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Heroes & Villains

from Vol. II: Mission Of Mercy by Plaid On Flannel

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*Song Description By Noles*

The music for "Heroes & Villains" was written on July 16, 2012. The song idea started with the guitar riff. After the riff, the verse has a punchy and chugging off-beat rhythm to it. When going over some of my old demo tapes, I rediscovered a song that I played with The Scarecrowz in Ottawa from 2009-10. The tune is called "Rock N Roll All Over You", and the rhythm and feel sounds similar to "Heroes & Villains". While both songs are actually rather different, there must've been some kind of influence on me when I came up with the rhythm for "Heroes & Villains". "Rock N Roll All Over You" was written by Ger Madden of The Scarecrowz. So that off-beat rhythm on "Heroes & Villains" is an example of how the songwriters I played in bands with early on helped influence my songwriting skill set.

I wrote the lyrics for "Heroes & Villains" on July 29, 2012. While I knew there was already a song called "Heroes And Villains" by The Beach Boys from their 1967 album Smiley Smile, I still wanted to use that title after coming up with the tune's lyrics. "Heroes & Villains" taps into the subject of psychology. Despite failing it in high school, I've always been fascinated with psychology. "Heroes & Villains" explores the Id, Ego and Super-Ego psychological model developed by Sigmund Freud in 1920. The Super-Ego being the Hero (Angel), and the Id being the Villain (Devil). While the Ego is one's own fundamental self. "Heroes & Villains" is about the times where we have to make ambivalent decisions in our lives. And the scenarios that play out through our minds as a result. Whether they're good or bad. In T.V. and movies, it's usually portrayed with an angel v.s. a devil on each of the subject character's shoulders.

After I began producing the Mission Of Mercy album on September 4, 2012, I started recording "Heroes & Villains" on November 19, 2012. It's the first Plaid On Flannel song to feature MIDI software instrument drums. This is a technique I would use on 47 more tunes in the Plaidalog from 2012-18. I finished recording "Heroes & Villains" on November 27, 2012, and the entire Mission Of Mercy album was released on May 20, 2013.

After moving to Toronto from Peterborough in September of 2013, the Plaid On Flannel band started on February 15, 2014 as a 3-piece. "Heroes & Villains" was part of the first batch of my original songs that I brought to the band. It quickly became a mainstay as we played it live all throughout 2014. Keyboardist Jen Doyon joined Plaid On Flannel on February 22, 2015. She used a really cool distorted effect on "Heroes & Villains" that made us sound more like Deep Purple. When it came time to record our 2nd EP Get On! on February 4, 2017, we made sure to include "Heroes & Villains" on the record. Here we are performing "Heroes & Villains" at Duffy's Tavern in Toronto on June 10, 2017. Months before the Get On! EP was released... youtu.be/H6Ds96oCovE "Heroes & Villains" is a tune I'm sure will live on in POF's live arsenal of songs for a long time.

lyrics

Words and music by Nolan Randall

I make amends with the odds and the ends
Seems like the end, now what do you recommend?
I sleep away when I walk in the dark
With all the journeys that I will soon embark

Heroes and villains goin' through my mind
Feelin' I have more to prove
Lookin' for what I might have left behind
With so little left to lose

To travel far while you're against the wind
Know where you are when you've gone west of Berlin
It's all so easy, never feelin' no shame
This time tomorrow I'll be feelin' the same

Heroes and villains goin' through my mind
Feelin' I have more to prove
Lookin' for what I might have left behind
With so little left to lose
Heroes and villains goin' through my mind
Feelin' I have more to prove
Lookin' for what I might have left behind
With so little left to lose

Flow into a bridge of hope
It's never my concern
What I see that's in front of me
may not ever return
Through the fear and into the light
What I'm aiming to learn
Fascinating objects of life
I guess I'll have to earn

All of the perpetrators work alone
So they don't get caught while they're in the zone
Follow your leader but don't imitate
Better to be early than to be late

Heroes and villains goin' through my mind
Feelin' I have more to prove
Lookin' for what I might have left behind
With so little left to lose
Heroes and villains goin' through my mind
Feelin' I have more to prove
Lookin' for what I might have left behind
With so little left to lose

credits

from Vol. II: Mission Of Mercy, released May 20, 2013

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Plaid On Flannel Toronto, Ontario

Plaid On Flannel is an alternative indie blues rock act from Toronto, Canada. With 80+ original songs recorded since 2011, singer-songwriter Nolan Randall has remained the sole constant member of the band. POF's music is known for guitar riffs/solos, memorable hooks, catchy melodies/harmonies, evocative lyrics, & superb musicianship. While keeping a focus on originality and songwriting quality. ... more

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