In 1995 it was suggested by a mutual friend that geordie guitarist Chris McCormack (ex- Forgodsake) should contact Birmingham based singer/ bassist Pete Vuckovic (ex- Diamond head) to start a band, both had recently left their previous bands and were looking for something new to get their teeth into, McCormack made the call and the pair eventually met, they soon hit it off and decided to work on some songs together. Due to location they spent the following months trading 4- track recordings and developing song ideas via post until they had enough material to record a demo, they soon moved to London and began putting a band together.
Their initial success was owed to the fact that the members individually had a lot of experience and contacts under their belts, they were also being guided by producer/manager, Terry Thomas. Gina Walters (Warner Chapel Music) introduced the band to Thomas for management and helped the band secure their record deals with demo's that he produced.
Chris McCormack is the younger brother of Danny McCormack, ex- bassist in The Wildhearts, another British rock band who had already achieved commercial success and with whom 3CR would play some of their first shows. guitarist Ben Harding had established a strong track record as a founder member of U.K punk/pop pioneers, 'Senseless Things', Pete Vuckovic's stint with 'Diamond Head' had galvanised his songwriting ability and primed him for the responsibility of leading a band, and Keith Baxter's solid drumming and lengthy history with folk metal pioneers Skyclad provided the band with a reliable backbone. What came together was a remarkable combination of songwriting talent (thoughtful, but heavy, in Vuckovic, and punk rock, but pop-oriented, in McCormack) which combined with the management and production skills of Thomas, and added power of Harding and Baxter, created a winning formula. Influences were drawn from bands such as The Clash, The Sex Pistols and AC/DC.
Influential independent label Fierce Panda Records released their first single, "This Is My Hollywood" published by Warner Chappell Music. The band signed to Creation Records, after Alan McGee, Creation's founder and discoverer of Oasis, said that 3CR were the "most exciting band since the Sex Pistols".
While with Creation, the band recorded two albums. Pure (1997) was produced by Terry Thomas and accurately encapsulated the furious assault of their renowned live performances. There was a minor controversy over the single "Sixty Mile Smile", the lyrical content of which referred to frontman and main songwriter Pete Vuckovic's overnight hospitalisation after taking the drug ecstasy. The band were misguidedly criticised by the parents of Leah Betts who had died from excessive consumption of water - an occasionally noted effect of misinterpretation of government advice on ecstasy use. The line "Sunrise, just for a while - inject the drip" was just one of the warnings contained in a song that was wrongly criticised for 'glamourising' the drug. Thomas was eventually fired by the band prior to the recording of the second album.
Revolt (1999), produced by Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers), saw a more reflective side to the band emerge, with an epic feel evident on some tracks, notably the singles "Beautiful Day" and "This is my Time". The fury did not subside, however, as the live favourites "Paralyse" and the apocalyptic "Age of Madness" showed.
At the peak of their success, following the band's biggest hit, "Beautiful Day", they embarked upon tours with Marilyn Manson, Aerosmith and Silverchair.
The band imploded after they headlined the second stage at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in 1999, citing musical and personal differences. The rift was deepest between Vuckovic and McCormack, the band's songwriters. Excessive drug and alcohol use reportedly helped spin the already turbulent partnership out of control once and for all.
Vuckovic was quickly signed to 'Sony Records' and 'Sanctuary Management' and spent two years writing an album for his new project 'Elevation'. Unfortunately his A&R man was then sacked. As a result, the album was never released and the band was dropped. McCormack joined Rich Battersby (ex Wildhearts) and EMF producer Ralph Jezzard for a stint in 'Grand Theft Audio', who spent considerable time touring America before also being dropped.
Reformation
After time was called on their own bands, Vuckovic and McCormack reconciled their differences and reformed the band with original drummer Keith Baxter. Ben Harding had, by this time, forged a career in public relations and was replaced by Pornstar frontman Paul Grant.
The new line-up signed to Mighty Atom Records and 'Sanctuary Management' and recorded the album The Union of Souls with producer Joe Gibb (Funeral for a Friend/ Million Dead) in 2004 to critical acclaim but little commercial success. "Repeat To Fade" and "The World is Yours", taken from the album, were released as singles and the band toured Europe and Japan with Die Toten Hosen and The Donots as well as several UK headline tours and festival slots including the first Download festival.
In mid-2005, a double album ('If You Ain't Got a Weapon...') of the band's singles and b-sides from the Creation period was released by Sanctuary Records, with accompanying sleevenotes penned by Vuckovic. A live DVD recorded at the Islington Academy in 2004 was also released followed by a live album (Nuclear holiday) of the same show.
The band split again after a U.K 'farewell tour' with The Yo-Yos having been dropped by 'Sanctuary' and disapointing sales of the third album, continuing personal differences between Vuckovic and McCormack eventually drove the final nail into the bands coffin in September 2005.
Pete Vuckovic and Paul Grant have since formed Bassknives. Chris McCormack is now touring with Gary Numan as part of his live band. Keith Baxter went on to play with Baby Judas, based in his native Lancashire. Ben Harding continues to work in public relations, but is still playing, notably performing in a number of shows with former Symposium bassist and songwriter Wojtek Godzisz in 2009.
Tragically, Keith Baxter died suddenly in January 2008.
Intermission
3 Colours Red Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back inside your lonely cell.
Diseased by your own admission.
Holding secrets you can't tell.
And who cares if you live or die?
And no one asks you why you cannot speak.
A split decision... intermission.
Who knows why it's been so long?
Consumer goods and fashion victims,
Ribbons 'round the walking bombs.
And who cares if you live or die?
And no one asks you why you cannot speak.
A split decision... intermission.
You could use intermission...
Recurring images...
Fast forward stalactite of love...
If you take intermission;
Limits the sky above,
Where the sole survivors are flying.
And who cares if you live or die?
And no one asks you why you cannot speak.
You could use intermission...
Where every car's a silver car,
And every man a pig.
People... got to listen,
'Cause you're litmus when you're dead.
Oh... so easy to forget
In this life you haven't lived yet,
And though you may have missed your wave...
I hope you get it today.
Don't fall away...
The lyrics of 3 Colours Red's song Intermission speak about being trapped in a lonely cell, plagued by secrets that cannot be shared with anyone. The song reflects on societal pressures to conform to consumerism and fashion, emphasizing the message that no one cares about individual struggles or voicelessness. The chorus repeats the lines, "And who cares if you live or die? And no one asks you why you cannot speak. A split decision... intermission" emphasizing the lack of empathy and understanding in society. The song gives an option for intermission; a break from the fast-paced world of consumerism, where one can limit the sky above and find solace among the sole survivors who are flying.
Line by Line Meaning
Back into your own submission.
Returning to your comfort zone, even though it may be lonely or restrictive.
Back inside your lonely cell.
Feeling trapped, isolated and alone in your thoughts and environment.
Diseased by your own admission.
Acknowledging your own flawed and unhealthy patterns or behavior.
Holding secrets you can't tell.
Keeping inner turmoil and struggles private or buried deep within.
And who cares if you live or die?
Questioning the value and significance of one's life, and whether or not anyone else sees it as important.
And no one asks you why you cannot speak.
Feeling unheard, unseen, or misunderstood by those around you.
A split decision... intermission.
Taking a pause or break from making a difficult choice or decision.
Who knows why it's been so long?
Feeling uncertain or confused about why something has persisted over an extended period of time.
Consumer goods and fashion victims,
Commenting on the superficiality and excess of modern society, where people are driven by materialism and trends.
Ribbons 'round the walking bombs.
Comparing people to explosive devices, with their destructive tendencies hidden beneath a decorative facade.
You could use intermission...
Advocating for taking a pause or break to gain perspective and make a more informed decision.
Recurring images...
Noticing patterns or themes that keep repeating themselves in your life, thoughts, or experiences.
Fast forward stalactite of love...
A metaphor for the highs and lows of romantic relationships, which can seem to move slowly or quickly depending on the situation.
If you take intermission;
Encouraging the listener to step back and reflect before making a major decision or action.
Limits the sky above,
Acknowledging how societal norms and expectations can constrain a person's potential or dream.
Where the sole survivors are flying.
Implying that only those who can break free from those constraints can truly live and thrive.
Where every car's a silver car,
Drawing attention to the monotony and sameness of contemporary life, where everything feels homogenous.
And every man a pig.
Suggesting that people have become brute or selfish in their actions, like pigs, when they should rise above it.
People... got to listen,
Urging others to pay attention and be more empathetic to those who may feel unheard or silenced.
'Cause you're litmus when you're dead.
Highlighting how one's death can reveal their true impact and significance in life, like a chemical test.
Oh... so easy to forget
Reflecting on how easily people can overlook or ignore the hardships or suffering of others, or their own.
In this life you haven't lived yet,
Emphasizing how much there is still to experience or learn, and how much one has yet to grow and evolve.
And though you may have missed your wave...
Acknowledging that people may have missed out on opportunities or moments of greatness, but there are always chances to catch another wave.
I hope you get it today.
Expressing optimism and hope that the listener will finally be able to grasp what they've been searching for and achieve their goals.
Don't fall away...
A reminder to stay strong and not lose hope, even when things seem tough or uncertain.
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PETER VUCKOVIC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind