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Your Pretty Packages - Crazy 10th Anniversary Re​-​issue

by The Shamey Jays

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1.
Your Pretty Packages Words and Music by Dave Howard ©2015 Upaya Music (SESAC) You can organize and categorize and visualize You can make your list and get the gist and pump your fist You can make your plans and shake some hands and list your demands But what if they never buy your pretty packages What if they never buy your pretty packages? What if nobody wants your pretty packages? Is it personal or logical or rational? Is it simplified or glorified or compromised? Will they understand or make demands or play their hand when everything can easily be explained? The illusion of control is like a black hole Mounting problems fill your mind Sure to leave no child behind Even if you find your way Every leaf turn brown someday Count your pigeons and your chickens and your Meer cats daddy Call your midgets and your circus clowns and sisters baby Have a soda and a cracker and a cobweb for your after dinner social and your debutante ball.
2.
My Machine Kicks Your Machine’s Ass Words and music by Dave Howard ©2008 Hidden Agenda Music (ASCAP) Venus de Milo went to the rock show Bought her a t-shirt. Nobody got hurt Back at the black hole, plugged in the console. Loaded my last game. Ain’t it a damn shame My machine kicks your machine’s ass Tell me your last name, show me your long chain Out in the back field, makin’ some sweet deal Show me a good time, walk in a straight line Think that you got game, ain’t it a damn shame My machine kicks your machine’s ass
3.
Real Bad Bar Fight Words and Music by Dave Howard ©2015 Upaya Music (SESAC) Dennis had a few too many Then he started runnin’ his mouth Drawin’ attention to himself And talkin’ that shit too loud Then he’s hittin’ on the waitress Then he goes and spills his beer Push come to shove and I grabbed my buddy Said man, we better get out of here But it was too late It was a real bad bar fight Some people had to go to jail and the hospital that night Oh, it was too late It was a real bad bar fight. I was a real bad bar fight It was a real bad bar fight Cindy was a primped up diva Mini skirt and fuck me heels Flirtin’ with the guys and girls on the dance floor Workin’ that sex appeal Guess she picked the wrong prospect The girlfriend showed her nails Fists started flyin' and hair started pullin' And they both began to cuss and wail Yeah, it was too late It was a real bad bar fight Some people had to go to jail and the hospital that night Oh, it was too late It was a real bad bar fight. I was a real bad bar fight It was a real bad bar fight
4.
Panhandle Park Words and Music by Spud Davenport ©2009 PuppyNoPlay Music Why should I go get a job today? Spendin’ precious hours for minimum pay? Wearin’ some Monkey Suit like a Robot with no clue Man, It’s amazing what an outstretched hand can do It’s all for the takin’ Big bucks I’ll be makin’ It’s all for the takin’ at Panhandle Park Now the Tourist Season’s underway The sun is out ‘n’ it’s a beautiful day Time to tell these happy folks that nothin’ is for free “Excuse me, Sir, it’s an Entertainment tax ‘cuz you’re staring at me !” CHORUS Whoa-o-o-oh We could all be free Whoa-o-o-oh If we weren’t hung up on money Whoa-o-o-oh Why should I go get a job today? I make a lot more here than minimum wage I don’t wear some Monkey Suit and I sure don’t cut my hair Ha, Dontcha envy me? Well, the line starts over there! CHORUS
5.
She’s A Cutter Words and Music by Dave Howard ©2015 Upaya Music (SESAC) She’s a cutter She’s a bleeder She’s a runner She’s a screamer She’s a lost little girl and in her mind’s eye it’s a cold and lonely world that won’t ever get better She’s a cutter She runs to her room and closes the door Nobody knows how she feels anymore Emotions and life are just out of control She lights a candle and empties her soul Opens her journal. Opens the knife and says “What do you want to do with your life?” CHORUS Headphones are blaring so she cannot hear Don’t let them know if you’re straight or you’re queer Aching for love that she pushes away Runs in the night and she sleeps in the day Doesn’t need anyone, feels so strong Always showing up where she doesn’t belong. CHORUS She’s only happy if she’s pissed Daddy’s little girl doesn’t exist Suicide plans that always fall through Just like rainy days with nothing to do. CHORUS
6.
Quttin' Time 04:15
Quittin’ Time Words and Music by Dave Howard ©2008 Hidden Agenda Music (ASCAP) Ain’t no bells ringin’ baby Ain’t no sirens going off Ain’t no whistles gonna blow but baby don’t you know it’s quittin’ time Baby I’ve had it With your sneakin’ around You’re so bad at it Yeah, the word got around I’m so mad That I’m almost glad it’s quittin’ time Got no tears for you baby I won’t cry for you no more Leave that for your new man I’m sure he’ll understand when you’re walkin’ out his door CHORUS I waited far too long But now it’s time to move on I got a lot of love to give And a whole new life to live CHORUS
7.
Happy Is The New Down (free) 04:07
Happy Is The New Down Words and Music by Dave Howard ©2015 Upaya Music (SESAC) Midnight on the boulevard Homeless people livin' hard Hustler playin' the card that he's been dealt Church bells ring at dawn Progress marches on Winter will soon be gone and the ice will melt Blades of grass break through concrete Bitter tears begin to taste sweet I feel empty and yet so complete Happy is the new Down Gambler with the ace of spades Suicide with a razor blade A rich man has got it made and I don't mind A civil war that never ends A horse thief makes amends Search on the net for a long lost friend Happy is the new Down And I just can't be seen in black And I just can't make it back Happy is the new Down
8.
Waiting For The Tears To Fall Words and Music by Spud Davenport ©2007 PuppyNoPlay Music I'm sittin' on your porch for hours 'Cuz you won't return my calls I bought a big bouquet of flowers Waitin' for the tears to fall It's all my fault I meant to tell ya I wish I could explain Bobby called, He saw you out on the town Laughin' in the rain Yea, I'm waiting for the tears to fall I'm drivin' in the dark 'til daylight Wonderin' where the hell you'd go These flowers probably won't make it Through the night Waitin' for the tears to flow It's all my fault I meant to tell ya I wish I had the chance Bobby called, He heard you boarded a plane For the South of France Oh, I'm waiting for the tears to fall They might be yours, maybe mine For cryin' out loud, This could take time I'm waiting for the tears to fall Here they come...
9.
Always Had It Words and music by Dave Howard ©2015 Upaya Music (SESAC) Always had it A particular sense of pride Nothing anyone can say because I keep my woman satisfied Never really needed anyone’s permission for anything Been a long time since I had to change my ways Nothing anyone can say about the way I live my life The highway and this guitar know me well Come on along and get to know me. Show me what you have to show me If all you want to do is judge me, then go to hell CHORUS No. I can see right through your faux humility Your arrogant nature burns through your thin façade. I’ve already heard your song You been singing it way too long Nothing you can say is gonna bring me any closer to God. Always had it; a particular sense of pride The clean, cool look in my eyes; I’ve always had it Unshakable peace of mind I’ve always had it Always had it… Always had it
10.
I Want Some (The Shoegazer Song) Words and music by Dave Howard and Paul Denton ©2015 Upaya Music (SESAC) Everybody knows that I’ve been nothing but patient with you Everybody knows I waited longer than another would do If you tell a lie a thousand times it will eventually be true Still I can’t believe it when you tell me that we’re finally through Cause I want some And you want some too Everybody knows I put my life on hold to be here with you Everybody sees through all the games I simply played to get you All along I knew inside that I was just a puppet to you Don’t act so surprised cause deep inside I still suspect that you knew That I want some And you want some too
11.
Pretty Disaster Words and Music by Dave Howard and Frank Drennen © 2009 Hidden Agenda Music (ASCAP)/Tree Top Charlie Music (ASCAP) Throw me a lifeline, baby before I drown I need a rescue, baby before I go down Sober as a cop on Sunday, thinking like a drunk Shooting rounds at a battle ship until it's sunk Pretty disaster Going all the way Pretty disaster is only one step away Every silver lining, baby has a cloud There's a whisper inside my head Screaming loud I scare myself, stepping over the line Afraid I'm gonna let you down, I tell you everything's fine You're the one who loves me, baby You're the one I want You're the one who keeps me hanging on Throw me a lifeline, baby before I drown I need a rescue, baby before I go down Gotta know your weakness if you wanna be strong You never know what you have until it's almost gone

