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)
You're Not You Anymore
Counterparts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Remaining faithful to the flood our tears have purpose in a drought
Tread lightly so footprints can′t disturb the bed we've made
With restlessness reserved for both the bodies it contains
Aim your sharpest arrow at the center of my chest
A memorial to signify the sense of helplessness
We dare not mourn our past lives our loss will be reborn
Sew your skeleton to mine I'm no good on my own
Stitch yourself to either side of me so I will never be alone
We mend our past mistakes as a symbol that we′ve grown
So we no longer place our weight on top of broken bones
Mark an end to aimless roaming with a double-sided knife
If we develop eyes for others may we both be stripped of sight
Liken our divide to partitions in the earth
Wrapped in walls of vines growing out of common ground
A garden grew between us
Our tears have purpose in a drought
Sew your skeleton to mine I′m no good on my own
Stitch yourself to either side of me so I will never be alone
We mend our past mistakes as a symbol that we've grown
So we no longer place our weight on top of broken bones
Mark an end to aimless roaming
With a double-sided knife
Taking steps towards each other
We could end both our lives
(And that′d be fine)
Aim your sharpest arrow at the center of my chest
A memorial to signify the sense of helplessness
We dare not mourn our past lives our loss will be reborn
I couldn't love who you were but you′re not you anymore
The lyrics of Counterparts's song "You're Not You Anymore" explore the complexities and challenges of a deteriorating relationship. The opening lines depict the growing distance between the couple, symbolized by a garden that represents their love. They once had a strong connection, but now that connection has withered away. Despite the pain and tears they have gone through, they remain committed to each other, finding purpose even in their emotional drought. The lyrics suggest that they must be cautious with their actions and words, so as not to disturb the fragile state of their relationship.
The second verse speaks to the struggle of accepting the changes that have occurred within the relationship. The singer reminisces about the past, acknowledging that they couldn't love the person their partner has become. They express a desire for unity, hoping that by sewing their skeletons together, they can find strength in their connection and never feel alone. They also recognize the importance of learning from their past mistakes, using them as a symbol of growth and opting not to repeat them. The lyrics emphasize the need for both partners to evolve and support each other, so as not to burden the relationship with unresolved issues and brokenness.
The chorus repeats the themes of unity and growth, highlighting the significance of overcoming aimlessness and finding direction. The use of a double-sided knife suggests the willingness to make difficult decisions for the sake of the relationship. The lyrics allude to the fear of infidelity or developing feelings for others, hoping that both partners would lose sight before betraying each other. The concluding lines reiterate the garden as a symbol of separation, emphasizing that their tears and pain serve a purpose even in the midst of their dry spell.
Overall, the lyrics of "You're Not You Anymore" delve into the struggle of a failing relationship, the perseverance to mend past mistakes, and the importance of unity and growth to sustain love.
Line by Line Meaning
A garden grew between us in the love we lived without
Our relationship lacked love and connection, creating a divide between us
Remaining faithful to the flood our tears have purpose in a drought
Even during difficult times, our shared pain and emotions give us strength and purpose
Tread lightly so footprints can't disturb the bed we've made
Be cautious and avoid causing any harm or disruption to the foundation we've built
With restlessness reserved for both the bodies it contains
We both feel a sense of unease and dissatisfaction within ourselves
Aim your sharpest arrow at the center of my chest
Direct your most intense emotions and pain towards me
A memorial to signify the sense of helplessness
A symbolic gesture to represent our feelings of powerlessness
We dare not mourn our past lives our loss will be reborn
We choose not to dwell on our past selves, as it allows us to grow and change
Because I couldn't love who you were but you're not you anymore
I couldn't love the person you used to be, but now you have transformed and are different
Sew your skeleton to mine I'm no good on my own
Let us become interdependent, as I struggle to function without you
Stitch yourself to either side of me so I will never be alone
Attach yourself to me from both sides, ensuring that I will have constant companionship
We mend our past mistakes as a symbol that we've grown
By fixing our previous errors, we demonstrate personal growth and improvement
So we no longer place our weight on top of broken bones
We refuse to burden ourselves with the pain of past failures and instead focus on healing
Mark an end to aimless roaming with a double-sided knife
Put an end to our wandering and indecisiveness through making a clear and decisive choice
If we develop eyes for others may we both be stripped of sight
If we start to develop feelings for someone else, we hope to lose sight of any distractions
Liken our divide to partitions in the earth
Compare the distance between us to deep divisions in the ground
Wrapped in walls of vines growing out of common ground
Our connection is reinforced by shared experiences and a common foundation
We mend our past mistakes as a symbol that we've grown
By fixing our previous errors, we demonstrate personal growth and improvement
So we no longer place our weight on top of broken bones
We refuse to burden ourselves with the pain of past failures and instead focus on healing
Mark an end to aimless roaming
Put an end to our wandering and indecisiveness
With a double-sided knife
Using a decisive action or choice
Taking steps towards each other
Making efforts to come closer and reconcile
We could end both our lives
Metaphorically let go of our individual identities and start anew together
(And that'd be fine)
And we would be okay with that outcome
Aim your sharpest arrow at the center of my chest
Direct your most intense emotions and pain towards me
A memorial to signify the sense of helplessness
A symbolic gesture to represent our feelings of powerlessness
We dare not mourn our past lives our loss will be reborn
We choose not to dwell on our past selves, as it allows us to grow and change
I couldn't love who you were but you’re not you anymore
I couldn't love the person you used to be, but now you have transformed and are different
Writer(s): Blake Hardman, Brendan Murphy, Kyle Brownlee, Adrian Lee
Contributed by Mason L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@northyouth1932
A garden grew between us in the love we lived without
Remaining faithful to the flood, our tears have purpose in a drought
Tread lightly so footprints can't disturb the bed we've made
With restlessness reserved for both the bodies it contains
Aim your sharpest arrow at the center of my chest
A memorial to signify the sense of helplessness
We dare not mourn our past lives, our loss will be reborn
Because I couldn't love who you were but you're not you anymore
Sew your skeleton to mine, I'm no good on my own
Stitch yourself to either side of me so I will never be alone
We mend our past mistakes as a symbol that we've grown
So we no longer place our weight on top of broken bones
Mark an end to aimless roaming with a double-sided knife
If we develop eyes for others, may we both be stripped of sight
Liken our divide to partitions in the earth
Wrapped in walls of vines, growing out of common ground
A garden grew between us
Our tears have purpose in a drought
Sew your skeleton to mine, I'm no good on my own
Stitch yourself to either side of me so I will never be alone
We mend our past mistakes as a symbol that we've grown
So we no longer place our weight on top of broken bones
Mark an end to aimless roaming
With a double-sided knife
Taking steps towards each other
We could end both our lives
(And that'd be fine)
Aim your sharpest arrow at the center of my chest
A memorial to signify the sense of helplessness
We dare not mourn our past lives, our loss will be reborn
I couldn't love who you were but you're not you anymore
@ReneZZ
I fell in love since the very first time I saw this video three days ago. You have accomplished something else with this song and video. Something I can't explain. Masterpiece.
@leandroantelo7154
Bue......... 😂
@MartinUltraHD
The only band that knows how to make you cry but at the same makes you mosh in the pit full of feels
@Pur3ScarsVII
nah, there are a few
@supertr3mp
Architects, safe.
@Pur3ScarsVII
Beartooth, Parkway Drive, STYG, Architects for example
@diorpambudi7196
its me!!!
@benheckman752
Casey
@deathpanorama_
About 10 months ago I tried to do the most selfish thing and leave this earth with out a trace. During my contemplation heard this song in my head. “Sew your skeleton to mine, I’m no good on my own. Stitch yourself to either side of me, so I’ll never be alone.” And I thought about the people that were most important to me and how my addictions and anxiety is what was killing me. But, these Certain persons helped me keep afloat even though I was sinking deeply. I wasn’t me anymore. So I got up and instead of going through with something so terrible. I put this record on and played it all the way through till I reached YNYA and I just balled my eyes out knowing I’m gonna be okay. I have all the help in front of me but I need to take it! I’m clean and happier then ever but some days are battles for sure but if it wasn’t for Brendan’s words I probably wouldn’t be here right now. Thank you so much Counterparts. My favorite band forever
@chancelor
William Sanchez I’m proud of you man. Keep going