Formed in 2015, the band signed with No Sleep Records and released their debut single, "Graveyard Shift", in March, of which the music video included cameos from members of Neck Deep. Following this, they played the Pinky Swear Records Fest in Manchester on May 2nd, headlined by Man Overboard, and Furyfest in Liverpool on May 3rd, also playing Empire Festival in Sheffield on May 17th. They played the Jump On Demand Records Festival, also in Liverpool, later that June, as well as the Hevy Fest in Port Lympne, Kent and the Make A Scene Festival in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire in August.
Their debut EP, SKRWD, was released on September 4, 2015. The EP was produced and recorded by Seb Barlow, of Neck Deep, at Celestial Recordings. They then played the Hype Fest in Birmingham on November 28th. In December, WSTR was nominated for Best British Newcomer by Rock Sound, with Boston Manor winning the category.
In early 2016, the band was included in Kerrang!'s Class of 2016 list. They played the Less Than Three Festival in Derby and opened for Neck Deep on the European leg of their World Tour, along with fellow openers Creeper. Later in July, they played the 2000Trees Festival at Upcote Farm in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. They then released a new single, "Lonely Smiles", off their upcoming album in September.
In support of their first album, 'Red, Green Or Inbetween' the band went on their first headlining tour, “The Inbetween Tour”, from October to November 2016, with support from Milestones, also playing the Slam Dunk Festival. During this time, the band recorded an acoustic version of the album's second single, "Footprints", which was made available on a "name your price" basis on their Bandcamp page. They additionally opened for ROAM on their UK/Ireland tour in support of their album, Backbone, and released a third single, "Featherweight".
On January 20th, 2017 the band released their first full-length album, 'Red, Green or Inbetween'. They then supported Seaway on a UK tour, alongside The Gospel Youth, and returned to Slam Dunk later that summer. They also played the Truck Festival at Hill Farm in Oxfordshire, the Reading and Leeds Festivals, the Deadbolt Festival in Manchester and the 2Q Festival in Lincoln, as well as opened for With Confidence on an Australian tour.
On June 4th, 2018 the band announced that they were signing with Hopeless Records, and followed their signing up by a playing a set at Download Festival in the UK. They then opened for As It Is on multiple legs of their okay. tour, first in Europe with Courage My Love and then in the UK with Like Pacific and Grayscale. On August 31st they released their second LP, 'Identity Crisis', which was led by the singles "Bad To The Bone", "Crisis" and "Silly Me". To support its release, they joined Neck Deep on the second North American leg of The Peace and the Panic Tour with fellow openers, Trophy Eyes and Stand Atlantic, and went on a headlining UK tour with Between You & Me and Hey Charlie.
In early 2019, WSTR went on tour again as the supporting act for The Faim on their UK tour. They later released a cover EP titled Give Yourself a Hell, featuring covers of "Give Yourself a Try" by The 1975 and "Gives You Hell" by The All-American Rejects, and played their third Slam Dunk Festival that summer. In the fall, they embarked on the full run of The Noise & Ones to Watch Presents Stand Atlantic and The Faim Co-Headline U.S. Tour, with fellow openers Hold Close and Point North playing on select dates. While on tour, they released a new song, "Filthy".
On November 25th WSTR set out on a headlining UK tour, starting in Brighton and ended in Nottingham on December 8th. In early 2020 the band along with Hot Mulligan & LURK opened up for Grayscale on the Nella Vita North American Tour: Part II. The tour concluded on February 27th right before the global pandemic of COVID-19 struck and canceled touring for the remainder of the year.
On August 14th they put up a limited re-release of their first EP ‘SKRWD' on Vinyl. Along with Re-imagined versions of 'Ain't Great' & 'South Drive' on their bandcamp and streaming platforms.
https://www.wstrband.com/
Featherweight
WSTR Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's safe to say we're fucking great at being basic
There's nothing I can do to change this
Now it's half past 3 and I can't see the opportunities ahead of me
I'm drunk as fuck again
No cells between my head
We really should've thought this through
Told my mother I would start a new
She told me i should grow up and to work on my attitude
We got a broken leg and a cracked screen
Another party's gonna be the death of me
I feel my blood getting thin outside clubs we can't get in
Unfortunate events on a Saturday
Is anybody gonna show me a better way?
