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.
drive
Dispatch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to get up and go
Want to find some time
Mama I hear what you're sayin'
I want to feel alive and get inside
Hey I want to drive
I'm alright if you're alright
Tell me what to think
It's been years since we've been
Flyin'
Show me what you're seein'
I want to feel alive want to take this
Drive
The lyrics to Dispatch's song "Drive" appear to be from the perspective of someone who wants to break free from the monotony of everyday life and go on a spontaneous adventure. The singer is likely a young adult who wants to feel alive and experience something new. They ask their parents for permission to use the car and drive, perhaps indicating that they are not yet independent enough to own a car themselves.
The opening line, "Daddy I want to drive today," is interesting because it highlights the generational gap between the singer and their father. The word "daddy" is often used by children to address their fathers, but the singer is likely a teenager or young adult. This dynamic suggests that the singer may still feel somewhat dependent on their parents, despite their desire for independence.
The phrase "I want to feel alive" is also notable because it is a common theme in popular music. Many songs center around the idea of feeling alive or "alive inside." This could be interpreted as a commentary on the jaded nature of modern society, where people often feel disconnected from their emotions and from each other.
Overall, "Drive" is a catchy and upbeat song about the desire for freedom and adventure. The lyrics are relatively simple, but they convey a powerful message that many people can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Daddy I want to drive today
Expressing a desire to take control and make progress in life
I want to get up and go
Feeling restless and eager to explore new opportunities
Want to find some time
Craving a break from the routine and a chance to find oneself
Mama I hear what you're sayin'
Acknowledging the advice and guidance of others, but feeling compelled to pursue one's own ambitions
I want to feel alive and get inside
Seeking a sense of purpose and fulfillment by engaging with the world in a meaningful way
Hey I want to drive
Asserting one's independence and determination to take charge of their own life
I'm alright if you're alright
Acknowledging the importance of supportive relationships and the need to maintain a sense of mutual understanding
Tell me what to think
Expressing a willingness to learn and adapt to new perspectives
It's been years since we've been flyin'
Reflecting on the passage of time and the need to embrace new experiences before it's too late
Show me what you're seein'
Seeking inspiration and guidance from others in order to gain a fresh perspective on life
I want to feel alive want to take this Drive
Emphasizing the desire to feel fully engaged with the world and to follow one's ambitions and interests wherever they may lead
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bradley Joseph Corrigan, Chad Stokes Urmston, Peter Francis Heimbold
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pulverizer US
Just found this album thrift shopping today and it makes no sense how this band isn't so much bigger and wtf happened to music?
FooKinAye
Their stuff is so good man for real
MrPorkchops
It used to be back in the early 2000s. I recommend watching "The Last Dispatch" for more context. From my knowledge, they still hold the record for the largest indie band concert in history.