John Allen, vocalist, songwriter and founding member of Baltimore’s Charm City Devils, knows this. Rock and roll has been his passion since childhood. It has taken him into clubs, studios, tour buses, arenas, and around the world, as a drummer in his own bands and now as the frontman for Charm City Devils, who is set to release their debut album, appropriately titled Let’s Rock-N-Roll on Eleven Seven Music, helmed by label President Nikki Sixx.
"When I first heard Charm City Devils, my initial thought, along with everyone at Eleven Seven, was this is a real rock band! When I listen to their music I hear elements of credible bands like Aerosmith and I feel AC/DC. I like the fact that they’re from Baltimore and the way they relate the working mans experience. They’re not from New York or LA. You don’t hear many bands from Baltimore and these guys carry on tradition with their own relevant and modern sound with classic riffs,” said Sixx.
Selected as Sixx’s first signing to the label, it’s obvious that there’s something special about Charm City Devils. With their roots firmly planted in the blues, the band combines the best, loudest and most raw elements of hard rock, with a touch of punk spirit thrown into the mix. Recording primarily in Allen’s home studio, Let’s Rock-N-Roll retains what he calls “a very high-energy, garage-y type of vibe.”
By the same token, as much as the band rocks out on the title track and songs like “True Love” and “Burn Baby Burn”, there is also a poignant side in autobiographical songs like “Almost Home”. Says Allen, “This album comes from an emotional level. The lyrics are very honest; they’re pieces of my life, real things. Some are more sensitive and some deal with heavy issues, but they are balanced out by the fun, energetic songs that bring back some of that 1980s heyday of hard rock that audiences are longing for.”
Already established as a recording/touring artist and songwriter, and as the drummer for SR-71, Allen planted the seeds that would become Charm City Devils in his basement studio. “I didn’t have much gear,” he recalls, “just good mics and real good preamps. But sometimes you write something and you know you have it, and that’s what happened with "Burn Baby Burn", which was the first song I wrote for this band. That song was a catalyst for me to become a singer. I felt good about my writing and my voice and decided to give it a go. The track on the CD is actually the rough mix. I liked the raw, garage sound of it and we kept that.”
Allen says that finding the right musicians to become Charm City Devils was easy. “I wanted guys who could play, first and foremost, who were seasoned but not too jaded,” he explains. “I wanted guys who were experienced but still hungry and could maintain the playing level that I’m comfortable with. The first guys I thought of were local Baltimore musicians Vic Karrera, Anthony Arambula
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Nick Kay and Jason Heiser. I knew that their playing would complement the songs I had written, that they would ‘get it’ and know where I was coming from.”
"Getting it” is what led Allen and his bandmates to Eleven Seven Music. With “Let's Rock-N-Roll (Endless Road)” taking off as a hit single and top add on Baltimore radio stations, it didn’t take long for the label, which was the #1 Independent Rock Label of 2008, to add the group to its roster, alongside Mötley Crüe, Sixx: A.M., Buckcherry, Trapt, Drowning Pool and more.
In support of their debut release Charm City Devils toured as part of the Crue Fest 2 lineup along with Drowning Pool, Godsmack and Theory of a Deadman.
In August of 2011 the band started recording their sophomore album SINS at Sound Kitchen studios with Grammy®-winning producer Skidd Mills (Saving Abel, Egypt Central) for new label Fat Lady Music.
In January of 2012 Charm City Devils released the first single from SINS - a hard rock version of the folk classic "Man Of Constant Sorrow".
SINS was released on April 10, 2012. In support of the album Charm City Devils embarked on Sinner's Ball Tour 2012.
Don't forget to take a look at www.charmcitydevils.com
Still Alive
Charm City Devils Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A flash before my eyes.
Like a moving picture, but I was paralized.
When I heard the music cut me,
Like a knife cross my veins
Time I find a new way,
Who would never be the same.
Not a single promise,
Shines on the future,
They begin to slip away.
Old grass and flowers,
they are all scattered ont he floor.
