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)
Recognize
Flaw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hurt myself again not knowing why
It seems so easy to leave it all behind
And to avoid the truth I think
I'd rather just go blind
When everything erupts
My life has come unglued
What am I to do
Can't seem to recognize
That stare behind those eyes
Who is this man I see
Who's looking back at me
Can't focus through the pain
And I am fading into nothing
The reflection must get clearer
Then it apears to me right now
I think I'm cracking up,
I think I've lost my mind
I hurt myself again still not don't know why
I end up the same way each and every time
Can't avoid the truth there's just
Nowhere to run and hide
When everything erupts
Just like I knew it would
Been down here long enough
It never felt that good
Is this what I've become
My life has come unglued
And the ties that bind have left me
What am I to do?
Can't seem to recognize
That stare behind those eyes
Who is this man I see
Who's looking back at me
Can't focus through the pain
And I am fading into nothing
The reflection must get clearer
Then it appears to me right now
There must be someone I can see
There's got to be something for me
Showing love, let it go free
I know its there waiting on me
Let it out, let it go free
Can't seem to recognize
That stare behind those eyes
Who is this man I see
Who's looking back at me
Can't focus through the pain
And I am fading into nothing
The reflection must get clearer
Then it apears to me right now
The lyrics of Flaw's "Recognize" seem to reflect the struggles of the singer who is dealing with the pain of the past and the effects it has on his present. The song talks about the desperation of wanting to avoid facing the painful truth and to escape reality by going blind. The singer expresses his confusion about the person he has become and his inability to recognize himself. He is haunted by the person staring back at him in the mirror and is unable to focus through the pain. His life has come unglued, and the ties that once bound him have left him struggling to find a way forward.
The song's chorus repeats the theme of not being able to recognize oneself and the desire to let go of the pain through love and acceptance. The singer recognizes that he needs to see clearly and understand who he has become so that he can move forward. The song's bridge offers a necessary moment of hope as the singer realizes that there must be someone and something out there that can help him overcome his pain.
The lyrics of "Recognize" resonate with many people who have struggled with their past, their identity, and their purpose. The song's message is one of hope and the understanding that facing one's pain is the first step towards healing and moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
I've had enough of these selfish crys
I'm tired of the self-pity and complaints.
I hurt myself again not knowing why
I keep making the same mistakes and hurting myself.
It seems so easy to leave it all behind
Running away from my problems seems like the easy solution.
And to avoid the truth I think
I'm afraid to face the reality of my situation.
I'd rather just go blind
I'd rather not see the truth.
When everything erupts
When things become chaotic and out of control.
My life has come unglued
My life has fallen apart.
And the ties that bind have left me
The relationships that used to hold me together are now gone.
What am I to do
I'm lost and don't know what to do.
Can't seem to recognize
I can't identify or understand.
That stare behind those eyes
I can't read the emotions or intentions behind someone's gaze.
Who is this man I see
I don't recognize myself anymore.
Who's looking back at me
I don't feel like myself and don't know who I've become.
Can't focus through the pain
I can't concentrate because of my emotional suffering.
And I am fading into nothing
I feel like I'm disappearing or losing myself.
The reflection must get clearer
I need to have a clearer understanding of myself and my situation.
Then it appears to me right now
I need to see things more clearly and in the present moment.
I think I'm cracking up
I'm losing my grip on reality.
I think I've lost my mind
I feel like I'm going crazy.
I end up the same way each and every time
I keep repeating the same negative patterns.
Can't avoid the truth there's just
I can't deny the reality of my situation.
Nowhere to run and hide
I can't escape from my problems.
Been down here long enough
I've been stuck in this situation for too long.
It never felt that good
This situation has never been good for me.
Is this what I've become
I don't recognize the person I've become.
There must be someone I can see
I need someone to help me see things more clearly.
There's got to be something for me
There must be a solution or path forward for me.
Showing love, let it go free
I need to show love and compassion for myself and others, and let go of things that are holding me back.
I know its there waiting on me
I know there is a better version of myself waiting for me to find.
Let it out, let it go free
I need to express my true self and let go of everything that no longer serves me.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind