Black Widows recorded a debut EP for Initial Records (Stops A Beating Heart, now included on the Widows Bloody Widows CD collection) and soon after joined the Equal Vision Records roster. As work on their debut album began, it came to their attention that the trademark for the name "Black Widows" was owned by another party (not to mention had been used thousands of times over by other bands) and the band decided to change its name to Black Cross.
In late 2002, Black Cross entered the studio with producer/guru J. Robbins to record Art Offensive, their full length debut. Released in 2003, Art Offensive garnered praise just about everywhere and the band set out on the road with the likes of Thursday, Give Up The Ghost, Hope Conspiracy, These Arms Are Snakes, and Suicide File, among others.
Soon enough, line up changes, the members' other bands, and responsibilities at home loomed and Black Cross became sidelined. Thommy Browne left the band to spend more time at home with his wife and children, with Sean Johnson briefly joining the band on drums, followed by Matt Jaha. Rob's touring time was limited due to teaching and family priorities, Evan formed Breather Resist (now Young Widows) who toured heavily, and Ryan then formed Coliseum in order to be able to spend more time touring.
While Black Cross never broke up, nearly all of 2005 found the band entirely inactive with the exception of the release of the three-song EP Sink, Knives & Chrome on Ryan & Evan's label Auxiliary Records. Late in the year, they reconvened with a new, more stable, line up and began writing songs for their next album. Evan switched from bass to second guitar and his Young Widows band mate Nick Thieneman (also of Brain Banger) took over bass duties. A friend of Rob's since the Endpoint / Sunspring tours in the mid-90s, Forrest Kuhn (Sunspring, Halifax Pier) joined on drums and the band made a grand reemergence at Auxiliary's Last Saturday show series kickoff in January 2006.
A year later, the band entered the studio with friend Chris Owens engineering to record their long awaited second proper full length. Titled Severance Pays, the album finds Black Cross focusing their patented melodic-yet-noisy hardcore sound while digging deeper into their earlier melodic punk influences such as Wipers, Husker Du, Gray Matter, etc.
Icebox in the Alley
Black Cross Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who will we fight against
what are we fighting for
tide turns on circumstance
headlines define the time
focus lost in the spin
right is right left is right
tide turns on circumstance
so tired of fighting
i need a rest
not sleep
one step dissolves to miles
no chance for reservation
right is right left is right
tide turns on circumstance
I don't want to sleepwalk anymore
every step I take
i want to know somehow
i will cause no pain to you
every path we take leads towards dissention
tired as we've become, embrace, embrace
every move we make always on the defense
if I need a rest don't abandon me
if I put down the anger don't you, don't you abandon me
The lyrics to "Icebox in the Alley" by Black Cross seem to be reflecting on the nature of conflict and the weariness that comes with it. The opening lines, "What are we fighting for, Who will we fight against" suggest that the singer is questioning the purpose of conflict and whether or not it is truly productive. The following lines about the tide turning on circumstance and the focus being lost in the spin suggest that the reasons for fighting may not always be clear, and that the rhetoric of those in power can be misleading.
The chorus, "so tired of fighting, I need a rest, not sleep" conveys a weariness that goes beyond physical exhaustion. It suggests that the singer is tired of the constant conflict and seeks a deeper rest that can only come from a lasting peace.
The middle section of the song seems to express frustration with the difficulty of finding a way out of conflict. The lines "every move we make always on the defense, if I need a rest don't abandon me, if I put down the anger don't you, don't you abandon me" suggest that even the act of trying to end a conflict can be met with suspicion and resistance. Despite this, the singer expresses a desire for unity and understanding, as seen in the line "every path we take leads towards dissension, tired as we've become, embrace, embrace."
Overall, the lyrics to "Icebox in the Alley" are a poignant reflection on the toll that conflict takes on individuals and society. The song seems to be calling for a deeper understanding and empathy, as well as a recognition of the complexity of conflict and its root causes.
Line by Line Meaning
What are we fighting for
Questioning the purpose and motive behind the fighting
Who will we fight against
Asking for clarity on the enemy or opposing force
what are we fighting for
Reiterating the need for a clear objective in the fight
tide turns on circumstance
Acknowledging the significance of external factors in shaping events and outcomes
headlines define the time
Media shapes public perception and controls narrative
focus lost in the spin
Lack of clear direction or purpose due to excessive external influence
right is right left is right
Uncertainty and confusion regarding morality and ethics
tide turns on circumstance
Repeating the idea that external factors dictate results
so tired of fighting
Expressing fatigue and exhaustion from constant conflict
i need a rest
Seeking respite from the stress and demands of fighting
not sleep
Clarifying that this rest is not simply about physical rest but also mental and emotional solace
one step dissolves to miles
Small actions and decisions can have far-reaching consequences
no chance for reservation
No time or opportunity for hesitation or regret
I don't want to sleepwalk anymore
Desiring to be more alert and conscious in one's actions and decisions
every step I take
Emphasizing the impact and gravity of individual choices
i want to know somehow
Desiring clarity and certainty in the outcomes of one's actions
i will cause no pain to you
Seeking to avoid harm or hurt to others in pursuit of personal goals
every path we take leads towards dissention
Any course of action or decision-making process is likely to result in disagreement or conflict
tired as we've become, embrace, embrace
Despite exhaustion and weariness, seeking connection and unity with others
every move we make always on the defense
Feeling constantly threatened or under attack, always in survival mode
if I need a rest don't abandon me
Appealing to others for support and understanding in times of need
if I put down the anger don't you, don't you abandon me
Requesting that others stick with them even if they change their approach or tactics
Contributed by Molly L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.