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.
Static On The Radio
Chronic Future Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's been so long since I've heard a song that I want to know
Every word and every note
What's that song on the radio
Tune me in just this once
Tune me in just this once
Cause there's too much
I could easily write by avoiding verdicts and judgments
But then I wouldn't be the one hanging myself over one wish
[Chorus]
What's that song on the radio
It's been so long since I've heard a song that I want to know
Tune me in just this once
Tune me in just this once
Cause there's too much
Static on the radio [Repeat: x 4]
What is it that makes artists feel that
Lack of focus is appropriate
And is accepted as an art form
Please wake up
[Chorus]
static on the radio [Repeat: x 8]
[Random Talking]
consumer
product
rate
market
salary
company
industry
don't worry about it
consumer
product
commercials
company
market
wholesale
capitol
we'll write it off
consumer product
rate
market
salary
company
industry
consumer
product
commercials
company
The song "Static On The Radio" by Chronic Future is essentially about the frustration that many music lovers feel when they tune in to the radio and can't find a song that speaks to them. The singer of the song is desperate to find a piece of music that makes him feel something, to connect with the lyrics and the melody on a deeper level, but all he can find is static. He longs to hear a song that he can truly get lost in, that he can relate to and sing along with, but he's struggling to find that connection.
In the second verse, the lyrics take on a more philosophical tone, as the singer wonders about the state of the music industry and the lack of true "artistic" focus. He questions why so many artists seem to prioritize ambiguity over creativity, opting for songs that lack clear meaning or direction. It's a question that many music lovers have grappled with in recent years, as pop music continues to shift towards more formulaic, commercially-driven sounds.
Overall, "Static On The Radio" is a poignant reminder of the power of music to move us, to touch our hearts and souls in profound ways. The song expresses frustration, longing, and a deep desire to connect with something that feels genuine and real, even as the world around us seems to be filled with static.
Line by Line Meaning
What's that song on the radio
Asks about the identity of a specific song currently playing on the radio
It's been so long since I've heard a song that I want to know
Expresses longing for a new song that one can enjoy and appreciate
Every word and every note
Highlights the importance of both the lyrics and melody in a good song
Tune me in just this once
Asks the radio DJ to play the song being requested
Cause there's too much
Explains why one wants to hear a particular song instead of the other songs on the radio
Static on the radio
Metaphorically describes the undesirable noise and interference that clouds the airwaves, representative of a lack of clarity and quality in broadcasting or communication
I could easily write by avoiding verdicts and judgments
Acknowledges the writer's ability to be objective, yet notes the dangers and self-destructive nature of trying to please others or be too politically correct
But then I wouldn't be the one hanging myself over one wish
Reflects on the pressure of trying to fulfill the expectations of one's audience or even oneself, at the risk of losing one's authenticity or identity
[Chorus]
Repeats the song's main message, calling attention to the prevalence of static on the radio and the desire for something better
What is it that makes artists feel that
Rhetorical question probing the attitudes and motivations of creative people in general
Lack of focus is appropriate
Suggests criticism of artists who do not prioritize creating focused, quality work
And is accepted as an art form
Implies that there is a lack of high standards in the art world, allowing artists to get away with mediocre or lazy work
Please wake up
Urges the listener or the artist community to recognize and address the problem of artistic complacency
[Random Talking]
A series of unrelated phrases and words (possibly representing white noise or background chatter) that suggest the singer's frustration with a commercialized, capitalist society that values consumerism over genuine artistic expression
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARRY LOUIS COLLINS, BENJAMIN MELAN COLLINS, BRANDON MICHAEL LEE, MICHAEL COOK BUSSE, RYAN MICHAEL BREEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind