With dance, darkwave, electronica and punk at their core, Brian Fisher (vocals, keys), Joshua Broughton (guitar, vocals), Jonathan Davis (guitar), Chris Edmonds (bass) and Jason Curtis (drums) have fashioned something new. They´ve created what they only half-jokingly like to call "a rock band that’s mugged an electronica band and is digging through a stolen, dirty pair of pants for extra synth lines."
They´ve been compared to The Faint; Prick; Nine Inch Nails; Does It Offend You, Yeah?; The Presets; and the Editors -- and while the band certainly counts these bands among their influences, Attention System’s music packs a heavier punch while retaining all the danceable elements that make the electropunk genre so compelling.
In October of 2008 ATTENTION SYSTEM independently released a self-produced EP which earned the band generous local and regional radio airplay, plus a nationally televised commercial for the DIY Network. In April of 2010, they released their debut album Wait for My Signal on Surrounded by Light Records to critical and popular acclaim. In just under two years the band has gone from unknown local act to headlining packed weekend shows in Atlanta’s notorious underground rock and dance venues.
ATTENTION SYSTEM’s ultra-high-energy live shows have generated a city-wide buzz based on their unique guitar work, pounding rhythms, and their one-of-a-kind custom built and programed light rig. They were also awarded Readers’ Choice Award for Best New Music Act in The Creative Loafing’s Best of Atlanta (2009), played the main-stage at Dragon*Con (2010) as well as numerous slots opening for national touring acts and a die-hard local fan base.
They’ve spent the back half of 2010 throwing massive dance parties at home in Atlanta and relentlessly touring the southeast. They are currently busy writing their second album, which promises to be a dirty, danceable record full of the quirky guitars and blasting dance beats that critics and fans alike expect from this Atlanta stand-out.
Live Reviews:
Attention System´s energetic stage presence, flawless musicianship and blinding (albeit minimal) light show kept me on my toes...nearly everyone was compelled to dance."
-- Performer Magazine, 1/01/2010
"...ahead of the curve...tight sound and confident stage presence...literally take your breath away."
--Atlanta Music Guide 3/28/2009
"... just the right amount of 'make ya wanna dance' ... a dynamic and unique electro sound ... insightful and passionate lyrics.They create a stunning experience."
-- BeAtlanta, 6/1/2009
EP Reviews:
"...a telling and anticipatory sample of what is to come...it’s fresh, unpretentious, and there’s talk of robots, all wins in my book."
-- Prick Magazine, 3/1/2009
"Their sound is fluid and marketable, familiar yet different, sinister yet playful."
-- Rock Fist Reviews, 5/20/2009
Intruder
Attention System Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Normality, slips out of sync
As the Intruder's broadcast message starts to speak
Routine announcements static out of frequencies
I've been staying up all night long for guaranteed hot wired cash convictions, every week
And now I get these cold night sweats when things have gone wrong and I don't want to
I've been finalized, paralyzed, criticized and traumatized
Now I want a holiday.
Another sign to get carried away
No comment
I see these cold nights are dancing not alone
And I can hear the hot lights flash seduction
It's like the beat of the traffic
While the record spins
It's like the taste of plastic
Around the exposed skin
Now I need a holiday
I need some time to get carried away
Now I deserve a holiday
To clear my mind and to get carried away
No comment
Come on now. We've spent our whole lives under their reign
Come on now.
Live for another day
The lyrics of Intruder by Attention System tells the story of a person who is feeling disconnected from the usual routine of their life. The Intruder in question here is the feeling of detachment that the singer is experiencing. The lines "Normality, slips out of sync, As the Intruder's broadcast message starts to speak, Routine announcements static out of frequencies" means that the feeling of being disconnected is gradually taking over the singer’s life. The singer also reveals that he has been working hard and staying up late for work even when he is not feeling okay. The lines "I've been staying up all night long for guaranteed hot wired cash convictions, every week, And now I get these cold night sweats when things have gone wrong and I don't want to, Hitch another ride down this along misery" indicates that work has been overwhelming for him. The singer craves a break and describes his routine as being traumatizing, so he needs a holiday to clear his mind.
The lines "Now I need a holiday, I need some time to get carried away, Now I deserve a holiday, To clear my mind and to get carried away" indicate that the singer needs time away from work to relax and get some peace. He wants to escape from the stress and anxiety of everyday life. The use of metaphors in the song creates a vivid picture of the singer's mental state. The "cold nights are dancing not alone" refer to the feeling of detachment that he is experiencing, while "hot lights flash seduction" symbolize the lure of something new and exciting outside his usual routine.
Line by Line Meaning
Normality, slips out of sync
The usual order of things is disrupted
As the Intruder's broadcast message starts to speak
A message from an unknown and potentially dangerous source begins to play
Routine announcements static out of frequencies
The regular announcements are distorted and unclear
I've been staying up all night long for guaranteed hot wired cash convictions, every week
I've been engaging in illegal activity that guarantees large sums of money regularly
And now I get these cold night sweats when things have gone wrong and I don't want to
When things go awry, I become anxious and do not want to continue my illegal activities
Hitch another ride down this along misery
Continue this downward spiral of misery
I've been finalized, paralyzed, criticized and traumatized
I have faced significant criticism and emotional distress
Now I want a holiday.
I need a break from everything
Another sign to get carried away
An opportunity to escape from reality
No comment
Silence is my response to any further questioning or inquiry
I see these cold nights are dancing not alone
I realize that my struggles are not unique and others are facing similar challenges
And I can hear the hot lights flash seduction
I am tempted to chase after superficial and fleeting pleasures
It's like the beat of the traffic while the record spins
Life moves quickly and chaotically like the sounds of a busy street and a spinning record
It's like the taste of plastic around the exposed skin
The world can feel artificial and cheap, leaving one feeling exposed and vulnerable
Now I need a holiday
I require a reprieve from the chaos of life
I need some time to get carried away
I need space to escape reality and indulge myself in temporary pleasures
Now I deserve a holiday
I have earned a break from my hardships
To clear my mind and to get carried away
I need to leave my problems behind and lose myself in distractions
No comment
I have nothing to say on the matter
Come on now. We've spent our whole lives under their reign
We have lived our entire lives under someone else's control or influence
Come on now. Live for another day
Despite everything, we need to keep moving forward and living our lives
Contributed by Alice Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.