The first ASU incarnation came together in 1996 when founding member Ian Eskelin decided to broaden his solo act and take a bunch of mates out on the road. The good old rock 'n' roll and notorious stage antics won them immediate acclaim.
Heady days ensued. The boys were signed to a leading record label, and after five No. 1 singles, watched their American youth group following grow into a legion of loyal fans. Over the past six years ASU has played more than 1000 shows. And only recently, during a rare yearlong break from the road in 2000, Ian took time to properly court and wed his new bride Peggy. The couple lives in Nashville, Tennessee, as do the newest faces in the ASU line-up.
Brothers Matt and Mike Payne, originally from Rockford, Illinois, have joined Ian on drums and guitar respectively, and Jeremy Hunter, a Seattle-native, is bassist and Revolution recording engineer. While the four-piece ASU team worked on the new album they took the time to rethink the ASU platform. Ian wanted to communicate something more personal. "I've written all kinds of songs, but the thing I really love and get most excited about is when I write songs that express my faith in three minutes in new and creative ways. That for me is an outpouring of my faith, my calling."
Certainly Ian's savvy use of metaphor, imagery and twisted cliché could charm a literature student for hours. His song-writing skills are clearly illustrated throughout the new record and particularly in songs like the Lennonesque "We Are The Future" and title track "Revolution". "Sweet Jesus" and the worshipful "Making It Beautiful" are perhaps more obvious in their spiritual message, but the common thread of all the tracks is the one thought-provoking challenge that Ian claims has never been more pertinent. "There are several songs on this new record that talk about change, the idea that we can make our lives better by helping to make the world better. Each of us, individually through Christ can make small differences. More than ever, I feel these songs are relevant — no matter what the circumstances of the day."
Revolution was two-and-a-half years in the writing and is the result of an artist honing his craft while personally living the themes of exploration, change, discovery and challenge. Ian has remained very "hands-on" in the production and long-term friend Mark Freegard (Manic Street Preachers, Del Amitri, and The Breeders) has mixed Revolution and ASU's self-titled debut album. Ian is not shy to express his satisfaction. "It's a ten song record and I really tried hard to trim the fat. I wanted the album to have a strong message and for people to be able to enjoy listening to every song. The guys are extremely talented musicians and really helped me with a fresh perspective on these songs."
Musically, Ian, Matt, Mike and Jeremy promise more emphasis on solid rock 'n' roll fundamentals without loosing the fun elements fans have come to love. "It's been easy to perform the songs on Revolution with the same excitement we had when we first started. The new material is written from the heart, and I feel extremely passionate about it. I want the music to be as important to the listener as it is for me. Whether in a car, living room or concert hall, I want people to leave an ASU experience reflective, energized and uplifted."
From http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/allstarunited.html
Welcome to Our Big Rock Show
All Star United Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drive a day and half a night
Get to see some pretty scenery
But if that's all there is to this
This band would split right down the seams
Southbound,
Static on the radio
We left town But where we're goin' I don't know
Somewhere we're gonna play another show
Quick get off and gas up at the Conoco
We're driving
We drive against the grain
Like postmen in the rain
[Chorus]
Welcome to our big rock show
Wind us up and watch this puppy go
Hope you heard a single word we said
One little rock to rattle in your head
Hey kid, pit mosh
Please avoid the flashpot
Yeah, it's really funny 'til an eyebrow gets singed off
Your mother's got nothing here to fear or dread
Our abrasive is gentle on baby's skin head
Sound checks
Don't forget the spandex
This mix is sounding like a bad train wreck
It takes some spit and grit and sweat
To give you more than you expect
We're driven
Like postmen through the snow
[Chorus]
Got a cryptic coder
On the microphone
Find the secret message
Buried in our big rock show
The song "Welcome to Our Big Rock Show" by All Star United is a humorous take on the challenges and rewards of being in a touring rock band. The first verse describes the band's journey to the next gig, acknowledging the monotony of the travel but emphasizing the importance of the shared experience. The second verse highlights some of the quirky aspects of being in a band, from the unpredictable radio reception to the strange sights and situations encountered on a tour. The chorus is an invitation to the listener to join in the fun and excitement of the band's performance, promising to leave a lasting impression with their music. The bridge features a tongue-in-cheek reference to the band's potential to inspire social change, through a supposed hidden message in their lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Five guys take a ride
A group of five men embark on a journey
Drive a day and half a night
They drive for an extended period of time, traveling both during the day and night
Get to see some pretty scenery
They get to enjoy the sights along the way
But if that's all there is to this
If this were the only purpose of their journey
This band would split right down the seams
The band would fall apart from boredom and lack of purpose
Southbound,
Heading in a southerly direction
Static on the radio
The radio signal is filled with noise and static
We left town
They departed from their origin location
But where we're goin' I don't know
The destination is unknown
Somewhere we're gonna play another show
They know they will perform at another venue, but not where it will be
Quick get off and gas up at the Conoco
A stop is made for a quick refueling of the vehicle at a Conoco gas station
We're driving
They are traveling in a vehicle
We drive against the grain
They go against the norm and do things their own way
Like postmen in the rain
They persevere through difficult conditions like mail carriers in inclement weather
Welcome to our big rock show
They are greeting the audience to their concert
Wind us up and watch this puppy go
Get them started and they will give an amazing performance
Hope you heard a single word we said
They hope the audience was listening to their lyrics
One little rock to rattle in your head
The band hopes their music has a lasting impact on the listener
Hey kid, pit mosh
Encouraging the audience to participate in a type of dance called pit moshing
Please avoid the flashpot
Warnings to avoid the intense flames of the special effects
Yeah, it's really funny 'til an eyebrow gets singed off
The flames are humorous until someone gets injured
Your mother's got nothing here to fear or dread
Assuring the audience that the show is safe for all ages
Our abrasive is gentle on baby's skin head
Their music may sound rough, but it's still enjoyable for all
Sound checks
Ensuring the instruments and equipment are working properly before the show
Don't forget the spandex
Reminding themselves to wear their flashy spandex clothing for the performance
This mix is sounding like a bad train wreck
The band is critiquing how the sound currently sounds
It takes some spit and grit and sweat
A nod toward the hard work and dedication required to put on a successful show
To give you more than you expect
The band intends to exceed the audience's expectations
We're driven
The band is passionate about their music
To give you what we know
They want to share their knowledge and talent with their audience
Like postmen through the snow
They will deliver their music to their audience no matter the conditions
Got a cryptic coder
The lead singer has a mysterious message to share with the audience
On the microphone
He will deliver the message through the microphone
Find the secret message
The audience is invited to decipher the hidden message
Buried in our big rock show
The message is hidden in their performance
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP
Written by: DAVE CLO, DOUGLAS KAINE MCKELVEY, IAN ASHLEY ESKELIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind