Taking their name from the '80s sitcom, Belvedere began in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 1995 as the three-piece of Steve Rawles (guitar/vocals), Brock (bass), and Dan Hrynuik (drums).
As the years progressed along with their revolving lineup, Belvedere remained with their melodic pop-punk sound that looked up to the likes of Bad Religion and NOFX. Eventually recruiting second guitarist Scott Solo, replacement drummer Jay Hollywood, and a replacement bassist Jaison Synclair, the quartet released their debut album, "Because No One Stopped Us", in 1998 through Hourglass and 206 Records. After spending most of 1999 on the road, along with Bad Religion and Strung Out, for a stint -- 206 Records put out Belvedere's follow-up album, "Angels Live in My Town", in early 2000. In 2001, the Montreal imprint Union 2112 released "Twas Hell Said Former Child", Belvedere's proper second album that coincided their first ever European tour. A split release with Downway, "Hometown Advantage", was issued in 2003. When it came time to recovene for another studio album, Belvedere joined producer Blair Calibaba (Sum 41) in Calgary for the recording of "Fast Forward Eats the Tape". Shared dates with Death by Stereo, Tsunami Bomb and Misconduct followed in Spring 2004. The band broke up in late 2005, playing their last show to their hometown Calgary crowd in November.
On November 2011, the band's official Facebook page announced that the band was going to get together again for a couple of shows the next year, wich included two shows in Europe (playing their first show in Paris and appearing again at GroezRock after seven years), then five in Canada, three in Brazil and one again in Canada, in Vancouver, on June 16th. Being at first that their final show, it was later announced that they'll appear in another final event in Guelph, Canada, on September the 1st 2012, with fellow punkrockers The Fullblast, also reuniting for the ocasion, Grade and Moneen.
http://www.myspace.com/belvedere
Shipwreck
Belvedere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It must have slipped by in my distractions
When did the proof of purchase supersede the voyage?
Why do we glorify the audience?
(STRIKE THIS AGE OF WITNESS!)
Can't see the shoreline (ENDLESS NARCISSISM!)
Sinking in silence
(FIGHT THE EXISTENTIALS!)
Can't see the shoreline (MEANS OF OUR REDUCTION!)
Sinking in silence
This ship of ill intentions
Is this the natural transition?
Or some collective policy?
This is the sound of my rejection
This is the hope I can't erase
All of the games can't be for nothing can't be saved
When will the cycles stop their motion?
What will remain of our intent?
Books of images and lessons of the dead
Of the dead
It sounds like some sad old cliché
An obvious truth of the disease
Observation over action
No views, no satisfaction
Every adoration takes the lead
(STRIKE THIS AGE OF WITNESS!)
Can't see the shoreline (MEANS OF OUR REDUCTION!)
Sinking in silence
This ship of ill intentions
Is this the natural transition?
Or some collective policy?
Is this the last de-evolution?
Or fucking productivity?
This is the sound of my rejection
This is the hope I can't escape
All of the games can't be forgotten
All of the options can't be spent
When the cycles stop their motion
When the oceans start to recede
Just remains of all projections in the sea
Belvedere's "Shipwreck" is a thought-provoking song that shines a light on the increasing criticism of contemporary society's obsession with consumerism and attention-seeking spectacle. The song begins with the singer reflecting on their own obliviousness to the fast-paced change and transition happening in society, most likely due to distractions that keep people from noticing or speaking up. They question why the proof of purchase has become more important than the actual experiences of the voyage and why we elevate the audience's admiration over anything else. The refrain commands the listener to "Strike this age of witness," which suggests that society has become an unwilling spectator to the world and has lost its capacity for active engagement.
The theme of hopelessness and lack of agency continues in the next set of lyrics as the singer describes being trapped on a ship with ill intentions, unable to communicate or act. The reliance on images and symbols found in books start to feel like a consolation prize in the face of the futility of collective action. The refrain once again urges the listener to act against the "means of our reduction" and the "ship of ill intentions."
The second verse starts with the question of whether this state of affairs is a natural progression or a result of collective policy. The frustration and tension rise when the singer questions whether this is the last "de-evolution" that society will experience or if there is a shred of hope left to achieve "productivity". The song's finale speaks of the singer's rejection of their past acceptance of the status quo and the hope they are unable to erase. They lament on how even though the games society plays seem pointless, they are unwilling to be forgotten and move on from them.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sure I didn't notice transitions
I was too distracted to see the changes happening
It must have slipped by in my distractions
I was not paying attention to what was happening
When did the proof of purchase supersede the voyage?
When did the value of owning things become more important than the journey/experience?
Why do we glorify the audience?
Why do we value the opinions of others more than our own sense of worth?
(STRIKE THIS AGE OF WITNESS!)
Can't see the shoreline (ENDLESS NARCISSISM!)
Sinking in silence
Not engaging, only standing
(FIGHT THE EXISTENTIALS!)
Can't see the shoreline (MEANS OF OUR REDUCTION!)
Sinking in silence
This ship of ill intentions
We are in a dangerous situation, sinking alone and without purpose, being reduced to nothing by our self-centeredness and lack of meaning. We need to fight against the emptiness and apathy that threatens to consume us.
Is this the natural transition?
Or some collective policy?
Is this the way things are supposed to be, or are we collectively making choices that lead us down this path?
This is the sound of my rejection
This is the hope I can't erase
All of the games can't be for nothing can't be saved
When will the cycles stop their motion?
What will remain of our intent?
Books of images and lessons of the dead
Of the dead
This is me standing up against the emptiness and hopelessness that surrounds us. What are we really trying to achieve, and when will we break the cycle of meaningless action? What will be left of us after we're gone?
It sounds like some sad old cliché
An obvious truth of the disease
Observation over action
No views, no satisfaction
Every adoration takes the lead
It all seems like a sad, worn-out story that we can't escape. We are more interested in watching and admiring than actually doing anything, and we let others lead us instead of making our own choices.
(STRIKE THIS AGE OF WITNESS!)
Can't see the shoreline (MEANS OF OUR REDUCTION!)
Sinking in silence
This ship of ill intentions
We are still in that dangerous, hopeless place, just drifting with no direction or purpose, being pulled down by our own negative intentions and fears.
Is this the natural transition?
Or some collective policy?
Is this the last de-evolution?
Or fucking productivity?
Are we really evolving as a society, or just slowly losing our humanity and becoming less than we were? Is there any hope for productivity and progress in the midst of all this apathy and negativity?
This is the sound of my rejection
This is the hope I can't escape
All of the games can't be forgotten
All of the options can't be spent
When the cycles stop their motion
When the oceans start to recede
Just remains of all projections in the sea
This is my way of saying that I won't accept this empty, hopeless life. We can't forget the games we've played, or use up all our chances. When we finally change direction, there will be a lot left to clean up and repair.
Writer(s): steven robert rawles
Contributed by Andrew Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@CaseyLewis
Thanks for the kind words and support, everyone! I'm glad you're all enjoying the videos!
@bevlewis395
You amaze your dad and me, always, Casey <3
@1thess523
Bev Lewis i take it this is your son? If so i am a fan of his drumming in Belvedere, i just finished showing a friend of mine and we both agree he is really good 👍.
@bevlewis395
Thank you and yes he is our son and we are very proud of him.
@bevlewis395
He is a monster on the drums.
@1thess523
Haha he really is, I'm a 42 yr old man who's been playing drums for a while but I've never practiced like i should have all these years but men like your son inspire me to get better. I also have a pop punk band with my 19 yr ild son who plays guitar and sometimes my younger brother who is a drummer as well and when he does i hop on bass. It's awesome to see your child rock out isn't it!
@bevlewis395
Yes and his dad is an amazing bass player. Also lives to sing especially harmonies. Musical families hey!
@jayjak8395
One of my all time favorite drummers.
Best mode!
@ThatDereKid
Big shoes to fill. Tight fit. Dude shreds and as a punk drummer myself I love seeing the single pedal speed.
@Dert666
This just popped up on my feed again so naturally I had to watch it. Casey is such a beast on the kit🤘🏼