Chronic Future released their self-titled debut album in August 1997 and a followup, 4 Elements, in August 2000. Both albums gained them local popularity, but the band didn't achieve commercial success until the release of their third album, Lines in My Face, in 2004. They signed their first major label deal with Interscope for the release of the album and it reached #18 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. The lead single was "Time and Time Again" which saw heavy airplay on MTV, MTV2, and Fuse. The single also reached #40 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart and was featured in the video games Burnout 3: Takedown and MVP Baseball 2004. During this time the band recruited Ryan Breen to play rhythm guitar on the road. He joined as a full-time member but quit in the same year to begin a solo project of his own, Back Ted N-Ted. He was replaced by Mike Loy who also left to embark on his own musical ventures.
In 2006, Chronic Future left Interscope to continue as an indie band. Members collaborated with Back Ted N-Ted, Busse began a hip hop side project with Charlie Brand of Miniature Tigers called Future Lords. On October 1, 2006, Ben Collins launched his own label Modern Art which signed Back Ted N-Ted, Miniature Tigers, Brothers Backward, Foxglove Hunt, Gospel Claws, and Future Lords.
In late 2006, Chronic Future released a limited edition album, This and of That. It was available exclusively from their official website in 1000 copies. Demos of some of the songs were uploaded to the website leading up to the album's release. The album showed their change from rap rock to an alternative/hip hop/electronic crossover style; their guitar sounds changed to a more electronic sound as opposed to the normal rock sound of previous recordings. Ryan Breen had also returned to provide programming on the album.
In 2008, Chronic Future performed at Bamboozle for its west coast show in Irvine, CA on April 6. They also toured with fellow Arizonans The Medic Droid later that year after opening for them twice in AZ earlier in the year. On November 11, they released the Modern Art EP. It further demonstrated their crossover style, but with far more melodic music than This and of That. The digital EP featured re-recordings of demos previously uploaded to their official website and MySpace page.
From mid-2009, the band stopped updating their online pages. No information was available until a fan posted an email from Ben Collins who stated that the band members had all moved to New York City and that Chronic Future "isn't over yet." According to his personal Facebook page, he had left the band in January 2010.
On March 12, 2015, Ben Collins tweeted that Chronic Future currently has "no plans to tour, but are having fun together (as we always have) and playing NYC this summer." The band is once again active and will be playing their first show together at Bowery Ballroom on July 18, 2015. Opening the show will be Jangula and Charlie Brand.
Eyes Wide Open
Chronic Future Lyrics
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Admitting the relevance
Of every experience
You're thanking the elements
In all their appearances
Isn't life just the clearest when
You face interferences with an aim for fearlessness
But if you close them you just might miss out
And life will pass you by
You know that
Things will never change
And your life will
Always stay the same
Eyes open
Eyes shut
I need some memory loss
Tell me what's that gonna cost?
If it has to do with attitude I'll pack up and get lost
I'm having second thoughts on going through with this
I should say screw this shit close my eyes and get used to it
Unchanged
Don't waste your life away
Blankness with an over anxiousness
To erase this you must be courageous
Just to face what gives you knots in your stomach
And once you've done it
You're gonna love it
Getting up there and being above it
The lyrics of Chronic Future's song, Eyes Wide Open, are a reflection on the way we experience the world around us. It starts by likening life to medicine, something we have to take regularly to stay healthy. The song goes on to talk about the importance of acknowledging and embracing every experience we have, good or bad. By doing so, we learn to appreciate the beauty in life even when it's difficult. This idea is reinforced with the line "Isn't life just the clearest when you face interferences with an aim for fearlessness." In other words, facing struggles head-on with a fearless attitude makes life more vivid and fulfilling.
The chorus explores the idea that there are two ways to view the world, with eyes open or closed. The first verse states that it can be difficult to live in this world with our eyes wide open, but if we close them, we'll miss out on life passing us by. The second verse talks about the desire for memory loss, a way to escape the difficulties of life. However, the lyrics suggest that this is not the way to find happiness or growth. Instead, we must be courageous, face our fears, and rise above them.
Overall, the song is about the importance of staying present in the moment and taking on life with a fearless attitude, even when it's difficult. It encourages listeners to keep their eyes wide open and face whatever challenges come their way.
Line by Line Meaning
It's like taking your medicine
Facing life's challenges is like taking your medicine, uncomfortable in the moment but ultimately beneficial to your well-being.
Admitting the relevance
Acknowledging the importance of every experience and how it contributes to who you are.
Of every experience
Referring to every moment in life, be it positive or negative.
You're thanking the elements
Grateful for the forces of nature that shape and inspire our lives.
In all their appearances
In every form that these elements present themselves, such as through people, events or nature.
Isn't life just the clearest when
Life is most clear when we face challenges head on.
You face interferences with an aim for fearlessness
By tackling obstacles fearlessly, we become stronger and more capable of overcoming adversity.
With eyes wide open it can be so hard to live in this world today
When we are aware of all the issues and challenges in the world, it can be overwhelming and difficult to cope with.
But if you close them you just might miss out
If we choose to turn a blind eye to the world's problems, we may miss out on opportunities for growth and change.
And life will pass you by
Referring to how the lack of awareness and action can lead to a stagnation of experiences and missed opportunities.
You know that
Acknowledging a sense of resignation and defeatism.
Things will never change
Life's struggles and hardships will always be present; a feeling of hopelessness and acceptance thereof.
And your life will
Referring to one's life as an entire entity.
Always stay the same
Feeling of stagnation, and that life will never progress or evolve in a meaningful way.
Eyes open
A state of awareness and attentiveness that allows for growth and change.
Eyes shut
Turning a blind eye to the issues in the world, leading to a lack of growth and missed opportunities.
I need some memory loss
Desire to forget past hardships and move on with life.
Tell me what's that gonna cost?
Asking the cost of forgetting and moving on from past experiences.
If it has to do with attitude I'll pack up and get lost
If forgetting and moving on requires a change in attitude, the singer is willing to do that in order to grow.
I'm having second thoughts on going through with this
Doubts about the efficacy of forgetting and moving on from past experiences.
I should say screw this shit close my eyes and get used to it
Resignation to staying in a state of ignorance and not growing from past experiences.
Unchanged
Feeling of stagnation and that no progress or change has occurred.
Don't waste your life away
Urging not to remain in a state of ignorance, and instead to grow and change in order to make the most of life.
Blankness with an over anxiousness
Describing a state of mind that has no direction or purposeful action.
To erase this you must be courageous
To change from a state of stagnation into a state of growth and purpose requires bravery and courage.
Just to face what gives you knots in your stomach
The discomfort associated with facing fears and challenges that come along in life.
And once you've done it
After facing these fears and challenges, once can grow and gain a sense of empowerment and purpose.
You're gonna love it
Feeling of satisfaction that comes from overcoming hardship and becoming a stronger person as a result.
Getting up there and being above it
Feeling of pride and empowerment that comes from facing hardships and emerging as a stronger person as a result.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL COOK BUSSE, BARRY LOUIS COLLINS, BENJAMIN MELAN COLLINS, BRANDON MICHAEL LEE, RYAN MICHAEL BREEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind