Flobots are an alternative rap/rock band from Denver, Colorado, United Stat… Read Full Bio ↴Flobots are an alternative rap/rock band from Denver, Colorado, United States. They consist of Jonny 5 (vocals), Brer Rabbit (vocals), and Kenny Ortiz (drums). The band became popular in 2008 when their singles "Handlebars" and "Rise" became hits on American alternative rock radio. Mackenzie Roberts (viola/vocals), Jessie Walker (bass), Andy Guerrero (guitar) have previously been considered members of the band and have recorded and toured with them as well, although the band frequently uses touring musicians to fill out the lineup.

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.

The Circle in the Square
Flobots Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hands in the air
Presidents, prime ministers
They said that we didn't care
But that isn't fair

Hands in the air
Presidents, prime ministers
They said that we didn't care

But we're the circle in the square

[Chorus: x4]
Up, hands in the air
Presidents, prime ministers
They said that we didn't care
We're the circle in the square

The time is now, our time has come
We show them how, what can't be done
No matter what they say or they don't say
We make a way out of no way
Against the gun, beneath the veil
Yes we can, too big to fail
We are the ones we're waiting for
We save ourselves; Praise the lord

We are sly and the family
Stone in calamity
Triumph when thrown to the domes
Of these Goliaths
Planted seeds in silence
And granted meek compliance
And in the spring rain exploded in a riot
Of color and excitement
Wearing no disguises
Declaring to the stars that we trek like enterprises
Of candlelight revivals and how we lift the blindfolds
We end in Revelation, like it was the Bible

[Chorus]

We are the circle in the squee-are
We breathe air the same as the ones who didn't prepare
Don't be scared
Whatever time it was when you began
The clock is now 11:55 on the big hand
So you're invited into the circle that we sleep in
Invited to depend on friendships we deepen
To uncover the secrets in the [breath] that we're bleepin
The treasures maps we pretend we do not believe in
Show us how to

Party at the protest, Rally like a rockstar
Yaya, yaya, allahu akbar
Do svidaniya Ego Foster all the people
El pueblo unido, jamas sera vencido

Party at the protest, Rally like a rockstar
Yaya, yaya, allahu akbar
Do svidaniya Ego Foster all the people
El pueblo unido, jamas sera vencido

We are the night light bearers for night terrors
We are group dreamers, vision seekers and pall bearers
In aftermath of blight errors, blood type and marrow to the bone oaths
And beat hope into plow shares
We're balancing the balance beam
Pulling strings from battle scene tapestries
And ravenous advocates for smaller teams
Pop the bubbles of crystal schemes
We are the sleep walkers for stalled dreams

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in "The Circle in the Square" by Flobots express the idea that regardless of what leaders say about the general population's lack of concern or care, they cannot speak for the collective power of the people. The song challenges the common ideology that ordinary citizens are not capable of bringing change or that their voice is not heard. The lyrics call for a revolution in which people work together as a unit to bring about change, using their collective power to bring light to social injustices. Flobots encourages us to join the circle and acknowledge that we are part of a greater force that has the potential to bring about change.

The song was written after Jonny 5, one of the band members, was inspired by a peaceful protest event held on the steps of the Colorado state capitol building in 2011. The band performs hip hop, rock and pop influenced music, and they are known for using their music to spread messages of social and political justice.

Line by Line Meaning

Hands in the air
We raise our hands in protest and solidarity, showing that we will not be silent.

Presidents, prime ministers
Those in power who have failed to represent the people's interests.

They said that we didn't care
They accused us of apathy and indifference.

But that isn't fair
This accusation is false and unjust.

Hands in the air
We continue to protest and seek change.

Presidents, prime ministers
Those in power must hear our voices and take action.

They said that we didn't care
They continue to ignore us and dismiss our concerns.

But we're the circle in the square
Despite what they think, we are a powerful force for change and we will not be silenced.

[Chorus: x4]
The chorus reiterates our presence and commitment to protest and change.

