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.
Touch Peel And Stand
Days of the New Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since I know how low to go
I won't let it show
Won't you touch me, touch me
I won't let it go
And now I stand and I peel for more
Won't you touch me, touch me
Yes, I've finally found a reason
I won't need an excuse
I've got this time on my hands
You are the one to abuse
Yes, I've finally found a reason
I won't need an excuse
I've got this time on my hands
You are the one to abuse
The one to abuse
Yo
You're always talking back to me
You won't let it be
Won't you touch me, touch me
Never bothered you before
Now I stand and I peel for more
Won't you touch me, touch me
No I won't let it go
Yes, I've finally found a reason
I won't need an excuse
I've got this time on my hands
You are the one to abuse
Yes, I've finally found a reason
I won't need an excuse
I've got this time on my hands
You are the one to abuse
The one to abuse
Oh
Yeah, yeah
Oh
Yeah, oh yeah
Yeah, yeah oh
Now
Yes, I've finally found a reason
I won't need an excuse
I've got this time on my hands
You are the one to abuse
Yes, I've finally found a reason
I won't need an excuse
I've got this time on my hands
You are the one to abuse
Yes, I've finally found a reason
I won't need an excuse
I've got this time on my hands
Oh, oh
I've got this time on my hands (I've got this, I've got this)
I've got this time on my hands (I've got this, I've got this)
I've got this
You are the one to abuse
I've got this time on my hands (I've got this, I've got this)
I've got this time on my hands (I've got this)
I've got this
You are the one to abuse
The one to abuse
You are the one to abuse
Oh
Yeah, yeah
Oh
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, oh yeah
Days of the New's song "Touch, Peel, and Stand" describes a person who has found a purpose in life, albeit an unfortunate one. The lyrics depict this individual as someone who has hit rock bottom but knows exactly how low they can go and won't reveal their pain to the outside world. The chorus of the song, "Won't you touch me, touch me, I won't let it go," is a plea for someone to give them some sort of comfort or understanding, but at the same time, they won't let go of their pain. The line, "Now I stand and I peel for more," shows how someone can be addicted to their misfortune and almost willingly put themselves through more pain.
The verses indicate that the person has found a reason for their suffering, someone to blame for their misery. They have decided to use this time that they have in their hands to abuse this person, to make them feel the same pain that they are feeling. The line, "You are the one to abuse," is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the person's readiness to victimize someone and make them feel the same agony. The song speaks to individuals who have been damaged by life and have found a way to cope with their suffering, even if it's not necessarily healthy.
Line by Line Meaning
Since I know how low to go
I won't let it show
Won't you touch me, touch me
I won't let it go
And now I stand and I peel for more
Won't you touch me, touch me
I won't let it go
I've been through tough times and I've learned to keep my struggles hidden. Can you please comfort me without making it too obvious? I'm starting to crave more of this attention and I want you to continue giving it to me.
Yes, I've finally found a reason
I won't need an excuse
I've got this time on my hands
You are the one to abuse
The one to abuse
I've found justification for using you as an outlet for my emotions. I don't need any justification to do this. I have the free time to continue abusing your kindness and attention.
You're always talking back to me
You won't let it be
Won't you touch me, touch me
Never bothered you before
Now I stand and I peel for more
Won't you touch me, touch me
No I won't let it go
You used to be a good listener, but now you're getting irritating as you have opinions and push back my needs. Can you please let me have my way? I'm starting to crave more of this attention and I want you to continue giving it to me.
I've got this time on my hands (I've got this, I've got this)
I've got this time on my hands (I've got this, I've got this)
I've got this
You are the one to abuse
I've got this time on my hands (I've got this, I've got this)
I've got this time on my hands (I've got this)
I've got this
You are the one to abuse
The one to abuse
You are the one to abuse
I have a lot of leisure time to spare and I plan on using that time to manipulate you. I want to continue to take advantage of your trust and kindness as you are the one who provides me with the attention I need.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Travis Shane Meeks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@deadchannel3146
Since I know how low to go
I won't let it show
Won't you touch me/touch me
I won't let it go
And now I stand and I peel for more
Won't you touch me/touch me
I won't let it go
Yes, I've finally found a reason
I won't need an excuse
I've got this time on my hands
You are the one to abuse
Yes, I've finally found a reason
I won't need an excuse
I've got this time on my hands
You are the one to abuse
The one to abuse
You're always talking back to me
You won't let it be
Won't you touch me/touch me
Never bothered you before
Now I stand and I peel for more
Won't you touch me/touch me
I won't let it go
Yes, I've finally found a reason
I won't need an excuse
I've got this time on my hands
You are the one to abuse
Yes, I've finally found a reason
I won't need an excuse
I've got this time on my hands
You are the one to abuse
The one to abuse
Yes, I've finally found a reason
I won't need an excuse
I've got this time on my hands
You are the one to abuse
Yes, I've finally found a reason
I won't need an excuse
I've got this time on my hands
You are the one to abuse
Yes, I've finally found a reason
I won't need an excuse
I've got this time on my hands
Oh, oh!
I've got this time on my hands
You are the one to abuse!
The one to abuse
Oh!
Days Of The New - Touch, Peel And Stand (1997)
@mksuprapedals3303
Still thinking that the 90's were 10 years ago.
@halflifeepisode34980
they may as well be, nothing of note has happened in the last 10 years. 2010-2020 won't be remembered fondly by anyone other than nitwits
@kenfresno2125
"That song came out like 10 years ago... wait, 15... 20... 22... I'm so old..."
@davidtrevino5211
LMFAO... Yup
@Erix442
I still think that the 00s were fewer than 10 years ago
@CuidadoEscuela
Migraine boy
@curtisfarr6320
One of the best acoustic guitar riffs iv ever heard in my 29 years of living
@benjaminlawler4432
Mate first time I heard this I was in awe. Love the acoustic heavy sound,real music!
@V3x0r
3/4ths of the band (singer fired them all) went on to form Tantric. Similar if you like the musical style and they have some awesome songs.
@bureaucratbayonet
You need to listen to more Mississippi delta blues then! But yeah this song ROCKS