about

What’s missing from the airwaves these days? Quite simply, it’s a return to straight ahead rock and roll, the kind that should not be relegated to tribute shows commemorating some Golden Musical Past. A solution? Meet The Shamey Jays. Rather than the whiny, self-indulgent glop some rock bands are throwing up on the wall these days, The Shamey Jays offer up “songs that don’t make you think or cry.”

The Shamey Jays play what they call “indie garage-rock goodness.” It’s a sort of rock and roll lasagna, layered with gritty guitar riffs and leads, filled with musical and lyrical hooks and smothered in a sauce of top-notch song craft.

Their debut long-player, is “Your Pretty Packages” (Blindspot 117). The CD collects twelve songs, with ten of the tunes penned by San Diego songsmith Dave Howard, who has written songs for numerous artists including A.J. Croce, Gregory Page, Berkley Hart, Carolann Ames and the Coyote Problem. Spud Davenport contributes the remaining two songs to round out the album.

As dynamic as “Your Pretty Packages” is, the twelve songs on offer were honed on the road and that remains the best way to take in the Shamey Jays experience. However, short of having the band come to your house to perform, this CD is the next best thing, play loud and play often. Whether you see The Shamey Jays in concert or listen to their new album, the end result is the same. Even those who don’t come in as fans leave as converts.

Bart Mendoza
March, 2009

credits

released March 5, 2020

Dave Howard - guitars, vocals
Matt Silvia (Sweet Tooth) - guitars, vocals
Paul Denton (Butterface, The Jive Bombers) - bass, vocals
Spud Davenport (Messy Necessities, Leaders In The Clubhouse) - drums, vocals

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Dave Howard San Diego, California

Dave Howard (Poway, CA) has been active in the San Diego music scene since 1990, as a solo singer-songwriter and as front man for The Blackout Blues Band, The Shamey Jays and GGB. A three-time nominee for the San Diego Music Awards, Dave has written and performed with A.J. Croce, Berkley Hart, Lisa Sanders, Folding Mr. Lincoln and Joe Rathburn to name just a few. ... more

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