The band originated in the early 1990s as One Fell Swoop, but changed their name to Dispatch in 1996. Chad Urmston, Braddigan, and Pete (Francis) Heimbold, who were all attending Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont comprised the band's lineup throughout their entire career. Their music has drawn on several influences, such as acoustic folk-rock, reggae, and funk.
Dispatch gained much recognition outside of New England, without any help from a label, and stuck together long enough to release seven albums, three of which were live performances. During concerts, the band had been known to improvise upon their album releases, often resulting in a song ending in twice the length of the original. The group was also fond of switching instruments and vocal duties when playing live.
Upon the announcement of its break-up in 2002, the band scheduled one final concert. The free show was performed at the Hatch Shell in Boston on July 31, 2004. "The Last Dispatch," as it was referred, is said to be the largest concert in independent music history; roughly 110,000 fans from over 20 different countries attended the show. Parts of the performance were released as a CD/DVD two-disc set later that year, entitled All Points Bulletin, along with an earlier show in Somerville, Massachusetts.
All three of the band's members are currently still in the music industry. Urmston is now the frontman of State Radio, while Corrigan (now credited as Braddigan, a nickname by which he was known since his time with Dispatch) and Heimbold (now credited as Pete Francis, his middle name) are succesfully pursuing solo efforts.
After the song Elias, written by Urmston after his experience living and teaching in Zimbabwe, the "Elias Fund" was formed to send children from the ravaged country to college.
Dispatch came out with a movie entitled "Last Dispatch" in July 2005, which documents their final 12 days together as a band and tells the story of how they became "the band that redefined independent music history". The film was released and previewed in Boston. Chad, Brad, and Pete attended the showing and celebrated throughout the weekend with their fans.
On December 22, 2005, Corrigan helped to organize a benefit concert, known as the Relief Project, at Irving Plaza in New York, New York. Along with several other performers, Corrigan invited Heimbold and State Radio to play. The three reunited very briefly, playing the song Here We Go as an encore. Corrigan stated there that he plans further Relief Project concerts featuring all three and perhaps sometime in 2007, a major Dispatch reunion concert.
Entitled "Dispatch: Zimbabwe", Dispatch arranged for one show in Madison Square Garden, with all the money sent towards relief efforts in Zimbabwe. Originally billed as a one show deal on July 14, Dispatch was surprised how quickly this first show sold out and set two more shows for the 13 and 15. After all three shows sold out, Dispatch announced another smaller show on July 11th at Webster Hall in New York, where they made their comeback debut to great success.
Dispatch had a second set of reunion concerts beginning at Red Rocks amphitheater in Denver, Colorado on June 3, 4, and 5th, 2011. These performances launched a reunion tour around the US and the release of their Dispatch EP on May 17th.
In 2017, the band released the song, "Only The Wild Ones" from their album, America, Location 12.
Wide Right Turns
Dispatch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody stand up 'cause the fight's on
Everybody stand up 'cause the fight's on
Everybody stand up 'cause the fight's on
Save your words and
Ya save your speeches
As we gather in the main street for light pieces
You will bear your tongue for the language that you use
Save your words and
Ya save your speeches
As we gather in the main street for light pieces
And when the cobbler's son has got no shoes
You will bear your tongue for the language that you use
And I got one question
Can you tell me that
Can a zip gun
Can endure like that
Wide right turns
If you can't see my mirrors then I can't see you
Wide right turns
If you can't see my mirrors then I can't see you
Wide right turns
If you can't see my mirrors then I can't see you
The song Wide Right Turns by Dispatch speaks to the idea of conflict and the need to stand up and fight for what one believes in. The opening lines ask everyone to put their lights on and stand up because the fight is on, indicating that there is a sense of urgency and importance to the upcoming confrontation. The lyrics caution against wasting words and speeches, indicating that actions speak louder than words. The image of the cobbler's son without shoes is a metaphor for the idea of practicing what you preach, as you never know when your beliefs will be put to the test. Finally, the chorus speaks to the physical danger of wide right turns, reminding listeners that if they can't see someone, that person can't see them either.
Overall, the song is a call to action, urging people to stand up for what they believe in and take action when needed. It is a reminder that words alone are not enough, and that it is important to back up words with actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody put your lights on
Shine your light and gather together.
Everybody stand up 'cause the fight's on
Stand up and prepare for the battle ahead.
Save your words and Ya save your speeches
Don't waste your breath on empty talk.
As we gather in the main street for light pieces
Assemble together in the town center for entertainment and diversion.
And when the cobbler's son has got no shoes
When the one who makes shoes himself is without shoes.
You will bear your tongue for the language that you use
You will be held accountable for your words and actions.
And I got one question Can you tell me that Can a zip gun Can endure like that
Can something made of cheap parts last through difficult situations?
Wide right turns
Not turning sharply to the left.
If you can't see my mirrors then I can't see you
If you're not visible to me, I can't take you into account.
Wide right turns
Not turning sharply to the left.
If you can't see my mirrors then I can't see you
If you're not visible to me, I can't take you into account.
Wide right turns
Not turning sharply to the left.
If you can't see my mirrors then I can't see you
If you're not visible to me, I can't take you into account.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bradley Joseph Corrigan, Chad Stokes Urmston, Peter Francis Heimbold
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind