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)
No Servant of Mine
Counterparts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A shell that′s thin and withering
Did you misplace your flame
In pursuit of a new hell to help you heal or burn the same?
Dedication makes a martyr out of me
While you're afraid to offer flakes of skin
Your fire dies dependent on the embers I provide
No servant
No servant of mine
Turn your back and flee
Bending over backwards to be sure we watched you leave
No servant of mine
Turn your back and flee
You are not owed more than the shoulders you have burdened
Contentment breeds in our disintegration
Like bitter pills digested by the sick
I wish you luck and hope you′ve found your medicine
(Pray that it kills you quick)
The chase has clouded your perception
Beg to be buried in the sky
Dependent on the embers I provide
Your fire dies
The same mud buries both of us alive
And still you search for different shades of dirt
No servant
No servant of mine
Turn your back and flee
Bending over backwards to be sure we watched you leave
No servant of mine
Turn your back and flee
You are not owed more than the shoulders you have burdened
The lyrics of Counterparts's song "No Servant of Mine" express a sense of disappointment and frustration towards someone who has lost their passion and become a mere shell of themselves. The opening lines suggest that this person has misplaced their inner fire in pursuit of something new, possibly in search of healing or finding a different kind of pain. The songwriter questions whether this pursuit is truly helping them or simply causing them to burn in the same destructive cycle.
The chorus emphasizes the refusal to be a servant to this person, rejecting their presence and turning away from them. There is a feeling of betrayal and being taken for granted, as the song references the burden this person has placed on the shoulders of others without deserving any more than what they have already taken. The lyrics convey a sense of power in not allowing oneself to be a pawn in this person's game.
The second verse touches on the idea of contentment arising from the disintegration of a relationship, comparing it to bitter pills consumed by the sick. There is a hint of irony and resentment in the line "pray that it kills you quick," suggesting a desire for this person to face the consequences of their actions swiftly.
The bridge addresses this person directly, depicting their perception as clouded by their pursuit. The imagery of wanting to be buried in the sky reveals a wish for escape or a transcendence that is unattainable. It highlights the irony that their dependency on others' support ultimately leads to the demise of their own fire.
Overall, "No Servant of Mine" captures the emotions of disappointment, resentment, and the refusal to be treated as a doormat. It speaks to the pain of being taken advantage of and the strength in asserting one's worth.
Line by Line Meaning
In you no passion bleeds
There is no genuine enthusiasm or emotion in your character
A shell that's thin and withering
You are a fragile and deteriorating empty vessel
Did you misplace your flame
Have you lost your inner spark or motivation
In pursuit of a new hell to help you heal or burn the same?
Are you seeking out destructive habits or situations that will only bring more pain and suffering?
Dedication makes a martyr out of me
I sacrifice myself and my own needs for your sake
While you're afraid to offer flakes of skin
You are unwilling to make even a small sacrifice or show vulnerability
Your fire dies dependent on the embers I provide
Your passion or motivation only exists because of my support or contributions
Shield your blaze from beads of sweat
You try to protect your flame from any effort or hard work
No servant
I am no longer willing to serve or cater to you
Turn your back and flee
Walk away from this relationship or situation
Bending over backwards to be sure we watched you leave
Making a show of leaving with great effort to seek attention or validation
You are not owed more than the shoulders you have burdened
You have no right to demand or expect anything beyond the problems you have caused
Contentment breeds in our disintegration
Happiness or satisfaction arises as our relationship falls apart
Like bitter pills digested by the sick
Our troubles and conflicts are consumed and experienced painfully
I wish you luck and hope you've found your medicine
I hope you find a solution or remedy for your issues
(Pray that it kills you quick)
(Wish that it quickly brings an end to your suffering)
The chase has clouded your perception
Your pursuit has distorted your understanding or judgment
Beg to be buried in the sky
Desire to escape reality or responsibilities by being obscured in the vastness of the sky
The same mud buries both of us alive
We are both trapped and affected by the same problems or struggles
And still you search for different shades of dirt
Yet you continue to look for new sources of trouble or complications
Writer(s): Blake Hardman, Brendan Murphy, Kyle Brownlee, Adrian Lee
Contributed by Julia V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nik Nocturnal
Love the vibe this track and Bouquet gives!
Chase Lowe
the guitar harmonies in this song are insane
Knocked Goose
Jesus H Christ. I can't overstate the lasting power of Counterparts. No matter how many times I listen to them they never get old.
sturdywings
Goodness, the evolution of this band amazes me to this day.
Bruno Rodrigues
Counterparts nunca me decepciona.
Jared Fitch
Judging from this and "Bouquet", anyone still worried about a "post-Jesse" Counterparts can take a seat and chillax. Brendan has finally found himself a full band that's firing on every possible cylinder and I CAN'T FUCKING WAIT FOR YNYA TO DROP!
Miscreamokid
No kidding. Up until this release I've been a little apprehensive about the upcoming "Your Not You Anymore" release but after listening to Bouquet a bit, seeing thieves live at warped and now hearing this I can honestly say I'm really excited to hear what the rest of the album has to offer.
Carlos Picouto Exposito
The Pink man named Floyd i need more, i mean this is great and bouquet and thieves tío, bit i think everything is sounding too repetitive, with the intro-chorus etc structure, i need songs that seem crazy but have order inside.
Jared Fitch
How is this repetitive? we don't get a repeated chorus until the end of the song, each riff is new/non-repeating. As far as structure this song is far more atypical, unlike "Bouquet" which fits more into the verse/chorus pattern but still does it well.
Miscreamokid
I wouldn't say repetitive, if you listen to what the band is actually playing few parts repeat themselves, but it's much more structured, and I feel as if these newer songs have almost felt a bit more.. compact and to the point compared to other songs in their repertoire if that makes any sense.