(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.
This Dark Day
12 Stones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm lost in my will
This has been haunting me way too long
And I can't rewind
I'm suffering kind
I've been abusing way too long
I'm broken, suffocating
I'll close my eyes and I'll drift away
I'll make it through my darkest day
And I'll sing this song at the top of my lungs
Until this dark day is done
Now I am trapped in the way
Of all my mistakes
I've been under for way too long
I'll sit in my shame
My hearts starts to race
The poison lingers in my veins
I'm broken, suffocating
[Chorus 1]
You said I'll never change
You said I never had the strength to break away
But now I've changed
It's time to take the pain and walk away
[Now to walk away]
[Chorus 2]
I'll open my eyes and I'll stay awake
I made it through my darkest day
And I'll sing this song at the top of my lungs
Now that this dark day is done
[Chorus 2]
The song "This Dark Day" by 12 Stones represents the struggle of addiction, depression and the associated mental and emotional turmoil that come with trying to break free from the clutches of addiction. The song's protagonist is trying to flush down the pills, however, the addiction seems to have a hold on him to such an extent that he feels lost and suffocated. The haunting past and mistakes made have left him trapped under the influence of the addiction. The chorus repeats the phrase "I'll make it through my darkest day" implying that the person is going through tough times, but he's determined to resist, reject and conquer the addiction.
The second stanza deepens the severity of the situation as the person realizes he's been under the shadow and influence of addiction for too long, even as his heart starts racing in shame. The chorus, which repeats itself twice, marks the journey from closing one's eyes and drifting away to finally opening one's eyes and staying awake, metaphorically meaning acceptance, and self-discovery – with the power to sing the song at the top of his lungs, signifying he has overcome his addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm flushing down pills
I'm intentionally taking pills to suppress my emotions.
I'm lost in my will
I lack the strength and desire to overcome my addiction.
This has been haunting me way too long
My addiction has been a burden on my life for an extended period of time.
And I can't rewind
I cannot go back and change the choices I've made.
I'm suffering kind
My pain is hard to bear.
I've been abusing way too long
I've been mistreating my body with harmful substances for too long.
I'm broken, suffocating
My addiction has left me shattered and struggling to breathe.
I'll close my eyes and I'll drift away
I'll try to escape my problems by avoiding reality.
I'll make it through my darkest day
I will survive this difficult time in my life.
And I'll sing this song at the top of my lungs
I will use music as a coping mechanism to express my emotions.
Until this dark day is done
I will continue to persevere until I overcome my addiction.
Now I am trapped in the way
I am stuck in a cycle of addiction and can't break free.
Of all my mistakes
My addiction has been a series of harmful choices.
I'll sit in my shame
I'll reflect on the consequences of my actions.
My hearts starts to race
I feel overwhelmed and anxious about my situation.
The poison lingers in my veins
The effects of my addiction continue to affect my body.
You said I'll never change
Others have expressed disbelief in my ability to overcome my addiction.
You said I never had the strength to break away
Others view me as weak and unable to overcome my addiction.
But now I've changed
I have made progress and am no longer the same person I was before.
It's time to take the pain and walk away
It's time to face the consequences of my addiction and move on.
I'll open my eyes and I'll stay awake
I'll face my problems head-on and stay vigilant.
Now that this dark day is done
Now that I've overcome my addiction, I can move forward with my life.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: ANTHONY MCCOY, JUSTIN MARK RIMER, SKIDD MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind