Formation and Early Years (2000 – 2001)
Emery formed in 2001 in Rock Hill, South Carolina but moved to Seattle, Washington in search of a better musical environment. The band was named after a first grader that Toby Morrell met while working as an intern for a teacher in college. The four members in the band at the time, Toby Morrell (vocals/guitar), Devin Shelton (drums), Matt Carter (guitar/keyboards), and Joel "Chopper" Green (bass) actually left Rock Hill, South Carolina for Seattle on September 11, the day of the terrorist attacks; they found out about the attacks when they stopped at a local diner in South Carolina. Most of the members are from the bands Sachul, Joe 747, Simply Waynes and Oogie Brown. After a little while Seth Studley, who was one of the original members of the band, broke out of a serious relationship and followed them to Seattle and resumed his post as drummer. Since Seth took over drums, Devin went ahead and took the position of guitarist.
The Weak's End (2002 – 2004)
After making Emerald City their new home in Seattle, Washington, Emery signed a record deal with Tooth & Nail Records, also of Seattle, in 2002. Wasting no time, Emery paired up with producer/engineer Ed Rose and worked on their debut album, The Weak's End. It was produced at the Black Lodge Studio in Eudora, Kansas. The record was released in January 2004 by Tooth & Nail Records. Emery toured extensively to promote their new release.
The Question (2005 – 2006)
While touring, Seth Studley decided to leave the band in order to get married and Emery had to look for a new drummer. While touring with Haste the Day, Dave Powell was brought out to audition. Powell was officially put in the band on November 2005. Powell originally played in the Indianapolis-based metalcore/hardcore band The Bowels of Judas.
Soon after touring, Emery went back into the studio to record their next record with production done by Aaron Sprinkle this time around. The band took five weeks in recording sessions. The Question was released on August 2, 2005. "Studying Politics" was released as the album's first single with a video emerging on June 29, 2005. On November 21, 2006, Emery re-released The Question, adding a DVD, five acoustic versions of previously recorded songs and two new demo tracks, which were produced by Matt Carter. The DVD included a documentary film of Emery, live songs and bonus footage.
After the re-release, Joel "Chopper" Green decided to leave the band. On September 19, 2006, Emery posted a blog on their website explaining the departure. Devin and Toby since then switched bass parts in concerts and in the studio.
I'm Only A Man (2007 – 2008)
While touring with Underoath in Australia, Emery announced that they were releasing a new album. The album, I'm Only A Man, leaked onto the internet before its official release on October 2, 2007. The album was produced by Ryan Boesch and Matt Carter and recorded at Dark Horse Studio in Tennessee. It received mixed reviews. Emery released a deluxe edition of the album as well, which featured four acoustic songs that were recorded while on the Take Action Tour with The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and DVD with a live footage and a documentary. The iTunes version of the deluxe edition also added a bonus track called "Whoa! Man".
While Broken Hearts Prevail and ...In Shallow Seas We Sail (2008 – 2010)
Emery announced in an interview on TVU that they finished a new 8-track EP entitled While Broken Hearts Prevail, which was released on October 28, 2008. They began premiering some of the new material while on tour opening for The Almost, including a song entitled "Edge Of The World".
In an interview with Toby Morrell, Emery announced that would be releasing a new album called ...In Shallow Seas We Sail. Up until the announcement of Emery resigning to Tooth & Nail Records, it was unsure if the band would seek a new label, since their contract had expired. They re-signed with Tooth & Nail and soon gave out information on their new release.
On April 7, 2009, Emery released a new song entitled "Cutthroat Collapse" on their Myspace, Purevolume, and iTunes. On May 29, 2009, Emery put ...In Shallow Seas We Sail in its entirety up on their Myspace. On June 2, 2009, ...In Shallow Seas We Sail was officially released.
During their headlining U.S. tour, Emery had selected dates filmed for a DVD in the works. The release date is unknown at this time. Emery set out on tour supporting Underoath on their fall/winter headlining tour for the rest of the year. In the summer of 2010 they went on the "Scream it Like You Mean it" tour with Silverstein, Ivoryline, Dance Gavin Dance, We Came as Romans, Sky Eats Airplane, and I Set My Friends On Fire.
We Do What We Want (2011- 2012)
On January 26, 2011 it was announced that the band's fifth album We Do What We Want is set to be released on March 29, 2011. The band also released a clip of a song titled "Scissors". Another song titled "The Curse of Perfect Days" has been released to Christian rock radio stations.
On January 31, 2011, vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and bassist Devin Shelton announced he was taking an "indefinite hiatus" from Emery.
On February 1, 2011 a song titled "The Cheval Glass" was released on the band's Facebook, Youtube and Myspace page. On February 17, 2011, the band announced that We Do What We Want would be released through both Tooth & Nail and their hardcore/metal subdivision Solid State Records reflecting the heavier sound of the album.
In 2012, Toby Morrell and Matt Carter formed a side project duo, simply called Matt & Toby, with a more acoustic/electronic type sound. The duo released a self-titled album in November of that year via Tooth & Nail.
Bad Christian Music (2013 - present)
In 2013 Emery did not resign with Tooth & Nail records, subsequently leaving the label. Later that year, they founded Bad Christian Music, a blog & podcast website, as well as an indie record label.
In 2014, the band released two books, Bad Christian, Great Savior, and The M Word.
