When a pair of quick-witted emcees joins forces with a battle-hardened, groove-fusing rhythm section, a classically trained violist and trumpet player, the result is a sound that explores and expands the frontiers of live hip-hop. Progressive in both style and message, the band's ability to drop from symphonic rock-infused crescendos into stripped-down string-laden breakbeats has earned Flobots a reputation for both originality and authenticity.
After originally forming as a side project in 2005, Flobots brought together Emcee’s Jonny 5 and Brer Rabbit with violist Mackenzie Roberts, guitarist Andy Guerrero, bassist Jesse Walker, trumpet player Joe Ferrone, and drummer Kenny Ortiz. By the end of the year, it was clear that the band's refreshingly positive message and nontraditional instrumentation gave it both a universal appeal and a marketable buzz factor. Whether sharing the stage with jam bands, indie rock acts, or hip-hop groups, Flobots won the crowds and quickly reached a tippping point to became one of Denver's most influential bands.
The band's first EP, Platypus, was recorded quickly in response to the clamor of eager fans. Platypus' CD sales in the first week put Flobots at #1 on Twist & Shout's bestseller list. In just a year and half, Platypus has sold over 3000 copies in Colorado and the surrounding region. The strength of this small record and a relentless performing schedule has enabled the band to open for acts like The Coup, Lyrics Born, Immortal Technique, and 2mex. Even Multi-platinum recording artist The Fray took notice, inviting the band to open the last night of their North American Tour at Red Rocks amphitheatre.
Now, just two and a half years from the birth of their first song, the band regularly sells out Denver venues and is developing sizeable followings in California, Nebraska, Utah, and Wyoming.
The upward trajectory continues as the band prepares to release its first full-length record, Fight With Tools (October 2007). Representing a year's worth of writing and recording, the record is a fire-breathing rallying cry for all free-thinking individuals fed-up with the violence and apathy that have thus far defined the new millenium.
In February and March 2009 Flobots are going to join Rise Against, Anti-Flag, and Propaghandi for their United Kingdom tour.
Armed with musicianship, intelligence, and a passionate loyalty to the power of creation, Flobots are looking to engage a new musical culture, one mind at a time.
Acclaimed Universal Republic alternative/hip hop collective Flobots released their sophomore album Survival Story on March 16th. The first single from their new offering is a call-to-unarm, “White Flag Warrior,” featuring a guest appearance by Tim McIIrath, founder of influential Chicago band Rise Against. Survival Story is the follow-up to their 2008 game-changing, 300,000-plus selling Universal Republic debut album, ‘Fight With Tools’. The new album was helmed by noted producer Mario Caldato Jr. (Beastie Boys, Beck, Jack Johnson, Moby), and finds the group at yet another turning point of inspiring transformation.
Flobots garnered across-the-board critical, cultural and commercial acclaim in 2008 with their grassroots-waged kickoff single, the rousing Top 5, platinum-plus smash “Handlebars.” The song became the mind-bending clarion call of both the rap and rock worlds, with the spirited anthem soaring to #1 on the alternative radio chart as the format’s most requested song of the year. “Handlebars” became a digital, video, and MySpace phenomenon, (along with ‘Fight With Tools’ follow-up hit “Rise”) soaring to #10 on the iTunes hip hop chart, with the digital version of the band’s CD climbing to #2 on the iTunes hip hop countdown.
The six-member band was also recognized as innovative agents of massive cultural change during their mainstream rise, with media outlets such as USA Today praising their “stinging social commentary,” and the Boston Herald calling them “rap’s most singular breakthrough act in years.” Flobots became a symbol of a new generation shifting priorities at the decade’s close, thanks to the hands-on and highly charged social-activism embedded in their music and their vigorous community networking. Their uplifting calls to action mirrored the communal reawakening taking place throughout the entire country. The band’s galvanizing live presence rocked late night TV (The Tonight Show
, Conan O’Brien, and others,) and saw them ‘own’ the stage at the Democratic National Convention in their hometown of Denver, as well as on election night. The group also logged several sold-out tours across the U.S. and inspired audiences throughout the world with their incredible live show.
Survival Story finds the band invigorated by the range of life-experiences that flowed through the Flobots’ global collective the past two years (their extremely effective non-profit organization, flobots.org, has mobilized fans to become change-agents in their own communities throughout the world). But, the sophomore album also arrives in 2010 as a vision of hope for a world pondering its limits: Flobots’ unique birds-eye view of a world changed and rearranged – both inside and out.
The new effort features songs such as the counter-intuitive “White Flag Warrior,” the signature “Whips And Chains,” and the funk-infested “Infatuation,” among others. “We understand change can be complicated,” says co-founder Jonny 5. “We’re six different people ourselves trying to make a difference. We’ve always been about valuing everyone’s voice, whether in or outside of the band. We believe Survival Story is a true record of our growth as we all process this great new world that’s emerging.”
Created in Blasting Room studios in Ft. Collins CO, Survival Story was produced by Mario Caldato Jr. (Beastie Boys).
In the summer of 2011, Andy Guerro left Flobots in order to concentrate in his older band, Bop Skizzum.
Mayday!!!
Flobots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Born in the flood
Bloody fingerprint sets
Black marketed fresh
Water canons forget me not
Epitaph airbrush with death
White t's
Wife beaters
Reattach flesh
In between the lines
Outside of the law
Underneath the veil
We dig our foundations
We navigate the globe
Trying to find a pattern to break the mold
With a family to feed
There's nowhere we wont go
But what if were caught
They say I'm a snitch
Shot at the check point
Found with his throat slit
There's spray paint on the teleprompter
Anchorman screams that hes seen a monster
Mayday
There's bloodstains on his shirt
Mayday
They say that hes gone berserk
Sometimes
When I wanna shut out this world
Wanna rip up this page
Wanna pour out this heart
Wanna get up on this stage
And my lips become percussion
And my fists become the rage
And I pound on this table
Till it gives me something to say
Then I think about things that I've seen
Right in front of me
That I don't wanna believe
Gimme one of these mikes
Lemme let em know
The way that it is is not how its gonna be
Not if we don't let em get ahead of us
The present tensions no threat
Its just a fence across the path
That were already ready to walk
Rock solid footsteps
Let 'em put up obstacles
And prove that it isn't possible
Fuck that
We don't give em any weight
True liberty and freedoms at stake
Peace will never become pass
Live my life until my last day
It was half-past eight in the bat cave
When the cracks in the plaster collapsed
And gave way to gaps in the pavement
Mayday mayday
Put it on blast
For the passengers and messengers
'Cause this is a disaster
Where the fuck are the rescue workers
Not far
Off pissing on a cop car
In the hall with a pop tart
Sipping liquor in the rock bar
Everyone climb to the front line
Lunchtimes canceled
All hands on deck to pull survivors from the landfill
Onlookers passers-by shake off that rubble
Brush off your shoulders
Break free from your standstill
Signs of a better world
Causes we understand
Failures we expected to occur
And bring redemption for our sins
Safety from the crowds
In the shadows on the run
We write our own cider house
Rules to keep alive
Rituals that prove their worth
Search for systems we can trust
Rhythms we can lock into
This is madness salvage teams
Can't bandage
Hope when its damaged
Or broken compassion
Not enough rope in the van when
World is collapsing
Our mode of action
Broadcast through the glass
Its all we can manage
Donate with the plastic
Scraps from the salad
Hoping to balance
Emotions invalidated
And staged on 4:3 aspects
Just ballast for sadness
Lives shattered are standard
Fare for cameras and channels
Stare no abracadabras
No faster answers
Or mantras for disasters
Remastered and plastered
Got it all backwards
Do you know the faction your backing
Its another man down
Another mother gone
Child drowned
Another silenced song
Solitude
Another kind of strong
I miss you
Another strung along
Missing in action
Another page is blackened burned
Turned to ashes to ashes
Dust off the flags and the caskets
We will never find another you
Despite the life of love we knew
These lightning times are trouble who
Cant count the strikes that punished through
The bonds we thought would never break
And never will and never fade and never change
But there is the rage
Of losing you to their mistakes
In between the lines
Signs of a the next movement
Refuge from the crowd
Outside of the law
Causes we understand
Hands that trace
Instructions for descendants in the
Shadows on the run
Underneath the veil
Failures we expected to
Occur and bring redemption for our sins
In between the lines
The Flobots' song "Mayday!!!" is a political anthem that speaks about the struggles of the oppressed, the barriers they face, and the need for them to stand together and fight for their rights. The opening lines "Mayday! born in the flood, Bloody fingerprint sets, Black marketed fresh, Water canons, forget-me-not" speak of the chaos and disorder in the world and how the oppressed are often born into unfavorable conditions. The lines "Epitaph airbrush with death, White T's, Wife beaters, Button up, Reattach flesh" show how they try to survive through any means, even at the cost of their own lives or their dignity.
The lines "In-between the lines, Outside of the law, Underneath the veil, We dig our foundations We navigate the globe, Trying to find a pattern to break the mold, With a family to feed, There's nowhere we won't go, But what if we're caught, They say I'm a snitch" speaks of the underground movement and how they operate in secrecy to avoid persecution. The song also references a corrupt media and government, where the "Anchorman screams that he's seen a monster" and how "they say that he's gone berserk." The song urges the oppressed to stand together and resist any obstacles in their path as "Peace will never become past, Live my life until my last day" and "Rock solid footsteps, Let 'em put up obstacles, And prove that it isn't possible, F*** that, We don't give em any weight."
Line by Line Meaning
Mayday!
Emergency distress signal.
Born in the flood
Referencing the band's birthplace of Denver, Colorado during a massive flood.
Bloody fingerprint sets
Evidence of a crime scene.
Black marketed fresh
Selling illegal and potentially dangerous goods on the black market.
Water canons forget me not
Police brutality and use of water cannons to silence protesters.
Epitaph airbrush with death
Death is being trivialized and desensitized to through media.
White t's, Wife beaters, Button up, Reattach flesh
Describing different types of clothing while also alluding to recovering from injuries.
In between the lines
The hidden meaning behind words, or something that is not immediately apparent.
Outside of the law
Breaking the law or acting beyond the boundaries set by law.
Underneath the veil
Beneath the surface or hidden from view.
We dig our foundations
Building and establishing oneself with hard work and perseverance.
We navigate the globe
Travelling the world in search of something or to spread ideas.
Trying to find a pattern to break the mold
Looking for a new way of doing things or standing out from the norm.
With a family to feed, There's nowhere we won't go
Motivated by the responsibility of providing for one's family.
But what if we're caught
Fear of being caught breaking the law or doing something illegal.
They say I'm a snitch
Being labeled a traitor or informant.
Shot at the checkpoint, Found with his throat slit
Violent consequences for speaking out against the government or those in power.
There's spray paint on the teleprompter
Vandalism or protest against mainstream media.
Anchorman screams that he's seen a monster
The media perpetuates fear and hype to control the narrative.
Mayday, There's bloodstains on his shirt
Desperation and emergency situations with violent consequences.
Mayday, They say that he's gone berserk
Labeling and stigmatizing those who speak out or go against the status quo.
Sometimes
Occasionally or every now and then.
When I wanna shut out this world
Feeling overwhelmed or disillusioned with the current state of the world.
Wanna rip up this page
Wanting to start anew or change the current situation.
Wanna pour out this heart
Revealing or expressing one's true feelings.
Wanna get up on this stage
Expressing oneself through music or performance.
And my lips become percussion
Using one's voice as an instrument for self expression.
And my fists become the rage
Feeling intense emotions of anger and frustration towards the world.
And I pound on this table, Till it gives me something to say
Using frustration and anger as a way to fuel creative expression.
Then I think about things that I've seen Right in front of me, That I don't wanna believe
Reflecting on the harsh realities of the world that are hard to accept or comprehend.
Gimme one of these mikes, Lemme let em know
Using music and the power of speech to spread a message.
The way that it is is not how it's gonna be
Encouraging change and a new way of doing things.
Not if we don't let em get ahead of us
Fighting against the powers that be and not allowing them to control the narrative.
The present tension's no threat
Believing that current problems and conflicts can be overcome.
It's just a fence across the path, That were already ready to walk
Obstacles and challenges that are not insurmountable.
