Throwback Thursday Presents: Give Me Daughters - Jonathan Fire* Eater

Welcome to the first entry of my "Throwback Thursday" installation! Normally, this occasion is synonymous with replaying old and popular bangers but, I don't want to do any of that. My throwback's will bring light to old, under-appreciated songs that deserve recognition either for its contributions to music or the fact that it's dope. To get this bi-weekly holiday started, let's revisit Jonathan Fire* Eater's "Give Me Daughters."

Jonathan Fire* Eater was the band that set the New York City rock scene aflame as groups such as The Strokes, Interpol and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs would soon follow in their footsteps. The story of Jonathan Fire* Eater can be summed up with one line, they're the greatest band you've never heard of. With the release of their EP, Tremble Under Boom Lights, which features "Give Me Daughters," Jonathan Fire* Eater was set to blow up and even signed a record deal with DreamWorks, which was unheard of within the New York scene. Unfortunately, tensions rose, and the mainstream success eventually got to be too much. The group split and before they could have a taste of fame it was gone. Fortunately, we still have access to what was Jonathan Fire* Eater, and that's both fucking awesome and frustrating because after playing their songs on repeat you yearn for even more Jonathan's eating fire.

"Give Me Daughters" is a raw but subdued track about the fulfillment and catharsis of raising children and passing a little of yourself down to another generation. What's interesting about "Give Me Daughters" is the melodies' focus on percussion and keyboard, rather than the guitar which was the prominent fixture in the New York scene. The song begins with heavy and raunchy strumming but is not directly heard again until the bridge but even then, the drums echo's surpass the licks. I suppose what can be gathered is the idea that the initial chords are what set up the emotions and simplicity of the song, wanting children (specifically daughters). Once the vocals come in, the keys and banging of the drum keep a consistent and steady beat, a tactic that is suggesting the bliss and stability or order one can have when they reach the parental stage. The toe-tapping melody could also be to represent an appeal for children, for such is the formula of the youth's music.

I can tell you "Give Me Daughters" is brilliant and suggestive of motifs but all-in-all it's an underground-sounding bang, that can teleport you back into the late 90's, having you almost taste the debauchery that this boys had created. For the indie-rock snobs this is a band you need to know to keep up the reputation of an indie rock snob, but for everyone, this the music you need to expand your pallet while serving as a reminder to the band that eventually spawned the Rock and Roll revival of the early 00's.