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)
What I Have To Do
Flaw Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everyone's been led astray
Far away from
From what we know
Still can't find a reason or
The right words to say
It'll be ok.
Wrapped up in all the things that are wrong.
It's the only trial so far
As the verdict falls down
You still break away.
[Chorus]
Caught up in a social degradation
You can't even see the truth
We're only half as good at personal relations
Look around and see the proof
Only a few of us go in the right direction
Even though we're singled out
It's the only thing that keeps me alive
I do what I have to do.
How was I to know
Force fed corporate trials each day
Every single day
But we must grow
Echoing the single most thing in the way.
Wrapped up in all the things that are wrong.
It's the only trial so far
As the verdict falls down
You still break away.
[Chorus]
Not slipping, drifting, falling one step further from the norm.
What is the norm?
Not living, longing, trying so much harder than before
What if I
What if I run far away?
Would I still be seen the same?
Break away.
[Chorus]
It's what I want.
The song "What I Have To Do" by Flaw speaks about the struggle of fitting into a society that is full of flawed beliefs and values. The lyrics suggest that people have been led astray from what they know and cannot find a reason or the right words to express their feelings. The song highlights the social degradation that has taken place in our society where people are unable to see the truth and personal relations are only half as good. The lyrics suggest that people need to look around and see the proof that only a few of us go in the right direction despite being singled out.
The chorus of the song asserts that doing what you have to do is the only thing that keeps you alive. The song speaks about how people are forced to go through corporate trials each day, which hinder their growth. The lyrics suggest that despite being wrapped up in all the things that are wrong, still, one must break away as the verdict falls down.
The lyrics of the song depict a sense of anger and a desire to be free from the shackles of society. It is a reflection of people trying to find their place in the world that is full of flawed beliefs and values.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it seems as though
Everyone's been led astray
Far away from
From what we know
The opening lines acknowledge that society is failing us, leading us astray from what is factual and tangible towards what is either an illusion or far removed from us.
Still can't find a reason or
The right words to say
It'll be ok.
Despite the struggles inherent in living within a flawed society, the singer still hasn't given up hope and has faith in eventual healing.
Wrapped up in all the things that are wrong.
It's the only trial so far
As the verdict falls down
You still break away.
The idea here is that even at times we feel bogged down by the many flaws of society, we still continue to push for a better future.
[Chorus]
Caught up in a social degradation
You can't even see the truth
We're only half as good at personal relations
Look around and see the proof
Only a few of us go in the right direction
Even though we're singled out
It's the only thing that keeps me alive
I do what I have to do.
The chorus highlights the difficult situation many of us face, where the very society we are part of fails to recognize our value as individuals. Despite this, there are still a few out there who strive for meaningful human connections and won't be deterred by those who misunderstand them.
How was I to know
Force fed corporate trials each day
Every single day
But we must grow
Echoing the single most thing in the way.
The lyrics liken the actions of corporations to a form of oppression. Despite this, we must still strive to grow as humans, despite the weight of corporate influence standing in our way.
Not slipping, drifting, falling one step further from the norm.
What is the norm?
Not living, longing, trying so much harder than before
What if I
What if I run far away?
Would I still be seen the same?
Break away.
The second part of the song highlights the emotion involved in going against the social grain. The singer worries what will become of them once they break away and try to forge their own path.
[Chorus]
It's what I want.
The song finishes on a positive note, emphasizing that despite the pitfalls and concerns laid out in the song, being true to oneself is ultimately what we all should strive for and makes it worth it in the end.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CHRIS VOLZ, CHRISTOPHER BALLINGER, JASON DAUNT, LANCE ARNY, RYAN JURHS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Evan Kelly
WOW, this is a great song, this type of honest artistry needs to be heard, not just for the talent, but practical perception of the every day person. This music's message is healthy for the human spirit to reflect upon. The relation to anyone is certainly there in this piece. Unfortunately that's not the way this world works. This world doesn't care and never will, but God always will.
MINDCRIME
Flaw was one of the greatest bands out there, and got passed up for radio friendly mind fucked garbage! These guys were the real deal! It’s a damn shame they didn’t get their respect. They earned it beyond belief! This is so real it leaves you speechless... so many years later and it stands up with the greatest albums I have ever heard! Love some Flaw!!!
Veronica Ballinger
Evan Kelly ...thank you very much my brother... Chris Ballinger Flaw
Nikolas Milbury
Evan Kelly right on brotha
Mike RealUndergroundMusic
A wonderfull song about life's difficulties.. i wish the best to flaw a great band from the original underground nu metal era greatest band in my book helped me through really rough times in my life i will always remember them
Derek Bonin
No doubt
Derek Bonin
Wow, I love the part that starts at about 310, it's so unique, I used to listen to this in 2002 and 2003 when I was 15 and 16, I had found this album at music vision at the time and listen to it when I got home and I didn't know this band at the time, it was an experiment but I was glad I bought it because it blew my mind when I listened to it. You would never find that type of album today. By the way no other album by Flaw could ever touch this album I guess that's why we don't hear them anymore and also like I said music has changed
Bandog
Thank you Flaw for this song, for 6 years now this is my Jam and it will always be.. You guys are still the shit.. Hope you guys are will..
pinky and the brain
Been jammin this since it came out and after all these years this entire album is still just absolutely Epic!!!
Adam F. Sisty
Hard to pick one favorite by this band...but if you forced me to...it'd be this song. So amazing!