(drums) who was later replaced by Aaron Gainer.
After performing no more than 12 live shows, the band recorded a demo and went to New York City where they performed at an industry showcase, where the band encountered some minor difficulties,:"Here we are, our first few hours in New York City," McCoy recalls, "and Kevin is puking in the bathroom and I'm chasing some guy who stole my wallet just a few hours before we play the showcase. It was crazy."After that, the band was signed up by Wind-Up Records. The situation improved once 12 Stones signed with Wind-up and began recording with producer Jay Baumgardner (Papa Roach, Alien Ant Farm), who helped pump up Eric Weaver’s searing guitar solos in the belief that a new guitar hero might be born. Combined with the propulsive rhythm section of Dorr and drummer Aaron Gainer and McCoy’s distinctive lyrics, the 12 Stones sound conveys real emotion with a visceral punch.
The band's eponymous debut album was released in 2002, produced by Jay Baumgardner. They gained more fame when vocalist McCoy performed in Evanescence's song "Bring Me to Life" opposite Amy Lee. The song was included in both Evanescence's album, Fallen and in the Daredevil film soundtrack. McCoy quotes:"Our songs are about some of the really tough times I went through growing up as a kid," McCoy says. "I really wanted to target subjects in our songs that kids going through tough times can relate to and help them get through tough times. It doesn't mean you can’t be angry and the songs powerful. We just want to stream negative energy in a positive way."
In 2004, Kevin Dorr quit the band and touring guitarist Greg Trammell later became an official member.
Their second album, Potter's Field came out in 2004. Both albums were supported with heavy touring. Clint Amereno and then Aaron Hill were brought in to play bass for the shows. After the tour, the band decided to take a break from the band to be with their respective families.
Trammell left prior to the recording of the next album, leaving the band without a second guitarist. After completion of the CD, one of its collaborators, ex-Breaking Point guitarist Justin Rimer, took over this position. The new lineup was later completed with the addition of former Presence bassist DJ Stange.
Their third album, Anthem For The Underdog, was released in 2007. The album is said to be inspired by the effects of Hurricane Katrina on their hometown.
Shortly after the album's release, Stange quit and was replaced by Shawn Wade, formerly of the band Silence Is Broken.
12 Stones released an EP entitled "The Only Easy Day was Yesterday in the summer of 2010. Shortly after its release, the band left Wind-up Records.
After a lengthy search, they found a new home with EMI. EMG's Jacob Capricciuolo said of the latest expansion move of the company, "signing 12 Stones marks a pivotal turn for Executive Music Group to not only continue its established rock success, but to now elevate its presence in Rock to a much broader audience. Myself and VP Jimmy Swan believe 12 Stones has been underrated within the music industry for far to long. We live for radical movements and artists ready to make radical changes within those movements such as 12 Stones. The excitement to work with their amazing talent is more than exhilarating to say the least! It's an honor to have on our roster a group of hard working guys stopping at nothing for global success!"
They entered the studio in the spring of 2011 to record their 4th full length LP. The first single "Bulletproof" from the new album entitled "Only Human" was released on July 11, 2011 to much fanfare.
Arms of a Stranger
12 Stones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Couldn't wait to hold you
I've been away for so long
But as I walked through the doorway
My heart was shattered
To find that your not alone
When will I break
Into pieces
It's your mistake
I finally see that
Everything I thought was you was a lie
Now you left love dying
It's in the arms of a stranger
The days just seem so much longer
Now that I'm without you
It never seems to get better
I'll try to hold it together
And I can't wait for
The day that you fade from my memory
[Chorus]
In the arms of a stranger
In the arms of a stranger
When will I break
Into pieces
It's your mistake
Everything I thought was you was a lie
Now you left love dying
It's in the arms of a stranger
[Chorus x2]
I came home early to see you
Couldn't wait to hold you
Your in the arms of a stranger
The song "Arms of a Stranger" by 12 Stones is about the pain and betrayal felt by someone who comes home after being away for a long time, anticipating a joyful reunion with their loved one, only to find out that they have been unfaithful. The lyrics describe the singer's heartbreak and confusion as they struggle to come to terms with the fact that everything they believed about their relationship was a lie. They feel as if their world has been shattered, and they are left to pick up the pieces and try to move on, even though the pain lingers on.
The chorus of the song asks when the singer will finally break into pieces, as they feel like they are slowly falling apart under the weight of the pain and betrayal they have experienced. They acknowledge that it is their partner's mistake, but they can't help but feel confused and lost in the aftermath. The last line of the chorus is particularly poignant, as it describes the singer's feelings of helplessness and despair at seeing the love they once shared slipping away, now in the arms of a stranger.
Overall, "Arms of a Stranger" is a powerful song that speaks to the pain and heartbreak that come with infidelity and unfaithfulness in relationships. It captures the sense of confusion and betrayal that can be felt when someone discovers that the person they trusted and loved has been unfaithful, and it reminds us that even the strongest love can be shattered by the actions of another.
Line by Line Meaning
I came home early to see you
I rushed home to embrace you passionately
Couldn't wait to hold you
I was eagerly anticipating your presence
I've been away for so long
I have ached for you during my prolonged absence
But as I walked through the doorway
Suddenly, my anxious excitement faded
My heart was shattered
It was utterly devastating to see
To find that your not alone
You were intimate, entwined with another
When will I break
When will I suffer the full extent of the emotional pain
Into pieces
Collapsing in total, irreparable despair
It's your mistake
Your betrayal, your fault
I finally see that
I can finally accept the truth that
Everything I thought was you was a lie
Every aspect of my confidence, my love was based on false pretenses
Now you left love dying
The affection that once existed is now fading
It's in the arms of a stranger
Your newfound lover holds the remnants of our relationship
The days just seem so much longer
I feel the weight of time, of my grief
Now that I'm without you
Now that I'm painfully aware of your infidelity
It never seems to get better
The heaviness of heart prevails, unchanging
I'll try to hold it together
I'll muster the courage to avoid my heartache
And I can't wait for
I yearn for the day
The day that you fade from my memory
The day when our memories together are dimmed, forgotten
In the arms of a stranger
In the comfort, in the embrace of someone else
When will I break
When will I fully succumb to the pain
Into pieces
Completely shattered and consumed with grief
It's your mistake
You were at fault for our demise
Everything I thought was you was a lie
My love and trust was misplaced, misguided
Now you left love dying
The lingering, bittersweet memories of our relationship
It's in the arms of a stranger
What remains of our love is now with another
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: ANTHONY MCCOY, JUSTIN MARK RIMER, SKIDD MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind