Sink This Ship! was initially formed in 2008, and changed their name in 2010. The present lineup includes vocalist Travis Bartosek, vocalist/guitarist Brian Anthony, drummer/vocalist Michael Yankovich, guitarist Matt Yankovich, keyboardist Joey Webb, and bassist Stephen Mallory. Founding member Kevin Arquines left the band in mid-2012, and in early 2013, Brian Anthony was added to replace Rudy Rosatti.
After consistent local shows and touring, the band signed to InVogue Records in December 2010. Their debut InVogue release, "Reclamation", was released February 22nd, 2011. The band embarked on the Gnarlie Sheen Tour with A Faylene Sky in May 2011, and spent the remainder of the year writing and recording for their full-length album, due out in 2012. After departing InVogue in late 2011, As Artifacts recently announced the release of a new single, Bilbo Swaggins, with a release date of January 3rd, 2012. The band then self-produced and recorded their debut full-length, "Strong Hands", released on August 28th, 2012, with a West Coast promotional tour scheduled for early August, entitled the Strong Hands Tour.
Following Rosatti's departure, As Artifacts acquired Brian Anthony, and went on the Holy Artifacts Tour with Chico, CA band A Holy Ghost Revival, in February 2013. In the summer, the band reentered the studio to rerecord clean vocal parts for Strong Hands, and, in June and July, embarked on their first full-national tour, the Generation of Swine Tour. The band has been promoting the upcoming release of a new single, their first featuring Anthony, entitled Tread Lightly.
Pathways
As Artifacts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What you wanted me to become
I had my own ambitions and you saw from the start
You saw that I would never be what you had hoped for
I've always wanted to be someone you could be proud of
You saw that I would never be what you had hoped for
Well that's what I've become
As I turn the pages of my memories
I remember all the things you told me to be
You told me to, change my ways
Or you wouldn't be pleased with me
Kicking and screaming I cried out
Why wont you let me be who I really am
I got myself figured out, inside
But, how do I tell you without you losing faith in me
As I turn the pages of my memories
I remember all the things you told me to be
You told me to, change my ways
Or you wouldn't be pleased with me
I cried out to you in the middle of the night
Where are you? Make me feel alright
You said to me you'd always be there,
But you were never there for me
The pathways that I have to choose from,
Won't work for the both of us
One to suit you, and one to suit myself
The pathway that I choose is my own
As I turn the pages of my memories
I remember all the things you told me to be
You told me to, change my ways
Or you wouldn't be pleased with me
The song "Pathways" by As Artifacts explores the tensions between living up to others' expectations versus being true to oneself. The first verse sets the scene: as a child, the singer's ambitions clashed with the expectations of someone important in their life, perhaps a parent. The singer claims that this person saw from the start that they would never be what was hoped for, but they still had a desire to make this person proud. The chorus highlights the push and pull of these opposing forces, with the singer recounting being told to change their ways, but ultimately choosing their own path.
The second verse delves deeper into the internal struggle of the singer. They cry out, frustrated that they can't be themselves without losing the support of this important figure. Despite being promised support, the singer feels abandoned and alone. The bridge presents the ultimate conflict - the pathways the singer can choose from don't work for both themselves and the person they want to make proud. The final chorus returns to the earlier theme, with the singer remembering the pressure put on them to change and be a certain way.
Overall, "Pathways" is a song that speaks to the common struggle of wanting to please others while also being true to oneself. By emphasizing the importance of personal agency and choice, the song offers a powerful message of self-affirmation.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was young, you told me that, I'd never be
As a child, you informed me that I could never be what you wanted me to be
What you wanted me to become
You had a plan for me that I didn't fit into
I had my own ambitions and you saw from the start
You recognized from the beginning that I had aspirations of my own
You saw that I would never be what you had hoped for
You realized that my dreams did not match yours
I've always wanted to be someone you could be proud of
Despite the differences in our desires, I have always yearned to make you proud
Well that's what I've become
In spite of your lack of support, I have still managed to achieve my goals
As I turn the pages of my memories
As I reminisce on my past experiences
I remember all the things you told me to be
I recall all of the expectations and demands you placed upon me
You told me to, change my ways
You requested that I modify my behavior
Or you wouldn't be pleased with me
Otherwise, you would not have been content with me
Kicking and screaming I cried out
I protested with great emotion
Why wont you let me be who I really am
Why won't you allow me to be true to myself?
I got myself figured out, inside
I have come to terms with my own identity
But, how do I tell you without you losing faith in me
However, I am unsure how to express this to you without causing you to lose confidence in me
I cried out to you in the middle of the night
At night when I was alone, I called out to you
Where are you? Make me feel alright
I yearned for your comfort and support
You said to me you'd always be there,
You promised you would always be present for me
But you were never there for me
Yet, you never followed through on that pledge
The pathways that I have to choose from,
I have multiple courses of action available to me
Won't work for the both of us
However, these options will not benefit both of us
One to suit you, and one to suit myself
I have to choose a path that satisfies my dreams, even if it doesn't follow your plan
The pathway that I choose is my own
The path that I decide upon is based on my own goals and values
Contributed by Jonathan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
- Flashy
I can listen to this song so many times, and I never get tired of it.
GAIGE
This song, a black sheep? It fits perfectly. Love it! Keep up the great work!
Suns Geek
This song is so good.
Sydney Shae
I can't count how many times I've listened to this so far.
Masremlap88
such feels.
Guache
👍