After the Aesthetic EP, Reardon was asked to leave the band for various reasons and Antillon was replaced by Jon Weisberg after he was arrested for shoplifting and unable to tour. The rest of the band members originally decided to have Good as the lead singer, but he opted to concentrate on guitar, not wanting to give it up in order to take on lead vocals. Good had wanted From First to Last to have a frontman, in order to connect with the crowd better. Using the social networking site MySpace, Good came in contact with a guitarist from California by the name of Sonny Moore, now better known as the person behind Skrillex. Moore flew out to Georgia, where the bands second album Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Bodycount was being recorded, and was set to be the band's second guitarist. However, when the other band members heard Moore singing backups, they decided that he was much better suited for lead singer than guitarist.
Good and Richter wrote the album in two weeks and Moore, coming in after the music was tracked, completed the vocals with the bands help. Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Body Count was released on June 29, 2004.
In 2005, from late May to mid June From First to Last participated in the "Dead by Dawn" tour with bands Emanuel, Halifax and He is Legend.
From mid March to mid May 2006 the band toured along side Fall Out Boy and The All-American Rejects for the "Black Clouds and Underdogs Tour" in support of their release Heroine.
Prior, the band went to Radio Star Studios in Weed, California to record their second album, produced by Ross Robinson. As their previous bassist Weisberg had been formally asked to step out due to issues within the band's relationship, producer Ross Robinson asked Wes Borland, (currently of Black light burns,former Limp Bizkit guitarist, to play bass on their second full length Heroine. He later played several tours with the band. The album was released on March 21, 2006 and opened on the Billboard albums chart at #25, with first-week sales of 33,000-plus. Shortly thereafter in April, they signed to major label Capitol Records after bidding between Capitol Records and Warner Bros.
Meanwhile, singer Sonny Moore began to have problems with his vocal chords. From First to Last went on the "World Championship Tour" supporting Atreyu along with Every Time I Die and Chiodos. That is when new bassist Matthew Manning joined the From First to Last line up. While on that tour, Moore had vocal cord problems and had to leave the tour. The band had planned to have guitarists Good and Richter cover Moore's vocal duties for the duration of the tour until singer of Chiodos, Craig Owens, insisted that he provide lead vocals for their sets. Atreyu eventually dropped From First to Last from the tour. The band later explained, "Our plan to enable us to play the rest of the tour was disregarded and as our crew was setting up for the show in Worcester, MA we were informed that we were being kicked off of the tour. Understand that it was not our choice to leave this tour...we were forced to leave." Atreyu then returned a statement about the controversy concerning From First to Last's departure, saying, "They couldn't perform as FFTL and are no longer on this tour."
In February 2007, Moore left From First to Last to pursue his solo career. His decision to leave was based on his urge to create his own music, and also on the fact that singing in FFTL was putting an immense strain on his vocal chords. Sonny has posted new recordings on his MySpace and has recently signed onto a label, modernorganic.
After vocalist Moore's departure, FFTL faced a crisis. Their label, Capitol Records, had dropped them due to financial problems. Without a vocalist, label, permanent bassist, or any money, the band almost split. Guitarist/Vocalist Matt Good, however, decided to take on lead vocals while still providing a backup guitar role. The band also quickly picked up Matt Manning to become full-time bassist .The band then spent their remaining money on a studio in which to continue work on their already-written third album.
After completing a full mix of their new material, FFTL was picked up by Suretone Records. Shortly after they re-entered the studio to record their album again, this time with a professional crew and better quality. This was part of the reason that there was so much delay in the release. The album was supposed to be out April 19, "Just in tiume for the High-lidays" as put by the band's merch guy, Ricky Terror. Then it was postponed up till May 6th.
The band recorded for the second time in Los Angeles, with producer Josh Abraham and seasoned engineer Ryan Williams. They have since completed the album, and at midnight on November 14, 2007, they released a new song, Two as One, on their MySpace account.
FFTL began their fall headlining tour, RATHER BE SLAYIN' N00BZ, starting November 1st 2007. This tour was with fellow post hardcore bands Pierce the veil, blessthefall, Four Year Strong, and Vanna.
After RATHER BE SLAYIN' N00BZ, the band joined every time i die, the bled, august burns red, and the human abstract on Hot Topic's Take Action Tour.
On January 23rd 2008, one of the songs from the new album, We All Turn Back to Dust, was released exclusively through Billboard.com. On February 12th, From First to Last released an exclusive 2 song CD through Hot Topic. The CD features the songs "We All Turn Back to Dust" and "I Once Was Lost But Now Am Profound" from the band's Self Titled album. On March 7th, it was confirmed that "Worlds Away" would be the album's first single. It hit radio on March 17th. The Video Debuted on AOL.
The new album received mixed reviews. With Sonny no longer in the band many people felt that From First to Last had lost their unique sound. Alternative Press magazine had reviewed their self titled album poorly, giving it a meager 2 stars, accompanied with a biased review. This had upset many other fans feel that they are better without him, or just the same.
A special edition of From First to Last's self titled is available through Hot Topic and it includes the extra track "Everything's Perfect." A more up tempo song reminiscent of their Dear Diary Days. The Japan editions include and extra track, "World's Away Acoustic." The European versions include "Tick Tick Tomorrow Acoustic" and "Medicinal Reality Acoustic." Aside from all these extra tracks, they covered "Chelsea Hotel" by leonard cohen and had it available to listen on myspace.
From First to Last plans to spend most of 2008 on the road, including a headlining slot on the Warped Tour. They have been documenting their tour life on FFTLTV, a series of videos with a new episode every week, released on Tuesdays via their youtube.
The band has a contract with EA games and will have certain songs featured on games like Facebreaker, which features Worlds Away, and Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3, for which they covered the "Hell March" theme by Frank Klepacki.
Derek Bloom and Travis Richter have a side project called the color of violence.
The band has recently reformed and announced a new EP to soon be recorded and released in 2014.
Black and White
From First to Last Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd like to take a peek inside those genes,
God, it looks so good,
But it hurts so bad.
I am no different than those that came before me,
And I can't help but doubt this.
I'd end up feeling like nothing,
Sometimes I'm a fucked up mess without you.
When you're right you're right, I'm not trying to lie,
There's times when the grass looks greener on the other side,
Sometimes I'm a fucked up mess without you.
I'm the one that always falls.
I'm the one that always falls.
Too many temptations for someone that just feels
Nothing more than human,
God, it looks so good,
But it hurts so bad.
I am no different than those that came before me,
And I can't help but doubt this.
You know if I went running,
I'd end up feeling like nothing,
Sometimes I'm a fucked up mess without you.
When you're right you're right, I'm not trying to lie,
There's times when the grass looks greener on the other side,
Sometimes I'm a fucked up mess without you.
I'll give you all want
Never wanted it
Everything I've got
Taking all I want
Black and white would feel so nice when everything is grey.
If I went running, I'd be left with nothing,
I'm a fucked up mess without you.
The lyrics of From First to Last's "Black and White" seem to explore the concept of genetics, temptation, and self-doubt within relationships. The lyrics "I let my DNA take over me, I'd like to take a peek inside those genes..." compare the human desire for temptation to the innate code of our DNA, creating a metaphor between both forces that can dictate our actions. The singer acknowledges that he can't help but doubt himself and his actions, even though he is no different from those who came before him. His dependence on his partner is clear throughout, admitting that sometimes he is "a fucked up mess" without them. He acknowledges that he is the one who always falls, indicating his reliance on others for emotional support.
The chorus, "Sometimes I'm a fucked up mess without you," showcases the singer's vulnerability and dependence on his partner for emotional stability. He admits that he has temptations, but the grass isn't always greener on the other side, bringing him back to his partner. The line, "Black and white would feel so nice when everything is grey," suggests that he wants simplicity and clarity, and the love he shares with his partner provides that for him. The song ends on the self-aware line, "If I went running, I'd be left with nothing, I'm a fucked up mess without you," emphasizing that he needs his partner to live a stable, fulfilling life.
Line by Line Meaning
I let my DNA take over me,
I feel powerless to resist the influence of my genetic makeup.
I'd like to take a peek inside those genes,
I'm curious about the traits that make me who I am.
God, it looks so good,
The potential benefits of my genetic makeup seem enticing.
But it hurts so bad.
However, the costs and consequences of those traits are painful to bear.
I am no different than those that came before me,
My struggles and challenges are not unique or original.
And I can't help but doubt this.
I have doubts about my ability to overcome those challenges.
