Joe Achtzener (bass), Matt Matis (vocals/guitar), Josh Pearson (drums) and David Saylor (guitar/vocals) combine catchy lyrics, melodic vocals, killer guitar solos, mind blowing bass licks and monster drumming to create what has been deemed “the up-and-coming sound of what has come to be expected in the clubs of Arlington and Fairfax counties” (Burke Connection, November 2006). Having played the metro area consistently for the past two years, Fistful of Fifties have become regulars at such venues as Laughing Lizard Lounge and TT Reynold’s while also gaining recognition as Fire Station 8’s Band of the Month for October 2006 and Cue-la-palooza 2005’s Battle of the Bands winner. Fistful of Fifties have been featured in the Washington Post’s Fairfax Extra and gained local notoriety through air play on Locals Only Radio and a recent spot on DC101’s Local Lix (Clear Channel Broadcasting).
In the summer of 2006, Fistful of Fifties released their first self-titled EP, recorded at Nothing But Noise Studios. Not a band to let their influences put a strong hold on their music, Fistful of Fifties are continuously writing new songs ranging from the occasional softer ballad to hard rock, allowing enough diversity for their on stage antics to reach every type of fan.
Nameless
Fistful of Fifties Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Between the past and your resolve
I'll mass produce all you can't use
You fail to see I am the truth
Oh no...
You search for your cure,
the others they fall
Destructive against society's claims
Fake plastic smile
Just swallow another pill
Swallow another pill
Swallow another pill
Swallow another pill
You can't abide by all you hide
I am the shadow in your mind
I'll complicate the life you saved
Disdainful eyes won’t look away
You search for your cure,
the others they fall
Reckless alone, nameless they are
Destructive against society's claims
Fake plastic smile
Always ashamed
The heavens descend
Raped of freewill Nameless alone
Just swallow another pill
Swallow another pill
Swallow another pill
Swallow another pill
Reality sets on your fate
Cold as nails, left alone
Never mind all we had or what we own
We're all castaways in this crowded hell
Assimilate, free from fall
You'll believe a fallacy...
a fallacy...
no
You search for your cure, the others they fall
Reckless alone, nameless they are
Destructive against society's claims
Fake plastic smile
Always ashamed
The heavens descend
Raped of freewill Nameless alone
Just swallow another pill
Swallow another pill
Swallow another pill
Swallow another pill
The lyrics to Fistful of Fifties' "Nameless" express themes of struggle and disillusionment with society. The singer presents himself as a powerful figure who stands between the past and the listener's resolve, claiming to be the embodiment of truth. He suggests that society is destructive, and that those who seek to cure their problems are "nameless," doomed to a life of shame and dependence on pills.
The singer's tone is often condescending, suggesting that he has insight into the listener's inner thoughts and motivations. He implies that the listener is hiding something, and that he will "complicate the life" that the listener has saved. The reference to a "fake plastic smile" suggests that the singer sees society as shallow and insincere.
The repetition of the phrase "swallow another pill" reinforces the theme of dependence and loss of control. The singer suggests that the listener is unable to resist the pressures of society, and must rely on medication to cope. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer sees the listener as a castaway in a crowded hell, unable to escape the assumptions and expectations of society.
Overall, "Nameless" presents a bleak vision of society, and suggests that the only way to avoid being swallowed up by its pressures is to reject its values and create a new way of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the one, I am the wall
I am the barrier between your past and future decisions
Between the past and your resolve
I stand between your old life and your new determination to change
I'll mass produce all you can't use
I manufacture all the things you don't need in your life
You fail to see I am the truth
You haven't realized that I am the reality of your situation
You search for your cure,
You look for a solution to your problems,
the others they fall
but everyone else fails in the process
Reckless alone, nameless they are
Those who are irresponsible and isolated become anonymous and forgotten
Destructive against society's claims
They rebel against the norms and rules of their community
Fake plastic smile
They disguise their pain and struggles with a false grin
Just swallow another pill
They rely on medication to cope instead of facing their problems
You can't abide by all you hide
You can't tolerate everything you keep bottled up inside
I am the shadow in your mind
I am the dark thoughts and negative emotions that haunt you
I'll complicate the life you saved
I'll make your new, improved life more difficult
Disdainful eyes won’t look away
Judgmental glares won't stop staring at you
Always ashamed
You feel guilty and embarrassed all the time
The heavens descend
The once-beautiful skies now seem to fall apart
Raped of freewill Nameless alone
You feel violated and helpless, without any identity or support
Reality sets on your fate
You finally accept what's going to happen to you
Cold as nails, left alone
You feel completely abandoned and uncared for
Never mind all we had or what we own
Our past achievements and possessions don't matter anymore
We're all castaways in this crowded hell
We're all outsiders in a world that feels like a prison
Assimilate, free from fall
Conform to society's expectations in order to avoid failure
You'll believe a fallacy...a fallacy...no
You'll buy into a lie even if it isn't true, or you'll reject it entirely
Contributed by Nolan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.