1. Congress was a Belg… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist named Congress:
1. Congress was a Belgian metalcore band formed in 1993, recognized as a leader of the H8000 scene.
They introduced a musical style known as "edge metal", a combination of the straight edge/drug-free lifestyle and extreme metal/hardcore music.
Their most acclaimed and known record is certainly Angry with the Sun, released in 1998, which allowed them to tour in the US with bands like All Out War.
Since their debut, Congress are signed on Goodlife Recordings, along with labelmates Liar or Deformity (also from the H8000 scene).
The band eventually split in late 2006.
2. The Congress, initially formed by guitarist Scott Lane and vocalist/guitarist Jonathan Meadows, blends feel-good American music and authentic Southern R&B to produce a fresh Rock sound in an industry of puzzling sub-genres. The group's sound is carried by the true strength of Meadows' tenor voice, which glides over a decidedly modern groove with a nod to the vintage Virginia traditions that seep from their lyrics. Meadows and Lane have both toured extensively throughout the east coast but were drawn to Denver due to it's proximity to the Rocky Mountains and it's burgeoning music scene.
Lane relocated to Denver in 2008; Meadows followed a year later in September of 2009, only after Lane had convinced Meadows that he had found a rhythm section in Damon Scott (drums) and Dwight Thompson (bass) that fit the vision they collectively desired. After two short rehearsals, the newly formed band played it's first official Denver performance in September of 2009. They continued to build momentum by traveling throughout the front-range and the rocky mountains, quickly honing their live execution in front of astonished audiences.
The Congress's live shows are a fluid amalgamation of genre bending music that can transport a listener from the intersection of Haight-Ashbury to the bruyant bustle of the French Quarter. Head north toward the Mason-Dixon and you'll find The Congress sipping on whiskey in Appalachia. The band manages to achieve this sound in a delicate and concise way, embracing improvisation and resolve, leading to a polished, worldly and song-driven mentality that connects with a diverse cross section of fans on a deeply fundamental level.
The Congress was steadfast in establishing itself as a can't miss live act but they felt in order to maximize their potential, they needed to get in the studio immediately. Scott, who had worked previously with Grammy Award winning recording engineer John Macy, recommended Macy Sound Studios to Meadows and Lane. It was an ideal match as all parties shared a desire to achieve the warm and loose sound of 60's and 70's era recordings -- while maintaining a modern and edgy feel to the music. After the band, the studio, the engineer was established, Meadows called upon friend, musical ally and wunderkind, Daniel Clarke (k.d. lang, Ryan Adams, Mandy Moore) to co-produce and play Hammond B-3 and piano on the upcoming session.
The result is a stunningly lush and diverse seven-song e.p. that captures the group in it's creative infancy but clearly displays an unlimited potential for crafting American music at it's finest. Receiving international recognition even prior to it's release, the song, "Back Where You Are" was chosen to air on CNN as part of a world-wide fundraising campaign to aid relief efforts for the devastation caused by the massive earthquake in Haiti. The Congress is touring in support of their debut album throughout the Summer of 2010 with shows from the Southeast to the Northwest.
3. Congress was also an Electronic duo consisting of Danny Harrison and Danny Matlock.
They kept producing until 1994, and are still highly regarded in the Electronic music scene.
They are mainly remembered for the huge 1991 rave tune 40 Miles, which has been included in numerous Electronic collections over the years -- including Fantazia, Hed Kandi, Deep heat and House Collection.
Mainstream
Congress Lyrics
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The above lyrics are from Congress's song "Mainstream", and the band seems to be commenting on the pressure of conforming to societal norms and expectations. The song seems to be calling out those who try to force conformity onto others, and uses vivid imagery to convey the effects of such pressure. The first few lines describe the pain of having one's own thoughts and beliefs dissected and judged by others who deem themselves morally superior. The use of the word "self-righteousness" suggests that the individuals exerting this pressure may not have the best intentions, and are more interested in imposing their own beliefs than in helping others.
The following lines, including "crush my skull with your hammer of rejection" and "let the vultures pick in my brain", paint a picture of the damage that can be done to one's spirit and mental health when subjected to such pressure. The imagery is graphic and disturbing, underscoring the seriousness of the issue. The use of words like "idiocy" and "polluted" further drive home the idea that the expectations being imposed are harmful and toxic.
The final lines of the song, "solutions to their greed they won't find, choking on another victim's meat" seem to be a statement on the empty and ultimately self-destructive nature of this type of pressure. The reference to "greed" suggests that those enforcing conformity may have their own agendas, and the reference to "victim's meat" suggests that the pressure is not only harmful to those being pressured, but also to those exerting it. Overall, the lyrics of "Mainstream" are a powerful call to resist societal pressure and to stay true to one's own beliefs, even when faced with criticism.
Line by Line Meaning
Make an incision in my head.
Cut open my mind.
Whit your knife of self-righteousness.
Use your judgmental attitude as a tool.
Crush my skull with your hammer of rejection.
Beat me down until I'm broken.
Let the vultures pick in my brain, and feed the dogs of mainstream with the remains.
Let the masses consume the bits and pieces of my soul.
Mix the sand of idiocy with water from the polluted sea, and pour it into my skull.
Fill my mind with nonsense and toxic ideas.
Make me numb and leave me alone.
Take away my ability to feel and abandon me.
Solutions to their greed they won't find.
Those in power won't find solutions to their selfishness.
Choking on another victims meet
The powerful are destroying and using others for their own gain.
Contributed by Brooklyn P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.