(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.
In Closing
12 Stones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll find you're wearing thin.
Killing the sympathy
As you take another swing at me now.
Fighting your inner self again,
Losing to what you feel
Shielded behind the lies that make you feel real
Now
It's over and I don't feel a thing
But you're trying to break the scar again.
Your spirit is bleeding as you grin
But your bridge keeps on burning at both ends.
In your mind, the ending seems to be
So far from what you need
Take back the memories
As you smile to hide the pain from me now
Shut down the curiosity
That brings you here again
No sense of purity
As you try to take the life from me now.
Nothing that you ever say
Could ever possibly erase
All the hateful things you did
And now I'm through with you.
Nothing you could ever say.
Nothing you could ever say
Hope you're happy now
The first verse of 12 Stones's song In Closing seems to be directed towards someone who has been living in a lie for too long, and this lie seems to be consuming them slowly. They are killing the sympathy, which can be interpreted as them losing empathy towards others and becoming more selfish. They keep taking swings at the person singing, who is calling them out on their behavior. It seems like the person is in a constant struggle with themselves, and they keep losing to their negative emotions. They hide behind lies, which make them feel real, but they are nothing more than a facade.
The chorus talks about how the person singing is now over the situation, and they don't feel anything anymore. The other person is still trying to break them, and their spirit is bleeding as they grin. The bridge is burning at both ends, which can be interpreted as the situation being beyond repair. The second verse talks about how the person in question's mind is fixated on the ending, which seems far from what they need. They try to take back memories and hide their pain, but they also shut down their curiosity, which could help them grow and change. There is no sense of purity left as they try to take the life from the person singing.
Line by Line Meaning
Step back inside the lie again,
Return to the deception you've lived before.
You'll find you're wearing thin.
You're becoming weak and fragile within that lie.
Killing the sympathy
Destroying the compassion in you.
As you take another swing at me now.
Harm me again physically and/or emotionally.
Fighting your inner self again,
Battling against your own thoughts and emotions.
Losing to what you feel
Surrendering to your negative emotions.
Shielded behind the lies that make you feel real
Protected by the false reality you've created for yourself.
Now
This is your current state.
It's over and I don't feel a thing
Our relationship is done and I'm numb.
But you're trying to break the scar again.
You're attempting to re-open old wounds.
Your spirit is bleeding as you grin
You're hurting on the inside despite the façade.
But your bridge keeps on burning at both ends.
Your ties to me and others are dwindling.
In your mind, the ending seems to be
You've already predicted the conclusion.
So far from what you need
Not what you want or desire deep down.
Take back the memories
Reclaim the good moments from the past.
As you smile to hide the pain from me now
Pretend to be okay in my presence.
Shut down the curiosity
Stop questioning yourself and your actions.
That brings you here again
That lures you back to this situation.
No sense of purity
Devoid of any trace of innocence or honesty.
As you try to take the life from me now.
Attempt to harm and ruin me once more.
Nothing that you ever say
Any words you speak have no effect.
Could ever possibly erase
Can never wipe out or undo.
All the hateful things you did
Your past cruel and hurtful actions.
And now I'm through with you.
I've reached the end of my tether with you.
Nothing you could ever say.
No words can persuade me otherwise.
Hope you're happy now
I hope you're content with what you've done and caused.
Lyrics © Reservoir One Music, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ERIC WEAVER, KEVIN DORR, A. GAINER, P. MCCOY, G. TRAMMELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind