Automatic 7 were technically formed in 1993 out of the ashes of some less n… Read Full Bio ↴Automatic 7 were technically formed in 1993 out of the ashes of some less noteworthy bands that singer/guitarist Johnny Hulett and bass player Nic Nifoussi had played in together. Johnny and Nic began playing together when they were 19 and 15, respectively, having been hooked up through an ad in the L.A. Recycler want ad paper. Their common love of Southern California punk rock (X, Adolecents, Decendents, Social Distortion) has been the core of their sound since day one. In 1994 Johnny and Nic secured a solid line up for Automatic 7 and began writing, recording and playing furiously around Los Angeles as well as touring the West Coast. Byo Records took notice and signed the band in early 1995. The band released its self-titled album that year fittingly mixed by Thom Wilson (Adolecents, TSOL, Offspring). Shortly after the records release the band lost their drummer to a day job and signed on Ray Mehlbaum.

The chemistry between Johnny, Nic and Ray was undeniable and left no room for then 2nd guitarist Phil. Three days before the bands 1st U.S. tour in 1995 Phil was relieved of duty and the band played for the first time onstage as a three piece unrehearsed and unleashed. What followed was two years of constant touring with legends such as Bad Religion, Social Distortion, Face To Face as well as increasing popularity for Automatic 7. The trio line-up remains the same to this day. In 1997 the band signed to A&M Records only to find out shortly thereafter that the label was being gobbled up in a corporate merger between Polygram Records and Seagrams Corporation. In 1998 the bands longtime manager and Vagrant Records owner Rich Egan luckily got the band released from their contract before the band was lost in the sea of red tape involved in the merger.

Despite this good news, the band was mortally wounded from the time-wasting stint at a major and imploded under personal pressures. When the band came to its senses in 1999, Rich Egan was there to right the ship with a record deal from his now burgeoning Vagrant label. The band put the pieces together from the last 5 years and recorded Beggar's Life, an unrelenting 10 song romp through bitterness and heartache that documents the personal struggles of the band. In 2000 Beggar's Life was released on Vagrant to wide acclaim but the former road dogs were nowhere to be found and 6 years of silence followed the bands best release to date - "We've been in Europe." says Johnny. Our story brings us to this day and Automatic 7 is stacked with songs for a September release on Mental Records. It will be their 3rd full length release in 10 years. The new album is tentatively titled At Funeral Speed for obvious reasons and the band is in top form. You can safely expect from Automatic 7 what they have always delivered.. honest, hard-hitting, nasty punk rock from the heart of Los Angeles.

Bow Down
Automatic 7 Lyrics

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Remember when we had it all. We were young and standing tall. Never thought you'd have to try to try. Wonder how a kid like you could get so high on self abuse. Now just hang your head and cry. Bow down to everyone. You spent your whole dying. Your time has come and gone. I'm still just hangingh. When you're broke and all alone. No one left to call your own. Just don't say you ever tried you tried. Bow down to everyone.

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Automatic 7's song "Bow Down" seem like an ode to nostalgia, to a time when things were simpler and the future felt more certain. The singer remembers a time when they felt invincible and had everything they wanted, but now they're older and wiser, and they see how things have changed. The song takes on a more sobering tone as it progresses, as the singer notes that their former friend or loved one has fallen prey to addiction and self-destructive behavior. They're in a bad place now, with no one left to turn to, and they're paying the price for their mistakes. The singer's message is clear: it's time to bow down, to recognize your failures and accept the consequences that come with them.

Line by Line Meaning

Remember when we had it all.
Recalling the times when everything was perfect and we were content.

We were young and standing tall.
During our youth, we were confident and full of potential.

Never thought you'd have to try to try.
Believing things would come naturally and effortlessly, but now realizing effort and hard work is necessary.

Wonder how a kid like you could get so high on self-abuse.
Pondering how an innocent youth could end up harming themselves through destructive choices.

Now just hang your head and cry.
Feeling defeated and ashamed, with tears as the only recourse.

Bow down to everyone.
Acknowledging that we've fallen from grace, and accepting the superior judgement of others.

You spent your whole dying.
Wasting one's time away with harmful behaviors and habits.

Your time has come and gone.
Accepting that one's glory days are long gone and there is no turning back time.

I'm still just hanging.
Remaining stable and enduring the test of time, despite life's challenges.

When you're broke and all alone.
Facing the harsh reality of financial and emotional isolation.

No one left to call your own.
Having no one to turn to for companionship or support.

Just don't say you ever tried you tried.
Warning against making excuses for not trying hard enough, or risking failure.

Bow down to everyone.
Resigning oneself to humble submission and acceptance of the judgement of others.

Contributed by Alyssa F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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