12 Stones is a post-grunge band that formed in 2000 in Mandeville, Louisian… Read Full Bio ↴12 Stones is a post-grunge band that formed in 2000 in Mandeville, Louisiana, a suburb north of New Orleans. The first line-up consisted of Paul McCoy (vocals), Kevin Dorr (bass), Eric Weaver (guitar), Stephen Poff (guitar/vocals) who left to finish One Like Son's Goodbye and Patrick Quave
(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.

Speak Your Mind
12 Stones Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

How does it make you feel when I look away?
Feelings that will never seem to fade
I try to find you
You hold your head up high
I let it all fall down
Do you hear me?

Falling away from this pain

So I can fly high
Oh feeling low
Just let it show
And find the words to say what you mean

Screaming silent fears
Nothing left to say
Lost inside the words that bring you down
You try to find me
I hold my head up high
You let it all fall down
Do you hear me?

Falling away from this pain
So I can fly high
Oh feeling low
Just let it show
And find the words to say what you mean

Find the words to say how you feel inside
Find the words to say how you feel inside
Find the words to say how you feel inside
Find the words to say how you feel inside
Find the words to say how you feel inside
Find the words to say

Falling away from this pain
So I can fly high
Oh feeling low
Just let it show
And find the words to say what you mean
Falling away from this pain
So I can fly high

Oh and I can fly high
Just find the words to say what you mean

Overall Meaning

The song "Speak Your Mind" by 12 Stones talks about the difficulty of expressing oneself and its consequences. It explores how we often fail to communicate our true feelings, leading to misunderstandings and hurt. The opening lines, "How does it make you feel when I look away? / Feelings that will never seem to fade," speak to the pain caused by not conveying one's emotions accurately. The singer is trying to connect with someone who has put up a facade of being okay, but they cannot reach them. The chorus, "Falling away from this pain / So I can fly high / Oh feeling low / Just let it show / And find the words to say what you mean," urges the listener to stop hiding their emotions and speak their mind, to release the pain and soar high.

The second verse follows a similar theme, with the roles reversed, as the other person tries to reach the singer. The lines "Screaming silent fears / Nothing left to say / Lost inside the words that bring you down" express how our fears can be so overwhelming that we cannot vocalize them, trapping us in a cycle of despair. The plea to find the words to say what you mean is repeated twice at the end, emphasizing the importance of speaking up to break free from the pain.

Overall, "Speak Your Mind" is a powerful song that resonates with anyone who has struggled to express themselves. It reminds us that it's okay to feel vulnerable, and in fact, it takes strength to open up.

Line by Line Meaning

How does it make you feel when I look away?
Do you get hurt when I don't pay attention to you?

Feelings that will never seem to fade
Emotions that persist and won't go away

I try to find you
I am searching for you

You hold your head up high
You maintain your pride and confidence

I let it all fall down
I let everything crumble and fall apart

Do you hear me?
Can you understand me and what I am trying to say?

Falling away from this pain
Escaping the agony and hurt within

So I can fly high
So I can soar and be free

Oh feeling low
Feeling depressed and down

Just let it show
Don't hide it, express it openly

And find the words to say what you mean
Use language to effectively communicate your true feelings