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.
Where Are You?
Days of the New Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's more than what you know
And if you drift away
I'll be there with bells on friend
Maybe it's the show
Lacking all the journey flow
Your message is your rope
It's positions--where I am
The further demand, the fact of expanding
Your body's in my hands
The catch of the day, try running away
Where are you?
It's hard to let you know
To leave regret and make a road
And if you walk away
There's another road to take
Your path is being sold, coincidence is here again
It's far beyond the mind
You've got to let your soul break free
The power's in my hands
Control is up to me
I got the gift and I'm gonna lift you up
The lyrics of "Where Are You" by Days of the New, reflect on how hard it is to let go of someone, but at the same time, we must move on from our regrets and take another path. The song begins with the singer expressing his difficulty in letting go of someone as he believes there is more than what the person knows, and even if they drift away, the singer will still be there for them. The line "I'll be there with bells on friend" suggests that he will be there joyfully as he wants to help the person.
The next verse talks about how the person may be caught up in a show that lacks the journey flow, which means that the person may be too focused on the end result rather than the process or journey. The singer believes that the message of the person is their rope, which means that it's what keeps them connected and they should climb to the top and see where they end.
The chorus of the song expresses the singer's frustration as he asks the person where they are and tells them that they cannot keep running away. It may suggest that the person has been avoiding him, and he wants them to face their problems, which he is willing to help with.
The next verse explains that it is tough to make someone know that they need to leave their regrets behind and make a new road. The singer says "there is another road to take," which means that the person has another chance to move on and take a different path. The line "Your path is being sold, coincidence is here again" means that the person's path is unfolding and it's not just a coincidence, but something that was supposed to happen.
Finally, the bridge of the song talks about how it's far beyond the mind, and one has to let their soul break free. The singer realizes that the power is in his hands, and that he has the gift to help and lift the person up.
Line by Line Meaning
It's hard to let you go
Accepting the reality that you're leaving is difficult
There's more than what you know
There are things you don't know about the situation
And if you drift away
If you leave and distance yourself
I'll be there with bells on friend
I'll be there excitedly and happily to support you
Maybe it's the show
It could be just a facade or show
Lacking all the journey flow
It's lacking the natural flow of progression
Your message is your rope
Your words can be the anchor or support to hold onto
So climb to the top, see where you end
Rise up and see where the journey takes you
It's positions--where I am
It's about where I'm standing
The further demand, the fact of expanding
The more you push, the more you grow
Your body's in my hands
I have control over the situation
The catch of the day, try running away
You might be caught off guard and try to escape
Where are you?
Where have you gone or positioned yourself?
It's hard to let you know
It's difficult to convey the message to you
To leave regret and make a road
To move on without carrying any regrets and pave a new path
And if you walk away
If you choose to leave
There's another road to take
There are other options available
Your path is being sold, coincidence is here again
Your journey is predetermined and fate has a role to play
It's far beyond the mind
It's more than just a thought or mindset
You've got to let your soul break free
You have to let go and let your true self emerge
The power's in my hands
I have the ability to make things happen
Control is up to me
I have the responsibility of taking charge and leading the way
I got the gift and I'm gonna lift you up
I have the ability to help you and will do so with enthusiasm
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TRAVIS SHANE MEEKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kane Marsh
Such an amazing piece of art, so much emotion.
Days Of The New has had a true place in my heart since i was 16, 25 and still going. Thank you Travis.
Gand9900
Poor bssterd!! We miss him
Blue Sky
This song is like a painting. Travis had a vision here.
Steve F
Like all his fucking songs. Amazing shit.
EVENTHOR
I think this album is terribly under appreciated and this might be they're best song.
Steve F
Your gift sure lifts me up. Love this song and all the others.
Daniel Smith jr.
Dude I love this guy he truly is an inspiration all around.
Emperor Wang
That outro is pure genius.
matt mieks
Ja!! Das ist pure Kunst!!!!
BoHaッ
Underrated song