Emery is an American four-piece alternative rock band from Rock Hill, South… Read Full Bio ↴Emery is an American four-piece alternative rock band from Rock Hill, South Carolina, currently working under their own indie label, Bad Christian Music. Emery moved to Seattle, Washington in order to reach a more music centered scene. The band resists being labeled a "Christian band". Before signing with Tooth & Nail, Emery recorded 2 EP's, The Columbus EEP Thee and The Weak's End demo that they used to attract attention from labels. With Tooth & Nail, they have recorded 4 studio albums, and 2 EPs. The Weak's End, their debut album, was released in 2004, followed by The Question in 2005 and I'm Only A Man in 2007. The latter fulfilled Emery's contract with Tooth & Nail. However, the band re-signed with the label and released In Shallow Seas We Sail on June 2, 2009. The band's most recent album, We Do What We Want, was released on March 29, 2011.

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

Hard Times
Emery Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I sat there while you plead your case
for confidence and secrets to be erased
I was riddled by your words
I bet that you could hardly wait to send the cavalry
for me, your subtly replaced

With spoils
(My father told me)

Of your work
(Don't forget who you are, when you're one step from death
you'll still have your north star)
The things I
(My strength deceived me, I thought I'd own the world )
I know my worth isn't
But this fool I've become can't see straight to forget her)

The loneliness of loving someone can steal your eyes
and spill the hope you had and you're left to spin the why's
by yourself and no one else, no one else
The trust you handed over, the people that you hurt
But you could never stop yourself, an addict for the worst
What you felt, were lies they'd sell and nothing else

So I sit here making my big plans
Like they could rescue me but now I see
The answer through my window
That nothing can replace
Those memories my father gave me
Are all that's left but I'm ready
To escape this life

The loneliness of loving someone can steal your eyes
and spill the hope you had and you're left to spin the why's
by yourself and no one else, no one else
The trust you handed over, the people that you hurt
But you could never stop yourself, an addict for the worst
What you felt, were lies they'd sell and nothing else

I'm sorry for the words I couldn't say
I'm sorry that your efforts were in vain
You were promised so much more than I have gave
I'm not a honest man I was born for the grave
This city stole the faith you had in me
This mistress stole the life I hadn't seen
But this face is the last thing they'll see
I want to feel the sun and sky on my face as I die!

The loneliness of loving someone can steal your eyes
and spill the hope you had and you're left to spin the why's
by yourself and no one else, no one else
The trust you handed over, the people that you hurt

But you could never stop yourself, an addict for the worst
What you felt, were lies they'd sell and nothing else

Overall Meaning

The song "Hard Times" by Emery is a powerful portrayal of the emotions connected to love, betrayal, and addiction. The song depicts the singer listening to his lover pleading for forgiveness as he realizes the depth of her lies and betrayal. The lyrics signify that the individual lost their identity and was consumed by the addiction of loving someone who did not reciprocate the love.

The singer voices his condolences for not having the courage to express his true feelings and being sorry for failing to fulfill his lover's expectations. The individual's life has been drained by his lover, who has harmed people and betrayed trust. The singer acknowledges that he has lost faith in his surroundings, but he is ready to face the reality and start afresh.

Line by Line Meaning

I sat there while you plead your case
I listened to you as you begged me to keep your secrets and trust you

for confidence and secrets to be erased
You wanted me to forget everything you confided in me

I was riddled by your words
Your words confused and troubled me

I bet that you could hardly wait to send the cavalry
You were waiting eagerly to destroy me with your hidden army

for me, your subtly replaced
You replaced me slowly and subtly after winning my trust

With spoils
You gained something valuable from me

(My father told me)
I learned from my father

Of your work
About the value of hard work

(Don't forget who you are, when you're one step from death you'll still have your north star)
Remember your true self and values even when facing death

The things I
The successes and achievements I had

(My strength deceived me, I thought I'd own the world )
I was overconfident, believing I could conquer everything

I know my worth isn't
I know I am not worth the sacrifices I made

But this fool I've become can't see straight to forget her)
I am foolish and unable to forget the person I loved

The loneliness of loving someone can steal your eyes and spill the hope you had and you're left to spin the why's
Loving someone can make you feel alone, lost, and hopeless, searching for answers

by yourself and no one else, no one else
Dealing with pain and heartbreak can be a solo journey

The trust you handed over, the people that you hurt
You gave someone your trust and ended up hurting them and others

But you could never stop yourself, an addict for the worst
You couldn't help but continue down a destructive path

What you felt, were lies they'd sell and nothing else
What you believed were genuine feelings were actually lies sold to you

So I sit here making my big plans Like they could rescue me but now I see
I spend time planning to save myself, but I realize it won't work

The answer through my window
I see the solution through my window

That nothing can replace
There is nothing that can take the place of what I have lost

Those memories my father gave me
The memories and wisdom passed down by my father

Are all that's left but I'm ready
All I have left are memories, but I am prepared for what's next

To escape this life
To leave this life behind

I'm sorry for the words I couldn't say
I regret not being able to express my feelings

I'm sorry that your efforts were in vain
I'm sorry your attempts to help me were unsuccessful

You were promised so much more than I have gave
I promised you more than I could deliver

I'm not a honest man I was born for the grave
I am not an honest person and believe my fate is to die

This city stole the faith you had in me
This city caused you to lose your trust and confidence in me

This mistress stole the life I hadn't seen
This lover took away the life I could have had

But this face is the last thing they'll see
I will not let anyone see my face before I die

I want to feel the sun and sky on my face as I die!
I want to die with the feeling of the sun and sky on my face

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: TIMOTHY PAGE O'BRIEN, JOHN HERRMAN, DIRK POWELL, DP

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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