This is a weekly blog to let you in on what song and/or band that i've been feeling for that particular week. Music will always be a very important part of my life. I see it as the soundtrack for memories that bring you back to a certain place and time and new songs help to create new memories. Hope you enjoy!! :)
"Dirty Hands" appears to be a song about coming to the realization that the dreams you had for yourself as a teenager are not going to be attainable anymore. You sense that the vocalist almost has to come back with his tail between his legs and face his doubters and hope they still accept him even with his failures. You really get the idea that he doesn't want to go back to that place however.
ARCHERS AND ARROWS DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):
2013 - Alone Together (Sirkel Pit Music)
CURRENT STATUS OF ARCHERS AND ARROWS:
Archers And Arrows are a Swiss punk band that meshes styles of melodic hardcore with indie punk and splashes of emo. In 2010, the band formed and released their debut EP, "Archers And Arrows". The band released a 3 song demo through their bandcamp page in 2011 and in 2013, the band released it's debut full length album titled "Alone Together", releasing music videos for the songs "Self-Made Man" and "Sing And Play". Over the course of Archers And Arrows' brief career, the band has shared the stage with some legendary punk rock bands such as The Gaslight Anthem, Bouncing Souls and The Get Up Kids. The band's main influence may be Hot Water Music and their sound is similar. Along with Hot Water Music, Archers And Arrows also shares similarities with bands such as Polar Bear Club, Dead To Me, Latterman, Venerea and Thrice. If you're a fan of any of those bands, it's worthwhile to give this Swiss band a listen to. Currently, there hasn't been much news on the Archers And Arrows front since they released "Alone Together" in 2013, but I wouldn't be surprised if new material by the band pops up sooner rather than later.
TEN ARCHERS AND ARROWS SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:
1. Sing To The Wind
2. The Support
3. Sing And Play
4. Innocence
5. Numb/Dumb
6. My Own God
7. The Young Carpetbaggers
8. Swan Song
9. Self-Made Man
10. Danse Macabre
"I See Red" appears to be about facing certain obstacles in life, whether they be physical, mental or emotional, and trying to steer clear of them or get through them. Often you find that it's not always easy to do this alone and you need support. Being that Thousand Foot Krutch does often wear it's faith in God on it's sleeve, perhaps the vocalist is insinuating that it's with his faith, that he finds the strength to overcome his obstacles and his direction in life is seen much clearer. Or perhaps, he's leaning on family and loved ones. I'm sure it can be a little of both.
THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):
1995 - Shutterbug (as Oddball) (Independent Release)
1997 - That's What People Do (Independent Release)
2001 - Set It Off (DJD Entertainment Group)
2003 - Phenomenon (Tooth & Nail Records)
2005 - The Art Of Breaking (Tooth & Nail Records)
2007 - The Flame In All Of Us (Tooth & Nail Records)
2009 - Welcome To The Masquerade (Tooth & Nail Records)
2011 - Live At The Masquerade (Tooth & Nail Records)
2012 - The End Is Where We Begin (Independent Release)
2014 - Oxygen:Inhale (Independent Release)
CURRENT STATUS OF THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH:
Thousand Foot Krutch was the brainchild of vocalist Trevor McNevan. Formed in 1995 and originally called Oddball, McNevan decided to form a band influenced by merging nu metal sounds with hip hop grooves and lyrics. Not hard and edgy like rock/rap legends Rage Against The Machine, but more party rock/rap. The band independently released their first two albums and by 2001, released "Set It Off" through DJD Entertainment Group. By 2003, the band signed on with Christian punk rock label Tooth & Nail records. Their sound also began to shift to a more mainstream rock sound. With the release of 2005's "The Art Of Breaking", the band basically transformed into a total mainstream rock outfit, gone were the rap style lyrics. "The Art Of Breaking" featured the band's highest charting single, "Move", which peaked at #16 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart. 2009's "Welcome To The Masquerade", 2012's "The End Is Where We Begin" and 2014's "Oxygen:Inhale" peaked at #35, #14 and #11 respectively on the charts, proving that Thousand Foot Krutch is a band who is trending upwards after each release, a bit of an odd occurence given that most bands have huge success early, then began fading out. Currently, Thousand Foot Krutch appear to be on the verge of releasing their "sister" album, if you would, to "Oxygen:Inhale" sometime in 2016. The album is called "Exhale" and two singles have already been released for the album, "Born Again" and "Running With Giants". The band has been sans label since 2011 and have been releasing albums independently since 2012's "The End Is Where We Begin". As for musical style, as I said, the early rock/rap days of the band have been virtually non-existent since 2003. Their sound is more on the line with bands such as Three Days Grace, Finger Eleven, P.O.D., Fuel and Papa Roach. The band is a very big deal in it's native Canada and is pretty successful worldwide as well. As of February of 2014, the band has sold over 1 million albums worldwide. The band is considered a Christian rock band as it's beliefs and faith do tend to fill through in their lyrics but that does not mean that this is not a damn good rocking band! If you like more mainstream, melodic rock acts like the contemporaries I mentioned above, then you will most likely enjoy the music of Thousand Foot Krutch.
TEN THOUSAND FOOT KRUTCH SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:
1. Fire It Up
2. Phenomenon
3. Shook
4. Falls Apart
5. Untraveled Road
6. War Of Change
7. Move
8. Welcome To The Masquerade
9. Rawkfist
10. Running With Giants
"She Takes It So Well" appears to be about seeing someone, most likely someone you love, wife, mother, sister, etc, perhaps succumbing to a fatal disease or sickness. I get the feeling that she takes the news much better than the loved ones that surround her and her strength in that very tough situation is somewhat inspirational, but you can sense the vocalist is feeling really helpless and it's weighing on him heavily, as matters like this usually do.
HOT WATER MUSIC DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):
1995 - Finding The Rhythms (No Idea Records)
1997 - Fuel For The Hate Game (No Idea Records)
1997 - Forever And Counting (Rise Records)
1999 - No Division (No Idea Records)
1999 - Live At The Hardback (No Idea Records)
2001 - A Flight And A Crash (Epitaph Records)
2001 - Never Ender (No Idea Records)
2002 - Caution (Epitaph Records)
2004 - The New What Next (Epitaph Records)
2008 - Till The Wheels Come Off (No Idea Records)
2012 - Exister (Rise Records)
2013 - Live In Chicago (No Idea Records)
CURRENT STATUS OF HOT WATER MUSIC:
Hot Water Music formed as a band back in 1993 in Gainesville, Florida and features guitarist/vocalist Chuck Ragan, guitarist/vocalist Chris Wollard, bassist/vocalist Jason Black and drummer George Rebelo. From 1995 till 2004, the band dropped a whopping 9 albums, including a few b-sides and rarities compilations and a live album. You could say that Hot Water Music is sort of like the Bruce Springsteen of punk rock music in that, their live performances were always seen as epic shows, full of energy and the band members leaving everything of themselves out there on stage. Early on, Hot Water Music was a staple on punk rock label No Idea Records but in 2002, the band hooked up with legendary punk label Epitaph and released perhaps their most influential album, "Caution", which featured such punk rock classics as "Remedy", "Trusty Chords" and "Wayfarer". After the 2004 release "The New What Next" and subsequent tour in support of that album, Hot Water Music went on a bit of a hiatus. Most members focused on various side projects. Chuck Ragan focused on his solo material and began setting up "The Revival Tours", which featured many punk rock frontmen in an acoustic, bar room type atmosphere. The remaining members of Hot Water Music formed the band The Draft in 2006 and released an album. Chris Wollard formed a band called The Ship Thieves in 2009 which is still active today. Jason Black played bass for Senses Fail from 2008 till 2012 and is in a new band called Unwed and George Rebelo has been playing drums for Against Me! since 2009. Hot Water Music would get back together in 2008 for a handful of shows and by 2012,drop a brand new album, "Exister", through Rise Records. With singles like "Drag My Body" and "State Of Grace", Hot Water Music shows that they still very much have their chops and they continue to be relevant and a key component of the punk rock landscape. Currently, Hot Water Music appears to be a project that all the members come back to after a few years of doing their own thing. I'm not sure that the band is the main focus of all the members any more, but none of them take the band or it's accomplishments lightly and when the do all get back together, they all make sure their focus is tight as not to disrespect the legacy of this great band. The band's most recent stint was a 20th anniversary tour in 2014 which featured The Flatliners and Dave Hause as opening acts. In punk rock circles, Hot Water Music is a legendary act. Though, their music can't completely be defined as punk. I view it as aggressive rock and roll with punk rock elements for sure. Ragan and Wollard are excellent songwriters and vocalists as well. Their lyrics are often very passionate and meaningful. I'd say their contemporaries are bands like Face To Face, Samiam, Swingin' Utters and A Wilhelm Scream and their influence is clear in bands like Red City Radio, The Flatliners and All Eyes West.
TEN HOT WATER MUSIC SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:
1. Remedy
2. Drag My Body
3. Trusty Chords
4. Radio (Alkaline Trio cover)
5. Freightliner
6. God Deciding
7. Moonpies For Misfits
8. Rooftops
9. Jack Of All Trades
10. All Heads Down
"San Ysidro" appears to be a song about growing old together. It's about a relationship so strong that nothing else matters other than the fact that the two are together. It also appears that the two will leave behind their cold climate home to start a new life in a warmer climate, which is San Ysidro.
CHRIS CRESSWELL DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):
2014 - "One Week Record" (One Week Records)
CURRENT STATUS OF CHRIS CRESSWELL:
Ontario, Canada's Chris Cresswell has been active in the music scene dating back to 2002. It was back then when he formed the band The Flatliners. As frontman for The Flatliners, he and the band have released five full length albums, the latest being the 2015 compilation album "Division Of Spoils", as well as releasing several EP's and 7" singles and being involved on several punk rock compilation albums. In between touring and recording with The Flatliners, Cresswell did tour a bit as a solo artist doing acoustic performances. Lagwagon frontman Joey Cape formed a new label called One Week Records. The purpose of his label was to have an artist spend one week at his house and write and record 10 songs that Cape would record in his home studio. It was a way to have songs in their beginning stages or demo stage which is what Cape was striving for with this project. Cresswell was one of the first to record his album with Cape. The release came out in 2014. Cresswell, you can tell, is highly influenced by another punk rocker gone acoustic, Tony Sly of No Use For A Name. One listen to Cresswell's "One Week Record" and the influence of Sly is obvious. Cresswell joins an ever growing list of punk rock frontmen that have done solo acoustic projects. It's a who's who of punk rock royalty. Joey Cape (Lagwagon), Laura Jane Grace (Against Me!), Dave Hause (The Loved Ones), Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music), Tim Barry (Avail) and Dan Andriano (Alkaline Trio) to name a few. Cresswell's last solo tour was in 2015, where he toured the U.S. and Canada. More recently, he and The Flatliners went on a European tour with punk rock super cover group, Me First & The Gimme Gimmes in early 2016. So, currently, it appears Cresswell has his focus squarely on his main project, The Flatliners. While that band is touring, I haven't heard any news as to new material coming out or being worked on, either of The Flatliners or solo material.
TEN CHRIS CRESSWELL SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:
1. Meet Me In The Shade
2. Liver Alone
3. Concrete Dialogue
4. Arrythmic Palpitations
5. Little Bones
6. Prove Me Wrong
7. San Ysidro
8. Daggers
9. On The Day That You Dies
10. Waking Is Still Honest (Against Me! cover)