I'll see myself in a state just like a featherweight
Dunno where I am
Or what the fuck was in that cup I just got handed
Scaled the fence but we crash landed (for fuck sake)
Dunno if I can stand
I'm out the picture
I'm heavy hearted and empty handed
You caught me out as if you planned it
And I really should've thought this through
Told my mother I would start a new
Need to play a little growing up
Stop breaking stuff and work on my attitude
We got a broken leg and a cracked screen
Another party's gonna be the death of me
I feel my blood getting thin outside clubs we can't get in
Unfortunate events on a Saturday
Is anybody gonna show me a better way?
I'll see myself in a state just like a featherweight
"Featherweight" by WSTR is a song that delves deep into the struggles of young adulthood, particularly in trying to find one's place in the world. The first verse paints a picture of being surrounded by friends who are "basic," but comfortable in that familiarity. The singer seems resigned to this reality, acknowledging that there is little they can do to change it. They are also inebriated, which could be seen as a form of escapism from their current situation. The line "no cells between my head" suggests that they are not thinking clearly, and perhaps not taking their future opportunities seriously.
The second verse continues this theme of aimlessness, with the singer feeling lost and unsure of their direction in life. They reference a previous promise to their mother about starting anew, but are not making progress towards that goal. Instead, they are caught in a cycle of broken bones, broken electronics, and partying that is taking a toll on their well-being. Despite the negative effects of this lifestyle, the singer seems to be searching for a better way forward, even if they feel like they are "in a state just like a featherweight" - light and easily knocked down.
Overall, "Featherweight" portrays the challenges of figuring out one's identity and purpose in a world that can feel overwhelming and uncertain. It is a common struggle for many people in their twenties, and the song captures that sense of confusion and frustration with poignancy and honesty.
Line by Line Meaning
With all my friends in the same place
When I'm with my friends, we tend to be very typical and unremarkable.
It's safe to say we're fucking great at being basic
We have no originality or unique qualities to offer.
There's nothing I can do to change this
I feel powerless to alter my own lack of individuality or the monotony of my life.
Now it's half past 3 and I can't see the opportunities ahead of me
I'm feeling lost and uncertain about what the future holds and how to improve my directionless situation.
I'm drunk as fuck again
I'm numbing my discontent with alcohol.
No cells between my head
I'm not thinking clearly or rationally because of my drunken state.
We really should've thought this through
We made a mistake and didn't plan effectively for the consequences.
Told my mother I would start a new
I've promised to make changes in my life and be more responsible.
She told me i should grow up and to work on my attitude
My mother is encouraging me to be more mature and change my negative outlook.
We got a broken leg and a cracked screen
We've damaged ourselves and our possessions.
Another party's gonna be the death of me
Partying is causing physical and emotional harm to me.
I feel my blood getting thin outside clubs we can't get in
I'm losing my passion and energy while dealing with the disappointment of being rejected from exclusive clubs.
Unfortunate events on a Saturday
Negative things keep happening to me on a day that is supposed to be fun and carefree.
Is anybody gonna show me a better way?
I'm seeking guidance and support for how to improve my life and break this cycle.
I'll see myself in a state just like a featherweight
I feel weak and unprepared for the challenges and hurdles that life throws my way.
Dunno where I am
I'm disoriented and confused about my surroundings.
Or what the fuck was in that cup I just got handed
I'm unsure of what I've ingested and how it will affect me.
Scaled the fence but we crash landed (for fuck sake)
We tried to be adventurous and spontaneous, but ended up failing and facing consequences.
Dunno if I can stand
I'm physically and emotionally unstable.
I'm out the picture
I'm detached and disconnected from reality.
I'm heavy hearted and empty handed
I'm feeling deeply sad and unsatisfied with my life.
You caught me out as if you planned it
Others are able to see through my facade of having it all together and see how lost and helpless I truly am.
Need to play a little growing up
I acknowledge that I need to be more mature and responsible.
Stop breaking stuff and work on my attitude
I need to stop being destructive and work on my negative mindset.
Unfortunate events on a Saturday
Negative things keep happening to me on a day that is supposed to be fun and carefree.
Is anybody gonna show me a better way?
I'm seeking guidance and support for how to improve my life and break this cycle.
I'll see myself in a state just like a featherweight
I feel weak and unprepared for the challenges and hurdles that life throws my way.
Writer(s): wstr
Contributed by Peyton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.