28 Days were a seminal Australian punk rock band formed in Frankston, Austr… Read Full Bio ↴28 Days were a seminal Australian punk rock band formed in Frankston, Australia during 1997. At their career peak, they had a #1 album (Upstyledown) on the Australian ARIAnet Albums Chart and also a #12 single ("Rip It Up") on the ARIAnet Singles Chart.

The current members as of 2007 are Jay Dunne (vocals), Simon Hepburn aka 'Hep' (guitar), Damian Gardiner (bass) and Adrian Griffin (drums). Original drummer Adam was replaced by Scott Murray in 2000. Tragically, on 18 November 2001, Murray was killed in a hit-and-run accident in the Melbourne suburb of Kew. Vinnie Jukic then briefly filled in the drum role until Adrian Griffin joined. For the album Extremist Makeover, the drums were laid down by Matt Bray.

Musically, the band doesn't fit into any single category. Over time, 28 Days' punk rock style has incorporated elements of punk-pop, metal, and (especially) hip-hop after the addition of DJ Jedi Master Jay in 2000. The band's success during the early 2000's could largely be attributed to the popularity of similar rock-rap fusion bands of the time, such as Limp Bizkit. Furthermore, their one-off collaboration with Apollo Four Forty, the 2001 single "Say What?", has even seen them dabble in electronica.

After debuting with a one-sided 7" single "Ball Of Hate" and the Sand CD single, 28 Days released their self-titled album in 1998 through the independent Stubble imprint. A year later they were picked up by Festival Mushroom's newly launched development label Sputnik, releasing the Kid Indestructible EP. The EP consolidated a following around Australia as a result of Triple J's constant rotation of the tracks "Kool" and "La Tune".

With the introduction of Jay Howard (aka DJ Jedi Master Jay) on turntables and samples, the more harder-edged, rap-influenced singles of 2000, "Here We Go/Sucker" and "Rip It Up", boosted 28 Days' audience. The latter peaked at #12 on the ARIAnet Singles Chart, and the former featured in some editions of the soundtrack to Mission: Impossible II. When released later that June, their second album Upstyledown entered the ARIAnet album chart at #1, and would go gold. The year was rounded out with two further charting singles - the more reflective "Goodbye" and "Song For Jasmine", written for Simon Hepburn's young daughter.

28 Days' first home video When Dickheads Snap came out in 2001, featuring tour shots, and behind-the-scenes footage. The only other material to come out that year was the Apollo Four Forty collaboration, "Say What?", which charted in the ARIA Top 30. The rest of the year involved more touring and preparation for a new album, until the death of Scott Murray briefly halted their progress. With new drummer Vinnie Jukic, third album Stealing Chairs saw 28 Days into 2002, with its most popular single being the summery "What's The Deal?". Stealing Chairs charted in the ARIA Top 10 for a short period, but didn't capitalise on the success brought by Upstyledown.

The band received some negative publicity in February 2003 after members descended upon a gig by satirical Sydney-based band The Drugs at Melbourne's Duke of Windsor Hotel late that month. 28 Days allegedly caused an estimated $4500 in damage to The Drugs' equipment, which included beer being poured over a laptop computer and amplifier, and The Drugs' hired van having three of its tyres slashed. Fans of 28 Days at the show were also believed to have graffitied The Drugs' merchandise stand and the venue's chalkboard. The motive for the attack was in regards to an open letter The Drugs' lead singer Ian Baddley posted on his band's website, accusing Jay Dunne of being homophobic and misogynistic at 28 Days' 2003 Big Day Out appearances.

Following another quiet period, they released a new single "Like I Do" to little fanfare in 2004. It would be a taster for the band's fourth album Extremist Makeover. The album could only manage to scrape into the Top 40, whilst two further singles also charted poorly. Due to this slump in popularity, 28 Days left Festival Mushroom in November 2004, amid much controversy. It was suggested by many that they were dropped, but Damian Gardiner insisted on the band's official message board it was 28 Days' decision alone to leave the label.

Their latest EP Bring 'Em Back was released on March 6 2006 on their own Rebel Scum label (through Sony/BMG); a new DVD When Dickheads Snap 3 was then sold at later 28 Days shows.

Following the release of a best-of album, 10 Years Of Cheap Fame, 28 Days will tour for the last time in 2007. After a series of mishaps and a continued slump in popularity, DJ Jedi Master Jay left the band - a catalyst that led to their breakup. 28 Days will play the tour as the original 4 piece band they were when they began, and then officially disband.

Sand
28 Days Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

The sand is sifting by
I only know that I will die
And pay my taxes, the rest is touch and go
I wish I could just catch a glimpse
Of what's in store
I've wanted since
I can't recall
I never know what to do

I've never had a clue

I feel the future

Don't tell me you don't
Feel it slip away

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 28 Days's song Sand speak of the inevitability of death and the uncertainty of life. The opening line "The sand is sifting by" is a metaphor for time slipping away, reminding us that we are all mortal and have a limited amount of time on this earth. The next line "I only know that I will die" emphasizes this idea, accepting the fact that death is certain and that there is little we can do to prevent it.

The next two lines "And pay my taxes, the rest is touch and go / I wish I could just catch a glimpse of what's in store" refer to the responsibilities we have in life, such as paying taxes, but also acknowledge the unpredictability of the future. The singer wishes they could have some clarity about what is to come, but it remains out of reach.

The lines "I've wanted since / I can't recall / I never know what to do / I've never had a clue" express a sense of confusion and aimlessness. The singer feels lost and unsure of their purpose or direction in life.

The refrain "I feel the future / Don't tell me you don't / Feel it slip away" suggests a sense of urgency and desperation to make the most of the time we have. The singer is acutely aware of time slipping away and wants to make something of their life before it's too late.

Overall, the lyrics of Sand are introspective and contemplative, grappling with the big questions of life and death, purpose and direction.

Line by Line Meaning

The sand is sifting by
Time is passing, and life is fleeting.

I only know that I will die
Death is inevitable and something that the singer is consciously aware of.

And pay my taxes, the rest is touch and go
Everyday life is unpredictable, but one thing that is certain is the obligation to pay taxes.

I wish I could just catch a glimpse
The artist desires insight into their own future.

Of what's in store
The artist is unsure of what the future holds for them.

I've wanted since
The singer has had this desire for quite some time but can't remember exactly when it started.

I can't recall
The singer can't remember when this desire developed or why they have this desire.

I never know what to do
The artist feels lost and uncertain about their decisions and future.

I've never had a clue
The artist has never had a clear direction in life and is searching for answers.

I feel the future
The artist senses that their future is important and something to be mindful of.

Don't tell me you don't
The singer is addressing someone who they believe also feels the weight of their future.

Feel it slip away
The artist is afraid of missing out on their future and wants to seize any opportunities that come their way.

Lyrics © MUSHROOM MUSIC PTY LTD
Written by: ADAM STANLEY NANSCAWEN, DAMIAN GARDINER, JAMES ASHLEY DUNNE, SIMON ANTHONY HEPBURN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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