Early years
Days of the New began as an experimental rock/metal trio called Dead Reckoning, with Meeks, Matt Taul, and Jesse Vest. When they turned to an acoustic sound, they changed the name of the band, as well as added guitarist Todd Whitener.
A demo version of the song "Freak" appeared on the Harvest Showcase Volume 3, a compilation of Louisville area artists. This recording features a solo performance by Travis Meeks but is credited to Days of the New. Jesse Vest and Matt Taul are listed as band members in the liner notes; although, they do not appear on this recording.
Producer Scott Litt signed the band after their third live show.
1996-1998
The band recorded their debut album in October and November 1996. The first Days of the New release, an eponymous album frequently called "Orange" or "Yellow" after the color of the disc and liner notes, was released in 1997, selling 1.5 million copies worldwide. Three songs from this album were hits: "Touch, Peel and Stand," "The Down Town," and "Shelf in the Room." The former was #1 on Billboard's Rock Chart for 17 weeks; "The Down Town" and "Shelf in the Room" were each top 40 hits.
Internal problems of the band were evident early on. Shortly after releasing their debut album, Days of the New began touring for small shows. MTV reported that, after missing a Florida concert in April, the band members appeared physically black-eyed and beaten the following day after what sources claimed to be a band brawl. They then toured with Metallica and Jerry Cantrell starting in West Palm Beach, Florida on June 24, 1998. Meeks later criticized this billing, stating that, due to their acoustic sound, Days of the New should have toured with a group like Dave Matthews Band.
Just before starting this summer tour, however, Meeks had already told interviewers that all of his fellow band members were holding him back and, consequently, were being released from the group. He also said that they were disappointed by this decision but that he thought they would remain friends. An Outpost spokesperson, however, claimed that "Travis just talks" and that nothing was official. Before they could fulfill club touring duties with Finger 11 and Flight 16 in December, without citing reason, Meeks canceled in early November. Various explanations were given by band members and a label spokesperson including poor tour scheduling, band fighting, and even Meeks being physically ill. It was finally confirmed in February 1999 that the band indeed split up. Todd Whitener, Matt Taul, and Jesse Vest would go on to form C14, soon renamed Tantric, while Meeks formed a new band under the Days of the New name.
Over the years, two somewhat contradictory versions of the original Days of the New breakup have developed. It was widely reported in 1998 and still believed that Travis Meeks fired his fellow musicians, aided largely by his personal comments; however, he has since said that this is not true and that they left out of jealousy due to the fact that he wrote virtually all of the songs and received all royalty checks. When Meeks first announced their departure months prior to its conceiving, and without label confirmation, he gave a less than positive remark, stating "It's like a journey in the wilderness - you know with like the struggle and stuff. I made it through, I survived, but the other guys didn't." Meeks also posted comments on a fan message board: "It wasn't truly a band format. It is my fault for leading you on and setting you up to get attached to the prior members." However, the following year during a live online chat, he seemed quite comfortable with the circumstance and treated it as though it were more mutual between them. Meeks has since said to have empathy toward their supposed choice to leave and claims to understand their viewpoint.
1999-2001
Just one year after the original band's breakup, Meeks had assembled a new Days of the New and recorded a second album. Titled Days of the New, and often referred to as "Green." The album was released August 31, 1999 and introduced a variety of different styles. Many of the album's songs contained intros and codas to seamlessly carry into the next song. Meeks debuted his new band on September 4, 1999 at the Ear Xtacy store in Louisville.
Critics were fairly enthusiastic of "Green," but the album sold poorly compared to the first, selling around 450,000 copies. The lead single, "Enemy," was a major hit while its follow up single, "Weapon and the Wound" met with marginal success. After touring to support the album, Meeks contributed to the Doors tribute album Stoned Immaculate: The Music of the Doors as lead vocalist on a cover of "The End" and "L.A. Woman."
In February 2000, Meeks returned to the studio with a new band and was finished by July. Still using the Days of the New name, the third album incorporated aspects of the previous two - much of the energy from the first album had returned, combined with orchestral interludes similar to the second album. In keeping with the previous albums' names, the third album is also called Days of the New, or "Red."
The first single "Hang On to This" charted fairly and was the most added song on rock radio the week it was released. However, the album was released two weeks after the 9/11 attacks and, with very little promotion, only sold 90,000 copies. The band maintained a profile touring with the likes of Creed and 3 Doors Down.
2002-present
After touring for "Red," the band went through a period of inactivity, when they parted ways with Interscope. In the later half of 2003, Travis Meeks embarked on a solo tour performing at small venues. He continued to suffer from drug addiction and, in early 2005, appeared on A&E's Intervention, where his family and friends convinced him to enter rehab and battle his addiction to methamphetamine.
In September 2005, Meeks declared sobriety, and resumed writing for a fourth Days of the New record, with the tentative color being Purple. After relocating to New York to reunite with Ray Rizzo, they began touring. In October 2007, the band entered a studio in New York to begin work on Purple. It has been hinted that the record may be recorded and released independently, giving the band artistic freedom and less pressure to be commercially successful. The record is said to have a theatrical sound, with the incorporation of upright bass, koto, hammered dulcimer and cello. Some of the songs tracked for the record include "Superhero," "Touch of Anger," and "Where It Ends." The album will be financed through fan pre-orders and donations via Paypal.
On March 4, 2008, Days of the New released their first compilation disc, Days of the New: The Definitive Collection.
In an interview with LEO Weekly, an alternative magazine out of Louisville, Kentucky, Travis stated that the upcoming record will be called Days of the New Presents Tree Colors.
August 2011. Days of New has cancelled their current tour and according to their manager Travis Meeks has entered rehab for an extended period of time.
Dirty Road
Days of the New Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the shame that owns you
The limits are bound
There's more to be found inside of you
Give it some time
The voices seem heavy, I know this
If you play by the hour
It's where you begin not where you will end
And I feel like I am living
Where no one can find me
And I don't know how I've landed here
Sometimes I feel like
Those good things are behind me
Is the road supposed to get better than this
And I'll find
Yes I will find
Yes I will find
So long to the faith
Believe in yourself, no fantasy
Discovery blind
I hope you will find
The truth here
Give it some time
Believing and knowing are two different things
Play by your hour
It's where you will end not where you begin
Get up and open your eyes
Don't let yourself ever fall down
Get through it and learn how to fly
I know you will find a way
Today
It's the same damn dirty road
I will find a way
The lyrics of "Dirty Road" by Days of the New speaks of a struggle within oneself to rise above the endless cycle of despair and to find the right path towards fulfilling one's life purpose. The song begins with a declaration to part ways with the shame that seems to be holding the singer back. The song's message tells the audience to look deeper within themselves and take a chance that might seem impossible, and their search will lead them to discover something special. The lyrics call for patience in this pursuit because one's inner-voice can feel heavy and overwhelming at times. The singer suggests with the lines, "If you play by the hour, it's where you begin and not where you will end. Today, and I feel like I'm living where no one can find me."
The second verse encourages listeners to let go of their faith in things that remain unclear and embrace their inner truths. It assures them that the path to self-discovery may be blind at first, but it will ultimately lead them to the truth. The song concludes with a more upbeat and positive tone, telling the listener to open their eyes, never give up, and strive to learn how to fly. The chorus repeats the line, "It's the same damn dirty road, but I will find a way," representing that life may be difficult and messy, but with conviction and continuous effort, it is possible to find one's destiny.
Line by Line Meaning
I've waited to say so long
I've held back from leaving, but now it's time to say goodbye
To the shame that owns you
To let go of the guilt and self-blame that's been weighing you down
The limits are bound
You feel trapped and restrained by your current situation
There's more to be found inside of you
There's greater potential within you waiting to be discovered
Give it some time
Patience is needed to uncover your true capabilities
The voices seem heavy, I know this
The negative self-talk and doubts can be overwhelming and difficult to escape
If you play by the hour
Your focus and effort determine your progress and eventual outcome
It's where you begin not where you will end
Starting out is important, but it's not where you'll ultimately stay
Today
The present moment is all that matters
And I feel like I am living
I'm finally experiencing and embracing life's possibilities
Where no one can find me
In a place where I'm not defined by others' expectations or judgments
And I don't know how I've landed here
It seems like fate, but it's really the result of my choices and actions
Sometimes I feel like
Occasionally I worry that
Those good things are behind me
That I've already missed out on my opportunities for success and fulfillment
Is the road supposed to get better than this
I wonder if the challenges and obstacles will ever lead to a more positive outcome
And I'll find
But I know that
Yes I will find
I'll be able to locate
So long to the faith
Farewell to blindly accepting and following beliefs
Believe in yourself, no fantasy
Have genuine confidence in your abilities, not unrealistic dreams
Discovery blind
Uncovering new truths is a journey filled with uncertainty and risk
I hope you will find
I truly wish for you to encounter
The truth here
The realities and facts that will lead to clarity and progress
Believing and knowing are two different things
Holding onto faith is not the same as understanding and accepting the evidence
Get up and open your eyes
Take action and be aware of opportunities around you
Don't let yourself ever fall down
Don't succumb to despair or inaction
Get through it and learn how to fly
Persist through challenges and difficulties to achieve your goals
I know you will find a way
I have faith in your abilities to overcome obstacles and succeed
It's the same damn dirty road
The path to growth and progress is often difficult and challenging, but it's worth it
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TRAVIS SHANE MEEKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hippie Dave's Happy Place
I had a brain aneurysm in 2012 and im still learning how to walk again. This song gives me motivation! Is your road supposed to get better than this?
Samuel Stoner
Hippie Dave I feel ya bro.i had a stroke 4 years ago..tuff times
Tinman
You got this, Dave 🙏🏻 Never give up, brother~
twistedsevenfold
This song still means so much to me and this is one of the most underrated Bands of the 90s for sure.
SurfingBullDog
I love the repeating outro...”It’s the same damn dirty road...” It just conveys so much anger, frustration, and hopelessness. Very powerful.
Noureddine labouini
@Queila Mendoza Rosales â‚©â‚©0
Von Yenz
this is one of the best and very powerful literary verses from Travis Meeks that's worth loving...
SurfingBullDog
Von Yenz agreed!
Julie Johnson
Always memorized by DOTN
The way Travis sing's and plays the accoust guitar is an extension of his body, n soul and Beautifully equally
equlectic mind. I thank my lucky stars, we still have his music (DOTN)
just my opinion, So,So Gifted, also So So sad, could still be that"once in a lifetime" band.Transending all genuras............
Robert Montgomery
Agreed