Prior to starting Assemblage 23, Shear experimented with music under the name "Man on a Stage", beginning in the early 1980s. Most of Shear's music at this point was instrumental, as he lacked the confidence to sing; the quality of the music itself was highly questionable by his own admission. Shear eventually began to add vocals to his music; at the same time, Shear was also playing bass in a punk band called the "Advocates".
Assemblage 23 got its start in 1988, when at a "Depeche Mode" concert, founder Tom Shear heard the opening DJ spinning industrial dance music. Prior to hearing this type of music, Shear had been creating primarily synthpop and post-punk type music.
Hearing industrial music for the first time proved to be something of an epiphany for Shear, as he had finally found a form of music that combined the electronic sounds he loved from his synth-pop background with the heavier, darker aggression punk represented. Even so, the project was more of a hobby for Shear at this point; it took until 1998 for Assemblage 23 to gather enough positive acclaim to attract the attention of record labels.
Shear signed a deal in 1999 with the Canadian label Gashed! for a full-length album, "Contempt" (released in November 1999). A second album, "Failure", followed in March 2001 and was released by Gashed! in North America and Accession Records in Europe. A single from "Failure", "Disappoint", was released on Accession in October 2001. The song dealt with Shear's sense of loss after his father's suicide on October 28, 1999.
After falling out with Gashed Records following "Failure", Shear signed with US label Metropolis Records later in 2001; Metropolis re-released "Contempt" and "Failure" that November. A remix release, "Addendum", was also released in November only on Accession. By this point, Assemblage 23 had become fairly popular within the ebm genre.
The third studio album, "Defiance", was released in October 2002 on Metropolis and Accession, preceded by the single "Document" in September. October 2004 saw the release of a fourth album, "Storm"; two singles were taken from the album, "Let the Wind Erase Me" in August and "Ground" in November.
Almost three years later, in March 2007, Assemblage 23 returned with a new single, "Binary", which debuted at #21 on the Billboard US singles chart. This was followed by the album "Meta" in April.
In September of that year Shear released "Early, Rare, & Unreleased [1988-1998]", which is a limited edition collection of A23 tracks taken from the years 1988 - 1998, on his own label 23db records. This was followed in February of 2009 by a second collection "Early, Rare, & Unreleased: Volume Two", which was also limited to 1000 copies.
Late 2009 saw the release of "Compass". Both regular and deluxe limited 2CD editions were released in October 2009, preceeded in September by the single "Spark".
The latest album "Bruise" was released on June 12, 2012. It is also available in both regular and 2CD versions.
Shear also has a side-project, "nerve filter", which has been running alongside Assemblage 23 since 1995. However, no more albums will be released since the project is now open for remixes only.
Official website: www.assemblage23.com
drive
Assemblage 23 Lyrics
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When the swell of sound becomes too much
Crushed between the cogs that work us
When I feel I'm slowly losing touch
Sometimes I drive to run from all my demons
Sometimes I drive so I can be alone
Sometimes I drive to see the world in different light
When the walls close in around me
When the ceiling's caving in
When anxiety surrounds me
When my patience is wearing thin
Sometimes I drive to run from all my demons
Sometimes I drive so I can be alone
Sometimes I drive to see the world in different light
Sometimes I drive for no reason at all
The open road unwinds before me
An onyx ribbon spreading out
No idea where I'll be going
Sometimes the journey is what counts
Sometimes I drive to run from all my demons
Sometimes I drive so I can be alone
Sometimes I drive to see the world in different light
Sometimes I drive for no reason at all
Sometimes I drive to run from all my demons
Sometimes I drive so I can be alone
Sometimes I drive to see the world in different light
Sometimes I drive for no reason at all
The song "Drive" by Assemblage 23 is a contemplation of the therapeutic powers of driving, especially during times of chaos, anxiety, and feelings of disconnect. The songwriter expresses the feeling of being caught between the machines and systems that control us, and the need to find an escape from that world. Driving provides the liberation and the solitude to find oneself, and it's a practice that can bring healing to the mentally stressed.
The lyrics underscore the universality of the reasons that people get in their cars and go for a drive, whether it's to escape fears, take a break from the pressures of modern life, or to experience an unexpected journey. The song is a testament to the mental refuge that driving can provide for anyone, no matter their personal background or experiences.
The lines "No idea where I'll be going/Sometimes the journey is what counts" speak to the very idea of the unknown and the unpredictable nature of life, and how that can be an exciting thing, even though it can also be terrifying. The song highlights the idea that sometimes it's the journey that matters, and the destination is just an aspect of that journey.
Line by Line Meaning
When chaos reigns without a purpose
Whenever there's disorder and confusion, without any clear aim or objective.
When the swell of sound becomes too much
When the volume and intensity of noise becomes overwhelming and hard to bear.
Crushed between the cogs that work us
Feeling trapped and powerless in the machinery of society or the demands of daily life.
When I feel I'm slowly losing touch
When a sense of detachment and disconnection from reality starts to set in.
Sometimes I drive to run from all my demons
Driving can be a way to escape from or avoid facing one's internal issues, fears and anxieties.
Sometimes I drive so I can be alone
Driving can offer a chance to be solitary, to find peace and quiet, and to mull over thoughts and emotions privately.
Sometimes I drive to see the world in different light
Going on a drive can provide a fresh perspective and a new way of looking at familiar surroundings or problems.
Sometimes I drive for no reason at all
Just taking a ride without any specific destination or goal can be freeing and relaxing, a way to escape boredom or routine.
When the walls close in around me
Feeling hemmed in, limited, or confined by external circumstances or pressures.
When the ceiling's caving in
Sensing a danger or threat from above, or experiencing an overwhelming sense of dread or imminent disaster.
When anxiety surrounds me
Feeling tense, worried, and nervous, with a sense of impending danger or trouble.
When my patience is wearing thin
Feeling irritable, frustrated, and intolerant, with a low threshold for inconvenience or delay.
The open road unwinds before me
The prospect of driving along an uninterrupted, limitless stretch of highway represents a freedom and possibility, a chance to leave one's troubles behind.
An onyx ribbon spreading out
The metaphor of a dark, shiny strip of material emphasizes the sleekness, elegance, and allure of the road, as well as its unbroken continuity.
No idea where I'll be going
The lack of a fixed route, plan, or endpoint emphasizes the sense of adventure and spontaneity that comes with driving aimlessly.
Sometimes the journey is what counts
Rather than focusing solely on the destination or objective, the act of moving and exploring can be rewarding in itself, providing opportunities for self-reflection and growth.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EICCA TOPPINEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind