AGP ranges from heavy funk to sophisticated jazz and all points in between. The band showcases their double saxophone attack (Dave Adams and Ben Groppe) on some songs, while Brendan McGinn's guitar work and vocals will be showcased on another. Just when you thought the band had no more surprises, keyboardist Rob Marscher will take a solo to make you believe in a higher power. With Andrew Keith locking everything down on drums, these five players bring a big sound to the stage. Each member brings a different writing style to the table and that is apparent in the band's diverse repertoire. More important than AGP's diversity (and the strength of each individual) is their ability to play as a whole. When all band members are clicking, that is when the true AGP sound emerges.
The band's first album (called Addison Groove Project or The Orange Album) was recorded in 1998 as a high school senior project. With that CD in hand, AGP began to receive opening slots for national acts in clubs they had to sneak into only months before. When high school graduation came, all six band members were faced with the dilemma of immediately following their dreams of touring nationally or pursuing a college education. Much to their parents' delight, the band members decided to put school first.
While in college, AGP scheduled gigs on the weekends, arriving separately from five different schools within a 200-mile radius of Boston. Sometimes, while studying for finals in the back rooms of noisy nightclubs, or finishing term papers in the wee hours after a long weekend of gigging, it didn't seem worth it. Luckily, a major festival or high-profile opener was always booked when times seemed darkest, saving the day and keeping the band together. Summer breaks allowed the band to mount more extensive tours.
Along with their weekend warrior gig schedule and summer tours, AGP also released three additional albums before graduating college: two live concerts in the Wicked Live series and one more studio album, Allophone (which charted at CMJ and was a "Top Add" in its first week). Wicked Live 2 was recorded over a two-night stand at Boston's Paradise Rock Club. All told, the band has sold over 10,000 copies of their releases combined.
In 2004 the band suffered a huge loss with the death of John Hall, the band's bass player and a founding member. John battled cancer for approximately 18 months and passed peacefully on Thanksgiving night 2004. With John's blessing, the band has soldiered on as a quintet.
AGP side band Skinjer, which consists of all of the band except Brendan and performs when Brendan is busy persuing his medical degree at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, has only played a handful of shows to date but expects to begin performing again soon.
Darker Days
Addison Groove Project Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To cleanse your heart and all
What may be on your mind
Wait for a warmer day
When we can drive away
And just escape from time
It will be calm again
After the winter and
I know it can't be long
To rest on the dock below
Under blue skies a glow
You are the only one
Darker days are gone
Leaving all our troubles far behind
You and I belong
In the comfort of euphoria
Darker Days are gone
We'll have no more struggles in our minds
Let's not waste the time
Finer things are in your very eyes
Walk on my path to find
Change is not far behind
From all the colder days
Take all the comfort in
Summer will soon begin Color is on your face
Sit on the ledge and see
Warmer days that will be
For us to both enjoy
Stare at the ocean glass
Know that the rain has passed
You are the only one
Darker days are gone
Leaving all our troubles far behind
You and I belong
In the comfort of euphoria
Darker Days are gone
We'll have no more struggles in our minds
Let's not waste the time
Finer things are in your very eyes
The lyrics to Addison Groove Project's song Darker Days seem to be about finding hope and comfort in difficult times. The first verse talks about looking for the sun in the fall to cleanse your heart and mind, and waiting for a warmer day to escape from time and all your troubles. The second verse talks about how after the winter, things will be calm again and you can rest on the dock under blue skies. The chorus repeats that the darker days are gone and there will be no more struggles in our minds, and encourages the listener to appreciate the finer things in life.
One interpretation of these lyrics could be that the song is addressing someone who is going through a difficult time and feeling lost or hopeless. The repeated references to brighter days and warmer weather could represent a metaphorical transition from darkness to light, or from despair to hope. The chorus repeatedly emphasizes the idea that the struggles of the past have been left behind, and that the listener and the singer both belong in a state of euphoria and comfort.
Overall, the lyrics of Darker Days seem to be urging listeners to hold on and find hope in difficult times, and to appreciate the good things in life when they come. The song's hopeful message is underscored by its light, upbeat tone and catchy melody.
Line by Line Meaning
Look for the sun in fall
In the autumn of our lives, we should seek out the light that will purify our minds and hearts.
To cleanse your heart and all
This light will cleanse us of any negativity that may be weighing us down, enabling us to start afresh.
What may be on your mind
We should approach this cleansing process with an open mind, and be willing to let go of any negative thoughts.
Wait for a warmer day
We need to stay patient, and not let ourselves get bogged down by the harshness of life.
When we can drive away
When the opportunity arises, we should take time off to get away from our routine lives and just relax.
And just escape from time
It is important to detach ourselves from the pressures of daily life and just be in the present moment.
It will be calm again
This rough patch of our lives will pass, and we will emerge stronger from it.
After the winter and
Just like winter, this difficult period of our lives will eventually come to an end, and warmer days will follow.
I know it can't be long
We should remain optimistic, knowing that brighter days are around the corner.
To rest on the dock below
We should take time to relax and soak in the beauty of nature around us, without worrying about anything else.
Under blue skies a glow
The beauty of the world around us should give us hope and remind us of the bigger picture.
You are the only one
Through all this, we should remember that we are not alone, and that there is someone who cares for us.
Darker days are gone
The period of struggle and hardship is over, and we can let go of our past troubles.
Leaving all our troubles far behind
We should not carry any emotional baggage from the past and leave it behind us.
You and I belong
We are all in this together and should support each other through our trials and tribulations.
In the comfort of euphoria
We should bask in the joy of overcoming our struggles and coming out successful.
We'll have no more struggles in our minds
Having moved past our troubles, we should not let ourselves be bogged down by negative thoughts anymore.
Let's not waste the time
Life is precious and we should use it wisely to make the most of the opportunities that come our way.
Finer things are in your very eyes
The beauty of the world around us is often overlooked, and it is important to appreciate it and enjoy the simple pleasures in life.
Contributed by Jacob K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.