Attack Attack! was founded during 2005 by members Austin Carlile, Ricky Lortz, Andrew Whiting, Nick White, and Andrew Wetzel. Several months later, Ricky Lortz announced his departure and was soon replaced by Johnny Franck as the new vocalist/rhythm guitarist at the time. Later, Nick White also announced his departure from the group and John Holgado was added on bass and in 2008, Caleb Shomo joined the band on keyboard. In early 2008, they self-released their debut EP titled If Guns Are Outlawed, Can We Use Swords?. Later they signed to Rise Records in June 2008 and released their debut album, Someday Came Suddenly, on the label late that year. Upon the release of Someday Came Suddenly, it peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart and number 193 on the Billboard 200, with sales of more than 3,600 in its first week despite its mediocre to overwhelmingly negative reviews.
Later, halfway through a tour supporting Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, vocalist Austin Carlile was fired by the group due to personal differences and health issues. Carlile was replaced by Nick Barham, former vocalist of For All We Know. In 2009 for Fearless Records[/label’] eighth Punk Goes... album, Punk Goes Pop 2, Attack Attack! covered Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” with Austin Carlile performing the lead vocals, before his departure from the band. Attack Attack! then toured with Escape the Fate, William Control, Black Tide and Burn Halo early in 2009. Attack Attack! was included on Warped Tour 2009 and did signings for the non-profit organization Music Saves Lives where they met with fans who gained special access to the band by donating blood.
On October 19, 2009, lead vocalist Nick Barham announced his departure from Attack Attack! just two days short of their headliner tour. He stated in his blog on MySpace that "It was just time for change," and that there was no conflict between him and the other band members. The band then made the decision of Caleb Shomo to be moved as the band's primary vocalist but still remaining at his place as the keyboardist as well.
On November 10, 2010 Johnny Franck announced he had departed from the band to focus on his relationship with God. He has started a new project called The March Ahead. With this news also came a clip of a new song featuring Caleb Shomo doing both clean, and unclean vocals. Sean Mackowski of My Ticket Home was a touring member of the band, singing the clean parts of songs from the first two albums and playing guitar. The music video for “Smokahontas” was released on January 21, 2011 and was directed by Thunder Down Country films. The music video featured Sean Mackowski of My Ticket Home and Cody Anderson, the former unclean vocalist of In Fear and Faith. Attack Attack! performed on the main stage at the 2011 Vans Warped Tour.
The band re-issued their self-titled album on July 19, 2011 with four new songs, two acoustic songs, and two remixes. A new track entitled “Last Breath” was released on June 7, 2011, to promote the album's re-issue. It is the first song by the band to feature Caleb Shomo on both clean and screamed vocals, and was produced by John Feldmann.
On November 14, 2011 it was announced that the band's third full-length, This Means War would be released on January 17, 2012. The entire album was produced by Caleb Shomo at his home studio. Along with this news, they also posted dates for the "This Means War Tour" with supporting acts from The Ghost Inside, Sleeping with Sirens, Chunk! No Captain Chunk, and Dream On, Dreamer. More news and the album artwork was released in the Hot Topic website "News." On December 13, 2011, they premiered a song from the album entitled “The Motivation”. 30 seconds of the whole track list were released on Amazon.com and pre-orders were also opened in many stores. On January 12, 2012, the band debuted the music video for the first single off the album, “The Wretched”.
The band recently announced their departure from Rise Records, simultaneous with an announcement that they have completed ten songs, produced by John Feldmann, for another album. The band stated that they "don’t have another record label or anything lined up and [are] probably not planning on going to another one." The band went on the This World Is Ours Tour with Escape The Fate and The Word Alive, but had to reschedule the South American This World Is Ours Tour as their drummer Andrew Wetzel was suffering from pneumonia. By the end of 2012 Attack Attack! released a DVD where they talk about Warped Tour and the real reason why Austin left the band in 2008.
The band split in 2013 and several members are now in the group Nativ. Caleb is now the lead singer in the group Beartooth
In 2021 Attack Attack! got back together and dropped Kawaii Cowboys.
In the fall of 2021, Attack Attack released an EP called "Long Time, No Sea".
In spring 2023, Attack Attack! released the single and EP titled "Dark Waves".
