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)
Lost
Counterparts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The failure was always there
It was the only real companion that I have ever had
Not meant to live like this
Consciousness is nothing more than a vicious cycle
And I am being bled dry by my conviction
I've spent my life trying to find my confidence
Life is a lost cause
Too weak to carry on
I wish I'd never met who I once was
Not meant to live like this
Pursuing the love in all that I have lost
But I have left myself neglected
Deserted from the start
Longing for a chance to wander
A chance to chase my aspiration
When you're devoid of feeling
You just do as you're told
Hatred is exhausting
But it's all I'll ever know
The lyrics to Counterparts’s song Lost depict a struggle with failure and the feeling that one’s life is living in a cycle of consciousness. The songwriter discusses the failure present throughout their life as if it were their only true companion. They express this idea with the words, “The failure was always there. It was the only real companion that I have ever had.” The lyrics show how the feeling of failure can be suffocating and all-consuming, stating that “consciousness is nothing more than a vicious cycle, and I am being bled dry by my conviction.” They feel lost in their pursuit of confidence and self-assurance and find themselves empty-handed. They say, “I've spent my life trying to find my confidence and found absolutely nothing. Life is a lost cause. Too weak to carry on. I wish I'd never met who I once was. Not meant to live like this”.
Further into the lyrics, the songwriter talks about neglecting their own wants and desires while trying to find love in places where they have nothing left. They say, “Pursuing the love in all that I have lost. But I have left myself neglected. Deserted from the start. Longing for a chance to wander. A chance to chase my aspiration.” They are trying to come to terms with their situation and feel like they are just doing what they’re told, with no feeling or passion for anything. The lyrics state, “When you're devoid of feeling, you just do as you're told, Hatred is exhausting. But it's all I'll ever know.”
Overall, the song is about struggling to find one’s way in a world where failure is a constant and finding oneself lost in a cycle of consciousness. The songwriter talks about their experiences with neglect and exhaustion, and feeling like they are meant for something more but being unable to find it.
Line by Line Meaning
As far back as I can remember
Since the earliest memories I hold
The failure was always there
My inability to succeed constantly haunted me
It was the only real companion that I have ever had
Failure was my only constant companion
Not meant to live like this
I was not meant to live with constant failure and disappointment
Consciousness is nothing more than a vicious cycle
Being aware of myself and my situation only leads to more pain and suffering
And I am being bled dry by my conviction
My unwavering beliefs are taking a heavy toll on me
I've spent my life trying to find my confidence
My life has been dedicated to finding the self-assurance I lack
And found absolutely nothing
But I have come up empty-handed
Life is a lost cause
I view life as hopeless and futile
Too weak to carry on
I lack the strength to keep going
I wish I'd never met who I once was
I regret ever becoming the person I am today
Pursuing the love in all that I have lost
I am trying to find love and fulfillment in everything I have lost
But I have left myself neglected
In the process, I have ignored my own needs and desires
Deserted from the start
I have felt alone and abandoned since the beginning
Longing for a chance to wander
I yearn for the opportunity to explore and discover new things
A chance to chase my aspiration
To pursue my dreams and goals in life
When you're devoid of feeling
When you are incapable of feeling anything
You just do as you're told
You simply follow orders and comply with what is expected of you
Hatred is exhausting
My hate and negative emotions are draining me
But it's all I'll ever know
But it seems that it is the only thing I am capable of feeling
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Alexander John Re, Brendan Murphy, Eric James John Bazinet, Jesse Diamond Doreen, Kelly Alexander Bilan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fabiola Cerrato
As far back as I can remember
The failure was always there
It was the only real companion that I have ever had
Not meant to live like this
Consciousness is nothing more than a vicious cycle
And I am being bled dry by my conviction
I've spent my life trying to find my confidence
And found absolutely nothing
Life is a lost cause
Too weak to carry on
I wish I'd never met who I once was
Not meant to live like this
Pursuing the love in all that I have lost
But I have left myself neglected
Deserted from the start
Longing for a chance to wander
A chance to chase my aspiration
When you're devoid of feeling
You just do as you're told
Hatred is exhausting
But it's all I'll ever know
Leandro Solagna
That one line: "but when you're devoid of feeling, you just do as you're told." It's simply amazing.
Nothing No-one
It almost seems as if Brendan lived my life and is writing about my struggles. Its insane how closely every single song applies to my life.
cesar augusto montoya cardona
Right!? Is like counterparts always have a song for every moment of my life
Fabiola Cerrato
As far back as I can remember
The failure was always there
It was the only real companion that I have ever had
Not meant to live like this
Consciousness is nothing more than a vicious cycle
And I am being bled dry by my conviction
I've spent my life trying to find my confidence
And found absolutely nothing
Life is a lost cause
Too weak to carry on
I wish I'd never met who I once was
Not meant to live like this
Pursuing the love in all that I have lost
But I have left myself neglected
Deserted from the start
Longing for a chance to wander
A chance to chase my aspiration
When you're devoid of feeling
You just do as you're told
Hatred is exhausting
But it's all I'll ever know
Immolator772
''I wish I'd never met who I once was. '' This entire song hits so close to home, i relate to every single word. It's 2minutes of chills and emotion, i just love it!
Gaelic Goose
all my feels in one song
Matthias Miller
To me sad songs dont have to be slow and soft. This captures way more than most supposedly deep sad songs. Maybe this song isnt sad to others, but while it does capture some defiance, to me this song captures the futility of existence, which is plenty sad...
docfabz
The first like 12 seconds are euphoric to me
Immolator772
@docfabz i was about to say the entire song is euphoric XD
docfabz
I mean, the whole songs pretty euphoric tbh