The time is now, our time has come
We must seize the moment and take action now to effect change.

We show them how, what can't be done
We will show those in power what they have failed to accomplish.

No matter what they say or they don't say
We will not be swayed by their words or lack thereof.

We make a way out of no way
We will find solutions when it seems like there are none.

Against the gun, beneath the veil
We persist in spite of violence and oppression.

Yes we can, too big to fail
We are capable of change and too important to ignore.

We are the ones we're waiting for
We alone can effect the change we seek – we cannot wait for others to do it for us.

We save ourselves; Praise the lord
We must rely on each other and not on divine intervention to create change.

We are sly and the family
We are clever and united in our determination to effect change.

Stone in calamity
We remain strong even in difficult times.

Triumph when thrown to the domes
We overcome obstacles even when they are stacked against us.

Of these Goliaths
Referring to the forces of oppression that we are up against.

Planted seeds in silence
We have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to effect change.

And granted meek compliance
We have been patient and persistent in our efforts.

And in the spring rain exploded in a riot
Our efforts have led to a powerful and transformative movement.

Of color and excitement
Our movement is vibrant and full of energy.

Wearing no disguises
We are genuine and transparent in our intentions.

Declaring to the stars that we trek like enterprises
Our goals are ambitious and far-reaching.

Of candlelight revivals and how we lift the blindfolds
We are calling for justice and an end to oppression.

We end in Revelation, like it was the Bible
The transformative power of our movement will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.

[Chorus]
The chorus is repeated to reinforce our presence and commitment to change.

We are the circle in the squee-are
We are a powerful and united force for change.

We breathe air the same as the ones who didn't prepare
We are all equal and deserving of a better world, regardless of our history or background.

Don't be scared
We should not be afraid to stand up for what is right and just.

Whatever time it was when you began
It doesn't matter when we started, what matters is that we continue to fight for change.

The clock is now 11:55 on the big hand
We are running out of time to effect change and we must act urgently.

So you're invited into the circle that we sleep in
We welcome anyone who wants to join us in the fight for change.

Invited to depend on friendships we deepen
We rely on each other and our connections to effect change.

To uncover the secrets in the [breath] that we're bleepin
We are uncovering the hidden truths that have been buried by those in power.

The treasures maps we pretend we do not believe in
The solutions to our problems have been there all along, but we have been ignoring them.

Show us how to
We are ready to learn and be shown the way.

Party at the protest, Rally like a rockstar
We can come together in joy and celebration even in the midst of protest and struggle.

Yaya, yaya, allahu akbar
An expression of joy and celebration, and a reminder that we are all equal in the eyes of God.

Do svidaniya Ego Foster all the people
We are saying goodbye to the forces of oppression and moving forward with unity.

El pueblo unido, jamas sera vencido
The people united will never be defeated.

[Chorus]
The chorus is repeated to reinforce our presence and commitment to change.

We are the night light bearers for night terrors
We bring light to the darkness and hope to those who are afraid.

We are group dreamers, vision seekers and pall bearers
We are united in our commitment to create a better world.

In aftermath of blight errors, blood type and marrow to the bone oaths
We are committed to creating change even in the aftermath of past mistakes and injustices.

And beat hope into plow shares
We turn our hope and energy into tools for creating change.

We're balancing the balance beam
We are working to achieve justice and balance in society.

Pulling strings from battle scene tapestries
We are working to unearth the hidden power structures and injustices that have resulted in a society fraught with inequality.

And ravenous advocates for smaller teams
We advocate for the underdogs and those who are often marginalized.

Pop the bubbles of crystal schemes
We expose the false and often harmful narratives that have been created to preserve the status quo.

We are the sleep walkers for stalled dreams
We are working tirelessly to achieve the dreams that have been repeatedly stalled and hindered by those in power.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JAMES ALEXANDER LAURIE, JESSE TAYLOR WALKER, KENNETH FREDRICK ORTIZ, MACKENZIE ALLYN ROBERTS, STEPHEN MALLOY BRACKETT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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