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.
The Real
Days of the New Lyrics
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But its real if you want it to be
(Ideas in my mind none self subsisting)
Look forward to life all of your life.
Just your life not a dream
("Hello" I've been waiting to meet you)
So turn around you will still feel
I have opened all my doors
So there's nothing left to hide
I said it
Live in your hole
Box your soul
Without hope pride or faith
(Depend on full attempt of boundary)
Turn around before you fear
What you've found
(Turn around and
Face me now)
Your faced down
(So turn around)
The Days of the New's song, The Real, is a powerful and introspective piece that explores the theme of truth and how it is perceived. The opening line, "Nothing is real but it's real if you want it to be," suggests that reality is subjective and based on individual perspectives. The lyrics go on to encourage the listener to look towards life and embrace the present rather than living in a dream-like state. The line "Ideas in my mind none self-subsisting" alludes to the notion that our thoughts and ideas are only as powerful as we make them, and they are not self-sustaining.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more intense, urging the listener to face their fears and turn around to see what is real. The line "Box your soul without hope, pride, or faith" is particularly poignant and seems to suggest that unless we confront our fears and embrace reality, we are merely existing and not truly living. The line "Your face down" may be interpreted as the listener being forced to face reality, rather than hiding from it.
Overall, The Real is a thought-provoking song that encourages the listener to embrace reality and live life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothing is real
There is no inherent truth in the world
But its real if you want it to be
However, individuals can create their own realities based on their personal beliefs and desires
(Ideas in my mind none self subsisting)
The thoughts in my head are dependent on my perception and interpretation
Look forward to life all of your life.
One should always be optimistic and hopeful about the future, no matter their current situation
Just your life not a dream
It is important to acknowledge the reality of the here and now, rather than getting lost in unattainable fantasies
('Hello' I've been waiting to meet you)
The singer is excited about the possibilities of forming a new connection with someone
So turn around you will still feel
Even if you try to run from reality, it will still be present and pervasive
That the real is deep inside
One must look inward to find true understanding and purpose in life
I have opened all my doors
The artist is willing to be vulnerable and transparent with those around them
So there's nothing left to hide
There are no secrets in the artist's life
I said it
The singer is confident in their words and actions
Live in your hole
One can choose to isolate themselves from the outside world if they so desire
Box your soul
However, doing so may lead to a sense of confinement and spiritual emptiness
Without hope pride or faith
Lacking hope, pride, or faith can make it difficult to find meaning and fulfillment in life
(Depend on full attempt of boundary)
Relying solely on self-imposed limitations can hinder personal growth and development
Turn around before you fear
One should face their fears head-on before they become overwhelming
What you've found
Confronting challenges can lead to unexpected discoveries and positive outcomes
(Turn around and face me now)
The singer is asking the listener to face their problems and take control of their life
Your faced down
By avoiding problems, one is essentially giving up and becoming defeated
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TODD WHITENER, TODD ANDREW WHITENER, TRAVIS SHANE MEEKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind