner Dottie, a Rebel" (1999)

The Get Up Kids are one of the original “emo” bands. Formed in 1995 in Kansas City, they embodied the Midwest rock sound and pioneered the heart on sleeve lyrics that have become associated with the genre. When they started out, their name was quite fitting. Their first album Four Minute Mile was recorded in 1997 when a few of the members were still in high school. That album is a little rough around the edges. Some consider it their most honest work, but it can be cringe inducing at times when singer Matthew Pryor’s voice cracks, and the musicianship isn’t as tight as it could be. In 1999 they followed up with their highly anticipated sophomore release, Something To Write Home About. I still think it’s their best record, because the first songs of theirs I heard, come from this record. The band matured as musicians on this record and Pryor’s raspy vocal fits perfectly with the music to make for some really excellent tunes. Although the album came out in 1999, I didn’t really get into the band until late 2001. The first record of theirs that I actually bought was 2002’s On a Wire. A lot of fans felt betrayed when this album came out because the loud guitars of Something are mostly absent, with a lot more emphasis on acoustics and keys. There are a few rockers though and I consider On a Wire a really good album. In 2004 they released their final album Guilt Show. The style was more akin to their early work, but the thirteen tracks felt a little forced with only a few really working well. They announced they would be disbanding in early 2005 and they released a live record in May of that year. The live album is a great collection of new and old tracks, that’s a must for fans of the band. Since the breakup, the band members have been involved in various musical endeavors. Pryor has released a few albums for his solo project The New Amsterdams, as well a record of children’s music under the moniker The Terrible Two’s. Keyboardist James Dewees has been making some great and interesting music as Reggie and the Full Effect. Bassist Rob Pope and his brother, drummer Ryan Pope recorded and toured with the band Koufax. Lead guitarist Jim Suptic started another great band called Blackpool Lights. Today’s song from Something To Write Home About is one of the first songs I heard from the Get Up Kids and I think it’s a good example of their sound. By the way, the title is a quote from Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. Awesome.


The Get Up Kids - "I'm a Loner Dottie, a Rebel"