Counterparts formed in Hamilton, Ontario in 2007.[7] Counterparts consisted of vocalist Brendan Murphy, guitarist Jesse Doreen, guitarist Curtis Washik, bassist Eric Bazinet, and drummer Ryan Juntilla. In 2009, Washik departed from the band, and Alex Re joined the band temporarily as their guitarist before becoming their permanent guitarist. In March 2009 Counterparts toured Canada. In 2010 Shane Told, from the band Silverstein, signed them to his Verona Records label.
Lead vocalist Brendan Murphy was featured on the song "The Artist" on Silverstein's fifth album, Rescue. He also appeared in their music video.
The band's debut album Prophets was released 23 February 2010 on label Verona Records. In 2010, Juntilla left the band, and was replaced by Chris Needham. A split EP, featuring Needham on drums was released 21 November 2010 with hardcore punk band Exalt. The band toured North America in support of the album, which was inspired by Mussy.
In spring of 2011, the band was signed to Victory Records. The band continued to tour until the summer of 2011, when they announced that they were recording a new album. During this time, Needham left the band to see a speech therapist. A search for their next drummer was started, but ultimately, Juntilla rejoined the band, just in time to start recording for their second album, The Current Will Carry Us. The album was released 24 October 2011 on Victory. A music video was released for the song "Jumping Ship".
Kyle Brownlee, formerly of Canadian deathcore band Majesty, filled in for Juntilla for the entirety of the band's Canadian headliner tour, later on in summer of 2012, it was announced that Juntilla departed from Counterparts because he no longer wanted to be a part of the band. Days after the announcement, bassist Eric Bazinet commented on his Tumblr page that Juntilla had left the band in February and most of the members have not spoken to him since then. He had left to pursue interests in a band he was in during Counterparts. Bazinet added that on their last tour with Juntilla, "he was especially uninterested."
The band's third album The Difference Between Hell and Home was released on 24 July 2013 to positive critical reception. A music video for the track "Witness" was posted ten days prior to the release of the album.
In late 2013, guitarist Alex Re posted on his personal Facebook page that he had left Counterparts and would be playing his last show with the band at their hometown show in December. He was later replaced by Adrian Lee. In 2014, bassist Eric Bazinet announced that after seven years, he was leaving the band to pursue a career, and to spend time with family. After Bazinet's departure, Blake Hardman from Hundredth filled in on bass for the band on the "Fuck the Message Tour" that was headlined by Stick to Your Guns. Shortly afterwards, the guitarist of Kills and Thrills, Brian Kaczmarczyk, joined on bass, becoming the only non-Canadian member of the band.
In the spring of 2015, vocalist Brendan Murphy announced in an interview that their fourth album, Tragedy Will Find Us, is expected to be released in the summer of 2015. On 23 April, the band announced that they have signed to Pure Noise Records, and New Damage Records. Pure Noise will released the album in the U.S., while New Damage released it in Canada. The fourth album was released in July 2015. Tyler Williams, a bandmate of Hardman's in Nashville hardcore act on Point, also joined the band during this period. It was announced in March 2017 the band would play the 22nd annual Vans Warped Tour.
The band's fifth album, You're Not You Anymore, was released on 22 September 2017 via New Damage and Pure Noise Records. They have also shared singles from the album, called Haunt Me, Bouquet, and No Servant of Mine. "You're Not You Anymore" was the first recorded effort without the participation of Doreen due to his departure from Counterparts.
The band released their sixth studio album, Nothing Left to Love, on 1 November 2019 via New Damage and Pure Noise Records. The record marks the return of guitarist and backing vocalist Alex Re. "Nothing Left to Love" was the band's first record to break into the top 100 of the Billboard 200 charts, peaking at 97.
On May 31, 2022 Counterparts announced on all social media platforms their seventh studio album A Eulogy for Those Still Here due for release on October 7, 2022 through Pure Noise Records. The first single "Unwavering Vow" was released on June 1, 2022. The second single "Whispers Of Your Death" was released on July 26, 2022, and was written about Brendan Murphy's cat Kuma. The third single "Bound to The Burn" was released on September 7, 2022.
Current Members
Brendan Murphy – lead vocals (2007–present)
Alex Re – guitar, backing vocals, clean vocals (2009–2013; 2019–present)
Kyle Brownlee – drums, percussion (2012, 2016, 2017–present)
Tyler Williams – bass guitar, backing vocals (2017–present)
Jesse Doreen – guitar (2007–2016, 2021–present)
Former Members:
Curtis Washik – rhythm guitar (2007–2009)
Chris Needham – drums, percussion (2010–2011)
Ryan Juntilla – drums, percussion (2007–2010; 2011–2012)
Adrian Lee – rhythm guitar (2013–2019), bass (2017)
Eric Bazinet – bass (2007–2014)
Brian Kaczmarczyk – bass guitar (2014–2017)
Ben Leathem – drums, percussion (2016–2017)
Kelly Bilan – drums, percussion (2012–2016)
Blake Hardman – guitar, backing vocals (2016–2021), bass (2014, 2017)
Jumping Ship
Counterparts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel everything changing but me
I will not feel the sting of defeat
I've watched days become months, become years
And I've lost all faith in progression
I will never allow myself to exchange all my morals for acceptance
If this is truly where I belong
I'll fucking be here until the end of time
I've watched everyone around me jump ship
and I hope they're left to sink
The current will carry us
I am proud of all that I've become
and I'm well aware that I have steered myself in the right direction
And life is yours to destroy
I just can't respect your decision
I would rather isolate myself than be a walking definition of travesty
I watched you do away with everything
I watched you do away
I would love nothing more than to watch this world swallow you whole
You were the catalyst for your downfall
But where the rest have failed
we are bound to succeed
And mark my fucking words
as long as we are breathing
we will overcome, we will overcome
The integrity that we emanate day-to-day is unparalleled
and our efforts will not go unnoticed
We will be remembered, we will be remembered
We will be remembered, we will be remembered
We will be remembered, we will be remembered
The verses in "Jumping Ship" by Counterparts are filled with introspection and determination. The singer reflects on the passage of time and how everything around them seems to be in a constant state of change, but they themselves remain steadfast in their values and principles. The lyrics "I will not feel the sting of defeat" indicate an unwavering resolve to stay true to oneself, even when everyone around is giving in to conformity. The singer also expresses pride in their personal growth and decisions, and a refusal to compromise their integrity for acceptance.
The chorus is a battle cry of sorts, with the singer watching those who abandon their morals and values "jump ship", and hoping they suffer the consequences of their actions. The lyrics "You were the catalyst for your downfall" suggest that those who give in to societal pressure and betray their principles are responsible for their own demise. The singer sings with conviction that they and those who share their mindset will succeed where others have failed, and that their efforts will be remembered long after they're gone.
Line by Line Meaning
As time passes by
As time goes on
I feel everything changing but me
Despite the changes around me, I haven't changed
I will not feel the sting of defeat
I won't let failure defeat me
I've watched days become months, become years
I've seen time pass by
And I've lost all faith in progression
I've lost my optimism for progress
I will never allow myself to exchange all my morals for acceptance
I won't compromise my morals for approval
If this is truly where I belong
If I belong here
I'll fucking be here until the end of time
I'll be here forever
I've watched everyone around me jump ship
I've seen everyone leave
and I hope they're left to sink
I hope they suffer the consequences of their actions
The current will carry us
We'll go with the flow
I am proud of all that I've become
I'm proud of who I am
and I'm well aware that I have steered myself in the right direction
I know I've made good choices
And life is yours to destroy
You're responsible for your own life
I just can't respect your decision
I don't approve of your choice
I would rather isolate myself than be a walking definition of travesty
I'd rather be alone than be associated with a failure
I watched you do away with everything
I saw you give up on everything
I would love nothing more than to watch this world swallow you whole
I'd enjoy seeing you fail miserably
You were the catalyst for your downfall
Your actions caused your own failure
But where the rest have failed
Unlike others who didn't succeed
we are bound to succeed
We're destined to succeed
And mark my fucking words
Listen carefully
as long as we are breathing
While we're alive
we will overcome, we will overcome
We'll conquer our challenges
The integrity that we emanate day-to-day is unparalleled
Our strong morals set us apart
and our efforts will not go unnoticed
Our hard work will be recognized
We will be remembered, we will be remembered
We'll be remembered for our achievements
We will be remembered, we will be remembered
We'll be remembered for our success
We will be remembered, we will be remembered
We'll be remembered for our integrity
Lyrics © Another Victory Publishing, Peermusic Publishing, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: Alexander Re, Brendan Murphy, Eric Bazinet, Jesse Doreen, Ryan Juntilla
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Пёсий
As time passes by, I feel everything changing but me
I will not feel the sting of defeat
I’ve watched days become months, become years
And I’ve lost all faith in progression
I will never allow myself to exchange all my morals for acceptance If this is truly where I belong, I’ll fucking be here until the end of time
I’ve watched everyone around me jump ship
And I hope they’re left to sink
The current will carry us
I am proud of all that I’ve become
And I am well aware that I have steered myself in the right direction
And life is yours to decide
I just can’t respect your decision
I would rather isolate myself than be a walking definition of travesty
I watched you do away with everything
I watched you do away
I would love nothing more than to watch this world swallow you whole
You were the catalyst for your downfall
But where the rest have failed, we are bound to succeed
And mark my fucking words, as long as we are breathing
We will overcome
We will overcome
The integrity we emanate day to day is unparalleled
And our efforts will not go unnoticed
We will be remembered
We will be remembered
We will be remembered
We will be remembered
We will be remembered
We will be remembered
irfan lfz
As time passes by
I feel everything changing but me
I will not feel the sting of defeat
I've watched days become months, become years
And I've lost all faith in progression
I will never allow myself to exchange all my morals for acceptance
If this is truly where I belong
I'll fucking be here until the end of time
I've watched everyone around me jump ship
and I hope they're left to sink
The current will carry us
I am proud of all that I've become
and I'm well aware that I have steered myself in the right direction
And life is yours to destroy
I just can't respect your decision
I would rather isolate myself than be a walking definition of travesty
I watched you do away with everything
I watched you do away
I would love nothing more than to watch this world swallow you whole
You were the catalyst for your downfall
But where the rest have failed
we are bound to succeed
And mark my fucking words
as long as we are breathing
we will overcome, we will overcome
The integrity that we emanate day-to-day is unparalleled
and our efforts will not go unnoticed
We will be remembered, we will be remembered
We will be remembered, we will be remembered
We will be remembered, we will be remembered
Doug Payne
My favorite melodic hardcore band bar none. I also like hundredth and rise against but counterparts just has the perfect level of heavyness and technicality.
Zion Pineda
Hundredth gave up their hardcore identity and now they're just another showgaze band
Mark M
doug i agree with those bands as they are my personal favs too...but have you heard of the band "Heart in Hand"
Mark M
sorry just realized your comment was 7 years old lol
Eric McKinley
@Mark M replying to old comments is funny af, Mr Mark 1 year ago.
QILIN44
"The integrity that we emanate day-to-day is unparalleled, and our efforts will not go unnoticed. We will be remembered." - Easily top ten most inspiring song lyrics I have ever heard.
falconlord78
Also counterparts: mortality is the greatest gift given to the living; but a curse to those who feel truly alive
t n
You apparently haven't heard many songs in your life.
MyAppleseeds
"I will never allow myself to exchange all my morals for acceptance." Fantastic lyrics/music that guys put out...
Mikael Hållander
Counterparts is one of my all time favorite bands. I think that they don't deserve being so unknown. For that reason I wrote to a radio show host in Sweden's only rock station and he played it and thought it was awesome. And beleive me, he know what he's doing. He's a member of a rock band himself. We should all try to get Counterparts out there!