The Failed States

Some songs can only be described as pure genius. Whether you make a million dollars or not it does not matter you were a genius for writing and performing these songs. Thank you

Genius

Blues Rock, Alternative Techno Country.
Steel Guitar:  Chris Bauer   ChrisBauerVoiceover.com

2021

Bluesman

Dog Meat Stew - Lyrics

I just drank three bottles of the best excuse on the planet
Going back to Camberwell to sign on and then shoplift
Lost my dog after I smoked something I knew I shouldn’t have
Days that followed followed me and I was following the days

They saw you, they saw you, they saw you with her
They saw you, they saw you, they saw you with a girl

Neighbours said they thought we were dead, we only slept one hour a night
Working jobs that we both hate to buy some shit we don’t need
Dog meat stew from Mexicans who dig in trash cans for breakfast
Burglar alarms are disconnected when they want insurance

They saw you, they saw you, they saw you with her
They saw you, they saw you, they saw you with a girl

I knew her before the thing, I never knew her after
Don’t like too much noise and I don’t really like the weather
Changed my name to John Coltrane 'cos no one took my phone calls
Best times are always the ones that you just walked away from

They saw you, they saw you, they saw you with her
They saw you, they saw you, they saw you with a girl

Strange Part of the Country

Dog Meat Stew

Bandcamp

For the winners

Thanks Kajati for the keys and harmonies

Lottery of Life

Rhythm of Life

One for the Monday morning school bus driver. Play it loud and drown out the screams

Kajati backing vocals and Ivan shreds

you stare at the road like an easter island statue
life drives past but no one salutes you
white knuckle hands grip tight the wheel
don't know what you think
don't know if you feel

can you quit it in the back
can you quit it in the back

you're the solution looking for a problem
you're the solution looking for a problem
you're the solution

you feel that tick
digging in your brain
ever since the accident
things haven't been the same
now you've got purpose
put it in drive
no one's getting outa here
getting out alive

can you quit it in the back
can you quit it in the back

Quit it in the Back

This started life as a demo for FAWM 2020, and the inspiration came from a line I read in a local paper about a homeless person going door to door begging

Lyrics:
a man described as a homeless santa
seen knocking on doors in the area
he's an opportunist
oh yeah
'cause for him it ain't christmas
it ain't even close

local paper....
what's news today?

a man described as a hopeless romantic
caught taking photos in the quiet carriage
he's an opportunist
oh yeah
oh yeah

local paper....
what's news today?
vocal stanger
what are your views today?

Local Paper

Thanks to @Kajati for the bass, slick licks, keys, and backing vocals

i walked around the corner and bumped into myself
it was a really really awkward moment
i was wearing blue jeans and a baseball cap
not something i would have chosen

i won't leave me alone...

we stood there talking on that crowded street
i told me that i looked much older
i lied and said I have to get to work
but i said OK can you lend me ten dollars

i won't leave me alone...

now when i go out for a drive
i'm in the back seat 
telling me how to drive
you're going too fast 
turn left turn right
i'd stop and kick me out but I'm far too polite

i won't leave me alone...

I Wont Leave Me Alone

A demo for FAWM 2024. Colab @kajati

you know we’re the exception neither thrown nor caught
i know my same old joke isn’t funny anymore
can’t be bothered giving up
too tired to call for help
so baby give me up and find someone else

I’m a shadow
I’m a shadow
I’m a shadow
a shadow of my former self

I read a book by you
about a better place
in it I lay beside you
studying your face

we are brittle
crack or crumble
in that looming battle
with thrown and caught

i'm always throwing
you're always catching
we are only doing what we were taught

I read a book by you
about a better place
in it I lay inside you
stroking your face

A Book by You

The Failed States is a creative project based in an aged care facility in the leafy suburb of Wantirna, Melbourne Australia. 

Initially a recreational outlet, allowing residents to express themselves through music, poetry and sitting still, The Failed States has since taken on a life of it own. 

Anguished songs about other residents' grandchildren being too loud at the table tennis table, or laments of lukewarm, semi-set pudding were gradually replaced by powerful pieces about climate change, urban decay, relationship breakdown and stolen dentures.

There are no permanent members of The Failed States, we live on, as age, petty rivalries, and forgetfulness takes us all.

The Failed States tries to perform in the common room on the second Tuesday of every month, after lunch.

Quit it in the Back

the failed states