lead guitar - Jeremy "Jezza" Taylor<… Read Full Bio ↴vocals and guitar - Marcus Maloeney
lead guitar - Jeremy "Jezza" Taylor
keyboard - Dean Thomas
bass - John Kelly
drums - Peter Constantinou
The future which Melbourne group Crash Palace is facing is one every band
dreams about. After slogging around the traps for several years, a demo they
recorded caught the ear of their now-manager, who summoned them to America,
secured an international record contract, sent them into the studio and laid
plans to launch them internationally. That's about to happen, but before it
happens Crash Palace are enjoying dusting off the cobwebs playing low-key
gigs around Australia, their first in a year, their first under their new
name.
It all sounds like a dream come true, and is, but the year Crash Palace have
spent making that dream come true has meant hard work, and a lot of
commitment, to their music and each other. Being in a rock band, dreaming of
an international career is one thing. When that potential manager comes out
of the blue and tells you it's yours to have, but you have to leave your
comfort zone, your friends, your fans, everything and put it all on the
line, it's a huge leap of faith to take. Most people take it step by step.
Sometimes not all the band members survive the journey. The decision was
harder for some members of Crash Palace than others. But they all made it.
They used to be called. Paradime. One by one they'd taken up their place
around singer/guitarist Marcus Maloeney - bass player John Kelly, drummer
peter Constantinou, lead guitarist Jeremy "Jezza" Taylor. When keyboard
player Dean Thomas arrived to become the last piece in the jigsaw something
clicked into place. It didn't take a man with a big cigar to come along to
tell them they had 'something'. When that man came along he came in the
shape of Geoffrey Schuhkraft, who like the Crash Palace-to-be, had cut his
teeth in the backroom of the Australian music industry, but in more recent
years has worked in America, developing the contacts that now come into
place on Crash Palace's behalf. Schuhkraft heard Paradime's demo, recognized
that 'something', offered to become their manager, and arranged for the
group to go to America.
In the studio, recording their album for Trauma Records (home of Bush and No
Doubt) the group was presented with a huge challenge. Their producer also
heard that 'something'. He felt there was 'something more'. He challenged
the band to put aside the songs they'd been playing for several years, the
songs which had won them their manager and contract and their American
adventure. Their producer encouraged the group to make a new beginning. They
took the challenge. The songs they've recorded, the songs they're playing
now, are the songs they then sat down and wrote. When they were finished
Paradime was completely gone. They had became Crash Palace.
What isn't gone is the apprenticeship they served as Paradime. Over and over
Australian groups have shown that the thing they have over their
international contemporaries is that they can really really play on stage.
Australian bands have to cut it on stage. Crash Palace come from that
Australian music tradition. When the whole world discovers this group most
Australians haven't even heard of they will straight away hear and know that
Crash Palace are Australian.
What do they play? If you wanted to find a group that summed up the
post-grunge era of rock, you'll find it in Crash Palace. They play with that
energy and sincerity which won rock back its heart in the grudge era. Tucked
inside that energy are the kind of melodies commercial radio will fall over
themselves when they eventually hear them. In front is a Michael Stipe-frail
lead singer, with considerable presence. It's no accident that this dream
come true has fallen in their lap.
Evolution
Crashpalace Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you hold it back
And I know you afford it
But you wouldn't know
And I know, you say so
Are you vain enough?
Save it, say hello
Blaming yourself for all my problems
Living life on a loaded gun, living on
I walk on a razor
I walk out alone
I've lost my saviour
I've lost my soul
And I know, you say so
Are you vain enough?
Save it, say hello
You can't stop this evolution
Blaming yourself for all my problems
Living life on a loaded gun, living on
The lyrics of Evolution by Crashpalace seem to be an introspective reflection on the cost of personal growth and the struggles that arise from it. The first stanza seems to be directed at someone who wants to change but doesn't have the confidence to do so. The singer understands that the person can afford to change, but they are still reluctant to do so. Perhaps this is because they are afraid of what others might say or are too vain to admit that they need to change. Regardless, the singer seems to offer support and reassurance to the person, urging them to take the step forward and embrace the evolution that they need.
The second stanza delves into the singer's own struggles with personal growth. They feel like they are walking on a razor's edge, and they have lost their savior and soul in the process. This could refer to the loss of a loved one or the abandonment of a former way of life. Either way, the singer understands that personal growth is a process that requires sacrifice, and they are willing to pay the price. The chorus of the song seems to be a rallying cry for anyone who is going through a similar struggle. The singer acknowledges that personal growth is difficult and there will be problems along the way, but they urge the listener to continue living life and not give up.
Line by Line Meaning
You say that you want it
You express a desire for something
But you hold it back
Despite your desire, you restrain yourself from pursuing it
And I know you afford it
I am aware that you have the means to attain it
But you wouldn't know
However, it seems you lack the knowledge or awareness to obtain it
And I know, you say so
You have stated this fact before
Are you vain enough?
Do you have enough self-importance?
Save it, say hello
Keep your inflated ego in check and just say hello
You can't stop this evolution
Change is inevitable and unstoppable
Blaming yourself for all my problems
You take responsibility for things beyond your control
Living life on a loaded gun, living on
You risk danger every day, constantly on edge
I walk on a razor
I am in a precarious situation, balancing on the edge of danger
I walk out alone
I am facing these dangers without support or companionship
I've lost my saviour
The one who provided guidance and support is no longer there
I've lost my soul
I feel empty and lost in this dangerous world
Contributed by Mila G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Evan Kidd
Been wanting to see this video again for years! An album that still gets regular spins at home.
Still remember seeing you guys tear it up at M-One and I believe this music video was included with the “souvenir lanyard and VCD”.
Arcane
Whole album amazing never gets old
GILBERTO LIMA LEITE
MUITO BOM ESSE VÍDEO CLIPE O TRISTE É QUE NOS ESTADOS UNIDOS NÃO TÁ MAIS APARECENDO BANDAS NOVAS ASSIM
JC
About 20 years ago now I saw you guys in a club either on Swanston St or just off it, with a friend. Not many there. After the gig we talked to the lead singer for about 15 minutes as the band were packing up their own gear. Marcus was his name I think? He was really friendly and genuinely touched as to how much we liked the album. He was just a normal guy about our age.
To cut a long story short I have the CD in my car today, it must be over 15 years since I’ve listened.
It still sounds just as great. Would like to know how many copies it actually sold.
MELOMANO ADICTO
Never saw this video before. Thank you!
Peter Constantinou
Our pleasure.
Deejay Club
Alternative Times Vol 21