In 1998, Paul Durham and his rock band, Black Lab, released their Geffen Records debut Your Body Above Me to critical acclaim. The album yielded the top 10 rock and alternative single "Wash it Away," and the top 40 ac and pop track "Time Ago."
Paul Durham grew up in Twin Falls, Idaho before moving to San Francisco to pursue his passion for musical invention. He recorded and toured with a group of friends under the moniker “Durham,” and made an acoustic-based singer/songwriter record with celebrated jazz producer Lee Townsend. (now available at blacklabworld.com under the title Ten Million Years: songs from the nineteen nineties).
“Durham” split, but a deal with Geffen Records followed, a new band was built, and Black Lab's debut was tagged as "one of this year's breakout records" (Billboard). Hollywood called, and the band contributed songs to the soundtracks for Can't Hardly Wait, Varsity Blues, Permanent Midnight, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. After a year of touring, Black Lab was poised to fulfill their destiny as "the American U2" (San Francisco Chronicle) when their record label was quickly shuttered. Over the next two years, Durham left his band, fired his manager and moved to LA. "In the end, all I had were my guitars and the songs I was writing." Durham wanted to control the sound around his voice, so he bought a computer and learned to use it. "I had to get back to how it was in high school -- just me and my four-track."
The resulting demos got Durham a new deal with Epic Records. "The first thing I did was buy a giant ProTools system." The only problem was, he didn't know how to install the software. On advice from a friend, Durham hired Andy Ellis to set up his studio. "So, we're sitting around waiting for the computer to reboot," remembers Durham, "And this guy picks up my guitar, without asking. I was cringing inside, afraid of what he would play. But he was great. I wanted to sing over the top of everything he played. Pretty soon, we were writing together."
At 23, Ellis was already an accomplished guitarist, keyboard player and programmer. He had been working as an assistant to some of the best engineers in the business and knew how to twiddle some serious knobs. Durham had found the missing link between what he heard in his head and what came out of the speakers. "Working with Andy is the first time collaboration has ever been easy," says Durham. "Instead of the whole hell-is-other-people thing, we have a blast just making sounds.
See the Sun has a depth and emotional range that broadens with each listen. Much of the album was mixed by Tom Lord-Alge (Live, Blink 182, Avril Lavigne). What shines brightest is the band's pop sensibility – the liquid swirl of "Remember," the epic sweep of "See the Sun," the raging loss of "Without You," and the open-armed surrender of "Lonely Boy."
“Learn to Crawl” was tapped as the fourth track on the platinum Spider-Man soundtrack. Produced by Durham and veteran mixer/producer Tom Lord-Alge, the song wraps an aggressive guitar riff around what Rolling Stone calls "Black Lab's tightly spun, highly melodic rock."
The title of "Ecstasy," a pulsing shadow that wakes to full rock glory, was inspired by Durham's experience recording: "The freedom to do what I wanted – in the studio across the hall from my bedroom – was amazing. I would get up late, go to the beach, then work until four or five in the morning. I got to record this album the same way I wrote it."
While See the Sun represents a zenith in Black Lab’s songwriting and production, the band continues to push and expand its sound into uncharted territory, contributing a vicious techno track called “This Blood” to the worldwide hit movie Blade : Trinity. Black Lab also continues to produce music for television (MTV’s Real World, “What I Like About You,” “The Days”) as well as the upcoming film Lovewrecked.
The third Black Lab album, entitled "Passion Leaves A Trace" was released on January 16th, 2007. Highlights include the majestic "Mine Again", the jet-black remorse of "This Night" (featured in the trailer for The Shield Season 6, and on the episode "Out of the Chute" of House), the hook-laden driving force that is "The Real You", and the achingly beautiful "Ghost In Your Mind".
All things Black Lab, including streaming and free downloads from the new and past albums, can be found at blacklabworld.com.
