Engine Down formed in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in 1996 and over time transpl… Read Full Bio ↴Engine Down formed in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in 1996 and over time transplanted their roots to Richmond, Virginia's fertile ground. This band rose phoenix-like from the ashes of such powerful rock phenomena as Sleepytime Trio, The Weak Link Breaks, and Bughummer. The distinct personalities that make up Engine Down are no strangers to the white shores of emo credibility that are seen from their citadel: they've been bringing the rock for years.

From the first live appearance -- at an indie murder mystery movie -- to recent shows that sometimes feature a live cellist, Engine Down has truly come a long way. The band's diverse instrumentation -- including cello, piano, and vibraphone -- shows that they are not afraid to push their sound to new limits. At the same time, they maintain a dynamic and intense energy by balancing churning guitars, powerful bass, and intricate drums.

Before any full-length, Engine Down released two seven-inch records on Lovitt and Brave Noise Records.

"Slingshot" and "Brushes" both come from Engine Down's first full-length, Under the Pretense of Present Tense (1998, Lovitt Records). The melodic "Intent to Pacify," from 2000's To Bury Within the Sound (also on Lovitt), relies on restrained emotion and intricate instrumentation to achieve its full impact.

After the release of a 5 song ep called A Sign of Breath (2001, Lovitt Records), in early 2002 the Virginia quartet offered their third full-length, Demure, a solid record which demonstrates their continuing development in balancing emotional appeal with adventuresome rock. No, Engine Down doesn't try to wage out-and-out war on your eardrums anymore; they've grown beyond that with an increasingly diverse arsenal of tools and an appealingly groove-oriented sensibility. With its edgy staccato guitar and chanted vocals, the rhythmic "Pantomime" offers evidence of the band's complex talent, managing to be catchy and challenging at the same time.

Their fourth, and last, full-length came out in 2004. The self-titled Enginedown (Lookout Records) appeared with the band's distinctive sound, but also with a different rock accent, which was easier for those who had never listened to the band previously (and was maybe not so peculiar for those who listened to the previous albums). The Farewell Tour was the band's big goodbye, as they decided to disband before the tour. Their last release is the Farewell Tour DVD.

After enginedown:
Jonathan Fuller (guitar, vocals) is a part of "Music Composition for Licensing" studio called Black Iris Studio. Cornbread Compton (drums, piano) is in a band called Thieves Like Us. Keeley Davis (vocals, guitar) is writing a new record with Sparta. Jason Wood (bass, vocals) started a booking company called Holler Booking.

Pantomime
Engine Down Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Same as it ever was
Hands on arm
No one armed
The air to breath always there
Never once thought to care
You garnished it
It seems to fit
The mood

You
Lay in it
The stage has past
Begin
Just once
Time it
Same frame
No luck
Two count
Still here
Worse off than I started
Backed off
Notes apart
Stand up and except this award for
I can't stand the start that I made
I'm locked into my own
Is it too much
Thought in such
The signal to lock the door
Locked me in
Forced to grin
So ill turn(x2)
It off
Just once
Time it
Same frame
No luck
Two count
Still here
Worse off than I started
Backed off
Notes apart
Stand up and except this award for
Backed off
Notes apart
Stand up and except this award for
I can't stand the start that I made
Same as it ever was
The air to breath always there
You garnished it
It seems to fit
The mood
You lay in it

The stage has past
Begin

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Engine Down's song Pantomime seem to be a reflection on the monotonous aspects of life and the lack of appreciation many of us have for the things that are always there. The opening line, "Same as it ever was," sets the tone for the rest of the song, as it implies a repetitive and unchanging existence. The lines "Hands on arm, no one armed" could be interpreted as a metaphor for someone who is carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders, but has no one around to support them.

The next few lines talk about the air we breathe always being there, but never truly appreciating it. The singer reflects on how they never once thought to care about it, and how it was just always there, taken for granted. The line "You garnished it, it seems to fit the mood" could be interpreted as a sarcastic remark on how we try to add flair to our mundane lives by decorating them with things that ultimately don't matter.

The song then seems to shift to a more personal level as the singer reflects on their own failures and shortcomings. They feel like they're worse off than when they started, as if they've backed off and become notes apart from their own life. The repetition of the line "Backed off, notes apart, stand up and accept this award for" could be interpreted as a frustration with being expected to be praised for failure.

Overall, the lyrics of Pantomime seem to be a reflection on the mundane and monotonous aspects of life, and a frustration with the lack of appreciation for the things that are always there. The song also delves into personal struggles and failures, and the frustration with being expected to be praised for them.

Line by Line Meaning

Same as it ever was
Nothing has changed

Hands on arm
Holding onto something, possibly for comfort or stability

No one armed
No one is willing to help or assist

The air to breath always there
The basic necessities of life are always present and taken for granted

Never once thought to care
Ignoring the value of what has been given and not appreciating it

You garnished it
Adding something unnecessary to something that was already complete

It seems to fit
Despite being unnecessary, the addition still fits in with the existing thing

The mood
The overall feeling or atmosphere

You lay in it
Accepting the mood and not trying to change it

The stage has past
The moment has passed

Begin
Starting something new

Just once
As a one-time occurrence

Time it
Measure the time or pace

Same frame
The same situation or perspective

No luck
Not having any success or opportunity

Two count
Waiting for something to happen

Still here
Despite the lack of progress, still remaining in the same situation

Worse off than I started
The situation has deteriorated since the beginning

Backed off
Retreating or giving up

Notes apart
No longer in harmony or agreement

Stand up and except this award for
Taking responsibility for the negative outcome

I can't stand the start that I made
Regretting or disliking the beginning of a situation

I'm locked into my own
Feeling trapped in one's own situation or mindset

Is it too much
Questioning whether the burden is too heavy to bear

Thought in such
Cycling through negative thoughts and feelings

The signal to lock the door
A trigger that causes one to feel trapped or helpless

Locked me in
Unable to escape

Forced to grin
Putting on a fake smile to hide negative feelings

So ill turn(x2)
Trying to escape or change the situation

It off
Turning off the negative feelings or situation

Backed off
Retreating or giving up

Notes apart
No longer in harmony or agreement

Stand up and except this award for
Taking responsibility for the negative outcome

Backed off
Retreating or giving up

Notes apart
No longer in harmony or agreement

Stand up and except this award for
Taking responsibility for the negative outcome

I can't stand the start that I made
Regretting or disliking the beginning of a situation

Same as it ever was
Nothing has changed

The air to breath always there
The basic necessities of life are always present and taken for granted

You garnished it
Adding something unnecessary to something that was already complete

It seems to fit
Despite being unnecessary, the addition still fits in with the existing thing

The mood
The overall feeling or atmosphere

You lay in it
Accepting the mood and not trying to change it

The stage has past
The moment has passed

Begin
Starting something new

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BEN KENNEY, BRANDON BOYD, BRANDON CHARLES BOYD, CHRISTOPHER KILMORE, CHRISTOPHER E KILMORE, JOSE PASILLAS II, JOSE ANTHONY II PASILLAS, MICHAEL EINZIGER, MICHAEL AARON EINZIGER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS