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.
RISE
Flobots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't know how to be but angry
Feel infected like we've got gangrene
Please don't let anybody try to change me
Me
Just me
In the middle of a sea full of faces
Some laugh some salivate
Whats in your alleyway
Recycling bins or bullet cases
Its not equal
Its not fair
Were different people
But were not scared
We ain't never scared
To pave a new path
Make a new street
Build a new bridge
Say can you see by the dawns early light
Free slaves running
Songs words weren't right
Now a new days coming
The few stay stunning while the many are handsome
Your soul is alive but they want it for ransom
The base drumming is the anthem
We step to the heartbeats of our granddaughters and grandsons
And
Rise together
We rise together
Lost hope and found need
Grounded by our surroundings
Did the walls scream universities
Or you and I verse the tees
React automatic and we burst when squeezed
And make 9-11 each emergency
Urgency amber to red like the turning leaves
Oh please let the hurting cease
Don't let apathy police the populace
We will march across
Those stereotypes that were marked for us
The answers obvious
We switch the consonants
Change the sword to words and lift continents
Rise together
We rise together
If you believe in redemption
I'm calling to you from another dimension (Repeat)
The lyrics of the song "Rise" by Flobots address a range of societal issues, including pain, anger, and the feeling of being infected or damaged. The song suggests that despite these challenges, it is important to embrace our unique differences, build new paths and bridges, and rise together to create a better future.
The first verse highlights a sense of disconnection and isolation, as the singer describes themselves as "just me / in the middle of a sea full of faces." The lines "recycling bins or bullet cases" suggest that we must choose between creating a sustainable world or one that perpetuates violence.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of rising together, suggesting that even in the face of discrimination and injustice, we can come together to make a difference. The next verse continues to emphasize the urgency of creating change, referencing the emergency-like urgency of 9/11, and calling for an end to apathy and stereotypes. The bridge of the song brings in an element of spirituality and redemption, as the singer calls out to those who believe in it from "another dimension."
Line by Line Meaning
So much pain, we
We're overwhelmed with all the pain in the world
Don't know how to be but angry
We're constantly angry because we don't know how to cope with the pain
Feel infected like we've got gangrene
We feel like the anger is consuming us like an infection
Please don't let anybody try to change me
We don't want people to try to change us, our anger is a part of who we are
Me
We feel alone in the world
Just me
We feel like we're the only one who feels this way
In the middle of a sea full of faces
We're surrounded by people, but we still feel alone
Full of faces
Everywhere we look, there are people
Some laugh some salivate
Some people are happy, some are desperate
Whats in your alleyway
What kind of environment do you live in?
Recycling bins or bullet cases
Are there signs of progress and hope, or violence and destruction?
Its not equal
Life is not fair for everyone
Its not fair
Everyone faces challenges that are not fair
Were different people
We are all unique and have different experiences
But were not scared
Despite our differences, we are not afraid to fight for what's right
We ain't never scared
We are not intimidated by the obstacles we face
To pave a new path
We are determined to create a new way forward
Make a new street
We will create a new path if the old one leads to a dead end
Build a new bridge
We'll build bridges to connect communities and overcome differences
Say can you see by the dawns early light
Do you see the hope for a better future?
Free slaves running
Former slaves were freed and running towards a better life
Songs words weren't right
Even though they sang about freedom, the reality was different
Now a new days coming
A better future is coming
The few stay stunning while the many are handsome
A few people are extraordinary, while most of us are just average
Your soul is alive but they want it for ransom
Your spirit is thriving, but others want to exploit it for their own gain
The base drumming is the anthem
The beat of the drums represents our struggle for justice and equality
We step to the heartbeats of our granddaughters and grandsons
We fight for a better tomorrow for the sake of future generations
Rise together
We will succeed together
We rise together
Together, we will overcome our struggles
Lost hope and found need
We've had moments of despair, but we've also found inspiration to keep fighting
Grounded by our surroundings
Our environment influences our perspective and experiences
Did the walls scream universities
Did the institutions around us prioritize knowledge and education?
Or you and I verse the tees
Are we fighting against each other instead of the system?
React automatic and we burst when squeezed
We react instinctively when we're pushed to our limits
And make 9-11 each emergency
We treat every problem like a national emergency
Urgency amber to red like the turning leaves
We feel a sense of urgency to act, like the changing of seasons
Oh please let the hurting cease
We hope that the pain and suffering will come to an end
Don't let apathy police the populace
We can't let indifference control our society
We will march across
We'll fight through the obstacles in our way
Those stereotypes that were marked for us
We'll challenge the harmful stereotypes that have been placed on us
The answers obvious
The solution is clear to us
We switch the consonants
We'll make subtle shifts to create a positive change
Change the sword to words and lift continents
We'll replace violence with communication to make a global impact
If you believe in redemption
If you believe in second chances and forgiveness
I'm calling to you from another dimension (Repeat)
I'm reaching out to you through art and music to inspire change
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Mute Song Limited, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ANDREW GUERRERO, STEPHEN BRACKETT, JAMIE LAURIE, MACKENZIE ROBERTS, JESSE WALKER, KENNETH ORTIZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian
So much pain we
Dont know how to be but angry
Feel infected like weve got gangrene
Please dont let anybody try to change me
Me
Just me
In the middle of a sea full of faces
Full of faces
Some laugh some salivate
Whats in your alleyway
Recycling bins or bullet cases
Its not equal
Its not fair
Were different people
But were not scared
We aint never scared
To pave a new path
Make a new street
Build a new bridge
Say can you see by the dawns early light
Free slaves running
Songs words werent right
Now a new days coming
The few stay stunning while the many are handsome
Your soul is alive but they want it for ransom
The base drumming is the anthem
We step to the heartbeats of our granddaughters and grandsons
And
Rise together we
Lost hope and found need
Grounded by our surroundings
Did the walls scream universities
Or you and i verse the tees
React automatic and we burst when squeezed
And make 9-11 each emergency
Urgency amber to red like the turning leaves
Oh please let the hurting cease
Don't let apathy police the populace
We will march across
Those stereotypes that were marked for us
The answers obvious
We switch the consonants
Change the sword to words and lift continents
If you believe in redemption
I'm calling to you from another dimension
GP-B
I feel like we need these guys back right now
sitbackdownpls
this hit me
Penny P
Bumping loud here.
PoundingHogs
They were ahead of there time
ialsolovebees
100 million percent
Brian Bay
Bro they toured this year. And word from the band themselves next year is 15 anniversary of fight with tools. Tour In 2023. Go see them. I saw them 4 times in 2022. I was lucky they came so close two times.
Oliver Martinelli
Flobots deserve a LOT more attention than they get.
Kobe Macc
Olibott well let's say 3 years later they still deserve more attention
IMPOSSIBRU!!
Agreed
James Gomez
So says we all!