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)
MMVII
Counterparts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
done? And year after year, we give our everything to get nothing in return. The
time has come for things to change. We don’t need your adoration, but we demand
your respect. I will not allow anyone the opportunity to deny half a decade of
labor. The places we’ve been, the faces we’ve seen, the months spent far from
home. This is what moves us. This is what we’ve grown accustom to. What we will
leave behind can not be measured in a dollar figure. There’s a much deeper
meaning than that. I can’t wait until the day when we’ve surpassed everything
want you to watch you slip away. I want you to realize that your existence has
meant nothing. I hate you more than you could ever fucking know. And I hate
you for making me feel like this. I know deep down that I’m a good person, but
my patience is wearing thin. The best retaliation I can think of, would be to
let you know that for once in my life, I’m truly happy. I’m more than content
with who and where I am. Your oppression has had no effect. I don’t need to
justify my opinion after everything we’ve been through. And year after year, we
give our everything and what we receive in return, I can’t explain with words.
I’m so fucking thankful that I made it to where I am today. (I watched the
world upon your shoulders, and from these heights it’s so far down.)
The lyrics of Counterparts's song MMVII speak about the frustration and disappointment in the music industry, where artists are expected to constantly prove themselves and their worth to their audience and the industry. The singer questions the need to justify their opinion and worth after all the hard work and dedication put into their music. Despite giving their all, year after year, they feel like they receive nothing in return, which highlights the struggles of being a musician.
The lyrics also express the desire for change and demand for respect instead of adoration. The singer acknowledges the sacrifices they have made - leaving their homes, meeting new faces, and putting in months of hard work - to make their music. They understand that what they leave behind is not just a monetary figure but something much deeper, which cannot be measured. The lyrics also express the need for reflection on one's existence and importance in the world. The singer hates the industry for making them feel this way, but at the same time, they have found happiness and satisfaction with themselves and their music.
Overall, the song MMVII reflects the struggles of musicians and their unending dedication to their craft despite the challenges and obstacles they face.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do I need to justify my opinion, after all that I’ve seen and done?
I don’t need to explain myself to anyone because I’ve experienced enough and accomplished enough to trust my own opinions.
And year after year, we give our everything to get nothing in return.
We work hard every year, but we don’t receive the recognition or rewards we deserve for our efforts.
The time has come for things to change.
We’ve reached a point where we need to shake things up and demand respect.
We don’t need your adoration, but we demand your respect.
We don’t care about being worshipped, but we expect to be treated with dignity and honor.
I will not allow anyone the opportunity to deny half a decade of labor.
I won’t let anyone dismiss or invalidate the hard work and dedication we’ve put in for the past five years.
The places we’ve been, the faces we’ve seen, the months spent far from home. This is what moves us.
Our experiences traveling and meeting new people, as well as the sacrifices we’ve made being away from home, motivate and inspire us.
This is what we’ve grown accustomed to.
We’ve become accustomed to a lifestyle of hard work, travel, and sacrifice.
What we will leave behind can not be measured in a dollar figure.
Our legacy can’t be quantified by money or material possessions.
There’s a much deeper meaning than that.
Our work is driven by something deeper and more meaningful than just financial gain.
I can’t wait until the day when we’ve surpassed everything that gave you a false sense of importance.
We’re working towards exceeding the things that falsely gave you a sense of power and importance.
I want you to question yourself. I want you to watch you slip away.
I want you to reflect on your actions and see the consequences of your behavior.
I want you to realize that your existence has meant nothing.
I want you to understand that you haven’t made a positive impact on the world or others.
I hate you more than you could ever fucking know.
I despise you to an extent that you couldn’t possibly comprehend.
And I hate you for making me feel like this.
I dislike you for causing me to feel this way.
I know deep down that I’m a good person, but my patience is wearing thin.
I have confidence in my character, but my tolerance for mistreatment is decreasing.
The best retaliation I can think of, would be to let you know that for once in my life, I’m truly happy.
I’ll get the best revenge by demonstrating that I’m genuinely happy with my life.
I’m more than content with who and where I am. Your oppression has had no effect.
I’m satisfied with my current position in life and your attempts to hold me down haven’t worked.
I don’t need to justify my opinion after everything we’ve been through.
Based on our shared experiences, I don’t feel the need to explain or defend my point of view.
And year after year, we give our everything and what we receive in return, I can’t explain with words.
We consistently put forth effort and commitment, but the rewards we receive are intangible and can’t be expressed with language.
I’m so fucking thankful that I made it to where I am today. (I watched the world upon your shoulders, and from these heights it’s so far down.)
I’m incredibly grateful for reaching this point in my life. Compared to where you stand, I feel like I’m on top of the world.
Contributed by Mackenzie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Esther Villanueva
LYRICS //
Why do I need to justify my opinion, after all that I’ve seen and done? And year after year, we give our everything to get nothing in return. The time has come for things to change. We don’t need your adoration, but we demand your respect. I will not allow anyone the opportunity to deny half a decade of labor. The places we’ve been, the faces we’ve seen, the months spent far from home. This is what moves us. This is what we’ve grown accustom to. What we will leave behind can not be measured in a dollar figure. There’s a much deeper meaning than that. I can’t wait until the day when we’ve surpassed everything that gave you a false sense of importance. I want you to question yourself. I want you to watch you slip away. I want you to realize that your existence has meant nothing. I hate you more than you could ever fucking know. And I hate you for making me feel like this. I know deep down that I’m a good person, but my patience is wearing thin. The best retaliation I can think of, would be to let you know that for once in my life, I’m truly happy. I’m more than content with who and where I am. Your oppression has had no effect. I don’t need to justify my opinion after everything we’ve been through. And year after year, we give our everything and what we receive in return, I can’t explain with words. I’m so fucking thankful that I made it to where I am today. (I watched the world upon your shoulders, and from these heights it’s so far down.)
HollowCrown1000
Incredible melodic hardcore <3
Ryan Stevenson
can't wait to see these guys support Your Demise, thanks to that tour i'm here, and i'm fucking glad i am, Counterparts are fucking sick!
jankowitts
I watched the world upon your shoulders, and from these heights it’s so far down!!
Mikael Hållander
Without Silverstein I wouldn't know about this awesome band. I wouldn't like this kind of music in that case either.
Maxine Alo
counterparts is so fucking good. its unreal, and they need to come to San Diego.
Renee Carriere
They put on one hell of a show c;
tak783
they need to do a tour in 'Merca.
Daniel C
Glad I came across these guys
Noah Brierley
haha so glad these guys are from so close to where i live. I've seen them twice in less than a year