I was lost as I could see
I scrap at the door.
You are my bright side on the reason I'm still alive,
I only doubt it 'til I will find I'm still alive.
Still alive.
I think of all the laughter,
Every birthday candle,
And every good night kiss.
I stand the line on chasing
But I forgot to live
I take all I can take, and I'll give all I can give.
You are my bright side on the reason I'm still alive,
I only doubt it 'til I will find I'm still alive.
Still alive. Still alive.
Still alive.
I know it's not my time,
It's not my time.
You are my bright side on the reason I'm still alive,
I only doubt it 'til I will find I'm still alive.
I know it's not my time, I will find it
I'm still alive.
I only doubt it 'til I will find I'm still alive.
Still alive.
The Charm City Devils song "Still Alive" is a powerful ballad about overcoming obstacles and surviving through difficult times. The opening verse describes a moment of intense shock and fear, as the singer reflects on a traumatic experience. The line "I felt my world gone crashing" sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer begins to work through the emotional aftermath of whatever it was that happened to him. He describes feeling "paralyzed" and hearing music that "cut me like a knife," suggesting that he's been deeply wounded by something.
However, the chorus of the song introduces a sense of hope and resilience. The singer declares that he's still alive, thanks in part to someone or something that he credits as his "bright side." This is likely a reference to a person or relationship that has helped him through his struggles. The lyrics suggest that the singer is determined to keep going, and that he won't give up easily. He looks back on happy memories and resolves to keep pushing forward, even if he's been neglecting to live in the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
I felt my world gone crashing,
My life felt like it was falling apart, suddenly and without warning.
A flash before my eyes.
All of my memories and experiences flashed before me in a moment of panic.
Like a moving picture, but I was paralyzed.
It felt like I was watching a movie of my life, but I was too overwhelmed to move or act.
When I heard the music cut me,
The music I was listening to affected me deeply.
Like a knife cross my veins
It felt like the music was cutting through me, deeply and painfully.
Time I find a new way,
I knew I needed to find a new path forward in life.
Who would never be the same.
I knew that my life would never be the same as it was before.
Not a single promise,
None of the promises or plans I had made seemed to matter anymore.
All the plans that we've made
Every plan I had made with others felt like it had fallen apart.
Shines on the future,
The future seemed bleak and uncertain.
They begin to slip away.
All my hopes and dreams felt like they were slipping out of reach.
Old grass and flowers,
The things that used to bring me joy or comfort no longer held any meaning for me.
they are all scattered on the floor.
Everything felt chaotic and disorganized, and I couldn't make sense of it all.
I was lost as I could see
I felt completely lost and adrift, without any clear direction or purpose.
I scrap at the door.
I was desperate to find a way out of my current situation.
You are my bright side on the reason I'm still alive,
The person addressed in the song is the source of hope and positivity that is keeping the artist going.
I only doubt it 'til I will find I'm still alive.
Despite feeling doubtful or uncertain, the artist is still alive and still fighting.
I think of all the laughter,
The memory of happy moments in the past brings the singer some comfort and hope for the future.
Every birthday candle,
Even small, seemingly insignificant moments can hold great meaning and nostalgia.
And every good night kiss.
Even small, loving gestures can be deeply meaningful and important.
I stand the line on chasing
The artist is determined to keep chasing their dreams and ambitions, even in the face of adversity.
But I forgot to live
The artist realizes that in their pursuit of their goals, they may have forgotten to enjoy the journey and live in the moment.
I take all I can take, and I'll give all I can give.
The singer is willing to work hard and endure hardship in order to achieve their goals and help others.
I know it's not my time,
The artist believes that they still have more to do or achieve in life, and that it's not their time to give up or give in.
I will find it I'm still alive.
Despite all the challenges and setbacks, the singer is still alive and still searching for meaning and purpose in their life.
Still alive.
The singer is still alive and still fighting, no matter what obstacles they may face.
Writer(s): Skidd Mills, Blair Daly, Johnny Ray Allen, Scott Mills
Contributed by Eva A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.