They released their debut album, Odd How People Shake, in 2003 on Rise Records, and after gaining some notoriety, were signed to Equal Vision Records, who re-released their debut in the January 2004. Their debut was primarily in the vein of post-hardcore, featuring a mix of screamed vocals on the part of David Marion and clean singing provided by Adam Fisher. The instrumental work on Odd How People Shake is best described as typical of that of most melodic metalcore artists of the day, and it is rumoured that every song on the album is based on a movie ("Sarah Goldfarb, Where are Your Manners?", for example, is supposedly about Requiem for a Dream, while on their sophomore album, Art Damage, "The Story of the Curious Oysters" has more to do with the Disney movie, Alice in Wonderland). It is interesting and worth noting that the band's cover art on all three of their albums feature skyscrapers.
Their sophomore album, Art Damage, was released on Equal Vision Records in September 2004, and was a marked change in direction for the band. Art Damage as an album was much heavier and darker than their debut; the band left behind the relative simplicity and, arguably, tiredness of the instrumental work of their debut in favor of the abrasiveness characterizing bands such as Converge and Every Time I Die. In addition, virtually all of the vocals are screamed, with the exception of an odd chorus or verse.
The critical consensus seems to favor their new direction, and in concert, the band plays few if any songs from their debut. On their website, they explicitly state that they will not play one song in particular from their debut, "On the Brightside, She Could Choke;" interestingly enough, this song also has the most prominent elements of emo of all the songs in their catalogue, which could be one of the reasons they have grown so adverse to playing it.
Their new album, The Always Open Mouth, was released on Tuesday, September 19, 2006. This album marks a considerably different sound from previous recordings. This album contains a much more experimental side, such as more emphasis on antiphony between the lead singer and guitarist and a considerable lesser amount of screaming. It features layered guitar chords (a second guitarist was added to the band before the recording of this album), and many electronic sounds used with heavily-distorted or otherwise-effected guitars and synthesizers, or sequencers and drum machines, giving it a more industrial feel. As a result, it is not as hard or fast as their previous two albums, but instead, is more experimental and well-crafted.
With newly added members and a new approach at performing music, they set off on numerous tours mid-2006 to promote their latest CD The Always Open Mouth, touring with bands such as Thursday, The Number Twelve Looks Like You, HeavyHeavyLowLow, The Jonbenet, and the Radio Rebellion Tour with bands The Fully Down, The Confession, blessthefall, Misery Signals, Between the Buried and Me, and headliners of the tour Norma Jean. During a show on November 4th in San Diego, California, bassist Mike Madruga accidentally hit singer Dave Marion on the side of his face with the headstock of his bass, knocking him unconscious on stage. When he awoke, there was a hole that went all the way through his cheek, and although the band continued to finish the set, he had to be rushed to the hospital to be treated for the injury, and because of this, the band missed the following 3 days of the tour, but Dave is now fine and has finished the rest of the Radio Rebellion Tour.
On 2008]-09-09, Fear Before the March of Flames officially shortened their name to Fear Before.
Current line-up
* David Michael Marion - vocals
* Adam (Rupert) Fisher - guitar, vocals, keys
* Michael Madruga - bass
* Clayton (Goose) Holyoak - drums
Former members
* Billy Johnson - guitar, keyboards
* Brandon Proff - drums
* Zachary (Binks) Hutchings - guitar
Go Wash Your Mouth…I Don't Know Where It's Been
Fear Before the March of Flames Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turns out it was the sunrise
(And I walked a path as I told a story)
(I watched you through your window)
I watched the sky as the moon was left reflecting on the day
I scared you away, so
And pretend she is you.. Pretend you are mine
I can see the world through your window
And I sing to you every night from here
Today I prayed my plane would crash
You'd hear the news
And you'd think of me as much as I thought of you
And if you repeat my words
You said them before, and I remember the sound
I keep the lights off
I know you're right here
No matter what, you can't say no to me in my dreams
Your routine is so divine. I have it memorized
As you walk to your window with your light on inside
I know you'll never find me here
As you admire the view
Do you know how pretty you look with your hair down?
I walk to the window admiring the view
These lyrics from Fear Before the March of Flames's song Go Wash Your Mouth…I Don't Know Where It's Been are very ambiguous and open to different interpretations. One possible interpretation is that the singer is an obsessive stalker who is watching and following the object of his desire. The first verse the singer mistakes the sunrise for a sunset indicating his distorted perception of reality. The second verse reveals he's been watching the woman he desires through her window, and he scares her away. The rest of the lyrics depict the singer's delusions and obsession with the woman, even wishing for her to think of him if his plane crashes. The singer's final comment about "admiring the view" reflects his twisted view of his own actions.
Alternatively, the lyrics could be interpreted as describing a long-distance relationship. The singer is far from the woman he loves and misses her so much that he watches her through her window and sings to her every night. He longs to be with her and even wishes for a tragedy to bring them together. He knows her routine so well and admires her from afar. The final line could be seen as the singer's way of expressing that they share a view, even from far away.
Line by Line Meaning
Today I watched the sunset in the East
I witnessed something that appeared to be a sunset, but it turned out to be the sunrise from the opposite direction.
Turns out it was the sunrise
The sun was rising, not setting as I initially thought.
(And I walked a path as I told a story)
I was walking and simultaneously narrating a tale.
(I watched you through your window)
I observed you from behind your window.
I watched the sky as the moon was left reflecting on the day
As the moon shone and illuminated everything below it, I was gazing at the sky and thinking about the day that had passed.
I scared you away, so
I caused you to flee in terror.
