2. A Finnish melodic metal band.
3… Read Full Bio ↴1. An American pop-punk/rock band.
2. A Finnish melodic metal band.
3. A French screamo band.
4. Ultra death minimalist noise by Jamie butch jenny Stewart (Xiu Xiu)
The sophomore album poses an interesting situation for any artist: They can either take the if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it approach, or they can opt to push the envelope and try something progressive, all the while subjecting themselves to potential failure.
On Run It Up the Flagpole, Greensboro, NC pop-punkers FAREWELL have chosen the latter, toeing the line between sugary pop melodies and unbridled punk-rock energy while creating a record that both Top-40 fans and punk purists can enjoy equally. The set follows 2007's Isn't This Supposed To Be Fun!?, which, along with the band's earn-it-yourself attitude, kept Farewell on the road alongside acts including Forever The Sickest Kids, The Secret Handshake, Four Year Strong and Hit The Lights, as well as earning them a spot on last year's Van's Warped Tour.
When facing the task of writing Fun's follow-up, the band - vocalist Marshall Davis, guitarists Wil Andrews and Kevin Carter, bassist Buddy (just buddy) and drummer Jeff Ellis - set out with one goal: to diversify its sound while proving that it's possible to play catchy, pop-based music without pandering to overtly glossy production and studio trickery. "So many bands' second record sounds exactly like their first one, and it's almost always a letdown," says Davis. "We wanted to continue to move forward as a band and help expand our fans' perception of what "pop-punk" could be. That's why this new record has its own identity. It's a perfect blend of our past and present."
If you're looking for a record full of snot-nosed vocals and breakneck tempos, you'll probably be disappointed. Instead, Farewell's punk influence is exuded in swagger and attitude, drawing from influences like Jawbreaker and Screeching Weasel. Even so, it's clear the band isn't pulling any punches this time around. Calling out the "cookie cutter caffeinated teens, deployed for mass consumption," the lead single "Devoid (That's What I Think About It)" kicks listeners in the teeth with massive Green Day-sized guitars and its rallying-cry chorus of "When did rock and roll become this fucking fashion show!?"
No, Farewell has not become a band of crusty punk-rock bellyachers. Nor have they turned their backs on the fan base that's supported them since the beginning. They're simply not willing to stand by and watch their pop-punk scene be overrun by sound-alike clones who care more about looking good than making good music. "We're basically a punk-rock band that's more rock than punk," Davis laughs. "I wish I could sing like Armstrong, but I guess I'll settle for Hoppus."
Farewell's members, most of whom had grown up playing in various punk and hardcore bands, came together in 2005 and quickly built a name for themselves, touring the Southeast and crafting their upbeat pop-rock sound, all the while showcasing for labels across the country. They eventually caught the ear of Epitaph founder Brett Gurewitz, who signed the group in 2007. It was an ideal situation for the band; many of their influences were veteran Epitaph artists. "They understood our band and didn't want to change us," Davis says of the label. "They were stoked on what we had to offer and gave us 100% creative control. It was perfect for us."
Throughout Run It Up the Flagpole, Farewell tempers it's us-against-the-world mentality with a hearty dose of earnestness and sincerity. That's best found on "Catch As Catch Can," an autobiographical mid-tempo number that recaps the band's history - from its nascent stages in the dive-bars of North Carolina to an eventual deal with Epitaph and subsequent worldwide touring. Run It Up The Flagpole not only cements Farewell as a band that won't compromise its ideals for the sake of rock stardom, but also shows its members will never forget their roots and what it took to make it this far. "You have to keep in mind that your fans are growing as individuals too, along with their musical tastes," Davis explains. "We're playing the type of music that made us want to do this in the first place. It's what we love, and what we do best."
check out farewell on the web!