Hole In The Sky
Black Lab Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
cross the boarder,
go out past the edge of town
slip, slide on the salt flats
curse yourself if you think it helps
don't bother to wait for me when i'm gone
strip mined in the outback
jumpin out the window
fallin through a hole in the sky
i see the long hair down your back
braided up in corn row
you move your lips,
as if to say goodbye
now back down at the courthouse
it's like sittin up straight in church
sit blind in the dark
at the circus after hours
they're throwing knives
but nobody's gettin hurt
sit beside me,
just a little left of the mark
cause i'm steppin off the ledge
jumpin out the window
fallin through a hole in the sky
i see the long hair down your back
braided up in corn row
you move your lips,
as if to say goodbye
fallin through a hole in the sky
how much time you gonna waste
how much ink must be erased
before you see the things before you
how many times you gonna run
how many games must be begun
before you hear the one behind you
calling to remind you
as you're steppin off the ledge
jumpin out the window
fallin through a hole in the sky
i see the long hair down your back
braided up in corn row
you move your lips,
as if to say goodbye
fallin through a hole in the sky
The lyrics of "Hole in the Sky" by Black Lab are open to interpretation, but they seem to be about a person who is ready to make a major change or take a great risk. The lyrics suggest that this person is leaving their old life behind, and possibly leaving behind someone they care about deeply. The references to a monkey wrench and crossing the border suggest that this person is doing something unconventional or illegal. The line "don't bother to wait for me when I'm gone" also suggests that this person is leaving someone behind and doesn't expect them to follow.
The chorus, with its repetition of "falling through a hole in the sky," suggests that this person is jumping off a high place, possibly even committing suicide. However, the line "you move your lips, as if to say goodbye" indicates that there is someone watching or communicating with the person as they fall. The final verse has a sense of urgency, with the lines "how much time you gonna waste" and "how many times you gonna run" suggesting that this is a decisive moment for the person. The song ends with the repetition of the chorus, suggesting that the person is still falling and that their fate is uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
get yourself a monkey wrench
Prepare yourself for what's to come.
cross the boarder,
Leave what you know behind and venture off.
go out past the edge of town
Explore beyond what's familiar and comfortable.
slip, slide on the salt flats
Embrace the journey, even if it's difficult and uncomfortable.
curse yourself if you think it helps
Give yourself permission to feel and express your emotions.
don't bother to wait for me when i'm gone
Don't expect others to follow your path.
strip mined in the outback
Stripped of everything familiar and comfortable, forced to start anew.
cause i'm steppin off the ledge
Taking a risk, making a big change.
jumpin out the window
Leaving behind the safety and familiarity of the past.
fallin through a hole in the sky
Going through a transformational experience that changes your life forever.
i see the long hair down your back
Remembering the details of those who were a part of the past.
braided up in corn row
The unique and memorable attributes that make someone special.
you move your lips, as if to say goodbye
The final moments, the closing of a chapter.
now back down at the courthouse
Reflecting on the past and the consequences of actions taken.
it's like sittin up straight in church
Feeling the weight of responsibility and guilt.
sit blind in the dark
Feeling confused and unable to see a clear path forward.
at the circus after hours
Searching for meaning and purpose in a chaotic and unpredictable world.
they're throwing knives, but nobody's gettin hurt
Taking risks, but not necessarily facing danger or consequences.
sit beside me, just a little left of the mark
Lean on others during difficult times and seek guidance.
how much time you gonna waste
Questioning the purpose and meaning of life.
how much ink must be erased
How much of the past must be forgotten or let go of.
before you see the things before you
Before seeing the opportunities and possibilities within reach.
how many times you gonna run
How many times must you escape or flee from your problems.
how many games must be begun
How many attempts at finding success and happiness.
before you hear the one behind you
Before recognizing the things and people that truly matter.
calling to remind you
The things and people that remind you of your purpose and priorities.
fallin through a hole in the sky
Going through a transformative experience that changes your life forever.
Contributed by Caden O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@thekissofsnake
Just thank!
@something2b
my fav one, with "Anything"
@RomanTrufanov
Cool!
@wateronmars-bz4yc
saw one on my drive home