In the fall of 2004 personal disagreements within the band caused bassist Chad Shellabarger, drummer Josh Shellabarger, and guitarist Todd Osborn to all depart the band, and Dead Poetic appeared to be a thing of the past. But remaining members Brandon Rike (vocals) and Zach Miles (guitar) began playing with accomplished drummer Jesse Sprinkle (formerly of Poor Old Lu and Demon Hunter; also the brother of Aaron Sprinkle) and their passion for music reignited. Beloved alums Dusty Redmon (guitar) and John Brehm (bass) came on board to round out the new, revamped version of Dead Poetic..
Shortly before the release of third album, Vices, lead singer Brandon Rike left the band. This was the trigger to the break up of Dead Poetic. Guitarist Dusty Redmon confirmed the band's disbanding on absolutepunk.net in September 2007:
"When Brandon left the band back in October (before "Vices" came out), a lot of big stuff was going on. We had great tour plans, a batch of new songs we were in to, and just kind of a new sense of freshness about the band. Brandon had been sort of "over it" for a long time, and just sort of picked a bad time to bail. He loves doing design, and being hang-out-at-home-type of husband, which is cool. I kind of called "NOT IT" when it came to making an announcement, but I guess so did everyone else. T&N put a lot of initial money into the record, only to see the band fall apart before the release, causing them to basically drop the entire promotion campaign. Sorry to those who were led on by thinking we were still active. Jesse is recording, Brandon is designing, John is tattooing, Zach just had a new baby, and I'm playing in the Almost."
On October 30, 2007, Jesse Sprinkle posted a MySpace bulletin reiterating that the band was still indeed together. "Contrary to popular opinion and the mighty Wikipedia, Dead Poetic has not broken up. We are still a band indeed....we figured we'd post it to the public....we assure you that Dead Poetic is alive." He went on to say that the band's label, Tooth and Nail, would be releasing a "Best Of" album for Dead Poetic in the near future, and that the band hopes to start writing songs for a new record very soon.
Taste The Red Hands
Dead Poetic Lyrics
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And you knew this was gonna happen, you could taste the red hands.
And like the flies, you'll eat the worst of everything.
And you knew this was gonna happen, you could taste the red hands.
But you needed this.
There's a glossary of dirty words for people just like you.
Backstabbers and money whores, and dirty rotten millionaires
that always wanted more.
Pull the wool on my eyes, like a crooked, burnt-out saint.
I believed and soaked in every word you said,
always tasting red hands.
But the fight never ended and we're all here.
Singing loud for revolution, and sitting battles out.
But you needed this.
There's a glossary of dirty words for people just like you.
And only for people like you, I reserve the words:
Backstabbers and money whores, and dirty rotten millionaires
that always wanted more.
And it's sick outside, but I'm trying to keep you alive.
And all fingers are pointing right at you.
But I burned this down for you.
The lyrics of Dead Poetic's song "Taste The Red Hands" reveal a sense of betrayal and disillusionment. The song is a critique of the music industry and how it can corrupt artists, leading them to compromise their integrity for fame and money. The opening lyrics "Let it burn in your eyes. Your cover is blown this time" suggest that the singer has discovered the truth, or perhaps has been betrayed by someone they trusted. The repetition of the line "And you knew this was gonna happen, you could taste the red hands" reinforces the feeling of inevitability, as if the singer knew all along that their trust would be misplaced.
The chorus contains a list of "dirty words" reserved for people like the one the singer is addressing. The words "Backstabbers and money whores, and dirty rotten millionaires that always wanted more" suggest that the person in question is greedy and manipulative. The singer admits to being fooled by this person, even when they were "always tasting red hands". The final lines "And all fingers are pointing right at you. But I burned this down for you" exemplify the sense of disillusionment and betrayal that runs through the song. The singer has sacrificed for this person, but they have been let down.
Line by Line Meaning
Let it burn in your eyes. Your cover is blown this time.
You've been caught and there's no escaping it.
And you knew this was gonna happen, you could taste the red hands.
You saw it coming and knew the consequences of your actions.
And like the flies, you'll eat the worst of everything.
As the lowest of the low, you will only have access to the worst things in life.
But you needed this.
You caused your own downfall because you craved it.
There's a glossary of dirty words for people just like you.
There are specific derogatory terms for people with your character traits.
And only for people like you, I reserve the words: Backstabbers and money whores, and dirty rotten millionaires that always wanted more.
I have a list of insults just for people like you who are willing to do anything for money and power.
Pull the wool on my eyes, like a crooked, burnt-out saint.
You deceived me like a false saint, manipulating me to believe in you.
I believed and soaked in every word you said, always tasting red hands.
I believed all your lies and suffered the consequences for trusting you.
But the fight never ended and we're all here. Singing loud for revolution, and sitting battles out.
We're still fighting for change and justice, but you're not here with us.
And it's sick outside, but I'm trying to keep you alive.
The world is a terrible place, but I'm still trying to save you from your own mistakes.
And all fingers are pointing right at you.
Everyone is blaming you for what's happened.
But I burned this down for you.
I destroyed everything to protect you, even though you caused the problem in the first place.
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
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