All Alone
Attack Attack! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Know what we had wasn't special, can't forget what you said
Now I'm chillin all alone in the background
Wanna tell you how I feel but I forget how
Try to say a couple things it always comes out wrong
Probably better off alone the way it turned out
All the bridges that we built you know I burned down
Try to swim across the fire but it hurts now
Swear I'm sorry bout the way everything turned out
Now I'm stuck up in my head just make it worse now
Kinda scared cause I've been sick of gettin turned down
Goin numb up in my brain, it's like a curse now
Gotta find a way to get up out the dirt now
I know it's all in my head, feels like there's nothing left
Know what we had wasn't special, can't forget what you said
I know it's all in my head, feels like I have nothing left
Know what we had wasn't special, can't forget what you said
Now I'm chillin all alone in the background
Wanna tell you how I feel but I forget how
Try to say a couple things it always comes out wrong
Probably better off alone the way it turned out
I know it's all in my head, feels like I have nothing left
Know what we had wasn't special, can't forget what you said
Now I'm chillin all alone in the background
Wanna tell you how I feel but I forget how
Try to say a couple things it always comes out wrong
Probably better off alone the way it turned out
The lyrics of Attack Attack!'s song, All Alone, tell the story of someone who is feeling a range of complex emotions after a breakup. The song opens with a powerful admission that everything they are feeling is all in their head, but that doesn't make it hurt any less. The emotional turmoil is palpable as the singer describes feeling like they have nothing left and struggling to forget the hurtful things their ex-partner said.
The verses alternate between introspective musings and attempts to reach out to the ex. The singer is "chillin all alone in the background" and "kinda scared" of rejection, but they still want to express how they feel. Unfortunately, every time they try to say something, it comes out wrong. This frustration is compounded by the realization that the relationship is truly over; all the bridges have been burned, and there's no going back.
Throughout the song, there's a sense of isolation and heartache that's both raw and relatable. The singer is struggling to make sense of what happened and process all the mixed feelings they're experiencing. The overall mood of the song is bittersweet and melancholic, but there's also a sense of resilience and hope that shines through.
Line by Line Meaning
I know it's all in my head, feels like I have nothing left
I understand that my feelings are coming from my own thoughts, but it still feels like I have no emotions remaining.
Know what we had wasn't special, can't forget what you said
I recognize that our relationship was not unique, but your words still haunt me.
Now I'm chillin all alone in the background
Currently, I am by myself, fading into the background.
Wanna tell you how I feel but I forget how
I desire to express my emotions, but I am unable to vocalize them properly.
Try to say a couple things it always comes out wrong
When I attempt to communicate, my words are often misconstrued or misplaced.
Probably better off alone the way it turned out
Perhaps it would be for the best if I were to remain solitary, given the current circumstances.
All the bridges that we built you know I burned down
I have destroyed every connection that we once had.
Try to swim across the fire but it hurts now
I am attempting to traverse through my pain, but the journey is exceedingly arduous.
All the damage that's been done there's no reverse now
I have caused irreversible harm that cannot be undone.
Swear I'm sorry bout the way everything turned out
I am sincerely apologetic for the way things turned out between us.
Now I'm stuck up in my head just make it worse now
My thoughts are exacerbating the situation and causing immense distress.
Kinda scared cause I've been sick of gettin turned down
I am hesitant to pursue a new relationship because I fear rejection.
Goin numb up in my brain, it's like a curse now
My mental state is deteriorating, and it feels like a perpetual burden.
Gotta find a way to get up out the dirt now
I need to discover a method to rise above my current situation and start anew.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Alec Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stephen McAllister
One of their most underrated songs ever.
Caleb Small
I completely agree
Father Marcus
Me too
Hendricksoninc
I like this rock side of them! It shows how talented they are and how much they can expand their musical ability. They will draw a whole new crowd with songs with this! Great song!
Limi
it is 2020, I am getting older but this song never gets old.
Deenie Linquents
Their new album is amazing, it just shows you how you can grow as a person and as an artist.
Yashieroko
This is one of my favorite songs by the band. It's effing amazing!!
Matthew Young
I love the nice Alternative/Rock that this song has. It's also got a very uplifting message and sound to it. I mean, if Attack Attack! ever go with this sound for an album and/or ep, I'd go out and buy it. :)
Nick Ahearn
i really enjoy the fact how they have like 4 different styles on there new cd. it takes real talent to be able to adapt to different styles and do it so well. weather you like the song you must appreciate what they do.
Imjustthemessenger
I've listened to Attack Attack! for a while now, and I love that they're trying out some new stuff. It's 100% their choice to do whatever kind of music they want to. They haven't changed as a band, they've simply grown. Don't expect all their music to be like this! They're an excellent band, let them have fun! :)