You know if I went running,
If I tried to escape my problems,
I'd end up feeling like nothing,
I would feel worthless and hopeless.
Sometimes I'm a fucked up mess without you.
I depend on someone else to help me through my struggles.
When you're right you're right, I'm not trying to lie,
I acknowledge when someone else is correct or better off than me.
There's times when the grass looks greener on the other side,
Sometimes I envy what others have or who they are.
I'm the one that always falls.
I tend to fail or experience setbacks more than others.
Too many temptations for someone that just feels
I am vulnerable to making poor decisions because of my emotions.
Nothing more than human,
I am not perfect, just a flawed and ordinary person.
I'll give you all want
I will provide you with what you desire.
Never wanted it
However, I don't truly want or desire it myself.
Everything I've got
Despite my doubts and struggles, I will give it my all.
Taking all I want
I will pursue what I desire, regardless of the consequences.
Black and white would feel so nice when everything is grey.
Having clear and definite choices and paths would be comforting when life is uncertain or confusing.
If I went running, I'd be left with nothing,
If I try to escape or give up, I will have nothing to show for it.
I'm a fucked up mess without you.
I rely on others to help me make sense of my life and cope with my problems.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, MUSHROOM MUSIC PTY LTD
Written by: BARRY DOUGLAS HARVEY, PHIL MANNING, BARRY JOHN SULLIVAN, MATTHEW TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Bullshyta92
LYRICS
I let my DNA take over me,
I'd like to take a peek inside those genes,
God, it looks so good,
But it hurts so bad.
I am no different than those that came before me,
And I can't help but doubt this.
You know if I went running,
I'd end up feeling like nothing,
Sometimes I'm a fucked up mess without you.
When you're right you're right, I'm not trying to lie,
There's times when the grass looks greener on the other side,
Sometimes I'm a fucked up mess without you.
I'm the one that always falls.
I'm the one that always falls.
Too many temptations for someone that just feels
Nothing more than human,
God, it looks so good,
But it hurts so bad.
I am no different than those that came before me,
And I can't help but doubt this.
You know if I went running,
I'd end up feeling like nothing,
Sometimes I'm a fucked up mess without you.
When you're right you're right, I'm not trying to lie,
There's times when the grass looks greener on the other side,
Sometimes I'm a fucked up mess without you.
I'll give you all want
Never wanted it
Everything I've got
Taking all I want
Black and white would feel so nice when everything is grey.
If I went running, I'd be left with nothing,
I'm a fucked up mess without you.
@Mikefromhell_
I let my DNA take over me,
I'd like to take a peek inside those genes,
God, it looks so good,
But it hurts so bad.
I am no different than those that came before me,
And I can't help but doubt this.
You know if I went running,
I'd end up feeling like nothing,
Sometimes I'm a fucked up mess without you.
When you're right you're right, I'm not trying to lie,
There's times when the grass looks greener on the other side,
Sometimes I'm a fucked up mess without you.
I'm the one that always falls.
I'm the one that always falls.
Too many temptations for someone that just feels
Nothing more than human,
God, it looks so good,
But it hurts so bad.
I am no different than those that came before me,
And I can't help but doubt this.
You know if I went running,
I'd end up feeling like nothing,
Sometimes I'm a fucked up mess without you.
When you're right you're right, I'm not trying to lie,
There's times when the grass looks greener on the other side,
Sometimes I'm a fucked up mess without you.
I'll give you all want
Never wanted it
Everything I've got
Taking all I want
Black and white would feel so nice when everything is grey.
If I went running, I'd be left with nothing,
I'm a fucked up mess without you.
@McYates24
Now Spencer is gonna become a DJ
@skydancer171
lol
@davidramsay3615
😂
@BlimpyBoi
It's good to hear Travis' vocals in parts. Man was killer when he was in The Human Abstract!
@WoeIsLee
***** .......shoulda never broke up.
@dekubutler1702
THA was fucking amazing with Travis.
@WoeIsLee
not to mention aj minette is one of the best guitarist out there atm. I wish i went to concerts before they broke up.
@wtfyourafuckindoosh
Digital Veil was absolutely amazing. Still a favorite of mine.
@silentjaybob345
Idk why Travis just didn't take on the vocalist role in fftl?
@stephenjessop6058
From first to last can do whatever the fuck they want. They've been around for a lot longer than most modern big core bands.