http://www.purevolume.com/farewell
http://www.myspace.com/farewell
http://www.merchdirect.com/farewell
War
Farewell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But nobody wants to fail the future
If you say it's too late
It's not too late, it's not too late, whoa
I wanna wake up on the day I found you
I wanna wrap these shaky arms around you
I wanna find a decent way to tell you
I wanna take this in the wrong direction
I wanna say this to my own reflection
I wanna find a decent way to tell you
I need to spend some time alone
Right now, it was the words that you were gunning for
All I wanted was to let you know
Just wait a second
And I'll give you what you're waiting for
I'll make a promise and refuse to show
Things fall apart
Well, you said you wanted more
(You said you wanted more)
But nobody wants to wait forever
If you say it's too late
It's not too late, it's not too late, whoa
I wanna show you all the things I promised
I wanna give away the things I won't miss
I wanna find a decent way to tell you
I need to spend some time alone
I wanna write down all the things you say
I wanna have you in you my life today
I'm gonna shout it from the rooftops
Cause I'm tired of being alone
Right now, it was the words that you were gunning for
All I wanted was to let you know
Just wait a second
And I'll give you what you're waiting for
I'll make a promise and refuse to show (x2)
Our heads down in the back of the van
Our heads down in the back of the van
Our heads down in the back of the van, whoa
Our heads down in the back of the van
Our heads down in the back of the van
Our heads down in the back of the van, whoa
Not too late
Don't have to wait
You want it all
Not too late
(Our heads down in the back of the van)
Don't have to wait
(Our heads down in the back of the van)
You want it all
(Our heads down in the back of the van)
Right now you know
Everything that you said
Just forget about it
Right now you know, whoa
Right now you know
Everything that you said
Just forget about it
Right now you know
Right now you know
Everything that you said
Just forget about it
Right now you know, whoa
The lyrics to Farewell's song "War" seem to be a conversation between two people. The first person says that they wanted war, but nobody wants to fail the future. This can be interpreted in a few different ways, but the idea that war leads to destruction and hinders progress is a common theme. The second person reminds them that it's not too late to change their mindset.
The second stanza seems to be the first person addressing someone they've had a falling out with. They want to wrap their arms around them and find a decent way to tell them that they need some space. They also want to take things in the wrong direction and say things to their own reflection, which suggests that they need time to figure out what they really want.
The chorus repeats the idea that the first person wanted something more, but nobody wants to wait forever. They want to show the other person everything they promised and give away the things they won't miss. They also want to write down everything the other person says and have them in their life, but they're tired of being alone.
The bridge brings in the idea of the two people being in the back of a van with their heads down. It's unclear what this means exactly, but it could suggest that they're running away or trying to hide from something. The repetition of "our heads down in the back of the van" adds to the feeling of being trapped or stuck.
Overall, the lyrics to "War" seem to be about the struggle to find balance in a relationship or situation. The first person wants something more, but they also need time to figure out what that is. The other person is trying to remind them that it's not too late to change course and work towards a better future together.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you said you wanted war
You expressed a desire for conflict
But nobody wants to fail the future
However, no one actually wants to hinder progress
If you say it's too late
If you claim that time is up
It's not too late, it's not too late, whoa
It is not actually too late to make a change
I wanna wake up on the day I found you
I want to relive the moment I met you
I wanna wrap these shaky arms around you
I want to hold you close
I wanna find a decent way to tell you
I want to express myself in a respectful manner
I need to spend some time alone
However, I require some time to myself
I wanna take this in the wrong direction
I want to intentionally move in the opposite direction
I wanna say this to my own reflection
I want to speak to myself in a mirror
Right now, it was the words that you were gunning for
Currently, you are focused on the words themselves
All I wanted was to let you know
My only intention was to inform you
Just wait a second
Please hold on for a moment
And I'll give you what you're waiting for
And I will provide you with what you are expecting
I'll make a promise and refuse to show
I will make a commitment but keep it hidden
Things fall apart
Circumstances may crumble and disintegrate
Well, you said you wanted more
You expressed a desire for even greater things
But nobody wants to wait forever
However, no one wants to wait indefinitely
I wanna show you all the things I promised
I want to prove I can deliver on my commitments
I wanna give away the things I won't miss
I want to let go of things that are not significant to me
I wanna write down all the things you say
I want to record everything you express
I wanna have you in my life today
I want to have you present in my life at this moment
I'm gonna shout it from the rooftops
I will proclaim it loudly and publicly
Cause I'm tired of being alone
Because I am weary of solitude
Our heads down in the back of the van
Our heads are lowered in the rear of the vehicle
Not too late
It is not yet too late
Don't have to wait
We do not have to delay
You want it all
You desire everything
Right now you know
At this moment, you are aware
Everything that you said
Of everything that you have spoken
Just forget about it
Simply disregard it
Right now you know, whoa
Currently you have insight
Contributed by Anthony Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Close Call Kid
So old school. I used to love this song. And I still love this song.
NovusOpiateSeclorum
This is one of my favorites off the album!
G0dOfWar
perfect song! :D lovely lyrics!
supertillie
they make me smile when i listen to them :)
Jaii Chantal
love these guys love this song!! x
Greek Techie
i love this one!
Claire
my friend got a shirt that had this album cover on it from menards for five bucks so people could sign it, and nobody knew it was a band until i listened to pandora one day. this is now one of my favorite bands. <3
Natasha Hutton
I got to see these guys a few times I miss this band I was 15 first time I seen them
Laura Walmsley
What's happened to these guys? Anyone know. Only just started to listen and they are AWESOME!
I miss music like this
Haley Arellano
Beautiful.