The band formed when vocalist Chris Volz answered an ad in a local paper placed by guitarist Jason Daunt, looking for a singer for an alternative/industrial band. The band's rhythm section progressed through several line-ups but solidified with the addition of bassist Ryan Jurhs in 1996. That same year the band recorded their first independent record American Arrogance.
Because they were low on money, the band ordered everything they needed to record from the Musician's Friend catalog, then returned it using the 30-day return policy. Their album gave them the opportunity to open for acts including Fear Factory and Econoline Crush. A local radio station, The Fox, broadcast the songs from Flaw's indie disc, giving them further notoriety.
Two more independent records, 1998's self titled album Flaw and 2000's Drama were later produced.
Flaw signed to Universal/Republic Records in 2000, and proceeded to release their debut album, Through the Eyes in 2001. The album eventually topped the Billboard Heatseekers Chart, due to moderate rotation of their music videos "Payback" and "Whole" on MTV2 and rock radio stations. In 2002, the band played at Ozzfest.
In 2004, after three years without releasing a new album, Flaw returned to the studio to begin recording their second studio album, Endangered Species. The band had parted ways with guitarist Jason Daunt and drummer Chris Ballinger and added Micah Havertape as their new drummer. The only single released from Endangered Species was "Recognize" and it received little amount of radio play. A music video was supposed to be filmed for the single but it never happened.
Endangered Species debuted at #42 on the Billboard Top 200, selling 27,527[citation needed] copies in its first week.
Flaw was dropped by their label Universal Records in late 2004 and eventually broke up. The band's final days left many people angry. The band had scheduled a few shows within their surrounding states, and when the break-up news began to circulate, no one from the band stepped forward to confirm or deny it. Some reportedly drove hundreds of miles to see the shows only to be told by club managers that the band unexpectedly canceled without notice. The group's website had, at the time, still displayed a notice which read "Flaw is still playing".
After Flaw broke up, Chris Volz eventually started up an entirely new band with drummer Ivan Arnold who had played with Flaw from 1998 to 2000. The new band, Five Bolt Main, signed with Rock Ridge Records and released a studio album and a live album before disbanding.
After leaving Flaw, Jason Daunt played in another Louisville band called Into Another, as well as going back to school for a law degree. Chris Ballinger played in a few bands and Lance Arny began playing guitar for a band called Nailgun Strategy in Louisville.
Micah Havertape went on to play with Black Market Hero alongside past 40 Below Summer members. Ryan Jurhs was also temporarily played them as well.
In 2006, Flaw reunited with four of the founding members: Chris Volz, Jason Daunt, Lance Arny, and Chris Ballinger. The band recruited bassist Alex Cando, formerly of Five.Bolt.Main, on bass. On March 11, 2007, at Headliner's Music Hall in Louisville, Kentucky, the band played its first show since their breakup, sharing the stage with Powerman 5000 before heading out on their own reunion tour with Arny's other band, Nailgun Strategy. On this tour, Flaw announced that they hoped to release an album in 2007 and were trying to find the right record company to sign with. Neither of those things ultimately happened that year.
The band went on to have numerous line-up changes and internal problems throughout 2007 and 2008. Daunt was only been able to make a couple of the shows due to his work as a full-time lawyer. For all the shows Daunt was unable to make, Andy Russ from Arny's other band, Nailgun Strategy, performed in Daunt's place. Eventually, Daunt left the band and was replaced full-time by Russ. Alex Cando also left, and was replaced by past member Ryan Juhrs.
Internal strife continued, with Volz and Daunt leaving to form a new band called Foundation. At this point the other three members of Flaw. Ballinger, Arny, and Juhrs, tried to carry on as Flaw, but Daunt and Volz reclaimed the name Flaw and applied it to their new band.
In December 2008 a MySpace bulletin was posted by Flaw stating that all future concert dates had been canceled due to conflicts between Volz and current members of the band.
However, in 2009, the band later came forward claiming that former "hired guns" in Flaw hacked the official MySpace and wrote this false information. They revealed that they were still working on a new album, and had a new drummer Sean Rued. Their third album, Home Grown Studio Sessions was later independently released for digital download via the website DiGiSTATION on November 16. 2009, and at all concerts since its release.
The band continued to tour into 2010, with Chris Marple filling in on bass until Ryan Jurhs could return due to work/scheduling conflict. However, in early july of 2010, signs of internal problems arose with Russ leaving for "health and personal reasons". In Mid July of 2010 Arny once again brought Chris Marple (Caldera & Kentucky Death Wish) back into the picture. This time Marple would be playing guitar, along with Arny, Jurhs, Volz & Rued to complete the full line up once again.
Flaw tour dates were scheduled immediately & posted from July through October of 2010. During the course of each run, these tours were with TANTRIC/BURN HALO/SATURATE. Unfortunately, somewhere during the course of these 3 tours, there was animosity between certain members & Flaw canceled all remaining tour dates with no explanation, on November 2, 2010.
Members
Current members
Chris Volz - vocals (1995–2004, 2006–present)
Lance Arny - guitar (1998–2004, 2006–2007, 2008–present)
Chris Marple - guitar (2010–present)
Ryan Jurhs - bass, backing vocals (1995–2004, 2008–present)
Sean Rued - drums (2009–present)
Former members
Jason Daunt - guitar (1995–2002, 2006–2008)
Ivan Arnold - drums (1995–1998)
Nick Haupt - drums (1998)
Dave Wathen - drums (1998–99)
Chris Ballinger - drums (1999–2003, 2006–2007)
Micah Havertape - drums (2003–2004)
Alex Cando - bass (2006–2007)
Nathan McDaniel - guitar (2007–2008)
Tyler Mathews - bass (2007–2008)
Terry Harper - drums (2008–2009)
Andy Russ - guitar (2008–2010)
Only the Strong
Flaw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
afraid to feel bad. better off to try and pretend. I'm
immortal, immune to all that is wrong. just keep on wishing.
crossing my fingers. so long. is this helping? i'm growning
weaker each day. can't stop whining.
still afraid of what i might say or reactions, that control us one and all.
It's mine, it's pure and as decent as i can make myself.
Why don't you think about that?
so now i'm bleeding on myself yes once again.
seems i trusted another deceitful freind. my fault. should've known the deal.
keep your friends close, but your enemies closer, for real.
seems easy, but nothing could be so hard. trying to guess lifes
dealing. what's the next card? I'm surely folding.
i don't like this hand at all.
It's mine, it's pure and as decent as i can make myself.
Inside, we all know, only the strong survive.
Keep those eyes wide open, here comes a blind side.
maybe things happen for a reason and wherein lies the answer.
to overcome the grieving of lifes unruly lessons. i'm handed
in sucession. it builds my pain which makes me strong.
It's mine, it's pure and as decent as i can make myself.
Inside, we all know, only the strong survive.
Why don't you think about that?
The lyrics of Flaw’s song Only the Strong reflect the struggle of the singer, who feels alone in a world that expects them to be strong, and consequently hides their vulnerability. The opening lines express the fear and uncertainty that come with the future, with the singer questioning whether things will work out in their favour. The phrase “afraid to feel bad” suggests that the singer feels a sense of shame around negative emotions, believing that it is better to conceal them. Likewise, the lines “just keep wishing” and “crossing my fingers” convey desperation, as the singer hopes for a better outcome but feels powerless to make it happen.
The second verse touches on the theme of betrayal and trust, with the singer lamenting their decision to trust someone who has hurt them. They acknowledge their own responsibility in the situation, saying “my fault. should've known the deal”, but this does not lessen their pain. The line “trying to guess life's dealing, what's the next card?” shows a sense of resignation, as though the singer has come to expect disappointment. However, there is still a glimmer of strength present in the song, as the lyrics “only the strong survive” provide a mantra for the singer to cling to.
Overall, Only the Strong is a song about the difficulties of maintaining emotional resilience in a world that can be unforgiving. It acknowledges the pain and uncertainty that come with life, while also emphasising the importance of strength and perseverance.
Line by Line Meaning
what makes you think that it'll all work out in the end.
Questioning the belief that everything will be okay in the end.
afraid to feel bad. better off to try and pretend. I'm immortal, immune to all that is wrong. just keep on wishing.
Avoiding negative emotions and living in denial of problems.
crossing my fingers. so long. is this helping? i'm growing weaker each day. can't stop whining.
Hoping for the best but feeling increasingly helpless and weak.
still afraid of what i might say or reactions, that control us one and all.
Fearful of the power of others' reactions and opinions.
It's mine, it's pure and as decent as i can make myself. Inside, we all know, only the strong survive.
Believing in personal integrity and the idea that only those who are strong can survive.
Why don't you think about that?
Challenging the listener to consider the previous statement about strength.
so now i'm bleeding on myself yes once again. seems i trusted another deceitful freind. my fault. should've known the deal.
Feeling betrayed by a friend and taking responsibility for not recognizing their deceit.
keep your friends close, but your enemies closer, for real. seems easy, but nothing could be so hard. trying to guess lifes dealing. what's the next card? I'm surely folding. i don't like this hand at all.
The difficulty of determining friend from foe and the unpredictability of life's challenges, making it hard to remain confident and optimistic.
Keep those eyes wide open, here comes a blind side.
A warning to stay alert for unexpected obstacles and challenges ahead.
maybe things happen for a reason and wherein lies the answer. to overcome the grieving of lifes unruly lessons. i'm handed in sucession. it builds my pain which makes me strong.
Reflecting on the idea that challenges happen for a reason and can ultimately make us stronger through the process of grief and pain.
It's mine, it's pure and as decent as i can make myself. Inside, we all know, only the strong survive.
Repeating the emphasis on personal integrity and strength at the core of survival.
Why don't you think about that?
Reiterating the challenge to consider the meaning of strength and integrity.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRIS VOLZ, CHRISTOPHER BALLINGER, JASON DAUNT, LANCE ARNY, RYAN JURHS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mccoyhazard1895
Step on up!
What makes me think that,
It'll all work out in the end?
Afraid to feel bad,
Better off to try and pretend
I'm immortal,
Immune to all that is wrong
Just keep on wishing,
Crossing my fingers so long
Is this helping?
I'm growing weaker each day
Can't stop whining,
Still afraid of what I might say
Or reactions,
That control us one and all
It's mine,
And it's pure and,
As decent as I can make myself
Inside, we all know,
Only the strong survive
Why don't you think about that?
Why don't you think about that?
So now I'm bleeding,
On myself yes once again
Seems I trusted another deceitful friend,
My fault, should've known the deal
Keep your friends close,
But your enemies closer; for real
Seems easy, but nothing could be so hard
Trying to guess life's dealing
What's the next card?
I'm surely folding,
I don't like this hand at all
It's mine,
And it's pure and,
As decent as I can make myself
Inside, we all know,
Only the strong survive
Why don't you think about that?
Keep those eyes wide open, here comes a blind side
Keep those eyes wide open, here comes a blind side
Keep those eyes wide open, here comes a blind side
Keep those eyes wide open, here comes a blind side
Keep those eyes wide open, here comes a blind side
Keep those eyes wide open, here comes a blind side
Keep those eyes wide open, here comes a blind side
Keep those eyes wide open, here comes a blind side
Maybe things happen for a reason,
And therein lies the answer
To overcome the grieving,
Of life's unruly lessons
I'm handed in succession,
It builds my pain which makes me strong
It's mine,
It's pure and,
As decent as I can make myself
Inside, we all know,
Only the strong survive
Well it's mine,
And it's pure and,
As decent as I can make myself
Inside, we all know,
Only the strong survive
Why don't you think about that?
Why don't you think about that for a minute?
@jenniferwenzel1687
Still one of my all time favorites. 2021 so much emotions behind this music makes me want to push harder for a better life. I wish the new generation of rockers could appreciate the pure emotions that resignation from these guys...its 2021 and I am one of the strong who have survived. Thanks flaw you gave another of us misfits a voice and some of us s reason to n,
@mccoyhazard1895
Step on up!
What makes me think that,
It'll all work out in the end?
Afraid to feel bad,
Better off to try and pretend
I'm immortal,
Immune to all that is wrong
Just keep on wishing,
Crossing my fingers so long
Is this helping?
I'm growing weaker each day
Can't stop whining,
Still afraid of what I might say
Or reactions,
That control us one and all
It's mine,
And it's pure and,
As decent as I can make myself
Inside, we all know,
Only the strong survive
Why don't you think about that?
Why don't you think about that?
So now I'm bleeding,
On myself yes once again
Seems I trusted another deceitful friend,
My fault, should've known the deal
Keep your friends close,
But your enemies closer; for real
Seems easy, but nothing could be so hard
Trying to guess life's dealing
What's the next card?
I'm surely folding,
I don't like this hand at all
It's mine,
And it's pure and,
As decent as I can make myself
Inside, we all know,
Only the strong survive
Why don't you think about that?
Keep those eyes wide open, here comes a blind side
Keep those eyes wide open, here comes a blind side
Keep those eyes wide open, here comes a blind side
Keep those eyes wide open, here comes a blind side
Keep those eyes wide open, here comes a blind side
Keep those eyes wide open, here comes a blind side
Keep those eyes wide open, here comes a blind side
Keep those eyes wide open, here comes a blind side
Maybe things happen for a reason,
And therein lies the answer
To overcome the grieving,
Of life's unruly lessons
I'm handed in succession,
It builds my pain which makes me strong
It's mine,
It's pure and,
As decent as I can make myself
Inside, we all know,
Only the strong survive
Well it's mine,
And it's pure and,
As decent as I can make myself
Inside, we all know,
Only the strong survive
Why don't you think about that?
Why don't you think about that for a minute?
@mikeglaser7531
This is what heroes do!
@proximusarcturian7496
I remember having great hope for them during the "nu metal days". I'm glad they are still around. It shows how resilient a band with determination has. I hope people get a intellectual and spiritual experience from this music like i do!!
@jesmahl
My friend died at the age of 18 in the early 2000's, he used to sing this song all the time, my eyes water every time I listen to this song. love to listen at full volume
@baileydeverell1175
I too have lost friends over the years. Stay strong brother!
@VinnyM.92
I lost my brother 7 years ago and this was one of his favorites. Every now and then I come here and blast it and head nod along.
@charkswitlazers
He’s with Satan now
@MDE-11-84
✌🏽♥️✌🏽
@Plombo_5
I feel you. It takes time.