In 1999, the band released their debut album, the tongue-in-cheek titled 'Greatest Hits'. It went on to win "Best Independent Album" in the L.A. Music Awards and has picked up a big fan response. In 2000, after forging a friendship with the alternative rock band Papa Roach, Alien Ant Farm signed with DreamWorks SKG for their first major studio album, called 'ANThology'. The band's tunes showcased an energetic sound that featured humorous, often cynical lyrics and a desire to take in all kinds of musical influences.
In 2001, their cover of the Michael Jackson song, "Smooth Criminal", was a #1 single in both Australia and New Zealand as well a #3 single in the United Kingdom and #1 on Billboard's Modern Rock chart. The song's music video features numerous homages to Michael Jackson's life and career as well as Jackson's many videos. The song was featured on the soundtrack of the first season of 'WWE Tough Enough' and in the movie 'American Pie 2'. Their following single, "Movies", also featured a quirky music video with references to classic films such as 'The Karate Kid' and 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory'. The tune became top 5 hit in the U.K. and a top 20 hit in New Zealand. The band began touring in promotion of these two singles and their album, which later went platinum.
In spring of 2002, the band contributed the track "Bug Bytes" to the first 'Spider-Man' soundtrack, giving them even more exposure after the Tobey Maguire film's major success. However, tragedy struck the group. In May 2002, the band was involved in a bus accident while touring in Spain. The driver, 26-year-old Christopher Holland, was killed, and lead singer Dryden Mitchell suffered a fractured C2 vertebra. The horrific event scarred the group permanently, and many fans speculated that the band might have to go on a long hiatus or even fold for a while.
Nontheless, Alien Ant Farm soon returned to the studio to work on their next album, titled 'truANT', which was released in 2003. Produced by Stone Temple Pilots' Robert and Dean DeLeo, the work found the band doubling down on their past style. The video for "These Days", the first single from the album, was filmed on top of a nearby building during the Red Carpet at the 2003 BET Awards. While that tune ended up having more modest success that the band had hoped, song "Glow" was a mainstream radio success, achieving long lasting Top 20 success in New Zealand. Two months after this album was released, however, the group's record label closed its doors. Some fans speculated that the outfit had some kind of black cloud of bad luck around them, despite the guys' talents.
In October 2003, guitarist Terry Corso split with the band, citing "irreconcilable differences". Soon after, he joined the popular alternative metal outfit Powerman 5000 for a time. Joe Hill was named the new guitarist in 2005. The musician had formerly served in the underground California rock outfit Spiderworks.
In 2004, the band recorded the song "Dark in Here" for the Punisher video game. Unfortunately, the band was forced to wait for Geffen to allow them to record another album. Label Universal Music had bought DreamWorks and assigned the band to the Geffen Records company, and it appeared as if corporate shenanigans had stopped the band's momentum in its tracks, the mainstream popularity having faded.
In 2005, the band recorded with producer Jim Wirt (who recorded their independent, debut release "Greatest Hits") and planned to release the album during that summer. However, Geffen shelved the album and subsequently denied the band the rights to release it themselves. The band hit the road and made bootleg copies of the album material available to all of their fans. This unofficial release was dubbed 3rd Draft by fans.
In late 2005, Geffen finally agreed to let the band release the album on another Universal label, Universal Music Enterprises (its catalogue division). On May 4, 2006, information began showing up on music store websites and release calendars about an upcoming release from the band. The band also released information about a DVD that same day. On May 30, 2006 the new album, Up in the Attic, was released digitally on iTunes. The first single was "Forgive and Forget", the one added track to 3rd Draft.
In April 2006, bassist Tye Zamora left the band and decided to go to college. He was replaced by Alex Barreto (formerly of hardcore bands Chain of Strength, Hardstance, and Inside Out). On June 29, 2006, the band performed on G4's Attack of the Show, and on July 18, 2006, Up in the Attic was released worldwide, along with BUSted: The Definitive DVD. Included on the DVD were music videos for "Forgive and Forget", "Around the Block", and "She's Only Evil". Notably, the three videos feature only Dryden Mitchell and Mike Cosgrove.
Since the July 2006 release of Up in the Attic, very little has happened. Their website remained unupdated from November 2006 until April 2007, the update promoting the Alien Ant Fans website, created by a long time Polish fan, Bartek.
The band released Around the Block, the second single from Up in the Attic, on iTunes Store in 2007.
On February 11, 2008, the band posted a statement on their website saying all the original members of the band are back together. It was also revealed that the band had "unofficially broken up" in 2007 due to the fact that 2006's Up in the Attic was their least successful album. Around this time, vocalist Dryden Mitchell formed a new band, Send the Sages. Guitarist Terry Corso and drummer Michael Cosgrove worked on a side project titled Ghost In The Flesh, bassist Tye Zamora worked with the band eEnik. Alien Ant Farm toured sporadically, and released a new live album, Alien Ant Farm: Live In Germany.
In 2009, they played the Sonisphere Festival in Knebworth, UK on August 1. They had also performed "Smooth Criminal" at the 2009 Vans' Warped Tour in memory of Michael Jackson, who had recently died.
On February 9, 2010, Alien Ant Farm posted on their official website that the original line up (Dryden Mitchell, Terry Corso, Tye Zamora and Mike Cosgrove) was back together for the first time since 2003. On February 27, 2010, the Alien Ant Farm official website released the band's first "webizode" titled Bassmasters.
Always And Forever and upcoming sixth studio album (2011–present)
Alien Ant Farm playing in 2015
The band's "ANTicipation" 2011 Tour took place across the continental U.S. from July to October 2011. They also took part in the "Michael Forever Tribute Concert" which took place on October 8, 2011 in Cardiff, Wales. Alien Ant Farm started writing new material and in July 2012 started recording their fifth album, Always and Forever, at Groovemaster Studios in Chicago in July 2012. In March 2013 they set up a crowdfund, using PledgeMusic, to finance the album's release. The first single from Always and Forever, "Let 'Em Know", was released in May 2013. Also in the summer of 2013, Alien Ant Farm participated in "The Big Night Out Tour", opening for Hoobastank and Fuel.
Founding member and bassist Tye Zamora left Alien Ant Farm in March 2014 and was replaced by Tim Peugh. At the same time, Michael Anaya joined as a touring member of the band, providing backing vocals, percussion, and keyboards. Another single, Homage, was released in September 2014, followed a month later by E.P. Phone Home. The album Always and Forever was released on February 24, 2015.
On March 31, 2016, Alien Ant Farm announced on their official Facebook page that they were writing material for a new album.
On May 17, 2016, the band took part in the Make America Rock Again super tour throughout the summer and fall of 2016. In addition, they announced a headlining tour where they intend to perform the album Anthology in its entirety. In 2018 they toured as part of the "Gen-X Tour", alongside Buckcherry, P.O.D., and Lit.
On May 8, 2020, the new single "Everything She Wants" was released digitally on streaming services. It is a cover of the song by Wham!.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
Alien Ant Farm Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Telepathic pace stresses urgency
I use your head to make you feel intruded
Now no one's useful, and you're polluted
What did you think when you entered?
How did you feel?
What did you think when you entered?
[Chorus]
Ignore the signs around you
So you don't have to leave
There's always room inside this State of Emergency
Welcome to the state of emergency!
Welcome to the state of emergency
Realize the fate of this urgency
A manic journey puts you in my hands
How did you get here? You don't quite understand
What did you think when you entered?
How did you feel?
What did you think when you entered?
How did you feel?
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
Maybe you should have got directions
But now you're here and you know my intentions
Walls go up around your head
This ain't the place that you expected
And when all is said and done
The population will all be gone
I know you from your license plate
Don't forget your in my state
Of emergency
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
The lyrics of Alien Ant Farm's song State of Emergency describe a dangerous and urgent situation. The lines "Welcome to the state of emergency, Telepathic pace stresses urgency" suggest that the situation is severe and urgent. The singer then turns to address the listener, saying "I use your head to make you feel intruded, Now no one's useful, and you're polluted." This seems to suggest that the singer is taking control of the mind of the listener, making them feel invaded and useless, and therefore more susceptible to whatever manipulation the singer has in mind.
The chorus of the song is a call to ignore the warning signs and stay in the State of Emergency, suggesting that the situation may be addictive or that people may feel trapped. The second verse expands on the theme of being trapped, with the lines "And when all is said and done, The population will all be gone, I know you from your license plate, Don't forget your in my state of emergency." This implies that the singer has some kind of control over the listener's movement, and that they will not be leaving the State of Emergency any time soon. The overall mood of the song is ominous and intense, with a sense of danger and uncertainty that adds to its impact.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to the state of emergency
You have now entered into a situation of crisis
Telepathic pace stresses urgency
The fast-paced and intense atmosphere is causing extreme stress
I use your head to make you feel intruded
Invasive tactics are being used to make you feel uncomfortable and unwanted
Now no one's useful, and you're polluted
Everyone is now worthless and the environment has been contaminated
Ignore the signs around you
Do not pay attention to warning signals and indicators
So you don't have to leave
Stay in this vulnerable condition instead of seeking safety
There's always room inside this State of Emergency
There is always the possibility of getting trapped in a crisis situation
Realize the fate of this urgency
Understand the severe consequences that come with this sense of emergency
A manic journey puts you in my hands
An uncontrolled and reckless experience has given someone else control over you
How did you get here? You don't quite understand
Confusion about how things escalated to this level
Maybe you should have got directions
Preparation and education beforehand could have helped you avoid this situation
But now you're here and you know my intentions
You may not have intended to end up in a crisis, but now that you're here, your fate is in someone else's hands
Walls go up around your head
You are trapped and surrounded with no means of escape or help
This ain't the place that you expected
This crisis situation is not what you imagined, and things have quickly spiraled out of control
And when all is said and done
After everything has happened
The population will all be gone
Everyone involved in this crisis will either be eliminated or suffer greatly
I know you from your license plate
The crisis is so severe that even personal identification won't matter in the end
Don't forget you're in my state of emergency
Remember that you are in a dangerous and chaotic situation
Lyrics © Budde Music Publishing GmbH
Written by: PATRIK SKOOG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
r0ttingb0ne
on Smooth Criminal
@ciggywater yess
ciggywater
on Smooth Criminal
Love this version much better.
Aaron Bernhard
on Wish
muie