If I can't have you I'll just close my eyes
In the event that I cannot be with you, I will opt to shut my eyes.
And pretend she is you.. Pretend you are mine
I will imagine that someone else is you or that you belong to me.
I can see the world through your window
By glancing through your window, I can witness the entire world.
And I sing to you every night from here
Every night, I sing songs and direct them towards you from my position here.
Today I prayed my plane would crash
I spent my day hoping that the plane I was on would experience a wreck or accident.
You'd hear the news
If the aforementioned event occurred, you would be informed of it.
And you'd think of me as much as I thought of you
You would ruminate on me to the same extent that I ruminate on you.
And if you repeat my words
If you recite what I say,
You said them before, and I remember the sound
This is because you have stated them previously, and I recall how they sounded.
I keep the lights off
I choose to utilize darkness in any given setting.
I know you're right here
I am aware of your presence and that you are physically close by.
No matter what, you can't say no to me in my dreams
In my dream world, you are incapable of denying any requests I may make of you.
Your routine is so divine. I have it memorized
Your habits are so pitch-perfect that I have them memorized as well.
As you walk to your window with your light on inside
When you traverse to your window with your light switched on within your abode.
I know you'll never find me here
I understand that you will not discover my whereabouts.
As you admire the view
While you revel in the beauty of the scenery outside.
Do you know how pretty you look with your hair down?
Are you aware of how striking you appear with your hair let down?
I walk to the window admiring the view
I approach and gaze out of the window whilst enjoying the spectacle.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cathory
"Today I watched the sunset in the East
Turns out it was the sunrise
(I watched you through your window)
I watched the sky as the moon was left reflecting on the day
I scared you away, so
I scared you away, so
If I can't have you I'll just close my eyes
And pretend she is you.. Pretend you are mine
I can see the world through your window
And I sing to you every night from here
Today I prayed my plane would crash
You'd hear the news
You'd hear the news
And you'd think of me as much as I thought of you
Today I prayed my plane would crash
You'd hear the news
You'd hear the news
And if you never repeat my words
You said them before, and I remember the sound
I keep the lights off
I know you're right here
No matter what, you can't say no to me in my dreams
Today I prayed my plane would crash
You'd hear the news
You'd hear the news
You can't say no
You can't say no
You can't say no
Your routine is so divine. I have it memorized
As you walk to your window with your light on inside
I know you'll never find me here
As you admire the view
Do you know how pretty you look with your hair down?
I walk to the window admiring the view"
GLOOMINESCENT
Today I watched the sun turn down, well
It turns out it was the sunrise
(And I walked a path as I told a story)
(I watched you through your window)
I watched the sky as the moon was left reflecting on the day
I scared you away, So
If I can't have you I'll just close my eyes
And pretend she is you…. Pretend you are mine
I can see the world through your window
And I sing to you every night from here
Today I prayed my plane would crash
You'd hear the news
And you'd think of me as much as I thought of you
And if you never repeat my words
You said them before, and I remember the sound
I keep the lights off
I know you're right here
No matter what, you can't say no to me in my dreams
Your routine is so divine. I have it memorized
As you walk to your window with your light on inside
I know you'll never find me here
As you admire the view
Do you know how pretty you look with your hair down?
I walk to the window admiring the view
(She cried when she found it.
It's feathers were matted and pressed to its side.
It's wings were no longer able.
Still she begged it to fly.
It's body as frail as paper and wet from her tears.
She knelt in the damp grass praying it to heaven.
Gently pressing its head to her heart.
Its body as frail as paper and wet from her tears.
She knelt in the damp grass praying it to heaven.
Gently pressing its head to her heart.
The sun slips so we dance upon the image nonetheless.
The sun slips so we danced nonetheless
Austin Rodriguez
What a beautiful adolescence I lived with your music by my side. Decades later and I still get chills to that outro.
FonicsSuck
This entire album is a master class in poetry, emotion and talent, and defined a specific sound of post hardcore for a generation.
istabbnoobs
We need this on vinyl please
Cwanlee
I'd buy that!
Rachel Lwyn
Yes!
Cathory
"Today I watched the sunset in the East
Turns out it was the sunrise
(I watched you through your window)
I watched the sky as the moon was left reflecting on the day
I scared you away, so
I scared you away, so
If I can't have you I'll just close my eyes
And pretend she is you.. Pretend you are mine
I can see the world through your window
And I sing to you every night from here
Today I prayed my plane would crash
You'd hear the news
You'd hear the news
And you'd think of me as much as I thought of you
Today I prayed my plane would crash
You'd hear the news
You'd hear the news
And if you never repeat my words
You said them before, and I remember the sound
I keep the lights off
I know you're right here
No matter what, you can't say no to me in my dreams
Today I prayed my plane would crash
You'd hear the news
You'd hear the news
You can't say no
You can't say no
You can't say no
Your routine is so divine. I have it memorized
As you walk to your window with your light on inside
I know you'll never find me here
As you admire the view
Do you know how pretty you look with your hair down?
I walk to the window admiring the view"
Jeremy Treuden
Robert, you're right. This album was one that actually SET the "trends". One of the most beautifully haunting, yet intense albums ever. This and "Places" by Alta really hit me in just the right way.
Jeremy Treuden
@A a a a a a a a They really are—they were remarkable. I had the pleasure of playing and touring (and simply hanging) with them on many occasions while drumming for my old band 10 Paces, Fire.
A a a a a a a a
Alta is great
katrinalol
Jeremy Treuden dude yes. ALTA is an amazing and terribly underrated band, and they are such nice people too.