The Reformed Church of the Assault Rifle Band

Album: Hard Luck Stories (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • With his band The Assassination, Reilly mixes a variety of musical styles and is known for his storytelling. Regarding this song, he told us: "This friend of mine had a wife that was always beating him down. She wanted more money, she wanted more things, she was really petty and spiteful. He was a great guy and he took her s--t for a long time. I always wanted him to find someone who would build him up and someone he could have a good time with and who understood that life is f--king short and that ya gotta be thankful for tender mercies. Anyway, the guy in the song finally sheds his old life and seeks refuge in a local band called the Reformed Church Of the Assault Rifle Band. The choruses are really sung, I guess, from the narrator's point of view and particularly the, 'Where's My Goddamn Medicine?' line which was a line from an outtake where I really was trying to find my medicine."
  • Explaining how he creates his songs, Reilly writes: "My songwriting process is haphazard at best. I sometimes start with a chord progression on the guitar or the piano and then add some lyrical image and I grow it from there. After I work out a form and finish the lyrics, I record it acoustically. However, the process is never the same. Sometimes I'm in a hurry and I finish it quickly, and other times songs or ideas lay around for a long time. After I know the song well I will play it for the band and we work out parts, or I never play it for the band and they come in individually and play parts, or I have anyone that happens to be over play the parts... plumbers, bankers, real estate agents, tax assessors, landlords."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.