Rock solid footsteps, Let 'em put up obstacles, And prove that it isn't possible
Maintaining strength and determination in the face of adversity.
Fuck that, We don't give em any weight
Refusing to let the powers that be have any control or influence.
True liberty and freedoms at stake
Fighting for freedom and the ability to live life on one's own terms.
Peace will never become pass, Live my life until my last day
Believing that peace requires constant work and dedication, and living life to the fullest until the end.
It was half-past eight in the bat cave
A specific time and place.
When the cracks in the plaster collapsed, And gave way to gaps in the pavement
Describing a physical space that is falling apart.
Mayday mayday, Put it on blast
Urgency and need for immediate attention or action.
For the passengers and messengers, 'Cause this is a disaster
Sending a message and calling for help in a time of crisis.
Where the fuck are the rescue workers, Not far
Asking for help and questioning why help has not arrived yet.
Off pissing on a cop car, In the hall with a pop tart
Satirizing those in power and those who are not helping in a time of crisis.
Everyone climb to the front line, Lunchtimes canceled
Urging people to come together and take action to help those in need.
All hands on deck to pull survivors from the landfill
Describing a grim and desperate situation that requires immediate action.
Onlookers passers-by shake off that rubble, Brush off your shoulders, Break free from your standstill
Encouraging people to take action and overcome inaction or apathy.
Signs of a better world, Causes we understand
Hope for a better future and a commitment to meaningful change.
Failures we expected to occur, And bring redemption for our sins
Acknowledging past failures while remaining committed to progress and change.
Safety from the crowds, In the shadows on the run
Trying to find safety from danger and persecution in a hidden, unknown place.
We write our own cider house, Rules to keep alive
Creating one's own set of guidelines or principles to live by.
Rituals that prove their worth, Search for systems we can trust
Looking for structures and routine that promote growth and progress.
Rhythms we can lock into
Finding comfort and stability in familiar patterns.
This is madness salvage teams, Can't bandage, Hope when its damaged
Recognizing the insanity and hopelessness of the current situation.
Or broken compassion, Not enough rope in the van when, World is collapsing
Feeling helpless despite the desire to help.
Our mode of action, Broadcast through the glass, It's all we can manage
Communicating and spreading awareness despite limited resources.
Donate with the plastic, Scraps from the salad, Hoping to balance
Making do with what is available and trying to make a difference despite limited means.
Emotions invalidated, And staged on 4:3 aspects
Feeling unheard or ignored by mainstream media.
Just ballast for sadness, Lives shattered are standard, Fare for cameras and channels
Describing how tragedy and loss have become commonplace and mundane.
Stare no abracadabras, No faster answers, Or mantras for disasters, Remastered and plastered
No quick fix or easy solutions for difficult problems.
Got it all backwards, Do you know the faction your backing
Questioning one's allegiances and motives.
Its another man down, Another mother gone, Child drowned, Another silenced song
Acknowledging tragedy and loss while being committed to change.
Solitude, Another kind of strong, I miss you, Another strung along
Describing different emotions and states of being.
Missing in action, Another page is blackened burned
Lost or forgotten in the midst of chaos and tragedy.
Turned to ashes to ashes, Dust off the flags and the caskets
Acknowledging death and loss.
We will never find another you, Despite the life of love we knew
Feeling the pain and loss of a loved one who has passed away.
These lightning times are trouble who, Can't count the strikes that punished through
Describing a time of chaos and upheaval.
The bonds we thought would never break, And never will and never fade and never change, But there is the rage, Of losing you to their mistakes
Feeling betrayed and hurt by those who were once trusted and close.
Signs of the next movement, Refuge from the crowd
Hope for a new way of thinking and being.
Instructions for descendants in the, Shadows on the run, Underneath the veil
Passing on knowledge and teachings to future generations.
Hands that trace, Causes we understand
Being committed to a cause or movement that resonates with one's values.
Failures we expected to occur and bring redemption for our sins, In between the lines
Recognizing past failures and using them as a catalyst for growth and positive change.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Anthem Entertainment
Written by: ANDREW GUERRERO, JAMIE LAURIE, JESSE WALKER, KENNETH ORTIZ, MACKENZIE ROBERTS, STEPHEN BRACKETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind