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.
Pure
3 Colours Red Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What you gonna do?
When naievety was my energy
Like power was you tool
And you broke me down like diamonds
Turned my blood to rust
Abuser of an innocence
Your real love was lust
'Cause you had to be something
Be someone
And play, play, play, play games with heads
Got the chill when you passed go
You had me like a remote
All you wanted was control
'Cause you had to be something
Be someone
And here are the terms on which you'll live:
I'll hate who I want, and I'll give when I give
And just because you're insecure
Doesn't mean you couldn't be pure
Doesn't mean you couldn't be pure
One lie for one lie
And now I bet you're happy
And you let it go so soon
Always at the back of my mind
You had to be something
Be someone
And here are the terms on which you'll live:
I'll hate who I want, and I'll give when I give
And just because you're insecure
Doesn't mean you couldn't be pure
Doesn't mean you couldn't be pure
Doesn't mean you couldn't be pure
Doesn't mean you couldn't be pure
The song "Pure" by 3 Colours Red is about the aftermath of a toxic and abusive relationship. The lyrics describe the singer's realization that their partner was only interested in control and domination. The verses reflect on how the abusive partner broke the singer down emotionally and mentally, turning their passion into fear and mistrust. The chorus is a defiant response to the partner's terms of life-after-relationship, promising to hate who they want and give only when they choose to. The bridge of the song also highlights the insecurity of the partner, and how they could have been pure and honest instead of manipulative and cruel.
Overall, "Pure" is a powerful and emotional song about surviving a difficult relationship and coming out stronger on the other side. Its lyrics are raw and honest, highlighting the pain and trauma inflicted by abusive partners while also celebrating the strength and resilience of those who survive them.
Line by Line Meaning
When the one thing in your life comes crashin'
When the most important aspect of your life falls apart
What you gonna do?
What actions will you take to handle the situation?
When naievety was my energy
When my innocence and lack of experience was my driving force
Like power was you tool
Like having control and manipulating others was your method
And you broke me down like diamonds
And you deconstructed me into something refined and beautiful
Turned my blood to rust
But in the process, you corrupted and tainted me
Abuser of an innocence
You took advantage of my lack of understanding of the world
Your real love was lust
Your true motivation was purely sexual desire
'Cause you had to be something
Because you had an intense need to prove yourself
Be someone
To become someone of importance and power
And play, play, play, play games with heads
You enjoyed manipulating and toying with people's emotions
Got the chill when you passed go
You were thrilled with each success as you stepped forward
You had me like a remote
You had full control over me, like one would control a remote
All you wanted was control
Your main drive was to dominate and control everything around you
And here are the terms on which you'll live:
These are the conditions under which our relationship will continue
I'll hate who I want, and I'll give when I give
I will continue to hold grudges against people and give when I feel like it
And just because you're insecure
Your insecurity does not justify your manipulative behavior
Doesn't mean you couldn't be pure
It's possible for you to have maintained your purity and integrity
One lie for one lie
You rationalize your dishonest behavior by believing you're only reciprocating others' lies
And now I bet you're happy
Now that you've gotten what you wanted, I'm sure you're pleased
And you let it go so soon
You're quick to move on and forget the damage you've caused
Always at the back of my mind
But the memory of what you've done will always linger in my thoughts
Doesn't mean you couldn't be pure
Once again, it's possible for you to have maintained your purity despite your actions
Doesn't mean you couldn't be pure
And once more, your past actions do not necessarily define your purity
Doesn't mean you couldn't be pure
Ultimately, you have the potential to be a person of integrity and purity
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PETER BRYAN VUCKOVIC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MayDayS V.4
01 Pure 0:00
02 This Is My Hollywood 3:03
03 Nerve Gas 5:42
04 Nuclear Holiday 8:02
05 Copper Girl 11:00
06 Sixty Mile Smile 14:30
07 Sunny In England 17:01
08 Alright Ma 19:31
09 Mental Blocks 22:30
10 Fit Boy + Faint Girl 25:01
11 Halfway Up The Downs 29:17
12 Hateshick 31:39
13 Love's Cradle 35:20
14 Aniseed 38:10
Alfonso Barone
great album
Mudhut316
This was released in 1997 👍