For fans of Jimmy Eat World and Death Cab fo… Read Full Bio ↴[Press Release - 5.11.2010]
For fans of Jimmy Eat World and Death Cab for Cutie
The debut full-length album from Los Angeles based indie/rock group Act As If, entitled “There’s a Light,” is now available on iTunes, Amazon mp3, Lala, and Zune.
The band’s singer/songwriter Peter Verdell wrote and produced the 11-song album, and also performed all drums, guitars, piano, synths and vocals. The album was mixed by Nick Baumhardt (of The Class of 98 [The Militia Group], Thousand Foot Krutch [Tooth and Nail], and FM Static [Tooth and Nail]), and mastered by Troy Glessner (Death Cab for Cutie, Pedro the Lion).
The band is currently unsigned.
[Full Bio]
After self-recording and releasing Act As If’s first EP in 2006, frontman Peter Verdell spent some time running the gamut of singer/songwriter ups and downs.
Needing new breath, he quit his job as A&R assistant at Drive-Thru Records in 2007, began retaking music classes at a community college, and temporarily traded Los Angeles for Chicago in 2008 to drum and tour with friend/musician Andrew Ripp. In the fall of that year, Verdell made the decision to move back to LA and refocus on Act As If.
By the spring of 2009, the band had recorded and self-released a limited edition 5-song EP (“More Birds with Fewer Stones”) for a west coast acoustic tour with Stacy Clark (Shangri-La/Vanguard Records). In June, Act As If began tracking 11 new songs that would become their debut full-length album, “There’s a Light”.
The sonic result of “There’s a Light” is most easily described as a mix of Death Cab for Cutie and Jimmy Eat World. Verdell performed all the drums, guitars, pianos, synths, and vocals, while band mate Derrick Wong performed bass. The album was self-produced, mixed by Nick Baumhardt (of The Class of 98 [The Militia Group], Thousand Foot Krutch [Tooth and Nail], and FM Static [Tooth and Nail]), and mastered by Troy Glessner (Death Cab for Cutie, Pedro the Lion).
Recent activity has found Act As If playing such notable LA venues as The Troubadour, and with esteemed bands including The Daylights [Epic/Sony], Everybody Else [The Militia Group], The Higher [Epitaph], Barcelona [Universal], and Stacy Clark [Shangri-La/Vanguard]. A song from their self-titled EP, “Please Catch Up,” was licensed for a primetime ABC reality show entitled “Greg Behrendt’s Wake Up Call.”
Running Wild
Act As If Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And not one damn thing can stop me
You figured me out, and you know I'm running
Wild when you see me
And my wounds are finally clean
I don't know how, but this lion's claws are out.
Downtown where the streets are breathing
I'll be waiting
Light at the end
And you know i…
I'm calling all of my best friends
They've taken me back in
And I'm not wondering
What you're doing late
It's strange you claim to be alone
But you've never been alone
So open wide and watch me go
Downtown where the streets are breathing
I'll be waiting
Downtown with the lost I'll find my
Light at the end
And you know I'm not coming back
And you know I won't be back
I'm already halfway to forgetting
What you said as you ran out the door
I've got running of my own, get ready
LA take me, hold me in your arms
Downtown where the streets are breathing I'll be waiting
Downtown with the lost I'll find my
Light at the end
Downtown where the streets are breathing I'll be waiting
Downtown with the lost I'll find my
Light at the end
And you know I'm not coming back
And you know no I won't be back
The lyrics to "Running Wild" by Act As If convey a sense of freedom and independence as the singer navigates their way through the city. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song as the lines "I'm running wild in this city and not one damn thing can stop me" emphasize the sense of liberation that the singer feels. The chorus then reinforces this feeling as they "find their light at the end" amidst the bustle and chaos of downtown. The second verse however, reveals that this newfound freedom is not without costs, as the singer has clearly faced some form of hardship in the past, but has managed to find a sense of healing through their wild journey. The lyrics "And my wounds are finally clean / I don't know how, but this lion's claws are out" suggest that the singer has faced some form of emotional trauma, but has now found a way to overcome it and take control of their life.
The bridge of the song however changes the tone as the singer reaches out to their friends, realizing that while they want freedom, they also cherish the support of those they care about. Meanwhile, the lyrics "It's strange you claim to be alone / But you've never been alone" suggest that the singer is aware of the hypocrisy of their former partner, who claimed to be independent but never truly was. The chorus then repeats, emphasizing the sense of liberation and possibility that comes with running wild in the city, even amidst uncertainty and turmoil.
Overall, the lyrics to "Running Wild" embrace an optimistic and empowering message. While acknowledging that the journey to personal freedom may be difficult, the song encourages the listener to embrace their wild side and find their own light, rather than succumbing to the pressures of a conformist society.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm running wild in this city
I'm living recklessly and without constraint in this urban environment.
And not one damn thing can stop me
No obstacle or challenge is able to hinder my behavior or lifestyle.
You figured me out, and you know I'm running
You understand my intentions and actions - I'm escaping or fleeing from something.
Wild when you see me
My behavior is often erratic and unpredictable when I am in your presence.
And my wounds are finally clean
I have healed from past emotional or physical injuries and am now in a better state of being.
I don't know how, but this lion's claws are out.
I am exhibiting aggression or assertiveness despite feeling uncertain or vulnerable about my situation.
Downtown where the streets are breathing
The city surroundings are alive and bustling with energy.
I'll be waiting
I'll be patiently anticipating or expecting something to happen.
Downtown with the lost I'll find my light at the end
In this urban setting, I will discover my purpose or direction in life, despite feeling lost or uncertain.
And you know i...
You are aware of my intentions or desires.
I'm calling all of my best friends
I am seeking support and comfort from those closest to me.
They've taken me back in
They have welcomed me back into their lives or group after a period of distance or separation.
And I'm not wondering what you're doing late
I am no longer concerned or curious about your actions or whereabouts.
It's strange you claim to be alone
It is surprising that you portray yourself as isolated or solitary, when in reality you are surrounded by others.
But you've never been alone
You have always had company or support, even if you deny it.
So open wide and watch me go
Observe me as I depart or move on from this situation without hesitation or regret.
And you know I'm not coming back
You understand that I will not return to this place or relationship.
And you know I won't be back
You are aware that I have no intention of returning or revisiting our past experiences.
I'm already halfway to forgetting
I am making progress in moving on and emotionally distancing myself from this situation or relationship.
What you said as you ran out the door
I am reflecting on your final words or actions as you left our shared space.
I've got running of my own, get ready
I am focused on my own goals and aspirations, and am actively pursuing them with determination.
LA take me, hold me in your arms
I am seeking comfort and acceptance from this city, and am willing to embrace all that it has to offer.
And you know no I won't be back
You understand that I have made a definitive decision to move forward and not revisit our past experiences.
Contributed by Alexis J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.