On May 19th, 2015 Emery released their sixth full length album, their first album via Bad Christian Music, You Were Never Alone. The album peaked at No. 69 on the Billboard 200, No. 1 on Top Christian Albums, No. 6 on Independent Albums, No. 8 on Alternative Music[ No. 10 on Top Rock Albums and No. 31 on Top Album Sales.
Bands such as Abandon Kansas and The Classic Crime have also joined the artist roster of Bad Christian Music.
Members
Toby Morrell: lead vocals, guitar
Matt Carter: guitar, aggressive vocals
Josh Head: keyboard, vocals, aggressive vocals
Dave Powell: drums
Former Members
Devin Shelton: guitar, lead vocals (on indefinite hiatus now)
Seth Studley: drums
Joel Green: bass
Joey Svendsen: bass
Fractions
Emery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(one and three, you're here
To tell me we can't do this)
To tell me we can't do this
(three for three, I'll disagree)
Anymore
Your hair and face against the mirror
As I take the steps to save what's left of me
Someone's out when it's over
People steal from you
And they take anything they choose
It's good to see you
I missed you last night
That's such a lovely color
It goes with your eyes
But we fall asleep
I just wanted to say
This all seems so easy
But there's choices to make
Can't decide, then look at the faces
Candlelight
We're burning the pages
But ask us why
And hurting ourselves with this false start
Resign yourself
And always be (and we pretend)
Without the one (it simply gets easier)
Thing you need (but it doesn't get easier)
Reading words with no replies
When we have these mornings where we can say goodbye
I wanted to mean everything to you
But this isn't right
You keep coming back disassembled and I
Keep losing this fight
I won't
Answer
Dancing on this all I go
No one in the city knows
Confidence can take you
Nerves try to shake you
From going all the way
It's not that far
It's good to see you
I missed you last night
That's such a lovely color
It goes with your eyes
Before we fall asleep
Just wanted to say
This all seems so easy
There's choices to make
We watch the tide roll in
With cold air and coffeecake
Holding our words at list
Stopping the sounds they make
We know the way to go
We know each step to take
To be here
These words with no replies
Stopping we's and starting I's
This need is killing me
And taking me over
I wanted to mean everything to you
But this isn't right
You keep coming back disassembled and I
Keep losing this fight
The song "Fractions" by Emery depicts the complexity of a broken relationship from different perspectives of two individuals. The opening lines suggest a conversation between the two-parties, whereby one is admitting to their doubts and the other disagrees with them. Throughout the song, there is this underlying conflict of wanting to be together but realizing that the relationship isn't right.
As the song progresses, we get to appreciate some of the visible signs of a broken relationship. For instance, referring to "your hair and face against the mirror" depicts a scenario where someone is trying to analyze themselves and contemplating their choices.
The lyrics, "We watch the tide roll in
With cold air and coffeecake," could represent a final moment or goodbye between the individuals. A time for reflection on the individual self rather than repressing themselves to meet the expectations of the other person.
In conclusion, "Fractions" explores themes of love, uncertainty, and loss, the feeling of being in a relationship where you're not certain of what your partner wants or the uncertainty of the relationship's outcome.
Line by Line Meaning
One and three, you're here
You and I are together at this moment
(one and three, you're here
To tell me we can't do this)
You're here to tell me we can't keep going on like this
To tell me we can't do this
You're telling me this isn't going to work anymore
(three for three, I'll disagree)
I disagree with you and what you're saying
Your hair and face against the mirror
You're looking at yourself in the mirror
As I take the steps to save what's left of me
I'm trying to save myself from this situation
Someone's out when it's over
When it's over, one of us will be done with this
People steal from you
Others take advantage of you
And they take anything they choose
They take whatever they want from you
It's good to see you
I missed you last night
That's such a lovely color
It goes with your eyes
I'm complimenting you and enjoying your company
But we fall asleep
I just wanted to say
This all seems so easy
But there's choices to make
As we fall asleep, I'm reflecting on how this relationship isn't as easy as it seems
Can't decide, then look at the faces
Candlelight
We're burning the pages
But ask us why
We're trying to make a decision, and the setting is romantic but has a sense of finality
And hurting ourselves with this false start
Resign yourself
And always be (and we pretend)
Without the one (it simply gets easier)
Thing you need (but it doesn't get easier)
Reading words with no replies
We're struggling with a false start to our relationship and pretending it's okay without the thing we need most
When we have these mornings where we can say goodbye
We know when it's time to say goodbye to each other
I wanted to mean everything to you
But this isn't right
You keep coming back disassembled and I
Keep losing this fight
I wanted our relationship to work, but it's not right and you keep returning in a broken state
I won't
Answer
I refuse to respond to your call
Dancing on this all I go
No one in the city knows
Confidence can take you
Nerves try to shake you
From going all the way
I'm dancing my way through this situation and feeling confident, but my nerves are trying to hold me back
It's not that far
The solution to our problems isn't too far away
We watch the tide roll in
With cold air and coffeecake
Holding our words at list
Stopping the sounds they make
We watch the sea, enjoying breakfast, and keeping our words to ourselves to avoid any conflict
We know the way to go
We know each step to take
To be here
We know how to navigate our relationship to maintain our current status
These words with no replies
Stopping we's and starting I's
This need is killing me
And taking me over
Our communication has broken down, and the stress of the situation is overwhelming me
I wanted to mean everything to you
But this isn't right
You keep coming back disassembled and I
Keep losing this fight
I wanted to be everything to you, but our relationship is failing and it's causing me pain
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind