ANALYSIS
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Version 1.0 
a denial...a denial...a denial...a denial...a denial..." "Smells Like Teen Spirit", Nirvana Lyrics from Nirvana; one of the bands Kenickie always cited as their musical influence. Why did it take Kenickie fans so long to realise that their beloved band were splitting up? Is it as simple as being in denial? Possibly. But, the evidence was there for everyone to see. And the scariest thing, in hindsight, is that the evidence was there a long time before that fateful final gig on October 15/10/98. The concern of this article is how Kenickie's second album, 'Get In', contains a lot of hints and references to Kenickie splitting up. 'Get In' was written and recorded over twelve months before it was actually released. When it was finally relased on 31.08.98, there was still much denial from both band and fans that Kenickie would one day split up. Of course, some eight weeks after 'Get In' was released, Kenickie performed their last ever gig at the London Astoria 2 on October 15th 1998. This particular essay does not attempt to find reasons why Kenickie split up but instead, highlights the evidence apparent throughout their final album which was staring everyone in the face. It seems fair to imply that Kenickie knew at least whilst they were writing 'Get In' (Spring 1997) that they were to disband. Possibly even before.....
1.1 Album Name So what does 'Get In' mean, and what does it refer to? Well, the inside sleeve to 'Get In' mentions: Kenickie poppycock. Here's a suggestion to what the album title really stands for: An anagram of 'Get In' is 'tinge'. The dictionary definition of 'tinge' is, 'colour slightly, modify with mixture, tint, slight colouring of flavour. "So what?" some of you may be asking. Well, whilst possibly being guilty of over-analysing things, it is at least interesting to consider the anagram for a moment or two. Firstly, notice how the definition of 'tinge' states "modify with mixture". Well, it is fair to state that 'Get In' contains a variety of musical genres: From the Big-Band-esque 'Something's Got To Give', through the poppy 'Stay in the Sun' and disco 'Magnatron', into the complete rock-out guitar lament of 'Weeknights'. The sound and style of the album is quite diverse, and this may be part of the reason why people previously unaccustomed with Kenickie found the album somewhat difficult to digest. Also, could the album title refer to the fact that the group were 'tinged' with band members wanting to follow or pursue different musical directions? For instance, Marie and Emmy-Kate have always been portrayed (rightly or wrongly) as ambassadors for pop/disco culture, whilst Lauren and Pete have seemingly been willing to aspire to a more indie sanctuary. This hypothesis particulary holds true in hindsight where we now know the musical direction of Emmy-Kate and Marie's new band Rosita. At the time this article was written, we have still to see or hear from the new musical ventures of Pete or Lauren, so any discussion of this venture would be unqualified. 1.2 Sleeve Cover Another piece of evidence which strengthens the 'tinge' argument is the cover art to 'Get In'. The photograph used on the front sleeve is oddly tinged with a red colour, and thus continues the theme of 'modified mixture' and 'slight colouring of flavour'. 1.3 Typography It was apparent when 'I Would Fix You' was released that Kenickie had decided to drop their longstanding logo. What appeared on 'Get In' as it's replacement was a very simple and somewhat undignified Kenickie motif, comprising only of an 'Arial' font. However, it seems the choice of this font and the colour scheme of the 'Get In' sleeve was in fact carefully selected. Take a look at this picture: 
Look familiar? The similarity of this packaging with the 'Get In' sleeve was originally discovered by Ben Hall. I think the similarity between this design and the 'Get In' cover artwork is too much to be a mere co-incidence. Not only has the 'Arial' font been echoed, but also the red and orange stripes have been reproduced onto the album sleeve. So what exactly is 'Fucibet'? Well, it's a dermatological cream used for skin disorders/inflammations; most notably, eczema. Now, before I make suggestions as to the reasons why Kenickie chose to replicate the design of the skin cream packaging, please bear in mind that my thoughts are merely hypothetical. They could be true, yet they could be completely inaccurate. The whole point and purpose of such suggestions however is that such contextualisations are here for you to make up your own mind. Could it be that Kenickie thought of themselves as unwanted rashes in the music industry? Could the cover artwork of 'Get In' imply that this album is the cure for such an 'inflammatory band'? If so, then here lies yet another piece of evidence to suggest that Kenickie knew they were to disband. 'Get In' was always meant to be the band's last album. The album would remedy Kenickie from the music industry once and for all. It was very much planned in advance that the band would split so what better way to go than by contexualising their album cover, sleeve notes, and song lyrics? 1.4 Fish CD Design Both the CD and the back sleeve of 'Get In' were imprinted with a somewhat ancient biblical design, festered with fish, water, and land. I have yet to discover where the influence for this design originates from, but it appears to represent life itself: How, something is born, lives, and then dies. And, when you die, you are consumed and abosrbed into the World, and, although you are no longer around, the World continues. Philosophical, I know. But that's just the way I interpret the design. I just wonder if this 'life overview' is part of Kenickie's desire: To highlight and hint, yet again, that Kenickie were about to 'die', and be consigned forever to memory and history. I admit that it is easy to over-anaylse things, but the use of fish on the 'Get In' CD and back cover appears to be symbollic for another reason. Let's contemplate how 'fish' also has another meaning rather than in reference to an aquatic vertebrate animal. 'Fish' can also mean to '...search for something in or under water; seek by indirect means for (secrets)...' I cannot help but to think that the use of fish on the 'Get In' CD and sleeve is another hint to people/fans/listeners to search for the true context of the lyrics on the album, by 'fishing' for their true meaning. 1.5 Sleeve Notes The sleevenotes to 'Get In' are completely ambiguous, and I am very confident that they refer to the notion that Kenickie were aware they were to split up. glad about what has happened to us"." This appears to be direct confirmation from Lauren and the band that there are no regrets about calling it a day. For whatever reason or reasons the band decided to bring Kenickie to an end, the above extract from the sleevenotes signifies Kenickie did everything they could and enjoyed themselves as much as they could. Could the 'impending responsibility' refer to an uncertain future which would arise if Kenickie split up? Unemployment, perhaps? When the impending track listing for 'Get In' was very first issued, a song title was included called 'Xmas Disco On The Dole'. It seems again too much of a coincidence that by Christmas-time 1998, Kenickie were no more, they hadn't initiated any new musical ventures as of yet, but, Emmy-Kate and Marie had both by this time established their own DJ spot/night called 'Shimmy'. Making 'Xmas Disco On The Dole' completely and suspiciously apt..... fashion and television shows!" This could be possible sarcasm as to how the way Kenickie were treated by the media and by people in general: The way they were continually asked about make-up or their favourite TV shows in interviews, seemingly ignoring the fact that Kenickie wrote and recorded brilliant music. The phrase 'hara-kiri' is obviously the integral part of this sentence. 'Hara-Kiri' is the term used for Japanese ritual suicide. Many Japanese officers, to avoid the shame of surviving a lost battle used ceremonial blades to kill themselves in the final days of many battles. Tragically, this is just what Kenickie did: They saw suicide as the dignified and honourable thing to do, and duly killed the band. The relevance of 'delicatessen counter' is also interesting. 'Delicatessen' means 'relish', whilst 'relish' means 'Flavour, distinctive taste of, slight dash or TINGE of some quality...' Notice how the word 'tinge' appears once again; if only to highlight for a final time how Kenickie and their music was largely appreciated by the informed minority. Ultimately, Kenickie were too much of an acquired taste. A taste which was not, unfortunately, to the liking of the masses. 1.6 No Lyric Sheet A lack of lyrics within an album sleeve is often employed on albums which contain personal lyrics. There were an abundance of rumours whilst 'Get In' was being recorded that the album would largely reflect lead singer Lauren Laverne's personal life. However, what is most likely is that, by not including lyrics, it indicated how Kenickie would have liked people to actually listen to their songs and their lyrics (for once) and maybe then people would begin to understand the musical and lyrical talent of Kenickie. 2.0 Lyrical Reference To Split 2.1 Pre-Get In records 2.1.1 Rough Boys and Modern Girls Questions are continually asked throughout this song. For instance, "When it all comes caving in, Will I be glad?" and "When the day is dead and done, Will I be pleased?" Combined, these kind of questions create doubt and uncertainty. Could it be Marie uses this song to echo her uncertainty about wanting to leave the band? Was Marie uncertain about Kenickie splitting? It's a possibility. What is evident from this song is that no answers are given as to why Kenickie split. As the line above suggests, Marie and the rest of the band were aware and quite prepared to keep their decisions (for splitting) to themselves. There is a strong theme running through this song, whether intended or otherwise, indicating an empathy for Kenickie fans. The lyrics to 'Rough Boys and Modern Girls' can be read as if it's a direct communication from Marie/Kenickie to their fans: When it all comes caving in, You'll be glad." However, "Nobody told us why" continues to echo loudest of all: Everyone other than Kenickie still do not know why they split. Band member rifts and record company politics remain unconfirmed rumour. The question is, will we EVER truly find out the reasons(s) why, or will fans be forever left 'second guessing'? 2.1.1 Packed In The title of this song, 'Packed In' is a direct reference to people being 'packed inside' a gig. At least, this is the imagery we are presented with throughout the song. However, the title could also be a metaphor for 'packed it in' as in 'given something up'. Once again this lyric can be interpreted in two different fashions. Firstly, the lyrics could be aimed towards the fans: Suggesting that despite the split of the band, it's hoped that the band's reasons for splitting would be respected, and fans would still remain appreciative of Kenickie's music. Put simply, the band had hoped that fans weren't going to be angry about the demise of the band. Secondly, and more likely, is the interpretation that despite Kenickie 'packing it in', each band member would still remain friends. If this is an accurate interprestation of the lyric then this almost confounds rumour of some level of 'dispute' between certain band members. The message within this line is something that has already ben discussed in this essay: How, the band did not want people guessing why they split up and how people should not react to the band splitting up by being in denial. Ultimately, the message here is; "Face it - it's happening/happened - accept it." 2.1.2 Hooray For Everything This song which featured on the B-side to Kenickie's final single 'Stay In The Sun' was infact Kenickie's final B-Side. The fact that this song was the final B-Side ever could be a preconceived plan in an attempt for this song to be Kenickie's final say/word on why they decided to split. This is highlighted by the fact that 'Hooray For Everything' is the final track-listed song on the Japanese import version of 'Get In'. "Wouldn't you like to stay?"" There is a possibility that Lauren Laverne, who wrote this song, has tried to encapsulate and recapitulate a personal/private relationship she has experienced within this song. However, yet again, the song is an excellent example of contextualisation for it could equally relate to the 'relationship' between Kenickie and their audience. The line "Wouldn't you like to stay?" appears to be Lauren and/or Kenickie's perception that people would only begin to appreciate the band (more) once Kenickie had gone. This then leads us to consider the moral of 'taking things for granted', and inadvertantly, we are left with the possibility that Kenickie are imminently about to become a 'cult' band. 2.2 'Get In' Songs 2.2.1 Something's Got To Give Ultimately, it was more than 'something' that had to give. It was Kenickie themselves. The title of this song is more or less the definitive explanation and conclusion of not only this essay, but also Kenickie. To understand the meaning of this song's title, one only needs to read on..... Marilyn Monroe was working on a film at the time of her death entitled 'Something's Got To Give'. The film had been surrounded by problems from the moment it went into production, and Marilyn's lateness and illness eventually led to her being dismissed. However, she was re-hired and the film was due to go back into production shortly after. Unfortunately, Marilyn died before she was able to go back to work. Marilyn died in the early hours of the 5th of August 1962. Her death was ruled as a probable suicide, but it has been surrounded by rumour ever since. No-one will ever know the real reason for her death, but through the many fans who still love her, Marilyn's memory will live forever. Just as this account of Marilyn Monroe's life tells of the mystery surrounding her death, the 'death' of Kenickie also remains a mystery. But it is hoped that in the same way that Marilyn Monroe's memory lives on, so shall Kenickie's..... Finally, just as this article began with a quote from Nirvana, it also ends with a quote from Kurt Cobain. More fittingly, his suicide note: than to fade away." Kurt Cobain |
