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.
NOW
Days of the New Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But does it better me
I'd like to tell you how I'm seeing now
But ruins everything
You try to judge me now/tomorrow's okay
You try to tell me now how I should feel
I don't feel like I should be here
I feel alone even with myself
Do you know what I mean
I can't explain those things that seem to repel me
They ruin everything
Your fears are working now/but I don't complain
I'm working hard to listen and that's okay
Don't you know it's not okay to be afraid of me
I hate to tell you but you're in my way
I hate when someone tries to push me away
Don't you know you can't be afraid of me
Giving away all I'm feeling now
Why don't you listen to this heart full of pain
Sounds like complaining but it's hard to refrain
Don't you know you can't be afraid of me
Giving away all I'm feeling now
The lyrics of Days of the New's song "Now" express a person's feelings of loneliness and isolation even when they are with themselves. The singer acknowledges that it is hard for them to express their thoughts and feelings to others, as it ruins everything. They continue to note that others try to judge them and tell them how they should feel, but they do not feel like they belong in their current situation. They perceive that there are things that seem to repel them, and they cannot explain them. Despite this, the singer does not complain and is actively working on listening to their fears.
The song also highlights the need for emotional support and understanding from others. The singer tells others that they are in their way and cannot push them away. The singer hates when someone tries to push them away and cannot be afraid of them. They proceed to express their vulnerability and share their pain, hoping that someone will listen and understand them. The lyrics of the song reflect the struggles of communicating and seeking emotional support, which resonates with many people.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel alone even with myself
Despite being alone, I still struggle with being content
But does it better me
Is feeling alone making me a better or worse person?
I'd like to tell you how I'm seeing now
I want to share my perspective
But ruins everything
But I fear doing so will have negative consequences
You try to judge me now/tomorrow's okay
You may judge me now, but I have hope for a better future
You try to tell me now how I should feel
You may try to influence my emotions, but ultimately I have control over them
I don't feel like I should be here
I don't feel like I belong in this place or situation
Do you know what I mean
Do you understand how I am feeling?
I can't explain those things that seem to repel me
There are certain things that I can't understand or articulate that make me uncomfortable
Your fears are working now/but I don't complain
Your fears may be impacting me, but I choose not to complain about it
I'm working hard to listen and that's okay
I am making an effort to listen and understand you
Don't you know it's not okay to be afraid of me
Being afraid of me is not a valid reason for pushing me away
I hate to tell you but you're in my way
You are obstructing my path or progress
I hate when someone tries to push me away
I dislike when others try to distance themselves from me
Giving away all I'm feeling now
I am being vulnerable and sharing my emotions
Why don't you listen to this heart full of pain
Please pay attention to the hurt that I am feeling
Sounds like complaining but it's hard to refrain
It may sound like I am complaining, but it's difficult not to express my pain
Don't you know you can't be afraid of me
Being afraid of me will not solve any problems
Giving away all I'm feeling now
I am still being honest and open about my emotions
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TRAVIS SHANE MEEKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind