The band’s name is inspired by a lactating contortionist stripper named Alexis Fire. This caused problems when she discovered that they were using her website name (alexisonfire.com) as their band name, and threatened to sue. However, since she had never trademarked the title nothing became of these threats. In the end, the band decided to change their website’s URL in spite to theonlybandever.com
Alexisonfire’s lyrical topics range from relationship troubles to go-karting. They have two primary vocalists, screaming duties carried out by George Pettit, and singing by Dallas Green, with support from Wade MacNeil.
While their largest fanbase is in their home country of Canada, they also became more popular in other parts of the world, including Japan, Australia, Europe and the US. In the second half of 2010, they toured Australia with Break Even, Europe with Chickenhawk and The Computers and then Canada with Norma Jean and La Dispute.
The band was nominated for "ugliest rock band ever" at the CASBY awards (held by local Toronto radio station) but lost out to another Canadian born band, Sum 41. In 2010 they then won the "Best New Single" Award for their track The Northern.
Members:
* George Pettit - Vocals (2001-present)
* Dallas Green - Guitar and vocals (2001--present)
* Wade MacNeil - Guitar and vocals (2001--present)
* Jordan 'Ratbeard' Hastings - Drums (2005--present)
* Chris Steele - Bass (2001--present)
Former Members:
Jesse Ingelevics - Drums (2001-2005)
Announced on their website on June 14th 2005 that he was leaving the band because he had slowly grown apart from the band, and wanted to spend more time with his family and fiancée. His relationship with Alexisonfire slowly deteriorated, and "keep it on wax" documented this.
Side Projects
* City and Colour - Dallas Green's solo project.
* Black Lungs - A band formed by Wade MacNeil as lead vocalist, originally featuring George Pettit playing bass and Jordan Hastings on drums and Sean McNabb. After a few shows disolved to being Wade's solo project.
* Strange Notes - A project of George's where he interviews people from different bands.
* Cunter - A band where drummer Jordan Hastings plays with some members from Moneen.
*Dead Tired A band formed by George.
*Say Yes A band that Hastings drums in.
*Gallows A band that Wade Macneil is currently the vocalist for.
Discography
* "Math Sheet Demos" (3 Song Demo) - 2001
* "Pink Heart Skull Sampler" (2 Song Demo) - 2002
* "Alexisonfire" (Debut Album) - 2002
* "Brown Heart Skull Sampler" (2 Song Demo) - 2004
* "Watch Out!" (Album) - 2004
* "The Switcheroo Series" (EP, split with Moneen) - 2005
* "Crisis" (Album) - 2006
* "Crisis (Bonus Tracks)" (Two Songs, download only, but appeared on the Japanese Pressing of the album) - 2006
* "Old Crows / Young Cardinals" (Album) - 2009
* "Old Crows / Young Cardinals (Bonus Tracks)" (Two Songs, download only, but appeared on the Japanese Pressing of the album) - 2009
* "iTunes Original" (EP) - 2010
* "Dog's Blood" (EP) - 2010
* "Death Letter" (EP) - 2012
* "Live at Copps" (Live Album/DVD) - 2016
Waterwings
Alexisonfire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chlorine stripped your skin pigment
The cash was worth the fucking change
At the pool from open to close
Rake the bottom for loose change
A job that afforded luxury
The image still hurts my eyes
White chlorine burns so bright
It's also probably the reason (sometimes I fear the night)
Why his son hates him (when addiction)
Now your blood is so toxic (became surprise)
So toxic with chlorine that you only
Have three months left to live
Red stained eyes, red stained eyes
Was all the change worth it?
Was the divorce worth it? (red stained eyes)
Was it what you wanted? (red stained eyes)
To never see your son again? (red)
The song "Waterwings" by Alexisonfire tells the story of a man who used to work as a pool cleaner to afford luxuries but ended up losing everything. The lyrics describe his physical appearance, with the chlorine in the pool stripping his skin pigment and bleaching his blonde hair. It was a job that earned him loose change in exchange for spending long hours at the pool from open to close, raking the bottom for spare coins. The money he earned was worth the damage done to his skin and hair.
The song suggests that the man's addiction to chlorine and his job as a pool cleaner was the reason for his divorce, and in turn, his son hating him. The chlorine made his blood so toxic that he only has three months left to live. The song questions whether the cash he earned through his job was worth losing his family and his health.
The overall message of the song is about the consequences of unhealthy addiction, be it to drugs, work, or any other unhealthy habit. It's a warning not to sacrifice our health and relationships for material wealth we think we need.
Line by Line Meaning
You always had the blondest hair
Describing the physical appearance of the subject
Chlorine stripped your skin pigment
The effect of chlorine on the subject's skin color
The cash was worth the fucking change
The subject's decision to work at the pool for money, despite the unpleasant work environment
At the pool from open to close
Describing the subject's work schedule
Rake the bottom for loose change
The task required by the subject's job
A job that afforded luxury
The money earned from the job gave the subject a taste of luxury
The image still hurts my eyes
The memory of the subject's physical appearance is still painful
But it probably lead to his divorce
The subject's job at the pool likely caused his divorce
White chlorine burns so bright
Describing the visual effect of chlorine in the pool
It's also probably the reason (sometimes I fear the night)
The fear that the subject's job and exposure to chlorine may have caused harm even after leaving the job
Why his son hates him (when addiction)
The subject's addiction may have led his son to hate him
Now your blood is so toxic (became surprise)
The subject's prolonged exposure to chlorine has had a severe impact on his health
So toxic with chlorine that you only
Describing the severity of the subject's health condition
Have three months left to live
The limited time the subject has left due to his health condition
Red stained eyes, red stained eyes
Describing the physical appearance of the subject's eyes
Was all the change worth it?
Questioning whether the money earned from the job was worth the negative impact on the subject's life
Was the divorce worth it? (red stained eyes)
Questioning whether the subject's job and addiction were worth the loss of his marriage and impact on his health
Was it what you wanted? (red stained eyes)
Questioning whether the choices and actions taken by the subject truly reflect what he wanted in life
To never see your son again? (red)
Reflecting on the subject's lost relationship with his son, possibly due to his choices and actions
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chris Steele, Dallas Green, George Pettit, Jesse Ingelevics, Wade Macneil
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@digirididigiridoo8908
Feeling nostalgia in 2020 anyone? Good days these were.
@cat-in-mask
Good times good vibes! Alexisonfire forever
@juggernautproduktion
And still remembering those awesome days. 2004 for me. Can remember key events in my life from that year like it was yesterday. This album was definitely a soundtrack of the era, amongst others of course. Wow. Drumming along like it was yesterday. Man.... long live Alexis.. peace from Australia! 🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿
@nicholasbrassard3512
fucking right bro
@willysanchez5444
The best days
@zevlic
yes
@Turb1ne
This came out almost 20 years ago,
I rememeber. I absolutely vibed to this so hard in high school in the Netherlands but no one shared my enthusiasm for it. God that was lonely lol.
@lucaspesalaccia8846
You are not the only one. I felt the same in my high school. I'm from Argentina! :B
@officerbarrymccochinerpcpo7906
If I remember correctly, Pulminary Archery came out first. I loved it. But when this one came out next, it was UNDENIABLE!
@justincook1736
I turned a lot of people in Michigan into this band at that time, 44. Caliber love letter was a powerful one too