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.
Hang On To This
Days of the New Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've worn the world without a word
And I don't care too much for what they say
Grip my smothering end
Another day will pass again
Keep My fire alive for I'm not afraid
Can I make them understand
God I'll never know your plans
Doin what i got to
What I Got to hang on
Cause I'm doin what I got to
What I got to hang on
Hanging on by a thread this is what I got
So hang on to this
Keep me pacified
The light will never see my face
For this must be a better place
Keep them entertained
I've lost the feel, I've lost the pain
For this seems to be a better place
Can I make them understand
Who in the world would have thought this
God I'll never know your plans
Doin what i got to
What I Got to hang on
Cause I'm doin what I got to
What I got to hang on
Hanging on by a thread this is what I got
So hang on to this
Maybe you'll find what you seek
If you hold on to truth
Then your truth will set you free
The lyrics to Days of the New's song Hang On To This seem to be about perseverance and the struggles of life. The singer is asking to be kept safe and protected as they face the harsh realities of the world. The line "I've worn the world without a word" implies that the singer has experienced a lot but has not been vocal about it. They may have kept their emotions bottled up, which is why they say, "And I don't care too much for what they say." It seems that the singer is seeking validation for their pain but doesn't believe that they will receive it.
The singer asks to have their "fire" kept alive because they are not afraid. This shows that the singer is determined to press on despite the odds. They are willing to do whatever it takes to survive, saying "Cause I'm doin what I got to, What I got to hang on." They also acknowledge that they may never fully understand life's plans or God's plans for them, but they will keep pushing forward anyway. The final lines suggest that if one holds onto truth, they will eventually find what they seek, and that truth will ultimately set them free.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep me past the gate
Keep me away from the world's negativity and allow me to pursue my own path.
I've worn the world without a word
I have experienced the world without sharing my thoughts or feelings about it.
And I don't care too much for what they say
I am not overly concerned with the opinions or criticisms of others.
Grip my smothering end
Hold me close and tightly as I struggle through difficult times.
Another day will pass again
Time will continue to move forward and each day will present new challenges.
Keep My fire alive for I'm not afraid
Help me maintain my passion and determination, for I am not afraid of failure.
Can I make them understand
Is it possible for me to make others comprehend my experience?
Who in the world would have thought this
No one could have predicted the path that my life has taken.
God I'll never know your plans
I cannot comprehend or predict the plans that a higher power may have for me.
Doin what i got to
I am doing what I need to do in order to survive and succeed.
What I Got to hang on
I am holding on to everything that I have in order to persevere.
Cause I'm doin what I got to
I am persevering even in the face of great adversity.
Hanging on by a thread this is what I got
I am barely holding on, but I will persist with what I have.
So hang on to this
Hold on to my strength and my perseverance as you face your own struggles.
Keep me pacified
Keep me content and at peace with myself.
The light will never see my face
I will remain in the darkness, away from the spotlight and attention.
For this must be a better place
I have faith that life must be better than what I have experienced so far.
Keep them entertained
Distract others from the pain and sadness I am experiencing.
I've lost the feel, I've lost the pain
I have become numb and desensitized to the difficulties of life.
For this seems to be a better place
Despite the hardships, there must be a way to find happiness and contentment.
Maybe you'll find what you seek
Perhaps if you search for what you truly desire, you will find it.
If you hold on to truth
If you remain honest and true to yourself, you will find success and happiness.
Then your truth will set you free
When you find and embrace your own truth, you will find liberation and peace.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TRAVIS SHANE MEEKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eliana Gomez
Keep me past the gate
I've worn the world without a word
And I don't care too much for what they say
Grip my smothering end
Another day will pass again
Keep My fire alive for I'm not afraid
Can I make them understand
Who in the world would have thought this
God I'll never know your plans
Doin what i got to
What I Got to hang on
Cause I'm doin what I got to
What I got to hang on
Hanging on by a thread this is what I got
So hang on to this
Keep me pacified
The light will never see my face
For this must be a better place
Keep them entertained
I've lost the feel, I've lost the pain
For this seems to be a better place
Can I make them understand
Who in the world would have thought this
God I'll never know your plans
Doin what i got to
What I Got to hang on
Cause I'm doin what I got to
What I got to hang on
Hanging on by a thread this is what I got
So hang on to this
Maybe you'll find what you seek
If you hold on to truth
Then your truth will set you free
bikal gurung
Keep me past the gate
I've worn the world without a word
And I don't care too much for what they say
Grip my smothering end
Another day will pass again
Keep My fire alive for I'm not afraid
Can I make them understand
Who in the world would have thought this
God I'll never know your plans
Doin what i got to
What I Got to hang on
Cause I'm doin what I got to
What I got to hang on
Hanging on by a thread this is what I got
So hang on to this
Keep me pacified
The light will never see my face
For this must be a better place
Keep them entertained
I've lost the feel, I've lost the pain
For this seems to be a better place
Can I make them understand
Who in the world would have thought this
God I'll never know your plans
Doin what i got to
What I Got to hang on
Cause I'm doin what I got to
What I got to hang on
Hanging on by a thread this is what I got
So hang on to this
Maybe you'll find what you seek
If you hold on to truth
Then your truth will set you free
James Borosh
Honestly it's just nice to see other Days of the New fans out there. Regardless of the album. I understand after the first album basically the whole band changed...but regardless of the members I've always thought they have been SEVERELY underrated. Travis is a musical genius in my mind and I really wish this (the red album) wasn't the last they put out. A great band dying way too early.
Brian McClay
Very underated
Momack Alicious
@john boye 100% - I think the state of Travis’s life, as tragic as it’s been, has only yielded more superior music. Tree Colors in particular is unbelievable.
Timothy Maddox
And you know this man!!!!!!
Steve Walters
Michael Angelica He did the first one by himself too playing every instrument. He only hired a band when they started touring.
Michael Angelica
The link is of tantrics first single. Its really good.
David Dias
Totally underrated ,what a great band
Ricardo Moura
Just cannot stop saying: God! Best band ever! Travis is amazing!
Eliana Gomez
Keep me past the gate
I've worn the world without a word
And I don't care too much for what they say
Grip my smothering end
Another day will pass again
Keep My fire alive for I'm not afraid
Can I make them understand
Who in the world would have thought this
God I'll never know your plans
Doin what i got to
What I Got to hang on
Cause I'm doin what I got to
What I got to hang on
Hanging on by a thread this is what I got
So hang on to this
Keep me pacified
The light will never see my face
For this must be a better place
Keep them entertained
I've lost the feel, I've lost the pain
For this seems to be a better place
Can I make them understand
Who in the world would have thought this
God I'll never know your plans
Doin what i got to
What I Got to hang on
Cause I'm doin what I got to
What I got to hang on
Hanging on by a thread this is what I got
So hang on to this
Maybe you'll find what you seek
If you hold on to truth
Then your truth will set you free
Meli Grunge 98
que gran banda por Dios!!!!!!! EXELENTE!!!!