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.
Never Had It
Flobots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see you sit
And swallow pain
For all of those
Who will not speak
You raise your voice
You fill the stage
Your eyes are wide
You know the weakness
That you've felt
Is not just yours
So many more
You're not alone
The songs you sing are not your own
You fill the room with something real
You never had it
Keep on wanting something more
You never had it
Keep on wanting something more
You've never had it so you hesitate to try and find it
You listen carefully for whispers of what lurks behind it
You play the corners
Never get too close to where it might be
Waiting for you
Never had it
Keep on wanting something more
Keep wanting more
You never had it
Keep wanting more
You never had it
Keep hiding the hope and than the pain is not yours
No ones holding a rope gotta pull up on your own
All the songs have been sung
And all the doors have be closed
Keep on wanting more (keep on wanting)
I watch you wander through these halls
You slouch, you shrug, you shrink away
I call you stop you blink you pause
You wander who
You think the day
Will never end
But when it does
You stay until the building's dark
You're on the bus
The doors are locked
You looked inside
But did not touch
You never had it
Keep on wanting something more
You never had it
Keep on wanting something more
You've never had it
But you know how to provide it so you
Stand up and call for it
Nervous describing what you go through
You don't wanna get caught up in all the
Things they say to try to provoke you
Don't need anyone to tell you
Keep on wanting something more
[Repeat: 2X]
Keep wanting more
You never had it
Keep wanting more
You never had it
Bah, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba
Bah, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba
The Flobots' song Never Had It speaks to the experience of being unrecognized and unacknowledged for one's talents and the struggle to find the motivation to keep pushing forward. The opening lyrics set the scene for this theme: "I see you sit and swallow pain for all of those who will not speak." The song moves on to focus on the individual's struggle to find purpose and meaning in a world that does not recognize them. The lyrics "keep hiding the hope and then the pain is not yours, no one's holding a rope gotta pull up on your own," highlight the personal journey of each individual to find their strength.
The song speaks to the idea that there are many people, just like those listening, who feel as if they "never had" something more despite a desire for something different. It speaks to the common experience of wanting and waiting for something to happen, as if life is just a long drawn-out process of listening and waiting. The chorus of the song repeats "keep on wanting something more" as if to remind the listener to keep pushing forward, to keep striving for something greater despite the difficulties.
Overall, the song is a call to action for those who feel unrecognized and unfulfilled to keep pushing, keep struggling, keep fighting to find their place in the world. It reminds us that we are not alone in our experiences, and that perseverance is key.
Line by Line Meaning
I see you sit
I observe you sitting there
And swallow pain
You bear emotional pain silently
For all of those
You do it for people like yourself
Who will not speak
Those who are also suffering in silence
You raise your voice
You speak out against injustice
You fill the stage
You captivate and inspire the audience
Your eyes are wide
You fearlessly confront your own vulnerabilities
You know the weakness
You understand your own flaws
That you've felt
The insecurities you have experienced
Is not just yours
Are not exclusive to you
So many more
Others feel the same way
You're not alone
You have people who empathize with you
The songs you sing are not your own
You use music to express your collective experiences
You fill the room with something real
You create a genuine connection with your audience
You never had it
You've never truly experienced it
Keep on wanting something more
You still desire more than what you have now
You've never had it so you hesitate to try and find it
Your fear of disappointment holds you back
You listen carefully for whispers of what lurks behind it
You pay close attention to the subtle hints of success
You play the corners
You avoid taking risks
Never get too close to where it might be
You don't want to get your hopes up
Waiting for you
It's out there waiting for you
Keep hiding the hope and than the pain is not yours
You repress hope to avoid disappointment
No one's holding a rope gotta pull up on your own
You have to rely on yourself to achieve success
All the songs have been sung
All possible expressions of pain and hope have been sung
And all the doors have be closed
All apparent avenues to find meaning have seemed futile
I watch you wander through these halls
I observe you walking around aimlessly
You slouch, you shrug, you shrink away
You demonstrate defeatist body language
I call you stop you blink you pause
I try to get your attention
You wonder who
You're confused about your identity
You think the day will never end
You believe time will never bring change
But when it does
Eventually it does end
You stay until the building's dark
You work hard and put in the extra hours
You're on the bus
You're heading home after a long day
The doors are locked
You feel trapped in your current situation
You looked inside
You consider your prospects
But did not touch
But are hesitant to act
But you know how to provide it so you
Despite not having experienced it yourself
Stand up and call for it
You advocate for yourself and others
Nervous describing what you go through
You're anxious talking about your experiences
You don't wanna get caught up in all the
You don't want to be restricted by
Things they say to try to provoke you
You don't want to be taunted or manipulated
Don't need anyone to tell you
You're self-sufficient in your drive for success
Keep on wanting something more
You have an insatiable appetite for personal growth
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ANDREW GUERRERO, JAMIE LAURIE, JESSE WALKER, KENNETH ORTIZ, MACKENZIE ROBERTS, STEPHEN BRACKETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind