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.
Take Me Away
28 Days Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'cause I'm not alright and it's not okay, no
I know but I won't admit it
Someone take me away
I'm not ok
So take me away
See I just can't
Cannot for endeavour
Keep fighting the battle of whatever
So take me away
You won't take me away
No, no it won't be okay, no
Not for me anyway
You won't take me away
Take me back to yesterday
'cause I'm not alright, it's not okay
I don't want to talk about it
So shut up I can do without it
Take me away
Today you won't take me, take me, take me away
Away you won't save me save me, save me today
'Cause I'm not alright
And I'm not ok and it's not alright.
I'm not alright
So take me away
In "Take Me Away," 28 Days sings about feeling overwhelmed by the struggles of life and wanting to escape. The song's opening lines "Take me back to yesterday, 'cause I'm not alright and it's not okay" sets the tone for the whole song. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation, where the singer feels stuck in their current situation and longs for a way out. They acknowledge that they're not okay and suffering emotionally, but at the same time, they won't admit it to themselves.
The song's chorus, "I'm not okay, so take me away," is the singer's cry for help, as they struggle to keep fighting. The line "fighting the battle of whatever" suggests that the singer is unsure of what's causing their stress and anxiety, or simply that they feel overwhelmed by the struggles of life. The lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness and the feeling of being trapped or unable to escape.
In the second verse, the singer continues to plead for someone to take them away, as they struggle to cope with their emotions. "I don't want to talk about it, so shut up, I can do without it" suggests that the singer doesn't feel comfortable opening up about their struggles, or that they don't want to burden others with their problems.
Overall, "Take Me Away" by 28 Days is a relatable song for anyone who's ever felt overwhelmed by life's struggles. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation and the longing for escape, and the song's upbeat tempo provides a stark contrast to the darker emotions expressed in the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Take me back to yesterday
I wish I could go back to a better time
'cause I'm not alright and it's not okay, no
I'm struggling and everything is wrong
I know but I won't admit it
I am aware of my problems, but won't acknowledge them
Someone take me away
I need help and support to get through this
Cannot for endeavour
I am unable to keep trying
Keep fighting the battle of whatever
I cannot keep up with the struggles in my life
You won't take me away
I am resistant to getting help
No, no it won't be okay, no
Things won't get better easily
Not for me anyway
I feel like things won't improve for me
I don't want to talk about it
I am uncomfortable discussing my problems
So shut up I can do without it
Please don't try to make me open up
Today you won't take me, take me, take me away
I am reluctant to receive help right now
Away you won't save me save me, save me today
I don't believe I can be saved or helped today
'Cause I'm not alright
I am struggling and in pain
And I'm not ok and it's not alright.
I am not okay mentally and things are not okay in general
I'm not alright
I am not okay and in need of support
So take me away
I am asking for help to relieve my struggles
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: JAMES DUNNE, VINKO JUKIC, SIMON HEPBURN, DAMIAN GARDINER, JASON HOWARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind